Xaviere XV-700 Natural Flamed Maple

I got my first Les Paul style guitar today, in the form of an XV-700 from Xaviere. It’s finished in natural flamed maple on a mahogany body. Xaviere is sold by the Guitar Fetish company, who are best known for their guitar pickups and other accessories. The XV-700 is a very low-cost guitar, coming in … Read more

Southwest Rub

This is a great dry rub for beef; we’ve been using it on flatiron steaks with great success. I temporarily misplaced the recipe, so when I found it I decided it was time to share (plus now I know where to find it in the future!) Southwest Rub 2 Tbs chili powder 2 Tbs brown … Read more

Misc Mississippi Fall 2008

Here is the final batch of photos from our recent trip to St. Louis by way of Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal Missouri. Additional images available at flickr. Also worth noting, Sheryl took all but the 4th photo on this page; between the two of us, we do generate a few photos when traveling. These first … Read more

Colors from the Past

Most folks, when they think about World War I, tend to recall images of black and white battlefields. It’s natural, as old b&w photos and movies are all any of us have seen of WW1. Until now. Der Spiegel has published an online article and photo gallery of heretofore unseen color images from the Great … Read more

Fall Sunset 2008

For your viewing pleasure, a few photos from northeast of Lindsborg taken yesterday around sunset (larger versions on flicker):

In Appreciation

This is for my dad, Sheryl’s dad, Uncle Bernard, my brother Steven and his daughter, my cousin Jerry, my nephew Josh, my friend (and best man!) George, plus all of the other veterans I know (or don’t know for that matter). From one vet to another, Thank You. Your service and sacrifice for our country … Read more

44

Yes we did.

Now is the Time

Walt Whitman, 1884, A Poem for Election Day (excerpt): If I should need to name, O Western World, your powerfulest scene and show, Twould not be you, Niagara – nor you, ye limitless prairies – nor your huge rifts of canyons, Colorado, Nor you, Yosemite – nor Yellowstone, with all its spasmic geyserloops ascending to … Read more

Halloween 2008

Sheryl decorated the house and put up a yard decoration while Lisa and moneka both carved a pumpkins; trick-or-treaters seemed to enjoy the spectacle, shown below: ::