Another birthday has come and gone for Jodi and I.  I've noticed that since I hit 40 years old, the older I get, the more I can care less what people think of me or my opinions.  If you don't like it, run along.  I've grown tired of all this PC garbage and worrying about others "feelings".  You know how to tell when you're in the right on something?  You'll get labeled or called a name because of your stance.  If you're against illegal immigration, you'll be called a racist.  If you believe marriage is between a man and a woman, you'll be called a homophobe or a bigot.  If you're against President Obama's policies, it's because he's black and you're a racist.  PLEASE, CALL ME NAMES!  I've said this before but if you have enemies, it's because you stood up for something.  As Martin Luther King said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 

Based on the tragedy in Colorado over the weekend, expect to hear the gun fearing liberals wanting gun control.  It's a shame that that theater banned licensed gun owners with concealed carry permits from bringing their guns into the facility. Someone probably could have cut short the carnage.  Meanwhile, criminals don't follow the rule of law and bring guns wherever they choose.  I think this photo speaks volumes:

I spent Saturday afternoon and evening helping a friend set up a small fireworks display in Smithville to celebrate his wife's birthday (yes, she loves fireworks). We dropped around 200 shells or so and shot it slow so it lasted about 14 minutes.  We watered the area down real well prior to the show and didn't have any fire issues at all.  Here's a few photos from the set up.  Clicking on photo will bring up a larger image.  Like my high visibility green shirt?  That is our club's charter member shirt.

Jodi spent four days at the Lake of the Ozarks with her mother, aunt and her twin sister.  It's an annual pilgrimage to celebrate their birthdays.  Jodi's aunt recently purchased a lake house and they stayed there for the first time.  In the past, they have rented a condo.  They did some boating, took a lake cruise and did some swimming. 

JD drove to Coffeyville, Kansas on Friday to pitch in a tournament with his summer collegiate team, the Blues.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive for him so I was hoping he wouldn't be tired and it affect his performance.  When I got his call about 10pm that night, he informed me that he threw another one hitter and set a new personal best with 15 strikeouts in the game.  That is his third one hitter in the last 6 weeks.  He said he gave up the hit to leadoff the 7th inning.  His coach said that's the strongest he had seen JD this season and was thinking JD was touching 90 mph in the game.