Elephants in Seattle

We also went to the zoo before we left on the cruise.
Jeff's uncle is the Elephant keeper at the Seattle Zoo so we got the backstage tour.
It was very cool.

And I got to snap some cool shots while we were there.

Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs

This letter was written by Charles Grennel and his comrades, veterans
of the Global War On Terror. Grennel is an Army Reservist who spent two
years in Iraq and was a principal in putting together the first Iraq
elections in January 2005.


They wrote it to Jill Edwards, student at the University of
Washington, who did not want to honor Medal of Honor winner USMC Colonel
Greg Boyington. Ms. Edwards, other students and faculty do not think those
who serve in the U.S. armed services are good role models.

To: Jill Edwards, Student, University of Washington

Subject: Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs

Miss Edwards, I read of your student activity regarding the proposed
memorial to Colonel Greg Boyington, USMC and a Medal of Honor winner. I
suspect you will receive many angry emails from conservative people like me.

You may be too young to appreciate fully the sacrifices of generations
of servicemen and servicewomen on whose shoulders you and your fellow
students stand. I forgive you for the untutored ways of youth and your
naiveté. It may be that you are simply a sheep. There's no dishonor in being
a sheep, as long as you know and accept what you are.


William J. Bennett, in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy
November 24, 1997 said "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They
are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by
accident. We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence
is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent
people, not capable of hurting each other except by accident or under
extreme provocation. They are sheep.


Then there are the wolves who feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you
believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the f lock without mercy?
You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable
of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you
become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

Then there are sheepdogs and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the
flock and confront the wolf. If you have no capacity for violence then you
are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If one has a capacity for
violence and no empathy for one's fellow citizens, then you have defined an
aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence,
and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog,
a warrior, someone who is walking the unsheltered path.


Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal
human phobia, and walk out unscathed.


We know that the sheep live in denial; that is what makes them sheep.


They do not want to believ e that there is evil in the world. They can
accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire
extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their
kid's schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed
police officer in their kid's school. Our children are thousands of times
more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire,
but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The
idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard. So they
choose the path of denial.

The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the
wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is
that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any
sheepdog that intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished
and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a
representative democracy or a republic such as ours. Still, the sheepdog
disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the
land.

They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them
traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage
fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog
cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go "Baa." Until the wolf
shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely
sheepdog.

The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough
high school students, and under ordinary circumstances would not have had
the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had
nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT
teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically
peel those cl inging, sobbing kids off of them.

This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf
is at the door. Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf
pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt
differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel?
Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it
is just what you choose to be.


Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter. He is always
sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things
that go bump in the night and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the
young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little
older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right
along with the young ones.

Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep
pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day.


After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is,
most citizens in America said "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes."
The sheepdogs, the warriors, said "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one
of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." You want to be able
to make a difference. There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog,
the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that
he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that would destroy
98-percent of the population.


Research was conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of
violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of
violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast
majority said they specifically targeted victims by body language:


Slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their
victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd
that is least able to protect itself.


Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be
genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people
can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and
more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.


Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was
honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was
the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert
an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When they learned of
the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd and the
other passengers confronted the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a
transformation occurred among the passengers -- athletes, business people
and parents -- from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves,
ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.


Edmund Burke said "There is no safety for honest men except by
believing all possible evil of evil men." Here is the point I want to
emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I
speak to each year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep.
Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They don't have a choice.


But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you
want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision. If you want to be a sheep,
then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price
you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if
there is not a sheepdog there to protect you.


If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going
to hunt you down and you wi ll never have rest, safety, trust or love. But if
you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior's path, then you must make a
conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare
yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes
knocking at the door.


This business of being a sheep or a sheepdog is not a "yes-no"
dichotomy.


It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of
degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on
the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one
end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between.


Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum,
away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and
appreciating their warriors and the warriors started taking their job more
seriously.

It's OK to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheepdog. Indeed, the
sheepdog may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little better and
be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the
sheep moving from "Baa" to "Thanks."


We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a
small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank
which is drained protecting the sheep. And, when our number is called by The
Almighty, and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens
just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep.
And be grateful for the millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the
freedom to express even bad ideas.

Storm brewing

Sometimes I fancy myself a photographer, given the right light, time, and place.
I caught this shot a few weeks back responding to what would be a long day of lightning strikes and power outages.

Heroes come in pairs

No, really I'm not counting.
9 more days

Rockwell America

I can't keep up with writing so I'll take the easy way out and just share some pictures from the last six months or so.

It's April already

Today marks the day that I stop using the internet and being involved with anything having to do with Scouts.

Today the Super Hero World Mourns.

Today marks the passing of my favorite super hero.

In tribute I change my avatar back to my original.
God save us from all those who would destroy our Heros, real and make believe.

Is it over yet?

It's 4:00 in the morning and they are late again. That makes it an even 4 days in a row they have done this to us. When I say "they" I mean the Fresno division operators who coordinate our electric circuits. We have been switching to off load substations and they have not gotten started on time one day this week! Sunday afternoon was a 5 hour delay. Monday was 3.
Now here I sit again on Wednesday and wait. It's not like I could be at home in bed or anything. I haven't slept a normal night since Thursday. Come to think of it I haven't slept much at all since thursday when I started this on call rotation. I'm tired of the pugs sleeping with my wife and not me. I can't wait for this call to be over.
Although 4:oo in the morning's not a bad time to catch up on the blogs.

Spring has brought me such a nice surprise...

The Almonds are in full bloom here. You can tell the different varieties by the color of the blossom. Vast orchards of pink. Then the next one brilliant white.
There is actually a "Blossom Trail" that you can drive and see nothing but beautiful blossoms for hours on end.
I am a So Cal kid at heart, but I have grown to love the valley after all these years spent here. We truly grow everything here and feed the world with it.
And I get to be a small part of it.

Spring Training

First pitch of spring training today! Go Angels!

No excuse

After having driven Falyn to seminary and wondering how best to use my time before I have to go to work. I think maybe I can blog something.
The next thought is why am I still driving a 16 year old who will be 17 in 2 months to seminary!
I got my license the day I turned 16. I can't begin to understand a teenager who would not want to have one and be able to drive. Then I think of my nephew and begin to think maybe it is a generational thing. (then again maybe it's just lazy, after all they are cousins)

The next thought is: I should really get better at this, I have the opportunity now that work has supplied me with a laptop and just last week with a broadband access card. I should be able to use free time to post to the blog! I'll be able to post more to my own blog and the family's. I'll be able to read more of my family's blogs and comment more. Now I will be out of excuses.!
But perhaps only one thing will change about my blogging habits.
I'll just be out of excuses.

It's a lot of work to Blog.

Today is Presidents day and since I am not on call this week that means that it actually is a holiday for me also.
Reading through my family's different blogs I feel like a real slacker. I can't hardly keep a journal like I've been asked to, let alone keep up a regular blog line.
But I thought to myself that I could at least post some pictures to share with others and therefore not be a total loser in the blogasphere.
So I am busy uploading pictures when of all things the power goes out. There goes my upload. Falyn was doing her hair and face, Shelly was about to dry her hair.
Now I said that I have the day off for the holiday like everyone else. That only counts around here when our power is on. Immediately everyone wants to know what happened, as if I some how have a personal connection with the electricity around here and should automatically know why it is not on. That's just from the family.
Then neighbors start to call wanting to know the same thing. (it doesn't do any good to explain that it's not my turn to trouble shoot the power outage) When everyone around you is off they expect the guy with the blue truck in front of his house to do something. So I do, I get in my truck and head down to the store. It's better just not to be around.
I think better of this and make a call to dispatch to see what might be the problem and if Jim my fellow trouble shooter who is on call can use some help. Turns out we have several substations out due to a line down on the 230 kv line. So I go in to help.
Now after several hours I have power back at the house and can finally upload my pictures.
This blogging is very tiring no wonder I can't do it daily.

Sharing pictures

I am really lousy at blogging daily (weekly, monthly) but I figure that I can at least share some pictures.

All dressed up for Homecoming.

You got to go!

I know I am borrowing the Mason's line, that's OK.
To Be One Ask One.

I remember when

I see Buffalo

Don't get mad.

Don't get mad at your husband, get drunk then drive your new Hummer through the pole. I will find you. Even if you try to hide the Hummer in your niehbor's house. (house mind you, not garage.)

Old to New

We have now gone from this old thing,

To this shiny new thing. Space saving and economical.

And the best part is when Falyn gets out of the shower I still have all the hot water I could want!!

It Is Coming!

Friday was one day too late.

Friday was one day too late for changing out the hot water heater voluntarily.
Shelly called me at about 10:00 and said “there is water coming out of the bottom of the hot water heater and it is flooding the garage.”(Note- Show spouse where and how to shut water off to house ahead of panic mode.)

Instead of installing a new tank we went with a Noritz tankless hot water heater.  Pictures and story to follow.

How Rare An Occassion

Stake conference this past weekend was great. I know that they are all good but this one was extra special. Elder Uchdorf visited our stake along with Elder Tenney of the 70.
I was able to hear them in 4 different sessions of conference; youth, leadership, adult, and general. They both were excellent speakers bringing the spirit ever so stongly with them.
Elder Tenney was mission president of the Spain, Barcelona mission during the 90's (naturally I had to talk with him after one of the meetings) and was a perfect compliment to Elder Uchdorf.
Turns out that they had worked together while in Europe. Elder Uchdorf was in the area presidency at the same time that Elder Tenney was serving in Spain. You could see and feel the love and friendship between the two of them.
Upon learning that an Apostle would be at our Stake conference our stake president contacted him and asked if he would be able to take some time to meet with the youth of the stake. He agreed to spend an hour with them on Saturday afternoon. (we found out that they don't normally do this anymore due to time constraints, he was 10 minutes late getting to the youth meeting from the airport)
Elder Uchdorf opened it up to questions from the youth and we had some very good ones. The final question asked by a young woman was "What were your emotions upon being called to the Quorum of the 12?"
He paused and said that that was a very sacred thing and that he did not normally share that experience, but looking out at us and saying that we are a small group (I say at least 150 were there) he would share with us that experience. And he did so. I am not going to relate it here just because of that, but you can ask me in person sometime when you see me.
Part of it though was an experience that he had had prior to that call during the week before conference. He and his wife had been out on their evening walk on the Wednseday prior to General Conference and had been discussing that very topic of who would be called to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the 12. They assumed that whoever they were had already recieved their calls and that they and their family were in for a life changing event and as such needed their prayers. So they went home and prayed for them. Having no idea at the time that they were offering prayers of strength and comfort for themselves.
He was ever so gracious, staying to talk with and shake hands with everyone who had the desire to and of course many did, myself and my family included. Falyn noted that he not only took the time to shake her hand but took her hand in both of his, looked her in the eye and really spoke to her.
Priceless memories and testimony builders.

Angels Lead the AL West!!

Not bad for opening day.
Now I just hope that I can be saying that 6 months from now!

The Right of the People Peaceably to Assemble

My great grandparents Teal (grama Fortner’s parents) immigrated to this country in 1907 from England.  The Fortner side, a mixed lot by now, originally came from Germany in the 1700’s.  The Terrill side of my family goes back to the 1600’s and also came from England.  The Porter side came from Ireland.  You can also throw some Welsh in there for good measure.  And if you go far enough back in the Taylor genealogy you find French and Spanish heritage.
I say all of this just to show that by rights I can justly wave the flag of any one of those nations and claim affinity.
Despite the fact that I am proud of my heritage,(as I think everyone ought to be) I am even more proud to be American.
Old Glory is the flag I fly.
It is under Old Glory and the constitution she represents that guarantees me the right to protest and to peaceably assemble in this country, not another flag.
I believe that those who assemble under another banner not of this nation do their cause a great disservice and in so doing show great disrespect for the flag and nation that allows them to do so.
I stand by the words of a great past president:

   "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant
who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to
us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is
an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or
birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in
every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no
divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something
else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the
American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the
English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
 
   Theodore Roosevelt 1907

I say we continue to welcome all immigrants for we all were at one time, and be proud of our past heritage but let us be Americans now, first and foremost.

Nieces and Nephews

Just a few pic's from my recent trip to the Great White North!