Yes, I realize that by admitting that only now have I read The Hobbit, I have left myself open to ridicule. Joel asked me last night how many times I had read the book. "First time," I answered. He was incredulous.

Nancy (Wyers) Robb had recommended it to me in college; it was one of her favorites, as I remember. I picked it up once and started it, but somehow I didn't get into it.

Am I ready to start the Trilogy, then?

First, a wise word from Bilbo Baggins: "Never laugh at a live dragon."

This was only the second time she has competed, so we were proud when Leila won two third-place medals in crawl and butterfly at a regional meet this morning in Taubaté, a near-by city. I have more pictures, but here are four for you to enjoy.

The group from the SwimAmerica school poses outside the Taubaté Sports Club before entering.

Leila is ready to take on the cold water, since it's been very cold the last couple of days.

She's one second away from her butterfly competition.

Here, she takes third place in the butterfly competition.

http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/13/1671_50624
All the whoopdedoo about health benefits from drinking wine -- probably came from the wine growers -- has now been shown to apply even more to grape juice. Translation: it's not the wine, stupid, it's the juice of the grape.

Here's something that not a few have yet to figure out: "Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience, withdraws from grace." --Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

by J. Randal Matheny

I'm here, oh, Lord! I'm ready and a rarin'.
Do what? Who? Me? How about sending Aaron?

-
A forum post inspired this little ditty, and it
looked like something you'd smile at and maybe
mull over.

Have a great start of the week.