Where America Meets

America was born in the taverns around Boston and other cities in the young America. Today we still can enjoy that same atmosphere in places like this. 

I guess I don't mind Applebee's or Denny's, but people you know own and run places like the Cottage Bar in Grand Rapids. It has been in business since 1927, probably the oldest bar in the city. The food is the kind that makes you feel glad that you ate there. You don't rush here, you slow down and enjoy it and the people you are with.

Small business is what keeps a the spirit of America strong.  Stop in, you will be glad you did.

Things are not always what they seem.

What is it? Flowing lines of modern art? The air intake for an air conditioner? Any other guesses? These are stacked chairs in a library. Things are not always what they seem. It's fun to find something interesting or beautiful in the everyday useful items around us.

It's not always good to find that things are not what they seem. Our elected officials are "saving" us from looming disaster, but what have they done? I think they have purchased some hope (and votes) with our children's money. This debt will likely not be paid for generations to come.

Hold it Together

Sometimes we are so busy or under such pressure that we look to find some way to hold it all together. The best fix is something that lasts. Don't seek the quick and easy fix before figuring out whether that will really fix it or just patch it. Do you want to use steel or duct tape?

Doves are the traditional and Biblical symbols of peace. These doves were seeking safety and trying to stay warm in our backyard this afternoon. I enjoyed their beauty and loved the sybolism of the peace that we hold dear here.

Peace, like the doves, can perish easily. We must keep the liberties that provide for peace safe. That is done by brave men and women in our military who are sworn to preserve the Constitution that ensures the continued safety of our people and those liberties.

The Pig Knows...

We wonder some times if we have enough. Do we need something? Can we afford it? Should we save the money for a rainy day? What is enough?

We have such a great standard of living in America. We are in an economic recession now but for the most part there is a place to live and food for the vast majority of us. Our constitution guarantees us some rights, but it doesn't guarantee anything we don't earn. It states specifically that the government is to promote the general welfare, not generally provide Welfare.

Timeless Design 1911

Browning put such timeless design elements into the .45 Cal Automatic he was commissioned to design for the US Military that it is still the preferred sidearm of many who carry for a living. 

Let's hope that the right to bear arms as given to us in the Second Amendment to the US Constitution remains even though it is under pressure from well meaning Liberal activists. 

If I Hold Really Still...

This guy was thinking that if he didn't move, I wouldn't see him.  Of course, I did, but I didn't tell him so his day is probably still good. 

This sort of thinking is used by the unthinking type of Liberal in America.  "If we just ignore the bad guys and play nice, they will leave us alone." Unfortunately, it is the rest of the "Anything is ok" livestyle in America that has the bad guys attacking.