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Have you noticed how much the Deepwater Horizon oil trouble is NOT in the news lately. I thought there were thousands of animals dying or getting coated in oil, fish were being exterminated and our environment was in peril. All that’s been in the news the last day or two is Lindsay Lohan. That’s where the conspiracy theory comes in. When PBO’s regime  needs a distraction, they have a list of ‘celebrities’ that are available to make headlines, taking the heat off of the regime for as long as they can. I can picture this: PBO and Rahm talking when PBO asks who’s available that can take the heat for 3 days. Rahm looks down the spreadsheet (which has names and numbers, potential news headline time, price for their services and the last time used) and chooses the best fit for the need. The phone call is made (on a secure, private phone), details are discussed and the deal is made. Then, wait for implementation of the plan and the regime gets some relief.

In order to play the same game, the GOP needs to implement a similar plan, but with a twist. The Republicans have a list of ‘celebrities’ that have a conservative/libertarian viewpoint (I know, that’s asking a lot -but there are some out there) that have the same ‘headline potential’ and are contacted in the same manner as the regime. Everything is the same, but when the ‘celebrity’ gets into the headlines, they start talking about the issue that PBO and the regime is trying to side-step, or just failure in general of PBO and the regime. Wouldn’t that be cool? The regime would be getting negative press in the press – in a roundabout way. Now, I realize this is not really a good idea, but maybe Vince Flynn or some novelist can put it in a book and we can at least read about it.

Back to reality….
I picked up an ATV sprayer a little while ago. It was a spot sprayer until I made a DIY broadcast sprayer for it. It works pretty good, but could be a little more user friendly. It would be nice to make some sort of quick-connect way to attach the broadcast sprayer part to the ATV. Right now, it’s attached with hose clamps, not the easiest or fastest way to install/remove.

There is a lot of crabgrass in the yard. I don’t know when it showed up, but it seems like it was overnight. I guess it’s too late in the year to get rid of it, but I’m hoping to get rid of the creeping charlie, clover, dandelions and other weeds I don’t know the names of. There are many opinions on what chemical is best for creeping charlie, and I don’t know what one I’ll use. Two that I’ve heard of are Trimec and any brand of 2,4-D (Forefront or Amine 400, etc.). Trimec costs a little more, but not so much I won’t get it. I’ve also planning on using an insecticide at the same time – due to many ants and mounds in the yard. I’m also expecting that the insecticide will also keep mosquitoes away.

Today, July 3rd is Erika’s (aka Pinky) birthday. She is 11 years old today. This, being an even year, all the children are odd numbered ages (Holly 17, Jessica 15, Mitch, 13, Erika, 11). Erika liked being called Pinky (or is it Pinkie?) – I think it was because she likes the color pink…but I didn’t think of asking her why she liked that name when I had the opportunity to ask her. I miss her and Jessica.

When we played games, Erika would cheat – but not in a bad way. She’d cheat to her own detriment, wanting to help you out. Erika would ask to see your cards, or ask what you wanted her to play and have no problem doing that, even if it made her go backwards. It made it hard at times when I would try to do the same thing for her. She is a very thoughtful girl and was good at giving compliments and nice words. I have a nice note on my Palm™ that she made for me. Sure, it was probably more of a challenge or just fun for her to write something on the Palm™, but she did write something encouraging instead of just her name or something about herself.

In January of 2009, the kids were in a play. Erika had a small part and was wearing sort of a fancy dress. It was either before the play started or during Intermission I was talking to my dad when Erika came to see us. I remember saying something like “they don’t make ‘em any cuter than that.” It’s nice memories like this that I never want to forget.

Erika ususally had a smile on her face. I’m not so sure it was always a genuine smile from really being happy, but a smile none the less. I can still ‘hear’ that unique voice of hers, though it’s getting harder to remember exactly what it sounded like as time goes by. But, watching a short video with her talking brings it right back. Here’s a very short video of  Erika back in 2008. I don’t remember exactly what was being discussed, but it sounds like she’s talking about how old she will be when something happens.

I hope and pray that she is happy where she’s at, but also pray for a miracle.
Happy birthday, Erika. I love you!