Possibly the most beautiful picture I have ever seen

My lovely wife, Sharon, on our wedding day with her son, John.

Actual conversations with a 5 year old

I had two conversations with a five year old that just make me chuckle. If you have ever read the comic strip, "Calvin and Hobbes", you may remember some of the witty explanations given to Calvin by his father. I remember one in particular in which Calvin asked why some movies were in black and white. The father explained that at one time the entire world was black and white and eventually turned colored. I loved that particular strip. I often have the same sort of wit in talking to my five year old. These are actual conversations that took place within the last 24 hours.

John: Did I have breakfast yet?
Me: You don't know?
John: No.
Me: You mean you don't know whether or not you have eaten breakfast yet?
John: No.
Me: In that case, the answer is "Yes, you have".
John: Oh, OK.

And another one.

John: Mr. Troy, what is a pawn shop? (as we drove by the one in Selma)
Me: They sell chess pieces.
John: Oh.
John's grandmother, who was sitting beside me in the car: (hand over mouth) (snicker, snicker)

One of the nicest things I have seen written about me in a long time

I am a mother of a wonderful 5 year old boy; I am engaged to a wonderful man when I didn't think I was meant to fall in love again. I thank God every day for bringing him into my life.

From my sweetie's Facebook profile. I love you, baby, more than you will ever know.

Parts of an interview with professional wrestler John Bradshaw Layfield

Wow, JBL calls it like it is regarding the state of politics and government in this nation. Here is a link to the full article. Below are excerpts that I love.

LIP: Well, what's your impression of what's going on, since you have taken a political stance in the past?

JBL: Yeah, absolutely. I think our politicians are the worst that they've ever been in the history of our country, and that has nothing to do with Democrats and Republicans. I mean, in the middle of two wars, and the middle of this economic sub-prime [mortgage] fallout, and the middle of a budget that's out of control, they have Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee on the stand debating he said/she said about this. That to me is just offensive. I cannot believe how inept and pathetic our politicians are across the board. There is no possible way for me to have a lower standard for these guys. Unfortunately, they keep exceeding that low standard. These guys are absolutely pathetic. To think that these guys would know anything about cellulosic ethanol or ocean power or anything to get us off of foreign oil. These guys are more interested-you had Sen. Arlen Specter a few weeks ago wanting to request Super Bowl tapes about Bill Belichick. Here we have two wars going on-real people, American kids, dying-and these idiots want to watch football tapes. So, I have no respect whatsoever for politicians. I think they're a pathetic group.

LIP: Well, gee, how do you really feel?

JBL: I can't stand it. I'm on Fox Business every night, so I have to deal with this every single night. And I look at this stupid economic stimulus plan, and these guys loading this thing up with pork, which is unbelievable. I mean, honestly, if these guys were in corporate America, they would be indicted and thrown in jail for theft.

LIP: When the state of Georgia talked about regulating pro wrestling, WWE resisted. Wouldn't it benefit the company to embrace the idea of regulation so that the questions people have about wrestling wouldn't have to be asked?

JBL: It depends on who's regulating it. You have, right now, Roger Clemens on the Hill with Brian McNamee. Who cares if Roger Clemens was taking some legal or even illegal drug at this point? That's a baseball issue. Baseball should have dealt with that in 1987 just like the NFL did. I'm totally against steroids, 100 percent, so I don't want to take that out of context when I said who cares about Clemens. But in the grand scheme of politics, you've got this idiot, Henry Waxman, interviewing these guys. And we have a budget deficit that is massive, we've got a dollar that is shrinking, that is killing us, we have 95-dollar [a barrel] oil. We have two wars, and nobody has a solution for them. And these are the guys who are going to regulate anything? These guys can't regulate themselves. If these guys had shown that they could do something efficient in this world and help America, then, yeah, let them regulate it. But these guys are inept, they're pathetic, and you really think politicians can do anything right? I don't hold that view. So no, I don't believe in government regulation because I think our government, the people that run it, are obviously inept, because they haven't solved any of their own problems. How in the world could they solve any of our problems, or anybody else's?

LIP: So when you think about this stuff is it good to be able to get back in the ring and get some of your aggravation out?

JBL: [Laughs] It's good to be on Fox Business and talk to these guys. I'm just frustrated. This is just my view of politics, and it's my view and my view alone. But we've had guys who haven't solved anything in politics, and they want to create this dog-and-pony show and go after Bill Belichick, or go after Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee, or go after regulation in sport because they want to distract from their record because their record is honestly that abysmal.

Someone new in my life as of today

For years I have wanted children. It has been at least two decades since I was around children for any appreciable amount of time because of distance from family and having been married to a social retard for 13 years. Whenever I have been around children, especially younger ones, I have a blast. Provided that they are not total sissies, I tend to get along splendid with little boys. Little girls often cling to me like Velcro, such as my cousin's daughter, McKensie.

This evening (I am still counting this as the previous day since I have not been to bed yet), I was introduced to a youngster with whom I am going to be developing a relationship in a "big brother" or "father figure" type roll. For years, I have considered joining the Big Brother/Big Sister program or something like it. I had even contacted a similar type agency that was looking for volunteers.

Through a dear friend of mine, I know a single mother who has a four year old named John. We met this evening and got along great. He is smart, loving, affectionate, and just a wonderful child. He is missing a few things in life, such as a bit more stability that can be offered through a strong relationship with a man. Our first meeting had the two of us playing with toy guns, watching The Flintstones and Scooby Doo, having dinner, and spending time under the supervision of his mother. By the time I was going to leave, he was climbing in my lap and giving me big hugs. His mother said that he has never done that with anyone else before.

Quite honestly, I was almost scared to death about this meeting, but figured it would go well. I had no idea it would go this well. I am looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with little John.