Jake is 5 and learning to read. He points at a picture in a zoo book and says, "Look Mama! It's a frickin' Elephant!" Deep breath ... "What did you call it?" "It's a frickin' Elephant, Mama! It says so on the picture!" and so it does. " A f r i c a n Elephant " Hooked on phonics!!! Ain't it wonderful!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sometimes women are overly suspicious of their husbands. When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset. "You're running around with other women," she charged. "You're being unreasonable," Adam responded. "You're the only woman on earth." The quarrel continued until Adam fell asleep, only to be Awakened by someone poking him in the chest. It was Eve. "What do you think you're doing?" Adam demanded. "Counting your ribs," said Eve. The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement . He who hesitates is probably right. Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are " XL." If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody. The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble. There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt . Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words "The" and "IRS" together it spells "Theirs." Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for. Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra. You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks. Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable. First you forget names, then you forget faces. Then you forget to pull up your zipper. It's worse when you forget to pull it down. Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it's called golf

People will increasingly interact with computers using speech or touch screens rather than keyboards

People will increasingly interact with computers using speech or touch screens rather than keyboards, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said.

"It's one of the big bets we're making," he said during the final stop of a farewell tour before he withdraws from the company's daily operations in July.

In five years, Microsoft expects more Internet searches to be done through speech than through typing on a keyboard, Gates told about 1,200 students and faculty members Thursday at Carnegie Mellon University.

Gates also said the software that is proliferating in various branches of science, including biology and astronomy must become even more advanced.

"They're dealing with so much information that ... the need for machine learning to figure out what's going on with that data is absolutely essential," he said.

Microsoft is trying to establish ties not only with university computer science departments but also with reseachers in other scientific areas "to help us understand where new inventions are necessary," Gates said.

Gates plans to retire as Microsoft's chief software architect in July and focus on philanthropy.

springs a coming

OK! Now that you see the wonderful kiddos in this photo taken by Phillip on my 61st Birthday... take a look at the ole man!!

That smile is the real deal!! That was the first time I think I have ever had that many kiddos around me at once and we got a photo!! HOW COOL IS THAT!!!

For those who read from afar... from left to right looking at photo... Austyn is son of Phillip and Tammy, Dylan is son of Jonathan and Randi, Madison is daughter of Paul and Heather, and Kaitlyn is daughter of Jonathan and Randi. Missing is Andrew from this group. He was at the Ford Monster Truck Jam in OKC at Ford Center in OKC with his folks. They had a great time and so did we.... wow! I am the luckiest grandpa alive!! (at least in my world!)

I just had a great great birthday. It started with an AWESOME steak dinner at Freddie Pauls with our dear friends Missy and Craig Hannan and we even saw Phil and Tammy and Austyn there that evening as well. Was one of the best times ever, but then.. nope.. won't go there.. hahahahahaha....

Then on Saturday, the family came together for me little ole birthday... that was truly a wonderful time with the family. Phillip, Tammy and Austyn came over, Jake and Trisha and soon to be Isabella... , but first came Jonathan and kiddos... Randi came a bit later ... she had a shower to attend. Missy Madison came over with her Mom and Dad and Andrew as they headed to OKC... Ms. Madison stayed with us that night... and it was a great great time. Great food by Ann and Trisha... and some quality family time, and of course a candle to blow out and some presents .. .wow can you believe it, at my age, I still get excited opening presents.. wow...

and I am getting ahead of myself.. My actual birthday started with a birthday song from future rock star Austyn who was on his way to school, and ended with a birthday song from future Miss America Kaitlyn. Another "How cool is that?"

And I could go on and on, but thank you to everyone for the cards, the presents, the great time visiting, friends and family, and the phone calls and to all my friends through work for the many emails and ecards... etc.. What a great weekend it was!!

now off to work.. more photos to follow, but wanted to put up proof that it was one of the best times of my life, next to the time a little ole gal said 'yes' to my proposal, and has stood by my side for 35 plus years...

Have a great day...

Need to mention a great photo on bighairranch.com this am... Mr. Reese is farming with a tractor and no cab on it.. and it must be cold.. haha...

Jon has new blog up at http://www.jonandrandi.com/. Poor Dylan was sick Sunday...

Heather has updated her blog.. at http://www.reddirtdiaries.com/. photos from truck jam in okc..

Phil has some cool and great photos on his updated blog at http://paynecountyline.com/WordPress1/. check it out...

Trisha has updated http://jacobmoffat.blogspot.com/ with a photo of the saddle Jake bought Sunday for Isabella Ann.

and life goes on.......

I wanted to capture the birds singing, but got wind too! sorry

sorry about the wind, but the birds were so loud... i wanted to try.. haha..

When I went to the men's room in the Schiphol Airport when we got to Amsterdam , I saw the fly and didn't think much about it.?Now I know why it was there!

Who says you can't potty train a man?