No Boom Obama?

During the campaign and early in the Obama Administration our new President has said that he wants to stop the "boom and bust" cycle to our economy. Do you really want to live in an America that never has another economic boom?

Jeanane You Ignorant Slut!

That title may sound harsh but it is stolen from an old SNL skit. Dan Ackroyd and Jane Curtain did this hysterical Point Counterpoint bit where Dan always opened his comments with "Jane you ignorant slut". If only Ms. Garofalo was half as funny.

Rosie O'donnell has a radio show, who knew? O'Donnell recently took a career risk and had Jeanane Garofalo as a guest. This was either brave or stupid as Ms. G was instrumental in shepherding the long slow death of Air America failure. These two first directed their uninformed venom on Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Ms. G described Hasselbeck as "anti-intellectual" and "not compassionate". Ms. G went on to say that Hasselback has a "ridiculous take on religion"and is a "very limited person". Rather uncool to publicly bad mouth someone who isn't there to defend herself. I don't know a whole lot about Ms Hasselbeck but I have observed that she is something these two will never be, a lady.

These two shrews then moved on to Rush Limbaugh and his listeners and that is when they began talking about me. Ms O referred to Rush as a "junkie" and asked how he could have such an important voice after being exposed as a "junkie". First words have meaning and a junkie is a drug addict, usually addicted to heroin, someone who smokes crack might also qualify. A middle aged man who because of back pain became addicted to prescription pain killers would not qualify as a "junkie". Ms. O & Ms. G were exhibiting a shocking lack of compassion, an accusation they had just leveled at Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Hypocrites!

So, since Ms. G has stated her opinion of me I would like to express my opinion of her. First Ms. G is a liar. This isn't really an opinion because she did actually lie making my statement a fact. Ms. G said prior to our invasion of Iraq which she opposed that if the American troops were welcomed as "Liberators" she would apologize to President Bush for her strident opposition. We were in fact welcomed as liberators. It didn't last a real long time but it did happen, You may recall film of an Iraq man slapping a mural of Sadam Hussain with his sandal saying "Thank you Mr. Bush!".

Ms G may not know what makes someone a fan of Rush Limbaugh but I don't know what made the guys who make 24 cast her as a second and unnecessary Cloe? It was truly bazaar, she was a second Cloe, a little meaner but basically the very same character. Jeanane, you are not unaccomplished. I thought the truth about Cats & Dogs was a charming film. However, you are not many of the things you think you are. You are not an intellectual despite the Tina Fey glasses. You are not a kind or thoughtful person. What you are Ms G is a very angry woman who never hesitates to be vulgar.

I am sorry that you live in a world where you are forced to maintain a lower weight than your body naturally gravitates toward. I know that it must be very hard for you to live your life never feeling full. Please either give it up and go back to being chubby (look at Rosie) or fill that void with something else. Try love for your fellow man, or a man. Oh, I just thought of another possible cause for your recent decade of being in a bad mood.

Religion in America

Religion, or at least a firm belief in the existence of a creator is in America. It is woven into every ideal that was used to create our great union. The Jews were Gods chosen people but the American people chose God.

Our founding fathers were not all Christians, some were Jewish and some claimed no specific religion but they shared a common vision. They created for us a nation that allowed freedom of religion among many freedoms. The single guiding principle was that power comes not from government but from the people. Government was a necessary evil which was to have only the powers the governed would allow.

We should really try to get back to the founding principles and get government out of our daily lives.

Funniest Video Ever

This is the funniest video ever and before you liberals get all up on your high horse in indignation remember the jokes sent around about Bush.......

Click on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5VLeBhzE3Y

It's a Cold Cold World this Winter

The following are all recent headlines with a link to the story if you want to know more. The point is that the "warming period" our Northern Hemisphere experienced from 1980 to 1998 has truly ended and the time to shut down the "Global Warming Hysteria" is come. Hurry before these maniacs destroy our economy further with "Cap & Trade" and before Obama & Hillary make good on their promise to divert 100 billion to 3rd world countries to elevate global warming.

Miami shivers from coldest weather in decade
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.ddf1d3c1eb6d81b959257820155d3d51.1b1&show_article=1

Winter of 2009-2010 Could Be Worst in 25 Years
http://www.accuweather.com/news-weather-features.asp?partner=&traveler=0&date=2010-01-04_1701&month=1&year=2010

Vermont All-Time record snowfall
http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/2010/01/03/Alltime-record-snowfall-in/1262573458.html

Seoul buried in heaviest snowfall in 70 years
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100104/ap_on_re_as/as_asia_storms

Cold weather kills scores in India
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20100101113458666C113855

Britain facing one of the coldest winters in 100 years, experts predict
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/6921281/Britain-facing-one-of-the-coldest-winters-in-100-years-experts-predict.html

Once in a generation cold snap forecast for NC
http://www2.wnct.com/nct/news/local/article/once_in_a_generation_cold_snap_forecast_for_nc/91554/

Feeling cold? We're at 30 below normal -Iowa
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100103/NEWS/1030352/-1/SiteMap/Feeling-cold?-We-re-at-30-below-normal

Peru's mountain people face fight for survival in a bitter winter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/03/peru-mountain-farmers-winter-cold

Siberian winds usher in record lows in Beijing
http://www.theage.com.au/world/siberian-winds-usher-in-record-lows-in-beijing-20100103-lna6.html

As Britain told to expect snow for 'next 10 days', how is the rest of the world is coping with this Arctic weather?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240319/As-Britain-told-expect-snow-10-days-rest-world-coping-Arctic-weather.htmlRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240319/As-Britain-told-expect-snow-10-days-rest-world-coping-Arctic-weather.html#ixzz0beAfvNLg

Al-Qa'ida & Athiests

This Christmas we have had to put up with al-Qa'ida trying to blow us up and atheists trying to deny us our reason for the season. I can't begin to understand what convoluted thought process allows people to believe that killing innocent strangers of another faith will bring them closer to their God. Consequently they need not be understood, they must simply be stopped.

The atheist are another story. They are like the obnoxious older child who couldn't wait to tell you there was no Santa Clause. They feel superior because they know better, at least they think they know better. They are like the woman I knew who rushed to my side one night when I entered a big party. I was surprised to see her hurry my way we weren't very close but she had a purpose. This woman wanted to be the first to tell me that another acquaintance of ours had died the night before. I am still taken back a bit by her enthusiasm. Who wants to be the bearer of bad news? Well, atheists I guess.

Atheists want to assure you that your faith in God is misplaced. The thing that gives your life purpose, guides your behavior and brings you comfort is a fake. How do atheist know there is not God? They say God does not exist because His existence cannot be proven. If only everyone would be as skeptical of man-made global warning. Being unable to prove something does not automatically prove the opposite. There are many unanswered questions in our world. We do not know all there is to know about how our world was created, how it all works and when and how it will all cease to exist.

So, the ACLU makes us push our Nativity scene to the side to make way for "Heathens Greetings" and billboards stating "Yes Virginia there is no God". If you want to spread the news that there is no God wouldn't April first be a better choice? Atheists believe faithful people have been duped so they should run their ads on April Fools Day. "Believe in God? April Fools!" That would be much more appropriate but unnecessary, people lose faith every day without any prompting. Christ Himself lost faith for a moment on the cross when he asked "Why have You forsaken me?"

If atheists are so confident in their anti-faith and want to open the eyes of others they are free to do so. However to insist on doing so during the most joyous time of the year, well I'm sorry but you are just being a jerk, and that is something which can be proven.

Fair & Balanced? Damn Right They Are!

To all of you who rail against Fox News and claim that they are not "fair and balanced" step off! I know that it is shocking to you aficionados of CBS ABC CNN and worst of all MSNBC to hear the conservative view on any subject but 40% of this nation identify themselves as conservatives. Take that you 23% of self described liberals.

Firstly with the acquisition of John Stossel Fox News now has all of the Conservatives in broadcast media but that is only because they are not welcome at other networks. Secondly I can prove Fox News is fair and balanced. If they are not reporting the liberal side too why do I have to mute and fast forward thru the opinions of Bob Beckel, Geraldo Rivera, Ellis Hennigan, Geraldine Ferraro and Ellen Ratner (whom I like to say "puts the "rat" in Democrat" since the day she said she hoped we would lose in Iraq to prevent President Bush being reelected).

Try having opposing views to your own shoved in your face daily as conservatives have done for 30 years and you'll may develop some perspective. At any moment if I am watching a movie or TV show, listening to music or reading anything a liberal poison dart may strike. I once read an anti President Bush comment in a restaurant review in the Palm Beach Post. So suck it up you sniveling little liberals about conservatives having one news channel and most of talk radio as their tiny oasis from 24-7 liberal indoctrination.

Liberals Never Learn

After the debacle of the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui's any one who was paying attention knows that a criminal trial for a terrorists is a bad idea. Moussaoui turned his trial into a circus When we tried "the blind sheik" we spent millions, gave a maniac a platform to spew his venom and released to the world the names of all the terrorists we knew about. On that list was Usama bin Laden and I'm sure he appreciated the "heads up" that we provided.


Our judicial system only works if all parties have some skin in the game. When you have a defendant who does not care if he is convicted he can really throw a wrench into the works. When Khalid Sheik Mohammed's was captured in Pakistan he said he would not tell us anything "until he arrived in New York and had an attorney". The Bush Administration had the good sense to not send him to New York. Instead, we splashed some water in his face and he sang like a canary. We got a lot of good information from KSM that allowed us to capture other terrorists and save innocent lives.

The Obama Administration lacks that "good sense". Egg-headed intellectual types are notorious for having high minded ideas that NEVER work well in the real world. KSM will use this opportunity to put the United States on trial and terrorists don't play fair. KSM will lie, cheat and do anything he can come up with to use the world stage Eric Holder has given him. The trial could take years and the expense will be unprecedented. New York will be more of a target for terrorists then ever.

This is the worst plan the Obama Administration has come up with yet.

A Poem Written by my Niece

In His Green Chair

In his green chair he sits and stares,
Remembering times of despair.
Watching his westerns and the news,
Guns ablaze as John Wayne fights through,
Reminding him of the warfare.

He is my grandpa. And he cares
In his silence with loving glares,
Sits a tail gunner from World War III
In his green chair.
He saved many lives in the air
And lost more friends then I could bear.
He fought for our country, me, and you,
Representing red, white, and blue.
Sitting, after much wear and tear,
In his green chair.

-Madison Blake 11/11/09

Cereal Bowl Backlash

I don't eat cereal, I'm not a child. I remember a study a few years back that claimed "people who have cereal for breakfast are healthier than those who do not". Of course they are! Not because of the cereal but because they do what is expected of them. Cereal is for breakfast so that is what they eat. I assure you these are the people who wait an hour after eating before they swim. They look both ways before they cross the street they are going to outlive their less boring counterparts.

But I digress. It isn't cereal eaters that have got me steamed it is cereal bowls. I have lived for over fifteen years with a man who likes to have a bowl of cereal before bed nearly every night. It has never been much of a problem. I have no idea why a man who conscientiously rinses out his wine glass and places it in the sink drainer each evening has to leave his cereal bowl in the sink. There it sits the next morning with it's little spoon and the inevitable traces of left behind sweetened milk. Oh well, such is my lot in life and if this had been the extent of it you would never have heard a complaint from me, but things have gotten worse, much worse.

I now have three cereal eating people in my home. One person is very likely to rinse her bowl and spoon and place them in the dishwasher. Two can't seem to do this simple task. So, now when I get up in the morning I have a bowl to rinse and put in the dishwasher and if I go off to work or out to run errands there is a very good chance another bowl will appear in the sink while I am gone. No matter how clean I leave the kitchen there is a good chance that when I return a bowl and a spoon will be there to greet me. With a small puddle of milk just mocking me. Damn you cereal bowl, damn you to hell.

Katie and Madison

Autumn 2009

This is the year that my nieces will be

fourteen and fifteen and taller then me.

I cannot describe how lovely they are,

a blessing, a gift, a wish on a star.

Two pretty pink little bundles of joy,

nobody minded neither was a boy.

We thought them perfect but we've had to wait.

to see at what they would be good or great.

They grow more precious with each passing year,

continuing to amaze and endear.

Where will the future take our two beauties?

Somewhere great, you can bet your petutties.

In Some Cases Even Switzerland Cannot Be Neutral

There are some actions that are just beyond the pale like drugging and sexually abusing a thirteen-year-old girl. Roman Polanski took a child to a party at Jack Nicholson's house and gave her Quaaludes and alcohol. Polanski took advantage of the girl having sexual intercourse and sodomizing the child. These acts are not alleged, Polanski plead guilty to a reduced charge of "illegal sex with a minor"in 1977.

This was a shameful situation all around. Shame on that child's parents for allowing her to go anywhere alone with Polanski. Shame on Jack Nicholson for condoning such behavior in his home. Shame on all the enlightened nitwits who defend Polanski. Apparently they cannot grasp the concept that a good director can also be a monster and the work does not excuse the evil.

Polanski fled the United States to avoid arrest and incarceration for his heinous acts. He has lived well for 32 years in France where it is considered unsophisticated to hold artist to any standards of decency. Now he has been arrested and there is a chance that he will finally receive the punishment he deserves. In a bit of irony the much celebrated Polanski was taken when he appeared to accept an award.

Wholly Inappropriate

In a country where 90% of Americans believe in God and 93% celebrate Christmas and 85% consider themselves to be Christians it is illegal to pray in public school. Most schools do not allow Christmas carols to be sung and even outlaw any mention of Christmas using the term "winter break" instead. Liberals and the ACLU have spent decades trying to force any demonstrations of faith from the public square. It has been acceptable to celebrate religions other than Christianity like say Islam or to celebrate Kwanzaa but the religion a vast majority of Americans follow is verboten.

Inch by inch our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion have been taken from us. Freedom of religion has morphed into freedom from religion forcing a gag order on the faithful. Keep your faith on the low down, shut up so that your beliefs won't offend someone who does not share your faith. At the same time don't complain when other beliefs are foisted upon you and your children. Some beliefs are allowed to be celebrated like "choice". "Choice" is good, women must have the right to choose. Homosexuality also must be celebrated in all it's forms, gay lesbian (are lesbians not gay what exactly is the difference besides gender?) trans gender (whatever the hell that is) and all the rest of that crowd. Speaking out against abortion earns you ridicule and can keep you off the Supreme Court. Daring to say that homosexuality isn't good for America is just "Hate Speech" pure and simple.

Although teachers were recently criminally prosecuted for saying grace over a meal where no students were present and even secular holiday tunes like "Here comes Santa Clause" cannot be sung by our nations school children a new religion is apparently encouraged. There isn't a formal name yet so I'll call it Obamaism. The following is the text of two hymns which were taught to and preformed by 2nd grade public school students. You can view the performance your self at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aqMTD5UFmU

Mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama
He said all should lend a hand to make the country strong again.
Mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair today, equal work means equal pay.
Mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama
He said take a stand, make sure everyone gets a chance.
Mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black and white, all are equal in his sight.
(wait that sounds familiar but in the version I learned all were "precious" in
His sight and He was Jesus not Barack Obama)
Mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama.
Yeah! Barack Hussein Obama.

Then there is this charming ditty sung to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic...
…Hello, Mr. President, we honor you today
For all your great accomplishments, we all do say hooray.
Hooray, Mr. President, you are No. 1
The first black American to lead this nation.

Frightening, isn't it and not just the strained attempt at rhyme (hand and again, number one and nation). It's just like the daily song of praise all school children in Iraq used to sing to Saddam Hussain. Wow, who will depose America's dictator?...and all his little czars too???

The Racists Conundrum

What are American racists to do? Should they hate President Obama because he is half black or hate him because he is half white? It doesn't really matter because apparently you will be called a racist if you dare to complain about any of the President's policies. So if you think Obama's health care plan will destroy a system that provides the best medical care in the world you can keep it to yourself or get ready to be defamed.

A Lie by any Other Name Still Decieves

Last night South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson voiced the opinion of millions of Americans when he shouted "You Lie" during President Obama's speech. Truth is the President statement that his health care plan will not cover illegals is probably untrue for many reasons and a statement need not be a lie to deceive. If the President was saying that his health care plan won't cover illegals because his immigration plan will make illegals legal that is still a deception. However, what and where is the President's health care plan? The answer is there isn't one. There are several bills floating around but none was authored by the Obama administration and if he is supporting one of these bills he has yet to signal which one. Obama had the nerve to tell the Republicans "If you have a better plan where is it?" Too bad for him several members had copies of their bills with them which they waved in response to a question he must have meant to be hypothetical.

The demonstrated shock and outrage is excessive and hypocritical. Media pundits and politicians have repeated over and over another lie that this outburst is "unprecedented". The only thing that makes the occurrence "unprecedented" is that a single voice rang out rather than the crowd of boos heard from Democrats at the 2004 state of the union speech given by President Bush. For eight years it was considered brillant and or fashionable to call the President a liar Now it is suddenly beyond the pale to do such a disrespectful thing.

This double standard is nothing new. Democrats can get away with stupid statements, tax evasion, criminality and extra marital activities for which Republicans are forced to apologise repeatedly until they are forced to resign. Republicans are criticized unless they play by the Marquess of Queensberry rules and Democrats get a pass from their party, their supporters and the media.

The bipartisan laugh Obama got when he said "there are a lot of details to be worked out" was actually the most embarrassing moment of the speech. Yep, our President told us that he can provide insurance coverage to more people with no loss of quality for less money. If that isn't a lie I don't know what is.

Democrats Ever Shifting Priorities

Democrats have a shockingly ever shifting set of priorities. They know that they can change the definition of words if it is beneficial to them. Heaven knows the lame stream media will never call them on it. Well if Bill Clinton can question the meaning of the word "is" then more complicated concepts like patriotism or experience can certainly have murky meanings.

When a Democrat presidential candidate has served in the United States military it is important and when he has not it is of no importance. Bill Clinton was an actual "draft dodger" but he was the Democrats presidential candidate so military service suddenly had nothing to to with being Americas Commander in Chief. Clinton ran against two true military heroes. George H W Bush and Bob Dole. Then when John Kerry was the candidate his four MONTHS in Viet Nam was essential experience for anyone who would dare to be our President and the two years George W. Bush spent in the Texas Air National Guard was worthless.

Apparently it was acceptable for Mr. Obama to list the groups and individuals he claims are telling lies about his alleged health care plan. It is apparently also fine for him to threaten opponents by promising to "call them out". It seems to be okay for the head of his party, Howard Dean, to say that Americans who disagree with Obama are "trying to bring down the country" tho to Dean's credit he later claimed he never made such a statement, despite the moment being caught on film. It was perfectly acceptable for Speaker of the Democrat run House to mention swastikas when describing the Americans attending town hall meetings. Also, any American who dares to disagree with any policy of the Obama administration can be called a racist.

One of the chief arguments against electing George W Bush was his lack of "experience" despite him being in his second term as governor of Texas. First he ran against a life time politician who had never authored a significant piece of legislation and who had been less than influential as Vice-President. Then he defeated another life time politician who had never authored a significant piece of legislation and who had been known to usually be more interested in leaving the Senate early than on what was going on there. Apparently Kerry was happy to rest in the shade of Sen Kennedy's plus-size shadow.

Despite Obama's total lack of executive experience and military experience his ability to be President of the United States of America was never questioned. Governor Palin's ability to be Vice-president however was debated endlessly. Personally I'd rather see Floyd the barber in line to replace the President ahead of Joe Biden. Biden's secret service code name is rumored to be "assassination insurance".

Well, we get the government we deserve...heaven help us!

Obama to Our Greatest Generation - Drop Dead

Those of you who served your country in WWII may get a second opportunity to die for your country. Only 43% of you voted for President Obama in 2008 and he has no incentive to help you make it to 2012. Consequently the President plans to reduce health care costs by discouraging the elderly from needlessly extending their lives.

In a recent town hall meeting the President was given a scenario in which a 100 year-old woman needed and received a pacemaker. The woman is now 105 and going strong. Her daughter asked Mr Obama if that could happen under his plan and his response was "in the case of someone who is 100 perhaps it would be better to give them a pain pill". Now I'm no doctor but I am pretty sure that, unlike a pacemaker, a pain pill would not keep a human heart beating.

It should come as no surprise that a man who was comfortable supporting a bill that made it legal to allow the babies born alive in late term abortions to be set aside until they died would have no problem telling Grandma or Grandpa "Lets just make you comfortable, curing you is just not cost effective".

President's Promises, Like His Pitches, Fall Short

Some Presidents can throw like a pro and others throw like a beauty queen.

When the Democrats insisted that the "Stimulus" bill had to be passed immediately the President said that it would create two to three million jobs. That promise was quickly altered to "create or save" two million jobs. This was a brilliant move because there is no way to prove how many jobs have been "saved". This week the President tells us that the oh so urgent stimulus bill was never expected to have an immediate impact. "It was always a two year plan" I believe was the exact quote but unlike our media I have a memory. President Obama and his team said that without this bill passed immediately unemployment would hit 9%. Well, we are over 9% now with the bill passed. Obama and Biden blather on about how they inherited so many problems. Well they were both in the Senate before they ran if they didn't want the job they shouldn't have run.

Now, about that pitch. First the president strides out amid cheers and boos in a pair of jeans which have a crease ironed into them??? Anticipating the boos the President is wearing a White Sox jacket like oh sure, he is getting booed but it's because of the White Sox jacket not his pathetic handling of our economy. Then he throws a pitch so pathetic that the FOX camera is forced to avert it's eyes from the landing near home plate. What is the story with this guy? He can only play basketball? Obama's attempts at golf are said to be laughable and remember he tried bowling during his campaign. I got a higher bowling score on my first game than he did and the difference was he was 46 and I was 6.

HEY BARTENDER!

Months ago I met a bartender who was a Hillary supporter. He said "Well, you have to admit universal health care would be a good thing". I told him no it would be a very bad plan and gave him a few examples of "health care" in England. People waiting till they go blind in one eye to get treatment for macular degeneration. An Englishman super gluing his tooth in place since there are no dentists. Imagine if we had universal bar service. The government would set his pay, tell him what to charge and he would not have the right to refuse service to anyone. Tips would be illegal because it might mean those who could afford to tip might get better service. The lazy bartender would make the exact same amount as the hard working one. Now would service improve do you think? Would being a bartender be more enjoyable?

I'm sure this young genius is in the 32% in his age group who think Socialism is as good a system as Democracy. Our government can't run a railroad or deliver the mail without losing their shirts do we really want to put our health care in their hands?

DONALD ALLEN ANDERSON

DONALD ALLEN ANDERSON
January 23, 1947 – July 7, 2009

Donald Anderson was, to put it simply, one of the good guys. He was no slave to fashion, no citizen of the world, I’m pretty sure he never got a manicure. Don was the type of man we see less these days a good old American guy. Don was raised by two wonderful people; Bill and Lavergne Anderson, to honor his parents love his country and behave like a gentleman. Dons’ mother’s brownies with white frosting were always his favorite treat. If any of the women in his home planned to make brownies he would ask them to use his mother’s recipe. Don and his brother Bill both served our nation in the armed forces. Don always knew he could count on his big brother and Bill knew he might get a late night I love you bro call at any time.

Don had his own ideas about things but he could be won over. When he walked into his college dorm room for the first time and saw his roommate playing a guitar he thought “What have I gotten myself into?” By the end of the first semester he had made a friend and developed a lifelong appreciation for Sonny & Cher’s “I’ve got you Babe. Don had a great sense of humor but didn’t like to draw attention to himself. He was a thoughtful person who seemed content to observe and listen and consider. Then Don would inject a comment or two that were always insightful, interesting and well worth hearing. Don was really quite brilliant and I deeply regret that I didn’t spend more time discussing current events with him.

Don was a kind and loving husband. He had about a number of ways of saying Deanne. When he was teasing, chiding or pretending to be shocked he would always say Deanne instead of De. I can hear his voice saying Deanne and shock, teasing or whatever inflection he chose you could hear the love quite clearly. Don was very protective of Deanne he did all the stinky jobs like cleaning the shells, cleaning out De’s lunch containers for her or seeing to any of the hundreds of details he took upon himself to make her life easier. Don did all the ironing and most of the gift buying. He took time to notice what all of their friends and family liked and was always on the lookout for the very thing that would delight one of the lucky people on his gift list. Don was an excellent gift wrapper and even recycled last year’s Christmas cards into lovely tags for this year’s gifts.

Don had a special relationship with his sister in law, Margaret Quinn. He was ever vigilant in seeking out Miami Dolphin memorabilia for her. Margret wasn’t shy about asking if he had anything for her either. She would sometimes tease the gifts out of him and was always thrilled with whatever he had found. Margaret’s child like enthusiasm made the gift giving as enjoyable for Don as the receiving was for Margaret. Today they are together again and looking over all the loved ones they have left behind, just for a time.

Some men might think twice about marrying a woman with two little girls but Don saw Peggy and Lori as the bonus blessings they were. Even during the teen years when they overfilled and broke the washing machine on a regular basis, sure he complained, loudly sometimes but you could tell that he really enjoyed being the guy who could fix the washing machine. Don has been a loving father from the first and the blessing of two little girls was multiplied by the gift of two grandsons.

Matthew and Steven can tell you what a wonderful loving grandfather their Poppop has been. Don taught Stephen to play cribbage as soon as he was old enough to hold a hand of cards so well that Stephen was able to beat his Uncle Bill the first time they played. Thursday night Steven and Uncle Bill played cribbage again and with PopPop looking over his shoulder Stephen didn’t just win, he “skunked” his uncle.

Matt and Don were co-conspirators in a sense. During the family trips to Mitchells Sand Castle in Sanibel they would go shelling during the low tide. The low tide was often between midnight and 3am. While everyone else slept they would slip out of the hotel like cat burglars, bundled up, carrying flashlights to collect the shells that were underwater the other 23 hours of the day. I am sure Matt will treasure those memories over the most exotic shells they discovered.
Don somehow spent his time in the army in Colorado and learned to ski. Don and Deanne got involved in the local Snow Ski club and went on a number of ski trips over the years. Most people who fly from Florida to ski country take steps to deal with the difference in altitude and humidity. Not Don, we were all having lunch on the mountain once and while I was gulping water to recover from a morning of skiing in the thin dry air Don was enjoying a Miller Lite. He had a tee shirt that said “Never too drunk to ski”

Deanne and Don enjoyed diving, snorkeling and boating. Many of us here were or are members of the Flotilla Club and the Palm Beach Fin Divers. Some people who dive just look but Don didn’t like coming up empty handed. He speared fish and caught lobster. Don found bottles and shells if you’ve been to the Anderson home you know how good he was. Deep down I know Don thought he would find sunken treasure one day I saw it in his eyes once when we were in Key West looking at treasure in some little museum. I always hoped he would come across at least one gold doubloon but for Don it wasn’t what he had just found that was most exciting to him; it was always what he would find next. I dressed rather brightly today because of a complaint Don voiced twenty years ago at the Fin Diver Christmas party. He just didn’t see why so many women wore black when they dressed up and he preferred to see us in bright colors.

Don’s collecting went way beyond shells. He collected cookie jars, Marilyn Monroe bottles of wine and many things of interest and value. Don was telling me once about his Tweety Bird collection and how the value was increasing. Initially I thought he was pulling my leg, but over the years he bought and sold so many things at a profit I have to admit he knew that he was talking about. I think it was the very concept of finding value where others might overlook it that drew Don to be such a collector. When Don wasn’t finding beautiful things he was creating them. His mosaics are really quite wonderful and I am pleased that I have a lovely example of Don’s artistic talent in my home which I will always treasure.

Don was incredibly intelligent and had a natural mathematical gift. Over the years he developed systems to win at Jai Ali and the lottery. Unfortunately these schemes required huge financial investment and he ever got the chance to fully test them. Recently he found black jack to be a suitable outlet for his skill and desire to gamble. Although, judging from his success at the black jack tables you couldn’t really call it gambling. De’s brother Jim and family friend Gary can tell you firsthand about Don’s cruise ship casino success and perhaps explain why he referred to them as “the girls”.

From the moment I heard the terrible and shocking news of Don’s death the same phrase kept running through my mind. What will we do without Don? As I pictured future events, parties and get-togethers wondering if they would even be possible I kept thinking what will we do without Don? I don’t know the answer to that question. I don’t know why this wonderful man was taken from us so abruptly and at such a young age.

I do know that he was loved and admired, I know that he will never be forgotten and that he will be missed so very terribly missed.