Dogs Like to Hunt Easter Eggs, Too

To my surprise - and delight - I learned today that some dogs like to hunt for Easter eggs, too. Some dogs includes our own little Princess. Silly dog.

Another Caged Animal

Now that we have 9/11 conspirator Zacharias Moussaoui (ZM) undergoing the sentencing phase of his trial, I think it has become quite evident that we have another caged animal on our hands.

Just when things weren't going so well for the prosecution, ZM takes the stand in his own "defense." In doing so, he effectively sealed his fate by his admission of his failed role crashing the fourth plane into the White House.

Despite the horrific tragedies of 9/11, there were some miracles. God worked in many mysterious ways. Perhaps one of those miracles was that instead of being aboard Flight 93, ZM was languishing in a jail cell (no doubt acting out in as an outstanding citizen as prescribed by his strict religious teaching).

What would have happened if ZM had been aboard Flight 93 as he claims was planned? We can only speculate (assuming that ZM was even telling the truth in the first place). But God knows - and he chose not to allow that evil deed to be carried out.

We know that the reward for Islamic martyrdom is an eternal life with 40 or 70 or however many virgins (sounds like hell to me - especially for the virgins). But what does ZM have to look forward to for his failure? Where are his friends? Where is all the support? It would appear that he is all alone. Sounds like he's already in hell.

Despite being incarcerated in a country that he loathes, it is a country that respects law and order. Despite that he so much wants to die, and that many want him to die - and horribly - he is in a country that won't let that happen. Instead of being shot, hanged, burned, or drawn and quartered, ZM will likely feel nothing but the prick of a needle. And that likely won't happen after several years have passed while he languishes in prison. Perhaps the waiting will unbearable to him. Perhaps he won't know peace until he feels the poison working through his veins. Even then, it will only be brief.

Not Fun But You Gotta Do It

This week has been full of activites that weren't necessarily fun - but you gotta do it. I'm writing this (and typing into the blog later) I am sitting in the Jury Assembly Room at Superior Court. Who knows what today will bring?

It pretty much started Monday on the way to work when I called the number of a dentist my friend J gave me. I was kind of hoping they wouldn't answer (but glad they did). That bad tooth of mine? By midday it was gone, along with a new filling in another otherwise good tooth. I'm feeling pretty good now that the bad tooth is out! And I've got a new dentist that I really like.

I also had to deal with our cooling system which hasn't been working right. Fortunately we have a guy who comes and checks it out our evaporative cooler and our heat pump every spring. Strangely enough we hadn't heard from him yet until this week - and the timing couldn't have been better - our temperatures have hit the 90's for the first time this year (with 96 expected today). But it's all fixed and we're ready for the heat now.

Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, I got the taxes done and my camp staff application sent in. I can't wait till Monday when I can finally relax.

Jupiter's New Spot: A Sign From Heaven?

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." [Luke 21:25-26]

Could this be another sign from the heavens? We're all familiar with the images of the planet Jupiter with it's tell-tale Great Red Spot. Well, as it turns out, there is another red spot developing in the planet's turbulent atmosphere. Officially designated as Oval BA - and nicknamed by NASA as "Red Jr." - this new spot was discovered in 2000 when three smaller spots merged into one. As of last November it was still white, but has been changing color; it turned red a few weeks ago.

In the photo above, the Great Red Spot is at the left edge of Jupiter (you can see about half of it). Red Jr. is just right of the center.

Nobody knows what caused the Great Red Spot, or even what makes it red. We know it's been there for centuries, first discovered in 1664 when Robert Hooke trained his telescope on Jupiter. It is believed to be a storm of some sort, perhaps churning up the red material from the lower atmosphere. The same goes for this new spot which was perhaps born as a result of the collision by the Shoemaker-Levy comet in 1994 (another spectacular cosmic event).

I love astronomy - God's wonder displayed in the Universe is beautiful beyond compare. And to think this new event could be one of those signs from heaven that Jesus spoke about! Pretty awesome. Keep watch, my brethren. Be vigilant.

Holy Week 2006: It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

Okay, some of this could be prevented with better planning and time management. I've just filled out my camp application (no biggie). This weekend I want to finish up our taxes, watch my grandson play T-ball, and give some badly need attention to our backyard. Sunday is Palm Sunday. There might be a rehearsal for some of the folks singing in the contemporary service next Sunday (Easter). Monday is praise band rehearsal for the sunrise service the following Sunday (Easter) - and I'm not even in the praise band (but I've been invited to sing anyway). Looks like I'm free Tuesday. Wednesday night is choir rehearsal from 7 to 10 (?) instead of the usual 7:30 to 9:30. Thursday I have jury duty. Thursday night is the Seder meal (with some choir members singing). Friday night is the Good Friday service - with choir. Saturday looks good - maybe I can spend the day in a tomb like Jesus did. Sunday is Easter - three services. And I've got a bad tooth that needs to be dealt with at some point. Is it Christmas season?