Question

Today at the graduate school, we had a visiting professor named Michael Landon. I thought this was hilarious. When I told Jesse, she didn't think it was funny because she didn't know who Michael Landon was - and I'm not talking about the visiting professor. She thinks it is ridiculous that I know who Michael Landon is. So, am I ridiculous or do you know who Michael Landon is?

Rare Form

Nick Saban made a stupid mistake. He could use a healthy dose of perspective, as well. Earlier this week, he compared Alabama's loss in their homecoming game - to a hyphenated team (University of Louisiana-Monroe) - to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor in terms of pivotal catastrophes. Great, Nicky. You're team lost a game that they really, really, really, really should have won, and rather than just admitting that you and your team blew it and played horribly, you take the high road and decide that your loss ranks on the level of two of the most tragic events to ever take place on American soil. God will smite you for this travesty, Nick Saban! The real catastrophe will be Bama's sixth loss in six years to Auburn! War Eagle!

Campbell's - Mmmm Mmmm Weird

Few people read this blog. Even fewer probably care about the content of this post. But even fewer people (read, nobody) can stop me from posting this garbage anyway. I'm doing more research for my Restoration History class, and here's some random notes from our pope, Alexander Campbell (Campbell hated catholics).

In an article titled, "Bad Books," Campbell warns his readers to stay away from books "of mere fiction and fancy" and especially those "of the foul and exciting Romance." Yep, Campbell warns against reading for pleasure because "a habit of reading for amusement simply, becomes so fixed, that science loses all its charms...." With reading romance novels, he predicts "mental delirium" for those who develop this despicable habit. I for one, am committed to maintaining scientific reading for its charms. All of them. So there you have it everybody. Stop reading my blog. It's bad for you. And burn your Harry Potter books.

Ode to Our Owens

Not too long ago, Brooke said that one of the great things that happened in the joining of Nick and Jesse was the inclusion of Owens. I couldn't agree more. So, I decided to do something only slightly lame and blog about my love for Owens. The first thing that comes to my mind is how bad it stinks when Owens farts. That's most because he just farted and my eyes are watering. To be inappropriately honest, when he drops a bomb, I often have to leave the room. When I am close enough to him and I "feel a breeze," I will return the favor. That's right, I fart at my dog. Why do I love this? I don't know. I'm just a kid, I suppose. The best part of it is that whenever I do, he ALWAYS gets me back. I'm not kidding either. He'll get up when I'm on the couch and stretch. He often lets 'em rip when he does, and it's always right at me. Ruthless. I love it. Something else that I love about Owens is how much he sleeps. He sleeps a lot. I envy him, but he deserves it. Something Jess and I recently discovered is that Owens is actually THE pick of the litter. None of his brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. won more races than he did. Not that we condone the inbreeding of greyhounds or their use for profit, but my boy can run. D's Echo was his racing name, and you can check out his stats here. So now I am super-proud of him for being a successful racer. You can even see his individual races. In the last race, he led early but pulled up late. That probably explains his ridiculous limp that looks more like a bunny hop. He's 8 now, which is kind of old, and he does act like an old man most of the time. But, when we play, he's wild at heart. I trained him to be that way. Jesse is a wonderful caretaker, but he's much more manly now that he has me to show him how. He's vicious when we wrestle for his blanket, chew toys, stuffed animals, etc. He barks like a man more than yelps like a woman now, too. On Sundays, he is SUPER excited when we come home from church. As soon as he has smelled where we've been, he runs back to the Man Room and jumps up on the Man Couch, because he knows it is time for the men to watch football. So, all this to say that I love our dog. He's the best.

Owen's famous first picture


Owens has lain down outside maybe twice. It's funny because I don't think he knows what to do once he does.


When he sleeps, Owens gets possessed. We joke about spoofing The Omen with a movie about our dog, The Owens. Sometimes he runs in his sleep while laying down. So, his legs are stretched out beside his body, and his little feet just go spastic. Also, he barks in his sleep.


The happy family at Halloween. What a great smile!


That's no ghost in the window, that's Owens' eyes. He watched us leave out that window until he can't see us anymore.


We recently took Owens to the beach.


He liked it.

Post #100 and the KKK

So I just saw this is my 100th post. I'm currently doing research on pacifists in the Restoration Movement at the time of the Civil War, and discovered something interesting. There's this story many writers tell of David Lipscomb. He was preaching against the war in Tennessee, when a Southern commander was sent to listen to the sermon and determine whether it was treasonous. This commander would say later,

"I have not reached a conclusion as to whether or not the doctrine of the sermon is loyal to the Southern Confederacy, but I am profoundly convinced that he [Lipscomb] is loyal to the Christian religion."

That's the story I've heard several different times. The detail I just read for the first time? The commander was one Nathan Bedford Forrest. I thought that was interesting, and you should know.