Happy Milk Chocolate Day!

The Gift of Chocolate
July 28 is national milk chocolate day. I would normally observe this special holiday by devouring any combination of the beloved dietary staple (i.e. chocolate covered pretzels, peanut butter cups, m&m's, and so on). However, I have turned a new leaf. For nine days now, I have been chocolate-free (and also ice cream-free, which is even harder). I'm also still walking before work, which has my friends seriously contemplating a mental health evaluation since this is so un-Lee Ann. What can I say, Youth Congress is exactly 2 weeks away and I'm trying to make up for the last 2 years of late night-snacking and considering "holding down the couch" a form of exercise. I'm hoping that I can keep this up post-Congress, but I've already promised everyone at work I'd bring donuts the first day back to break this health craze. We'll see. In the meantime, somebody eat a Caramello for me.

We Have Liftoff!
Thankfully the shuttle launched successfully today. I have to admit to some serious concern, especially after the decision was made to launch despite past problems and incomplete testing. But so far so good. There was some debris that fell away from the shuttle, which I’m anxious to hear an explanation about. (Shame on me for ending that sentence with a preposition.)

Continued Activity in East
Oh, this is nice--mobs of angry Afghans chanting “Die America!” The U.S. is naïve if she thinks change can be implemented overnight against the backdrop of centuries of a completely different culture. I’m not trying to make a pro/anti-war statement, I’m just stating that regardless, we need to realize the challenges facing our troops and policymakers.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested five Egyptian men in New York with video equipment, a large amount of money, and maps of the subway system. They are being deported. ...Is America about to experience another wave?

New on Ninetyandnine
In response to the recent controversy on what ladies should do to attract a spouse, Joseph Castorina has contributed this week’s cover: “The Real Attraction Factor (God’s Version)”.

From the Homefront
Tonight I ran across some observations I once noted about life where I live. There’s a lot of hype about “rednecks” these days. Last week I heard someone on NPR, of all places, offer commentary on the “redneck” culture. Lately it’s becoming a subset of society or something. I don’t know about all that. These are just things I know about my world--for better or worse. Not proud, not ashamed. For no particular reason, I feel like sharing:

• Nothing like arriving home from your local university one afternoon and finding the goat staked out in the front yard having a hay day (no pun intended) on the lawn.
  
• You aren't surprised by this because you remember that the REAL weedeater is still in pieces in the barn from when dad decided to "add a little muscle" to it.
  
• You are expected to report the play-by-play of the funeral home visit to those who couldn't attend.
  
• You accidentally go to the wrong funeral home but use it as a chance to catch up on a little community gossip and meet interesting new people!
  
• You do "the happy dance" in the gas station parking lot on the rare occasion you are able to open your gas tank without the aid of your trusty flathead screwdriver.
  
• Where I come from, we call duct tape chrome.

And Now the Home Stretch
My tenure as guest blogger is rapidly expiring. If you have special comments, stories, or duct tape testimonies to share, e-mail me now. I’ve actually been putting in insane hours at my job the last few days, but that deadline is in sight and I’m looking forward to a great final week of blogging. This has been such a fun experience, largely because of your participation; please take a moment and share your thoughts. Thanks to all our readers for the dialogue. E-mail me!