5500 Years From Home

Wednesday September 10, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


5500 Years From Home

In addition to the 250 plus Lyrical Pieces that I have written and received Copyright Protection from the Library Of Congress - I have, also, written a Novel (copyrighted but not Published) entitled 5500 Years From Home. I am currently working on a 2nd Book entitled The Island that I am about 1/2 the way towards completion, at this date.

I have decided to, occasionally, post excerpts from 5500 Years From Home in this Blog space.
Today, we peruse the 6th page of Chapter 3 – Page 21.

Enjoy !

* * * *

5500 YEARS FROM HOME

chapter Three ... page 21

Ground Zero

Audrey was frightened but Thom assured her that there was no reason to be. As they passed by the barn, Audrey could see, first the unidentified object and then, the new pony that was, still, peacefully peering out through the half-door towards the craft. As interested as she was in the accident scene, Audrey could not keep from approaching the pony and rubbing it’s head. After all, she was an animal lover and the pony was so cute. It seemed to calm her nerves as she starred at the still smoldering object.

This time, Thom walked around to the other side of the object and got closer to it than he had before. Charles, in turn, circled the object from the other side. Audrey stood firmly in place as the men got still closer and closer to it. Finally, Thom was within touching distance. As the object still smoldered, Audrey cautioned Thom to not touch it as it would burn him. Thom assured her that he would not but that there was no heat being emitted from it. Charles had gotten just as close from the opposite side until finally he and Thom were both close enough to touch the object. As they stood there looking at each other across the craft – it began to faintly glow. Audrey shrieked as Thom and Charles each took a few steps backward.

Back up at the house, Janice and the children were fixing some lemonade to have with the chocolates that they had opened. Corey asked where his parents and grandpa were. Janice knew about the Space Rocket bicycle and the pony but was still quizzical as to what was keeping all three of them. She allowed that they were doing something for the clubhouse that Corey would soon have to play in .. knowing full well that a pony was in that very location as they spoke. Cyndi had turned on the TV in the Family Room and was watching a local NBC affiliate that was talking about the bright flash that everyone had seen, earlier. She called out to her grandma that a news reporter was in Coventry Hills where their house was.

… Charles, in turn, circled the object ..

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK
.
.

F.U. Football League

Tuesday September 9, 2008

Special * Feature

Fantasy Ultimate Football League; week 1

Scores & Standings

FishHead II 079
Holmes’ 097

Big Doggie 088
Sully 141

William 094
Mike 085

Bossman Jim 101
Stepping Razors 101

FreddyMark 072
ForSkins 066



PROS Division

William .. 1 – 0
Stepping Razors .. 0 – 0 – 1
Bossman Jim .. 0 – 0 - 1
Mike .. 0 – 1
FishHead II .. 0 – 1


CONS Division

Sully .. 1 – 0
Holmes .. 1 – 0
FreddyMark .. 1 – 0
Big Doggie .. 0 – 1

ForSkins .. 0 - 1

Neither my opponent, Holmes, who is new to our Club League, nor myself had a Redskins nor Giants player in our LineUp (from Thursday) .. and neither of us have any Monday Night players, so our contest consisted of Sunday’s games, only.
My day got off to a good start when Brett Favre connected on a 56 yard TD pass to Jerricho Cotchery .. giving me 10 quick points. And even though NO RB Reggie Bush had a big day, giving me 21 points and BUF RB Marshawn Lynch did fairly well, giving me 15 points .. my day fizzled after those 1 o’clock contests. The disaster was capped off in the Sunday Night game when the usually potent Peyton Manning led Indianapolis Colts could not score more than 13 stinkin’ points against the feeble Chicago Bears. My futility was highlighted when my TE, IND Dallas Clark was injured and removed from the game .. and compounded when the Bears D/ST scored on a Colts Fumble.

And so, I begin the Season 0 – 1, and looking for another TE off the Free Agent List or Waiver Wire.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

.

not the way it is

4 17 215 12
1990

larry curtis spurlock

not the way it is

1
what’s the cost
of time that’s lost
no one knows
but the feeling shows
it would be fine
if it were springtime
but that’s not the way it is

chorus
oh no
my oh my
tomorrow’s supposed to be
my wedding day
oh yeah
are they gonna cry
i’ll be gone away
oh no
my oh my
tomorrow i’ll be
gone away
oh yeah
they won’t know why
i won’t be married that day

2
indeed it’s true
i love you
but i don’t know
why we can’t go slow
it would be nice
to get hit with rice
but that’s not the way it is

repeat chorus

3
so many times
i make the rhymes
about my life
it’s toil and strife
it’s so insane
i shouldn’t complain
but that’s not the way it is

repeat chorus 3 x - out

.

Dear Blog

Monday September 8, 2008

Dear Blog

So, I’m riding in a Taxi on Friday night .. heading SouthWest on Olivia Street. As we are passing by the Key West City Cemetery, a horse gallops past going SouthEast on Windsor Place. The rider is wearing what appears to be a white sheet. My Taxi Driver sees the occurance but never says a word about it. After several seconds of stunned silence, I ask him about it.
It’s something I don’t recall ever seeing down here.
Jake, my Driver, very nonchalantly, deadpans that it’s just the Reston Ghost.
Now, my interest has peaked as would any longtime Herndon-Reston resident of the mid to late 1960s. I happen to know a little bit about THAT person (or I should say persons) .. but a horse in Key West (?)
I have done my fair share of asking about this rouse since that night but no one has any concrete answers. Jake says that he learned the term from another local who explained that ‘it’s just Key West’ !
Well, I can certainly inform my Northern Virginia Readers of that period that I will uncover what the dealio is, down here .. and report it to you, forthwith !
So, as they say – ‘stay tuned’.


The Redskins lost their season opening game to the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants in the Meadowlands of New Jersey, 16-7.
I feared this game and I’ll tell you why; Jason Campbell.
Campbell has not shown me anything at QB since the Redskins gave up 3 Draft Choices for him, 3 years ago. He’s tall and slow and doesn’t read Defenses particularly well .. and his wind up and delivery are suspect.
Then, Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato brought in Jim Zorn as Head Coach. Zorn, immediately, installed the West Coast Offense that requires the QB position to be quick afoot and quick of mind - NEITHER of which is Campbell’s strong suit !
Campbell is a product of the Joe Gibbs / Daniel Snyder / Vinny Cerrato hierarchy. Gibbs is gone, now .. but as long as Snyder tries to be pertinent and as long as Vinny Cerrato continues to be the personnel string-puller – this is what we can expect.
And I’m a die hard Redskins fan of 48 years.
Sad.
Shame.

The Redskins next game is at their home Fed-Ex Field, Sunday, September 14 at 1 PM verses the New Orleans Saints.
The game will be televised by FOX and can be seen in the Washington market on channel 5.

In Key West, it can only be seen on DirectTV's Sunday Ticket.


Now Baseball: Are they still playing Baseball ?
Enough said.


Jimmie Johnson won NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at the Richmond International Speedway in Richmond, Virginia. The Race was to have been run on Saturday night but was postponed to Sunday due to Tropical Storm Hanna.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch finished 2nd, 3rd and 15th respectively.
All 3 of these Drivers have qualified for the 12 Team ‘Chase’ which is NASCAR’s version of the Playoffs. That’s the next 10 Races and will determine this year’s Champion.
Kyle Busch goes into these last 10 Races as the Leader .. with Denny Hamlin in 4th place, 70 points behind him .. and Tony Stewart in 8th place, 80 points off Busch’s lead.

The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race will be the GoDaddy.com NSCS in New Hampshire at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 14 and televised, nationally, by ABC.


Rascal continues to do well .. and has a Doctor’s appointment next week to determine how the medication is affecting her organs.


Thank God, Hanna has missed us here in Florida .. but my heart goes out to the East Coast for having to deal with the extreme weather.
But we must beware .. Ike is coming towards Key West.


Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 88 degrees with a overnight low of 77 degrees.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 83 degrees and with an overnight low of 65 degrees.



Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day ..
and, also, the FU League’s Final weekly Scores & Standings
at this URL.


My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

movie: The Bear

Friday September 5, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I love this little Movie ..
The Bear
“ The greatest thrill is not to kill but to let live ! “

I want to preface this composition by reiterating my previous statements on other Blogs that I am not a card carrying member of PETA. But I am a compassionate individual and I respect Animals and their place in the grand scheme of our World.

Yes, I am in opposition to Circuses .. the ones with Animal Acts.
The Elephants are trained with pitchforks and sledgehammers. The large cats are heavily medicated and are trained with electrical laser devices. Make no mistake, this is conditioned stimulus, not training.

I may not be as adamantly opposed to Zoos but I am certainly not in favor of them, either. Who are we, as a people, to have the right to capture a wild creature and lock them up ? Why ? So 4th Graders can be bused in to see a wild animal ? These are not wild animals ! They’re nothing more than caricatures. If you want your child to see real wildlife, take them to Africa. Or .. better yet, let them watch a PBS sponsored Nature Show on HD TV.

Okay, I’ve spoken my mind as I feel the responsibility to do.

Let’s get on to this wonderfully produced and filmed Movie.

The Bear

In 19th century British Columbia, a grizzly bear cub romps around as his beloved mother looks for honey. The mother searches for honey in a bees' nest located at the base of a tree, above where there is a rock outcrop. As result of her digging, the mother bear loosens the rocks from the outcrop which tumble down upon her, crushing her to death. The now orphaned cub stays by his mother's body, refusing to leave her. After some time, the cub, his attention caught by a fluttering butterfly, wanders off up the mountainside.

Soon the young cub meets with a large male grizzly wading in a pool of water attempting to soothe a bullet wound inflicted by a pair of hunters. The male growls at the cub, warning him not to come closer. Wandering nearer, the cub begins licking the male's wound, initiating a friendship between the bears.

The hunters who had shot the male grizzly continue with their hunt and are joined by another hunter friend and a pack of hunting dogs. Finding the two bears, the hunters chase them over a ridge, sending their dogs after them. The male bear motions to the cub to hide and then faces to fight the dogs. But the male gets away over the ridge.

Continuing their chase, the hunters hear whimpers and find the cub huddled in a small rock shelter. The hunters take the cub back to their camp where the cruel, heartless bastards tease and torment him.

Continuing their hunt for the male, the hunters leave camp the next morning, leaving the cub tied to a tree but he, soon, gnaws his way free. The hunters reach the area where they believe the old male to be. The younger of the two hunters waits high on a cliff in the hot sun for the male. Eventually he leaves his gun at his post and goes to a nearby waterfall to cool himself.

Suddenly he is cornered, without his gun, by the male grizzly. Faced with the grizzly's menacing roars and snarls the hunter whimpers, pleading for mercy. The grizzly, seemingly affected by the hunter's distress, compassionately turns and leaves. The hunter jumps up, grabs his rifle, and follows where the grizzly began to make his way up to the higher elevations. He aims his rifle at the ascending grizzly but he experiences a sudden epiphany, and decides not to kill the bear. The hunters develop a new sense of compassion and leave the mountains and begin their trek back to civilization.

The bear cub is once again left alone. Later, he spots the old male bear, once again and attempts to strike up their earlier friendship but male bears do not travel with pals and most certainly not babies. And so the codgery old male runs the cub off. The baby bear tries, again, to befriend the old male but the old male makes it clear that he does not want his company. And so the cub is hungry and cold and lonely, once again. Traveling alone, the young cub is spotted by a large, fierce mountain lion. The lion begins chasing the cub along a riverbank. Eventually the cub comes face to face with the mountain lion with just a small stream of water separating them. Forced to defend himself, the young cub begins to softly roar at the lion. And in a brave but desperate effort to stay alive, the little guy raises his baby paw in the air to imitate a striking swat towards the lion. And again he softly attempts a roar.

Suddenly frightened, the mountain lion’s eyes grow wide with fear and he backs off from the cub, then turns and flees. And this is my favorite part of the whole adventure. The camera is stationed directly behind the baby bear showing this scene but begins to pan around and as you continue to hear the soft muffled roar of the cub, you finally see that right behind him is the massive old male bear and the soft roar of the cub is joined by the loud angry vibrating bass roar of the old male who has witnessed the apparent attack and scared the lion off. The most touching visual of the entire 90 minute video is of the baby bear eyes, thinking that he and he alone has scarred off the huge lion. Somehow believing that the mighty roar of the old male bear was actually his roar.

The cub, then, turns to see his friend and protector, and the old male embraces the helpless little cub.

The film concludes with Winter setting in and the two bears going together into a cave, settling down for hibernation and we see the young cub experiencing his first peaceful sleep since the death of his mother.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

Hoyt Axton; Della & The Dealer

Thursday; September 4, 2008
************************

Get to know:
HOYT AXTON
( March 25, 1938 – October 26, 1999 )

When I first discovered Hoyt Wayne Axton, he was performing a Guest Appearance spot on the 1979 TV show, ‘WKRP In Cincinnati’.
His acting was very good .. but he sang a song that he wrote entitled Della And The Dealer

:see below:

and it just blew me away !
I, immediately, went out and bought 2 albums of his, A Rusty Old Halo .. and Where Did The Money Go ? which included the songs: Della And The Dealer, Evangelina, Hotel Ritz, Rusty Old Halo, Boney Fingers & Wild Bull Rider.
Hoyt Axton sang with a distinctive baritone voice and a gritty style.

* I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that his Mother, Mae Boren, co-wrote Elvis Presley’s first big hit entitled Heartbreak Hotel.

Hoyt began his career performing Folk Music and wrote the 1963 hit, Greenback Dollar made famous by the Kingston Trio. He wrote more long lasting, memorable songs for other Big-Time artists such as:
Never Been To Spain and Joy To The World for Three Dog Night; The Pusher for Steppenwolf and The No No Song for Ringo Starr. He, also, penned tunes for Joan Baez, John Denver, Brownsville Station and Waylon Jennings. He sang and performed Guitar on Lion In Winter and When The Morning Comes with Linda Ronstadt.

Axton, also appeared on many other TV shows including: ‘Bonanza’, ‘Dukes Of Hazard’, ‘Different Strokes’, ‘Murder She Wrote’, ‘Growing Pains’ and ‘The Bionic Woman’ among others.
Axton, also, composed and sang the theme song to the short-lived TV sitcom, ‘Flo’. :kiss my grits!: :lol:
And he appeared in 14 Motion Pictures.

Della And The Dealer

by: Hoyt Axton

1

It was Della and the Dealer and a dog named Jake

and a cat named Kalamazoo

Left the city in a pickup truck

gonna make some dreams come true

Yeah they rolled out west where the wild sun sets

and the coyote bays at the moon

Della and the Dealer and a dog named Jake

and a cat named Kalamazoo

Chorus

If that cat could talk what tales he'd tell

About Della and the Dealer and the dog as well

But the cat was cool and he never said a mumblin' word

2

Down Tucson way there's a small cafe

where they play a little cowboy tune

And the guitar picker was a friend of mine

by the name of Randy Boone

Yeah Randy played her a sweet love song

and Della got a fire in her eyes

The Dealer had a knife and the dog had a gun

and the cat had a shot of Rye

repeat Chorus

3

Yeah the Dealer was a killer he was evil and mean

and he was jealous of the fire in her eyes

He snorted his coke through a century note

and swore that Boone would die

And the stage was set when the lights went out

there was death in Tucson town

Two shadows ran for the bar backdoor

and one stayed on the ground

repeat Chorus

4

Two shadows ran from the bar that night

and dog and cat ran too

And the tires got hot on the pickup truck

as down the road they flew

It was Della and her lover and a dog named Jake

and a cat named Kalamazoo

Left Tucson in a pickup truck

gonna make some dreams come true

repeat Chorus .

.
.
.
.
.

Listen to and watch Hoyt Axton perform this classic

by clicking here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZHSIhdYSZY

.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

.

5500 Years From Home

Wednesday September 3, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5500 Years From Home

In addition to the 250 plus Lyrical Pieces that I have written and received Copyright Protection from the Library Of Congress - I have, also, written a Novel (copyrighted but not Published) entitled 5500 Years From Home. I am currently working on a 2nd Book entitled The Island that I am about 1/2 the way towards completion, at this date.

I have decided to, occasionally, post excerpts from 5500 Years From Home in this Blog space.
Today, we peruse the 3rd page of Chapter 3 – Page 18.

Enjoy !

* * * *

5500 YEARS FROM HOME

chapter Three ... page 18

Ground Zero

Still other reported calls from Walkersville, which was North of Coventry described seeing the light to the South but not as bright as the Coventry and Gundy callers had explained. So many conflicting reports made the burst of bright light seem unsubstantiated.

Just moments earlier, Thom Martin had pulled into the family’s long circular driveway in Coventry Hills with the Space Rocket bicycle in the trunk of his car. He was startled to find his father-in-law, Charles Carlton, walking aimlessly from their barn. Charles’ face was flushed white and his hair windswept even though no air was blowing. Thom jumped out and ran towards Charles asking if he had seen the bright flash of what appeared to be a shooting star. Charles did not answer causing Thom to be quite concerned.


Thom asked if Charles was alright. Charles just stared at Thom and pointed towards the area behind the barn. Thom asked if the ponies had been delivered. Still, Charles did not speak but only nodded affirmatively. Finally, Charles blurted out something about a crash down the hill, below the barn.

It was at that time that a strange smoky smell was wafting through the air near the two men. Thom started to walk in that direction but Charles did not. Soon, after walking about 50 yards, Thom saw what had caused Charles’ odd behavior. There, on the ground was what appeared to be some type of apparatus that had been scorched but not burned. There was a rut ploughed through about 25 feet of the ground leading up to it. It was approxamately the size of a Volkswagon although there was no way of knowing what it was or which way it was supposed to be sitting. One thing was for sure – it was not supposed to be there. Thom was torn between approaching the object and returning to Charles and deciding what to do. He chose rushing back to Charles. By the time the two men were together again, Thom asked Charles what he thought it was.

… it was not supposed to be there ..

.
.
LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

.

.

Special Feature

Fantasy Ultimate Football League

FishHead II .. DRAFT

Round / Overall Selection / Position / Player / Team

01 - 009 ... RB ~ Marshawn Lynch , BUF

02 - 012 ... WR ~ Braylon Edwards , CLE

03 - 029 ... QB ~ Ben Roethlisberger , PIT

04 - 032 ... RB ~ Reggie Bush , NO

05 - 049 ... RB ~ Ricky Williams , MIA

06 - 052 ... WR ~ Jerricho Cotchery , NYJ

07 - 069 ... TE ~ Dallas Clark , IND

08 - 072 ... D/ST ~ Chargers , SD

09 - 089 ... RB ~ Justin Fargas , OAK

10 - 092 ... WR ~ Joey Galloway , TB

11 - 109 ... WR ~ Devin Hester , CHI

12 - 112 ... QB ~ Eli Manning , NYG

13 - 129 ... RB ~ Andre Hall , DEN

14 - 132 ... K ~ Adam Vinatieri , IND

15 - 149 ... RB ~ Tim Hightower , ARZ

16 - 152 ... WR ~ Ron Curry , OAK

17 - 169 ... WR ~ Antwaan Randle El , WAS

18 - 172 ... RB ~ Leon Washington , NYJ

********************************************

.

.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

.

.

.

winter rain

4 17 214 11

1990

larry curtis spurlock

winter rain

1st verse
winter rain
falls on my shoulder
southern breeze
blowing serenely
wooded path
appears in the moonlight
destination’s near-yeah
but destiny’s unclear

1st hook
it’s been years now
since i’ve been insane
everybody keeps on laughing
thinking i’m playing a game
looking for someone who does the same

2nd verse
winter rain
dances on the roof top
slides slowly
down through my gutter spout
my dreams
are there in the rain barrel
destination’s near-yeah
but destiny’s unclear

2nd hook
it’s been years now
since i quit the game
nobody wants to accept that
everyone thinks i’ve gone insane
looking for someone the same

3rd verse
winter rain
keeps getting colder
time heals
but the weather don’t
life with you
disappears in the moonlight
destination’s near-yeah
but destiny’s unclear

3rd hook
so many years now
the game was so insane
so many people so happy
i hope i didn’t miss the plane
looking for someone who did the same

( repeat 1st verse and 1st hook )

Dear Blog

Monday September 1, 2008


Dear Blog

I want to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day.
Relax and enjoy the ‘last day os Summer’.


Okay, tonight’s my local Fantasy Ultimate Football League online Draft. My Team name is FishHead II ( my homemade logo appears above this column ). I’m Team # 9 which means I’m drafting 9th out of 10 teams in a serpentine order. That means every other round, I’m picking 2nd.
We draft 18 Players which includes a Defense/Special Teams slot.
Each week we start and collect points for only 10 of these players; 1-QB, 2-RBs, 3-WRs, 1-TE, 1-K, 1-D/ST and 1-Flex spot (which can be either a RB, a WR or a TE.
Tomorrow, I’ll post a Special Edition entry detailing the team that I select.


Today, also, begins the RN Convention. My question is WTF is Sarah Palin ? Is that Michael Palin’s wife or sister or daughter ? Otherwise, .. too obscure for me.
I will go on record as saying that John McCain and the Republicans are dissing women big time with this choice.
First, it’s only too obvious that he (they) want to siphon off as many jilted Hillary Clinton supporters as they can.
And secondly, they are inferring that the women who backed Hillary were doing so ONLY because she was female .. and not for her positions on the issues.
But that’s just MHFO.


The Redskins lost another lopsided affair .. this time to the Carolina Panthers, 24-3. Many regular Starters did not play but I will admit to being a bit concerned. I am not sold on Jason Campbell at QB. He holds the ball too long especially for a West Coast Offense.
We shall see .. we shall see …

And as reported here, previously, the Redskins open the NFL Season
Thursday, September 4 in the New Jersey Meadowlands verses the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants .. at 7 PM and Nationally televised on NBC.


Now Baseball: Hey, the sorry azz Nats beat the 1st place Los Angeles Dodgers 3 straight times, this past week .. and followed that with a 3 game sweep of the Atlanta Braves. Go figure !


Two time defending Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson won NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Pepsi 500 at the Auto Club Speedway in Sonoma, California .. on Sunday.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart finished 3rd, 7th and 22nd respectively.
All 3 of JGR Drivers will make the ‘Chase to the Race’ (10 Race Playoff) which starts after next week.
The previous night, Kyle Busch won the Nationwide Series Race holding off arch-rival, Carl Edwards at the end. Busch has won 8 Sprint Cup Races this year to go along with 7 Nationwide Races and 2 Truck Races for a record-breaking 17 Wins in (less than) one Season. And he’s just 22 years old !

The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race will be the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at the Richmond International Speedway in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday night, September 6 and televised, nationally, by ABC.


* Back home - my 8 year old Beagle dog, Rascal is responding favorably to her Rimadyl medication. It is not curing the Cushing’s Disease .. but it has given her quality of life back. *


Thank God, Gustav has missed us here in Key West, Florida .. but my heart goes out to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans in particular.


Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 91 degrees with a overnight low of 81 degrees .. with no Gustav rains occuring.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 85 degrees and with an overnight low of 54 degrees.



Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day at this URL.


My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

Pick Temple's Giant Ranch

Friday; August 29, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



A truly funny memory From:
Pick Temple’s Giant Ranch
on WMAL channel 7 in Washington, D.C.

Cowboy folksinger, Lafayette Parker Temple (1911 - 1991) was known as Pick Temple and starred in The Pick Temple Giant Ranch local television show from 1948 through 1961.

His children’s show featured his singing and guitar playing, puppet shows, cartoons, target practice, his pony Piccolo, and his dog Lady. Children sent postcards to Pick, hoping that he might pick them as ‘Lucky Rangers’ to appear as Guests on his show, where they would sit in the studio’s ‘Hayloft’. The show aired on WMAL channel 7, seven days per week, in the Washington, D. C. area and was sponsored by a local grocery store chain, Giant Food of Landover, Maryland.

I could go on about Mr. Temple’s Great Depression era days of riding the rails and singing the songs of the times or I could wax philosophically about his Government job with the Census Bureau but my compositional anecdote, today, is more a lighthearted, whimsical moment on one of his telecasts.

I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the all-time great Children’s TV Shows such as: Howdy Doody, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Mickey Mouse Club, Barney, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, Romper Room and the Muppets.
And there were other local fare including Bozo, Lil Rascals, Ranger Hal, Capn’ Tugg and Cousin Cupcake.

The memory that I’d like to share with you is from 1959 when I was 10 years old. Yes, that’s 48 years ago. Of course, there’ll be some who may question my recollection of events. I have friends (more aptly described as acquaintances) who often doubt my memory capacity. And then there’s my idiot siblings who think if they can’t remember it - then, I couldn’t possibly .. and if they don’t know it - then, I surely don’t. But I choose not to discuss mean spirited, hateful, selfish morons at this writing. I will vindicate myself and validate my story by mentioning that a year ago, my Daughter (whom I’ve often told this account) and I were watching a TV show with old local clips and this was one of them. My memory matches exactly with that broadcast.

So, here’s what happened. Pick Temple would have local children come on his show and participate in the tomfoolery. And since Pick was (supposedly) a Cowboy, one of the gags was where 4 children would line up with their cap-busters (toy handguns) at the ready and (pretend to) shoot at balloons above a stone wall about 15 feet away. Usually, the kids would pop off about 20-25 caps each and slowly, one by one, the balloons would pop as if the children had shot them. Surely, some TV studio worker was sticking the balloons with a pin from behind the wall and out of sight.

Regardless, a small part of that bit was a small hole in the bottom of the look alike stone wall where a toy snake would, sometimes, appear. It was one of those toy snakes that had about 6-8 straight pieces that were connected with hinges. It was really tacky looking and I think it was supposed to be. It WAS funny. Usually, the camera zeroed in on it but the children would continue firing at the balloons.

One evening I was watching the show and one of the four children selected for this bit was a little Black child. There weren’t that many African-American kids on TV for some reason back then and so I watched it a little closer than I normally would have. Sure enough, at Pick’s command, the children started pretend shooting at the balloons as they popped, one by one. Then, the TV camera zeroed in on the hole in the wall’s bottom area and out came the snake. All of a sudden, the small Black child’s eyes grew large and he screamed out loud a basic exclamation. He cried, “a ma-fuckin’ snake !” And he aimed his cap-buster at it and popped off several shots.

Now, this was before 7 second delays and probably before any type of organizational rules of misconduct. But that’s what I remembered and the only difference in that and what the recent old clip showed was they had bleeped out the curse word. After showing the clip, the narrator
mentioned that they had bleeped out the actual comment by the small Black child. Furthermore, most of those old shows were either in kinnescope that were not kept or not recorded at all. It just so happened that this clip was kept .. and I think that I know the reason why.

I have always remembered this incident and knew that children pick up what they hear from their parents around the house. Even if the parents are unaware of it. It was THIS incident that caused me to be extremely careful with my language while I was raising my Daughter.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

.

.

.

Willin'

Thursday; August 28, 2008

Willin’

lyrics & vocals by: Lowell George
music by: Little Feat

* * Editorial Note * *

From the Waiting For Columbus album / CD
A Tribute to Lowell George
On June 15, 1979, he began a tour in support of his solo album. The tour included a stop in Washington D.C., where Little Feat and George had a large following. Playing at Lisner Auditorium, on the campus of George Washington University -- a popular venue where he had played many shows with Little Feat -- George put on an excellent show, focused on his new album. He returned to his room at the Key Bridge Marriott hotel in Arlington, Virginia. After falling ill in his room, Lowell George died on June 29, 1979. Although George was a long time drug user, the policeman who attended the scene found no evidence of drug paraphernalia, or of drugs having been removed from the scene. Overweight and a habitual heavy smoker, George's hard-working rock and roll lifestyle had apparently taken its toll. An autopsy showed that he died of a massive heart attack. Lowell George's body was cremated in Washington D.C. on August 2. His ashes were flown back to Los Angeles, where they were scattered in the Pacific Ocean from his fishing boat.

I been warped by the rain, driven by the snow

I'm drunk and dirty don't ya know,

and I'm still, willin'

Out on the road late at night,

Seen my pretty Alice in every head light

Alice, Dallas Alice

I've been from Tuscon to Tucumcari

Tehachapi to Tonapah

Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made

Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed

And if you give me: weed, whites and wine

And you show me a sign

I'll be willin', to be movin'

I've been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet

Had my head stoved in, but I'm still on my feet

and I'm still... willin'

Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico

Baked by the sun, every time I go to Mexico,

and I'm still

And I been from Tuscon to Tucumcari

Tehachapi to Tonapah

Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made

Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed

And if you give me: weed, whites and wine

And you show me a sign

I'll be willin', to be movin

LISTEN
by clicking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWwgwADwHh0

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

5500 Years From Home

Wednesday August 27, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5500 Years From Home

In addition to the 250 plus Lyrical Pieces that I have written and received Copyright Protection from the Library Of Congress - I have, also, written a Novel (copyrighted but not Published) entitled 5500 Years From Home. I am currently working on a 2nd Book entitled The Island that I am about 1/2 the way towards completion, at this date.

I have decided to, occasionally, post excerpts from 5500 Years From Home in this Blog space.
Today, we peruse the 1st page of Chapter 3 – Page 16.

Enjoy !

* * * *

5500 YEARS FROM HOME

chapter Three ... page 16

Ground Zero

As Janice Carlton cruises down Route 55, she begins to receive interference on the Volvo car radio. She was listening to a station that was playing Christmas songs that were recorded by the greats.
There was Dean Martin and Harry Belafonte and of course, Bing ‘the crooner’ Crosby. As she changed the station from AM to FM, she still was not getting a true, sharp signal. Finally, it cut out completely. All the stations were out. Janice figured it was a malfunctioning radio and not a reception problem. As she was passing the intersection of Canyon Drive, she turned the radio’s on / off knob all the way to the left until it clicked. Enough of that, she thought and she decided to listen to a CD.

She reached into the Christmas bag that was sitting in the floor on the passenger’s side and pulled out an unopened CD package. It was the new Tanya Tucker CD that Charles was going to give her as a stocking stuffer for Christmas. What the heck, she thought and so she opened it up and slide it in the CD Player. But nothing. She turned some knobs and pushed some buttons and still, nothing. Well, she thought if the good Lord didn’t want her listening to music – then he must have a reason. And so she rode in silence.

The beautiful weather had caused Janice to roll her side window down about half way. As she approached the turn at Bridge Road on Hobbs Hill, she is startled by the fact that the radio had begun playing, again. But the knobs are turned off. Surely something must be wrong with the car’s stereo system. Then, the radio is not playing, once again. At least not inside. That is to say that with Janice’s window down, she can hear Tanya Tucker music coming from outside of the car.

Before Janice has a chance to even consider this wild happenstance, a bright flash of light crosses the sky in front of her from South to North. It seemed to barely be tree top high.

… She turned some knobs and pushed some buttons ..

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

.

reality

6 20 242 5

12 / 23 / 2003

by: larry curtis spurlock

r e a l i t y

1a
i have many memories
of being a young lil kid
when i tried to do the things
older bigger kids did

sometimes it was so funny
and sometimes it didn’t fly
but for the very most part
.. i just wanted to be a cool guy

chorus
but you caaaaaaaan’t always beeeeeeee
everything everybody wants to see
no you just caaaaaaaan’t let it beeeeeeee
nowhere no one will find the key, .. to
reality
re-ality
re-al-i-ty

2a
time goes by so fast
you know it always will
one day you’re on the playground
- next day hamburger hill
in between this short time
you’re asked to figure out
if it’s school, war or the grave
– is this what it’s all about

2b
as the choices you’re presented with
come raining on down
you can save ‘em in a bucket
or you can spill it on the ground
you can spit in the wind
if that’s your battle plan
but just do what you can
and just try to understand

bridge

( repeat chorus )

3a
we reap what we sew
and we sew what we need
so we can make a living
without losing our free seed
balancing these polar opposites
is tricky upon life’s teeter
if you’re going to park your car
you must pay the parking meter

3b
celebrating and giving life
is the greatest gift of all
so hug all your children
and pick ‘em up when they fall
teach them what’s right
and everything else you can
but don’t fault yourself
when they stick their fingers in the fan

3c
god wants us to enjoy life
but what’s puzzling to me
is it right to kill god’s animals
to feed our family
i just think we’re all god’s animals
living off the land
and all i want to do
is the very best that I can

( repeat chorus )

( repeat verse 1a )

( repeat chorus )

Dear Blog

Monday August 25, 2008


Dear Blog

Okay, now that the Olympics are over – we can point our attention elsewhere to more important matters / no not the Political Conventions .. to Fantasy Football ! :lol:
Alright, I’m kidding .. sort of … - We’ll cover Fantasy Football ad nausea over the next 4 months .. but I will peek in at the Conventions, first.

But before I do – the final Olympic Medal counts for the USA was 36 Gold, 38 Silver and 36 Bronze .. for a World leading 110 total Medals.
China finished 2nd in total Medals with 100 .. 51 Gold, 21 Silver and 28 Bronze.


So, Barack Obama has chosen Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential Running Mate.
I am happy with this choice and in reality, Biden was my choice for President in the beginning of this Primary Season. To be honest, he has been my choice since his ill fated run for POTUS, 20 years ago.
Plus, you gotta love his remarks to Dubya, last year when he said, “Are you nuts ?”
You see Bush had just been given some facts regarding the Iraqi Government and he ignored the intelligence reports and said, “that don’t matter none to me .. I’m going on my gut feeling !”
That’s when Joe Biden made his remarks.

Now, the Democratic National Convention runs from Monday, August 25th through Thursday, August 28th. The first 3 nights activities will be held at the 19,200 seat Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado .. but on Thursday when Barack Obama accepts the official Democratic nod to represent their Party’s nomination – the event moves to the 71,125 seat outdoor venue Invesco Field at Mile High.


The Redskins played their 4th (of 5) Pre-Season game of 2008 verses the Carolina Panthers on Saturday August 23, 2008 .. in Charlotte, North Carolina.
3 – 47 ..and that’s all I’m going to say.

The final Pre-season game will be played at Fed-Ex Field in Landover, Maryland against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday August 28 at 7 PM and televised, Nationally, on NBC.
And as reported here, previously, the Redskins open the NFL Season the following Thursday, September 4 in the New Jersey Meadowlands verses the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants .. also at 7 PM and also Nationally televised on NBC.


Now Baseball: Hey, the sorry azz Nats ended their 12 game losing streak by winning TWO straight games before initiating another losing streak. :cs:


Carl Edwards won NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday August 23. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart finished 2nd, 3rd and 7th respectively.
With less than 10 laps to go, Edwards snuck up behind Busch and tapped his rear bumper, knocking him a kilter to the outside .. then racing past him on the inside. THIS is one reason that I could not get interested in Stock Car Racing back in the early 1980s when I attended several Races (in Dover, Delaware). Back then, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. used this tactic quite often .. and instead of being penalized - he was glorified. I just don’t get it.
And I don’t want to hear, ‘that’s just racing’ !
It’s cheating.

The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race will be the Pepsi 500 at the Auto Club Speedway in Sonoma, California .. on Sunday, August 31.


* At this point my 8 year old Beagle dog, Rascal will not require an ultra-expensive Surgical Procedure for her recently diagnosed Cushing’s Disease. I have, also, decided against Ramipryl to treat her problem and am continuing with her Rimadyl pain medication. That medication does not cure her disease but has given her back her normal quality of life. We’ll have to see how things progress as time goes forward.
I want to thank the well wishes that my Daughter and I have received. *


Also, my very good friends Adrienne, Siouxsie, Taffy, Miriam and all my other friends in Key West, Florida fared very well during Tropical Storm Fay.
The Southern Cross Hotel, Hog’s Breath Saloon and Sloppy Joe’s Bar & Grille had no damage whatsoever .. as was the case with most of the island. The Southernmost Group experienced some erosion of their Beach but that can be replenished .. and will be as far as I hear.


Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 86 degrees with a Relative Humidity of 86 %.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 90 degrees and with a Relative Humidity of 85 % .. and possible afternoon thunderstorms.



Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day at this URL.


My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

Down Home

Friday; August 22, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


A MOMENT WITH:
fraternal Twins: Clyde & Claude
.. and their mentally challenged cohort, Roy


Most Important Thing In The World
Down Home

Clyde: Yo, Roy .. whatsa most INportan’ thang in the whol’ wide worl’ ?

Claude: Yea, Roy boy – what isn the most INportan’ thang in the worl’ ?

Roy: Weeellllll, weeelllllllllllll .. uh .. that .. uhhhh .. that would be .. FRIENDS.

Clyde: Why, by golly, .. gee , Roy – that’s a wonerful answer. Plum wonerful !

Claude: Yeah .. Roy .. you’re pretty smart after all.

Roy: .. money.

Clyde: I’m sorry, Roy – what was that ?

Claude: Did you say .. money ?

Roy: Yes, .. money. Money’s mighty INportan’, too.
Friends an’ money – THAT’S the mos’ INportant’thang in the worl’ !

Clyde: Friends .. an’ money .. huh ?

Roy: .. big house.

Claude: Did you say .. big house ?

Roy: Yes, .. big house. A Big House’s mighty INportan’, too.
Friends .. an’ lotsa money .. an’ a big house – THAT’S the mos’ INportan’ thang in the worl’ !

Clyde: Friends .. an’ lotsa money .. an’ a big house .. huh ?

Roy: .. nice car.

Claude: Did you say .. nice car ?

Roy: Yes, .. nice sports car. A nice Sports car’s mighty INportan’, too.
Friends .. lotsa money .. a big beau-ti-ful house .. an’ a nice fast sports car – THAT’S the mos’ INportan’ thing in the worl’ !

Clyde: Friends .. an’ lotsa money .. an’ a big beau-ti-ful house .. an’ a nice fast sport’s car .. huh ?

Roy: Oh, ohh, ohhhh ‘an, ‘an, ‘an .. a perty wife ! :drooling:

Claude: Did you say .. perty wife ?

Roy: Yes, .. a beau-ti-ful wife. A Beau-ti-ful wife’s mighty mighty INportan’, too.
Friends .. lotsa money .. a big beau-ti-ful house .. a nice fast red sports car .. an’ a gor-jus wife – THAT’s the mos’ INportan’ thing in the whole worl’ !

Clyde: Friends .. an’ lotsa money .. an’ .. an’ a big beau-ti-ful house .. an’ a nice perty fast red sports car .. an’ a gor-jus wife .. huh ?

Roy: .. swimmin’ poo’.

Claude: Did you say .. swimming’poo’ ?

Roy: Yes, .. a swimmin’ poo’. A Swimmin’ Poo’’s mighty INpor…………….
.. ya know, Clyde & Claude – I’ve been a thinkin’ !

Clyde: ‘bout what thar, Roy ?

Claude: Yeah, Roy .. boy. What is it you been thinkin’ ‘bout ?

Roy: Weeelllll, .. if’n you had a lotsa money ..
an’ a big huge beau-ti-ful house ..
an’ a cool fast red sports car ..
an’ a, a perty beau-ti-ful gor-jus wife with, with, with .. big .. big .. big …
beau-ti-ful ……. smile .. :winkwink:
an’ a swimmin’ poo’ ….
wellll, - ‘friends’ .. would just get in the way !

.

.

.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

.

.

.

Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore

Thursday; August 21, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


By: John Prine


click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kTctirEPns

Your Flag Decal Won't Get You
Into Heaven Anymore

verse 1
While digesting Reader's Digest

In the back of a dirty book store,

A plastic flag, with gum on the back,

Fell out on the floor.

Well, I picked it up and I ran outside

Slapped it on my window shield,

And if I could see old Betsy Ross

I'd tell her how good I feel.

hook
But your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more.

They're already overcrowded

From your dirty little war.

Now Jesus don't like killin'

No matter what the reason's for

And your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more.

verse 2
Well, I went to the bank this morning

And the cashier he said to me,

"If you join the Christmas club

We'll give you ten of them flags for free.

"Well, I didn't mess around a bit

I took him up on what he said.

And I stuck them stickers all over my car

And one on my wife's forehead.

repeat hook

verse 3
Well, I got my window shield so filled

With flags I couldn't see.

So, I ran the car upside a curb

And right into a tree.

By the time they got a doctor down

I was already dead.

And I'll never understand why the man

Standing in the Pearly Gates said...

repeat hook

5500 Years From Home

Wednesday August 20, 2008
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *


5500 Years From Home

In addition to the 250 plus Lyrical Pieces that I have written and received Copyright Protection from the Library Of Congress - I have, also, written a Novel (copyrighted but not Published) entitled 5500 Years From Home. I am currently working on a 2nd Book entitled The Island that I am about 1/2 the way towards completion, at this date.

I have decided to, occasionally, post excerpts from 5500 Years From Home in this Blog space.
Today, we peruse the 6th page, Chapter 2 – Page 15.

Enjoy !

* * * *

5500 YEARS FROM HOME

Chapter 2 … … page 15


Parts Unknown

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall seek God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
is the kingdom of Heaven.
the kingdom of Heaven.
kingdom of Heaven.
of Heaven.
Heaven.

… For they shall inherit the Earth ..

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK

you in my rearview mirror; me in my spider hole

6 20 244 7

1/14/2004

larry curtis spurlock

you in my rear-view mirror;
me in my spider-hole

chorus
oh i can see you lying in the summer sun
yes i can see you on a boat in the bay
now i can see you in your little cheerleader outfit
and i can see you in a vogue negligee

but i don’t see you all that often

cause you stand me up and you let me fall
now i just see you in my rearview mirror
guess i haven’t changed that much at all

verse one
if you’re looking for me – i’ve been hiding
you won’t find me dancing rock’n’roll
they’ve got my scent all up in cyberspace
but i’m safe and secure in my spider-hole

no it’s not to hard to figure out
i’ve been burned and i’ve been cold
you know i’ve got these fragile feelings
that’s why i hide in my spider-hole

chorus (repeat)

verse two
you may be my childhood superstar
but you don’t know larry y 2 k
i eat girls like you like candy
and i spit ‘em out and i walk away

but something churned down deep inside
your buttery smooth voice mesmerizingly
like a bug drawn to a campfire
i don’t know what has overcome me

bridge

chorus (repeat)

verse three
so my thoughts begin to wander
could it have been you all along
so i open up my heart to this feeling
but i just can’t sing another sad country song

and so now that you have found me
and pulled me out of my spider-hole
i begged you to take it easy
but you disappeared with the heart that you stole

chorus (repeat)

.

Dear Blog

Monday August 18, 2008


Dear Blog

So, .. the Olympics have reached the halfway point in their fortnightly extravaganza and there are several interesting noteworthy plots to report.

Aside from the Sporting aspect of these games, I’d like to peek into the Chinese culture .. or maybe I should cite their Government’s socialization.
I would be remiss if I didn’t speak to the terrible air quality in Beijing. The Government curtailed over 50 % of the automobile traffic in the city and closed most nearby Factories in an effort to give the World a shiny image of their Capital .. and it, still, is hazy and unclear. Pity the poor folks health, there, when it’s business as usual.
In the Opening Ceremonies, we were told that the Pyrotechnics were live and in fact, they were not. They were recorded and graphically aided.
Then, we were led to believe that the cute little girl who sang their Anthem was live. It not only was NOT live (it was lip sync) but it was not the same child. The Chinese Government thought the little girl whose real voice was heard was ‘not pretty enough’ to be seen on TV. They should have their face slapped off for that. But when you consider they snatch 3 year old children from their homes and families and house them in ‘gymnastic factories’ just for Olympic glory .. well, it sickens this Reporter !
And don’t get me started on the Boxing Judges. What a farce !

Okay, .. now on to more positive news:
First, the largest story is Michael Phelps who won an unprecedented 8 Gold Medals surpassing the 7 Golds that Mark Spitz won in 1972 in Munich, Germany.
Phelps’ 8th Gold was won in the 400m Medley Relay.
Aaron Peirsol got the Americans off to the lead in the Backstroke, but Brendan Hansen .. a major disappointment in this Olympic year -- slowed them down with only the third-fastest Breaststroke leg.
By the time Phelps dived in for the Butterfly, the U.S. was trailing Australia and Japan. That's when he really went to work.
With his long arms whirling across the water like propellers, Phelps caught the two guys ahead of him on the return lap and passed off to Lezak a lead of less than a second for the Freestyle. The Australians countered with former world record-holder Eamon Sullivan as their anchor.
"I was thinking not to blow the lead," Lezak said. "I was really nervous !"
Sullivan tried to chase down Lezak and appeared to be gaining as they came to the wall, but Lezak finished in 3 minutes, 29.34 seconds (a full half second ahead) .. Phelps' seventh world record in his personal Great Haul (get it?) of China.

I have enjoyed the Gymnastic competition.
Watching USAs Nastia Liukin win Gold and her USA teammate, Shawn Johnson go Silver in the Individual Gymnastic competition was thrilling and compensated for their 2nd place finish to the Chinese in Team Gymnastics.
The Basketball and Track & Field is nice but we get plenty of that on a routine basis. Softball and Baseball haven’t been as prevalent, so far but will over the final week. And am I the only one who thinks Beach Volleyball is an Olympic Sport to lure the 16 – 49 year old viewers ? Funny how this is when the beer commercials hawk their wares.

At this (Monday morning) reporting, the USA has won 67 Medals as has China.

The USA has 20 Gold, 22 Silver and 25 Bronze.

China has 39 Gold, 14 Silver and 14 Bronze.


The Redskins played their 3rd (of 5) Pre-Season game of 2008 verses the New York Jets on Saturday August 16, 2008 .. in New York.
They won the contest 13 – 10 when the Jets Kicker, Mike Nugent missed a chip-shot / gimmie Field Goal as time expired. I will not bore my readers with the details as it’s just a Pre-season game.
Next week the Redskins travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on the Carolina Panthers in the next to last Pre-season game.
The final Pre-season game will be played at Fed-Ex Field in Landover, Maryland against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday August 28 at 7 PM and televised, Nationally, on NBC.
And as reported here, previously, the Redskins open the NFL Season the following Thursday, September 4 in the New Jersey Meadowlands verses the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants also at 7 PM and also Nationally televised on NBC.


Now, Baseball: I’m not even reporting on the Nationals anymore. It’s one thing to be THE worst team in MLB but to then go on their second 9 game losing streak in the month. Pathetic ! The Manager should be fired as well as the Hitting Coach. The Lerner ownership group should be embarrassed and should apologize to the people of Washington and surrounding area. Then, this off-season, they should open up their wallets and procure some Major League talent and quit talking about building for the future.


Carl Edwards won NASCAR’s 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday August 17. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch finished 2nd while David Ragan finished 3rd. JGR’s Tony Stewart finished 12th and his other Driver, Denny Hamlin blew his engine within the Race’s last few laps and finished 39th.

The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race will be the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee .. on Saturday, August 23.


* This past Friday, my 8 year old Beagle, Rascal, was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease.
If you have a pet – you know how I feel; if you don’t – you won’t. *


I want to give a ‘shout out’ to Adrienne, Siouxsie, Taffy, Miriam and all my friends in Key West, Florida during Tropical Storm Fay.
And although many tourists, as well as locals, are evacuating – these fine people are not and will weather out this near-Hurricane (as they always do).


Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 85 degrees with a Relative Humidity of 87 % .. oh and did I mention RAIN.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 90 degrees and with a Relative Humidity of 80 %.



Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day at this URL.


My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.

LARRY CURTIS SPURLOCK