Reprehensible and stupid - a rough combination

Dictionary.com defines the word reprehensible in the following way: "deserving of reproof, rebuke or censure; blameworthy"

It defines the word stupid as follows: "lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; dull; characterized by or proceeding from mental dullness; foolish; senseless; tediously dull, inane, pointless; annoying or irritating; troublesome; in a state of stupor; stupefied"

I like dictionary.com. It lacks one thing that real dictionaries have - the occasional picture that helps to define the word. For those two words, the following picture easily and perfectly defines both words:
I give you Mr. Reprehensible and his partner Miss Stupid

If you don't know who these two geniuses are, you haven't been watching the.best.reality.show.on.TV - The Amazing Race. While I won't recap this season here, I will say I was tired of these two the minute they showed up in the first episode. They have demonstrated time again why the gene pool filter should kick in forcing some people to never procreate. To say they are just a bit dim would be an understatement. I can forgive stupid, but what has been most unforgivable has been the hate they have spewed the entire race. Caite (who spells like that? Seriously.) is a former pageant princess who made an epic error in a pageant a few years ago and she's never recovered. She and her dim, tragically dim, boyfriend are also packing a pretty big case of homophobia. They've had it in for another team, Carol and Brandy, from the moment Phil, the show's host, yelled "GO!" Caite has referred to them as the 'lesbians' ever since and each time she says that word, it came out more and more venomously. You could feel the hate oozing out of her. Hardly pageant like behavior, wouldn't you say. Last night, they took the hate to new heights, managing to get rid of their nemesis. Fine. It's a game. But enough with the hate.

In watching this season of the "Race" and the antics of these two people, I realize how tired I've grown of hate. It makes for some serious ugly. It's tiresome. It's unpleasant. I'm over it.

Earlier I mentioned Caite's epic error in a pageant...well, here it is:

It speaks for itself. And sadly, so does she.

My 316th Post

Today marks the 316th post I've made here in the Den. Is there any significance to this number for me? No, nothing. I mean it's not like any of us is going to live to the ripe old age of 316 (unless we suddenly become Methusaleh-like and I just don't see that happening). I can't think of much that 316 represents. I'd like to point out that I've never driven on this stretch of road numbered 316:

Come to think of my driving experience in Minnesota, it's limited to a drive of death around Rochester in April during an ice storm. Yes, you read that right an ice storm at the end of April. What else for 316? I got nothin', really nothing.

Food News - Good and Bad

Yesterday was a glorious day as we celebrated Easter. Wonderful spiritual instruction, gorgeous weather, and a delicious dinner surrounded by family. Ham done just right, potatoes, killer salad, asparagus, and amazing homemade wheat rolls. It was a good,good day for food.

And the good kept coming this morning. A reader of the blog read my earlier post lamenting my inability to find Lyle's Golden Syrup. On that subject, I took that search to the city on Friday and came up empty, so I was once again contemplating a haul to London. Anyway, this intrepid reader let me know that amazon.com has started selling this stuff. So first thing this morning, I logged on and searched for Lyles and within 30 seconds, my order was confirmed. To say I was delighted would be an understatement. Now I just have to wait patiently for the order to arrive. If all goes according to time, I should be making English flapjacks this Saturday. This, my friends, is very, very good news on the food front.

And now the bad news from the food front. It's a little known fact that the stunningly patient and mighty fine SML worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken briefly when she was in high school. This was long, long before they changed their name to KFC in a vain attempt to hide the fried nature of their menu. She treats this experience very much like a veteran with PTSD. She barely speaks of it and the very sight of a KFC invokes near panic. If you ever want to have her freak, just ask her about the gravy on the mashed potatoes. That is a good time. The mere suggestion of stopping there elicits a very negative reaction. So we've pretty much never been there. That being said, I've always eyed KFC with some curiosity. I now look at it with revulsion. Why? Take a look at their newest product:

Yep, that's two pieces of fried chicken replacing the buns on a cheese and bacon sandwich. Just looking at it makes me kind of sick. I'm fairly certain that absolutely no good can come from it. To me, this is yet another sign of food armageddon. Like I said, this one was bad news on the food front.

Have I tried this? Nope. Will I? Nope. I'm no food puritan, not by any stretch of the imagination. But this one I just can't do.

Easter

It's Easter Sunday. On this day, the Christian world celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and I am grateful to be a part of that celebration. I love this day. I know He lives and am so thankful for the hope that this knowledge, this testimony, brings. He does live and He loves us, even me. I know that. I'm grateful for the hope that this knowledge brings. This clip says it well:
He lives!

The words of the hymn "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" are so powerful:

I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

May your Easter be a blessed one.