Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day, 2014: Taps for the Fallen

God Bless America.




R I P Heroes.


Honoring America's Heroes - July 4, 1776 - Present

Sunday, June 2, 2013

It's Vacation Time! Explore America From Sea to Shining Sea!

It's already June meaning it's vacation time!

The Fruited Plain
While our attention may be focused on warmer weather and all the grand activities that accompany it (gardening, camping, fishing), we should also remember that vacation time for tens of millions of Americans is also rapidly approaching.

The United States is a glorious land with so much to see that it can be a daunting task to figure out just where the heck we want to spend our vacation.

I am here to help you in making that very difficult decision.

Each state of the Union, except Washington State, offers for free an Official State Travel Guide that showcases that state's natural beauty, history, events and points of interest. Most, if not all, of the guides also come with brochures that have information on food and lodging as well. Each site also offers one (or several) free email notifications about upcoming events and travel specials.

The price is right (FREE!) and the information invaluable, so click here and order the state travel guide of your choice.

You can now book your vacation trip on The Lower 48 (Plus 2)! Simply click on the ad images for Hotels.com at the top of the page or Expedia in the right side bar. It's that easy!

From sea to shining sea, the Lower 48 (Plus 2) await you!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

How You Can Help the Victims and Live Coverage of the Oklahoma Tornado Recovery

Americans are stunned by the horrific damage and deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the EF-5 tornado (the strongest tornado classification) that leveled hundreds of homes and killed at least 51, including ten children and two infants, in the Greater Oklahoma City area this past Monday, May 20.

Where There Once Were Homes

You can find continuing live coverage of recovery efforts in the affected area here.

A Facebook Page has been set up so that people in OKC can let friends and relatives know that they're safe or can ask for assistance in locating others.

WTSP has created a page that list the agencies where you can make a donation to help out the victims of this  disaster. The list includes the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Today, we are all Okies and as such, we will band together to help those in need and comfort those in sorrow. It's the Oklahoma Way.

May God bless and console the people of Oklahoma City, Moore and all locations devastated by this monster storm.


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Podunk Poets - The Unofficial Official Band of The Lower 48 (Plus 2)!

Country Music. The Official Music of The Lower 48 (Plus 2)!

I mean real Country Music - Merle Haggard, George Jones and Loretta Lynn. That kind of Country Music.

Not long ago I was introduced to a band, in Los Angeles of all places(!), that plays exactly that kind of Country.

Introducing The Podunk Poets: Cindy Jollotta & Kelly Kidd - Vocals, Patrick Generosa - Drums, Doug Carrion - Bass, Jake Kelly - Guitar


And a 1 and a 2 and a 3....!!!


Now that's Country!

I became familiar with the Podunk Poets through one of the band members, Cindy Jollotta. I have known Cindy for about six years, although I have only seen her in person two or three times. Cindy is my wife's cousin and I was made aware of her (Cindy's) music through my wife. When Heather, my wife, told me that Cindy was a singer, I thought, "Yeah sure, so what?". Then I heard Cindy sing. Holy smokes!

Cindy does this thing called Bedhead Theater. She explained it to me in an email, "Bedhead Theater is something I started doing last year to keep me playing the piano every day. Basically, I wake up, immediately come downstairs, and play a song. So, often I look ridiculous and my voice is raspy, but that is sort of the fun of it." 

                                                                 Bedhead Theater



You take an angelic voice like Cindy's and pair it up with the dulcet tones of Kelly Kidd, throw in some extraordinary musicians like Patrick, Jake and Doug and you've got a recipe for greatness.

More Podunk Poets!


The Podunk Poets are all over the internet, so contacting them to book a gig or perhaps order some Podunk Poets swag, is as close as the click of a mouse!

Find the Podunk Poets on: Facebook, Twitter (@ThePodunkPoets), YouTube, and Reverb Nation.

I had so much fun listening to the band while putting this post together, I hereby proclaim The Podunk Poets The Unofficial Official Band of The Lower 48 (Plus 2)! 


Friday, March 15, 2013

Family Vacations Are Coming! Plan Yours w/FREE State Travel Guides for All 50 States!

Today is March 15 and that means that we are just a few days away from the First Day of Spring!

The Fruited Plain
While our attention may be focused on warmer weather and all the grand activities that accompany it (gardening, camping, fishing), we should also remember that vacation time for tens of millions of Americans is also rapidly approaching.

The United States is a glorious land with so much to see that it can be a daunting task to figure out just where the heck we want to spend our vacation.

I am here to help you in making that very difficult decision.

Each state of the Union, except Washington State, offers for free an Official State Travel Guide that showcases that state's natural beauty, history, events and points of interest. Most, if not all, of the guides also come with brochures that have information on food and lodging as well. Each site also offers one (or several) free email notifications about upcoming events and travel specials.

The price is right (FREE!) and the information invaluable, so click here and order the state travel guide of your choice.

From sea to shining sea, the Lower 48 (Plus 2) await you!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Hero Cop Pulls Man From Burning Car - w/Rescue Video!

Hero. A common word describing common people performing uncommon acts of valor.

Today, I present to you an Honest-to-God American Hero.

Urbandale, Iowa Police Officer Zac McDowell.

Fiery Crash

An 18 year old man was doing doughnuts (driving in circles at an unsafe speed) in his car in a church parking lot when things went very wrong.

The man lost control of his automobile while performing the stunt and crashed into an air conditioning unit. The collision resulted in the man's car bursting into flames.

Luckily for 18 year old Ian Waseskuk police officer Zac McDowell responded to the call.

Raw Video

TheBlaze.com posted this dramatic video of Officer McDowell not taking into account his own personal safety, braving inferno-like flames and billowing smoke to perform one of the most selfless acts of courage I have ever seen.


Fortunately, neither Waseskuk or Officer McDowell were seriously injured in the incident, but Waseskuk will face charges after a brief stay in a local hospital.

H.E.R.O

It is young men like Urbandale, Iowa Police Officer Zac McDowell that make up the fabric of this great country - ordinary men facing extraordinary circumstances, reacting with uncommon valor.

Simply put, Zac McDowell is an American Hero.