I've been stuck on Windows XP for the last 5 years.  I've avoided Vista since the beta (driver issues) and have had the desire to build a machine that could really make use of all the new capabilities.  Today, I started the process by visiting my favorite computer store, Microcenter and buying a new motherboard for the P4 that's been collecting dust since it's been dead for the last six months.  Fortunately, I was smart enough to buy a Socket 775 CPU Cooler.  Too bad for me I got the only one that didn't work.  I thought I'd set the whole thing up wrong and finally arbitrarily decided that the fan didn't work because I had too weak of a power supply.  So, I bought a new one on my second visit to a bought a new power supply, a 3 port fire wire card and another Socket 775 CPU Cooler.  I put the new cooler in and it worked like a champ, and the new power supply is  a lot quieter than the one that sounded like an old helicopter.  After half a day of banging in everything to get it all to fit, I'm sitting back installing Vista Ultimate.  Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be writing about how wonderful Vista is!

Until then, Adios!

Bowling tournaments are a fun time.  You travel to cities and places you'd never find again.  This year the Kansas State Tournament was practically in our own backyard.  Also, this year was a little different in that the team I normally bowl with fell apart.  Most of us bowled in the tournament, just with other people this year.  I was just about to not bowl at all when Chris and I decided to bowl together.  Let's just say it was a winning combination.  My average puts me in the division I, while Chris bowls in division II.  As of today, April 24, 2008 my 724 series stands as the 24th best in the state in the singles division, while Chris' 698 series is in 34th place in division II.  By the way, it's a Men's tournament and she's beat 681 of them so far!

What can I say, other than the Reynolds' know how to bowl, as for the *other* bowlers... let's just say, not so good for them.

2007 KSBA Tournament Results

Saturday, April 20th, 2008 was my children's first taste of war.  Not a real battle, but a Civil War Re-enactement at Mahaffie Farmstead in Olathe, Kansas took place.  We positioned ourselves on the Union (blue) side and enjoyed watching camp life in the hours leading up to the battle.  Here's one of my favorite photos from the day.  This soldier just reclining back makes me think back to my own ancestor who fought in the Civil War, Rueben Davis of Greene County, Missouri and wonder about his war experience.

There was a historical society, present who took my email address down.  I hope they send me more details, soon.

The Civil War Re-enactment at Mahaffie Farmstead had an array of cannons from both the North and South militias.  The re-enactors were simply awesome at their task and were very well trained in these antique firearms.

Two photos are attached to this article one of a Union Artillery unit and of child in the crowd plugging his ears before the next battery sounds off!

 

 

 

Here's another shot from the Civil War Re-enactment on April 19th.  The smoke just blew out from a canon the left of these officers.

I took this shot with my Canon 10D...here's the lowdown on the settings...

• Shutter Speed 1/750
• Focal Length F/4.5
• ISO-100

 

 

 

Some questions have no rhyme or reason behind their answers. In fact I may never want to know the answer why Chris would have such an attraction to pigs. Her most annoying ability is to mimic pig sounds, and she's a city girl! I don't even know if she's heard pig mumblings outside of the movie Charlotte's Web. Maybe she heard them at the Deana Rose Farmstead? In any event here's a photo in her honor...

Taken with my Canon EOS 10D.

• Shutter Speed 1/90 sec.
• Lens Aperture F/4.5
• Focal Length 155mm
• ISO Speed ISO-100

Having seen numerous individuals with Parkinson's disease, I'm glad that the State of Missouri is doing something about making more known about this infirmity.  I'm especially proud of the Granby man who's making this happen, as he's my Father!

Neosho Daily News

Special thanks to Kevin Wilson for being a part of this experience.

Kevin Wilson, Missouri State Representative

Every time I see the PBS special on crop circles I wonder how the hoaxers create them. Little did I know I could ask one of my neighbors! Mowed into his field is the world PEACE and a peace symbol right beside it. I would never have known this until I went to I accidently saw "it" when looking up driving directions. Click here to see.

Living in the city took quite an adjustment period. I don't know if I should even say that I'm fully adjusted as I tend to look for opportunities for my children to have many of the same experiences that I had growing up. Case in point...the pumping of water into a basin in Overland Park's Deana Rose Homestead ( http://www.opkansas.org/_Vis/Farmstead/index.cfm ).

I should admit that I didn't *really* have to pump water from a well growing up!

 

 

This photograph was taken on a Canon EOs 10D, more stats below.

• Shutter Speed: 1/1000
• Lens Aperture: F/4.5
• Focal Length: 135mm
• ISO Speed : ISO-100

Along the main drag in Estes Park, Colorado is a small stream, the locals call it a river.  It runs behind most of the restaurants and always seems to be the favorite stomping grounds of the kids.  In fact I remember back in 2006 when my 3 year old son decided to get too close the rivers edge.  Fortunately, I was close by and fished him out.  I can't believe how wet I got carrying him the three blocks to the car.  At least I managed to snap a few rounds off and got this one decent pic.