Wayne Lawrence – Page 31 – From The Middle Blog

NFL CONFIDENCE Pick Sheet Week 6 10/13-16-17/2016

For those of you who do not know how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. We use the Monday night game as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broke by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating tams) final score, without going over. If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pt on the second game and lost you would still have a Positive 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a -14 score. I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MISS COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. * Keep in mind; NFL sometimes uses, “FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING”, which means they may change game times. Unless I catch the last minute change you will see the original schedule. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING Allows teams to play their way onto the Sunday night schedule In 2006 the NFL implemented a primetime “flexible scheduling” element on Sundays in Weeks 10-15 and in Week 17. In 2014 that was extended so that games between Weeks 5 and 17 could be affected by flex scheduling. However, only two games may be flexed into Sunday Night between Week 5 and 10. Flexible scheduling ensured quality matchups on Sunday night in those weeks and gave surprise teams a chance to play their way onto primetime. The NBC Sunday night time slot for “flex” weeks lists the game tentatively scheduled for Sunday night. Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled Sunday night game will be moved to an afternoon start time. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday, Saturday or Monday nights. Just as the six major college football conferences have done for many years, the NFL has the flexibility to move the start times of games on Sundays, using a 12-day notice format. For example, a game scheduled for a Sunday could move from a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff to an 8:15 p.m. start, but the change would be made and announced no later than the prior Tuesday, 12 days prior. Sunday afternoon games, as in the past, can still be moved between 1:00 and 4:05 or 4:25 p.m. ET. In Week 17, in order to ensure a Sunday night game with playoff implications, the decision to move the start time may be made on six days notice. NFL FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING 101 Begins Sunday of Week 5 In effect during Weeks 5-17 Up to 2 games may be flexed into Sunday Night between Weeks 5-10 Only Sunday afternoon games are subject to being moved into the Sunday night window. The game that has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday night during flex weeks will be listed at 8:15 p.m. ET. The majority of games on Sundays will be listed at 1:00 p.m. ET during flex weeks except for games played in Pacific or Mountain Time zones which will be listed at 4:05 or 4:15 p.m. ET. No impact on Thursday, Saturday or Monday night games. The NFL will decide (after consultation with CBS, FOX, NBC) and announce as early as possible the game being played at 8:15 p.m. ET. The announcement will come no later than 12 days prior to the game. The NFL may also announce games moving to 4:05 p.m. ET and 4:25 p.m. ET. Week 17 start time changes could be decided on 6 days notice to ensure a game with playoff implications. The NBC Sunday night time slot in “flex” weeks will list the game that has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday night. Fans and ticket holders must be aware that NFL games in flex weeks are subject to change 12 days in advance (6 days in Week 17) and should plan accordingly. NFL schedules all games. Teams will be informed as soon as they are no longer under consideration or eligible for a move to Sunday night. GOOD LUCK TO ALL. BYE WEEK: VIKINGS / BUCCANEERS All Times AST (Atlantic Standard Time) Alias EDT GAME VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THURSDAY 10/13/16 20::30 1 CBS BRONCOS 13 @ Chargers 21 5 0/5 SUNDAY 10/16/2016 13:00 2 FOX 49’ers 16 @ BILLS 45 11 11/6 3 FOX EAGLES 20 @ Redskins 27 2 11/4 4 CBS Browns 26 @ TITANS 28 12 23/16 5 FOX Ravens 23 @ GIANTS 27 9 32/25 6 FOX PANTHERS 38 @ Saints 41 4 32/21 7 CBS Jaguars 17 @ BEARS 16 3 32/18 8 FOX Rams 28 @… Continue reading NFL CONFIDENCE Pick Sheet Week 6 10/13-16-17/2016

NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS Week 5 10-09-10-03 – 2016

For those of you who do not know how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. We use the Monday night game as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broke by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating tams) final score, without going over. If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pt on the second game and lost you would still have a Positive 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a -14 score. I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MISS COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. I had some requests from the people who copy and paste, for their own pool to move the network out of the score column. I aim to please. So I hope this is better * Keep in mind; NFL sometimes uses, “FLEXIBLE SCHEDULEING”, which means they may change game times. Unless I catch the last minute change you will see the original schedule. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING Allows teams to play their way onto the Sunday night schedule In 2006 the NFL implemented a primetime “flexible scheduling” element on Sundays in Weeks 10-15 and in Week 17. In 2014 that was extended so that games between Weeks 5 and 17 could be affected by flex scheduling. However, only two games may be flexed into Sunday Night between Week 5 and 10. Flexible scheduling ensured quality matchups on Sunday night in those weeks and gave surprise teams a chance to play their way onto primetime. The NBC Sunday night time slot for “flex” weeks lists the game tentatively scheduled for Sunday night. Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled Sunday night game will be moved to an afternoon start time. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday, Saturday or Monday nights. Just as the six major college football conferences have done for many years, the NFL has the flexibility to move the start times of games on Sundays, using a 12-day notice format. For example, a game scheduled for a Sunday could move from a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff to an 8:15 p.m. start, but the change would be made and announced no later than the prior Tuesday, 12 days prior. Sunday afternoon games, as in the past, can still be moved between 1:00 and 4:05 or 4:25 p.m. ET. In Week 17, in order to ensure a Sunday night game with playoff implications, the decision to move the start time may be made on six days notice. NFL Flexible Scheduling 101 Begins Sunday of Week 5 In effect during Weeks 5-17 Up to 2 games may be flexed into Sunday Night between Weeks 5-10 Only Sunday afternoon games are subject to being moved into the Sunday night window. The game that has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday night during flex weeks will be listed at 8:15 p.m. ET. The majority of games on Sundays will be listed at 1:00 p.m. ET during flex weeks except for games played in Pacific or Mountain Time zones which will be listed at 4:05 or 4:15 p.m. ET. No impact on Thursday, Saturday or Monday night games. The NFL will decide (after consultation with CBS, FOX, NBC) and announce as early as possible the game being played at 8:15 p.m. ET. The announcement will come no later than 12 days prior to the game. The NFL may also announce games moving to 4:05 p.m. ET and 4:25 p.m. ET. Week 17 start time changes could be decided on 6 days notice to ensure a game with playoff implications. The NBC Sunday night time slot in “flex” weeks will list the game that has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday night. Fans and ticket holders must be aware that NFL games in flex weeks are subject to change 12 days in advance (6 days in Week 17) and should plan accordingly. NFL schedules all games. Teams will be informed as soon as they are no longer under consideration or eligible for a move to Sunday night. GOOD LUCK TO ALL. BYE WEEK: JAGUARS / CHIEFS/ SAINTS/ SEAHAWKS NOTE: SATURDAY NIGHT GAME All Times AST (Atlantic Standard Time) Alias EDT GAME VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THURSDAY 10/06/2016 1 NFL CARDINALS 33 @ 49’ers 21 6 6/6 SUNDAY 10/09/2016 13:00 2 CBS PATRIOTS 33 @ Browns 13 14 20/20 3 CBS EAGLES 23 @ Lions 24 3 20/17 4 FOX Bears 23 @ COLTS 29 8 28/25 5 CBS Titans 30 @ DOLPHINS 17 5 28/20 6 FOX Redskins 16 @ RAVENS 10 7 28/13 7 CBS Texans 13 @ VIKINGS 31 10 38/23 8 FOX Jets 13 @ STEELERS 31 12 50/35 SUNDAY 10/9/2016 16:05 9 FOX Falcons 23 @ BRONCOS 16 9 50/26 SUNDAY 10/9/2016 16:25 10 FOX BENGALSp 14 @ Cowboys13 28 1 50/25 11 CBS Bills 30 @ RAMS… Continue reading NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS Week 5 10-09-10-03 – 2016

NFL Confidence Pick Sheet Week 4 09/29 10/02/2016

NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS Week 3 09-25-28-29-2016

NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS Week 2 09-15-18-19-2016

Typical 1st week. Our first real look at the starting lineups. We didn’t really know what to look for. Now we have an idea what to expect next week. Don’t forget a couple of the losses this week were due to coaching errors. Some due to offensive and defensive miscues, which one might expect in the first game. There will always be these mistakes. But those mistakes should lessen as time goes on. NOTES: THIS WEEK THERE WERE 3 GAMES DECIDED BY 1 MERE POINT. 2 GAMES BY 2 POINTS. 1 OVERTIME GAME. Here is a list of the rule changes, as I understand them. Extra Points Permanently Moved Back. Last year was a 1-year trial run for extra points being moved from the 2- to the 15-yard line. This year, the vote was to make the change permanent, Press Box Coach-to-Player Communication. In the past, coaches in the press box could not talk to players with the communication system directly. The coach in the press box had to radio down to the sideline; then the coach on the sideline could relay it to the player. Now, teams have the option of the “box coach” talking directly to the players. The hope here is to have fewer delay of game issues? Chop Blocks Are Eliminated. Chop blocks are now illegal, However, you can still go low if a defensive player engages you first. (This may change some teams’ playbooks on offense, but shouldn’t have a major impact. (Defenders, might feel safer about their lower legs.) Ejection for Certain Unsportsmanlike Penalties. This was passed for a one-year trial run. (Shouldn’t this be at the Official’s descretion). Hopefully this will not come up more than 2-3 times during the season. I look for it to be tossed next season. I do not know what the Certain Unsportsmanlike actions will be. But to call for EJECTION, they must be pretty severe. Touchbacks Now Come Out to the 25. I see this as an attempt to eliminate run backs. After it is rare when someone ran it back for 25 yards. I didn’t even like it coming out to the 20. It is like a free play. NOW that fictionalplay will get you down 25% of the field. Let’s just make the field 75 yards long? The challenge will now be for the KICKER to kick HIGH and SHORT . This proposal passed for a one-year trial run as well. I think the fans will not take to this rule. ( I think moving the kickoff to the ten yard line would be more acceptable). Horse Collar Expanded. The horse collar penalties have been expanded to a little below the neck area of the jersey; grabbing anywhere near the name area and yanking the player down will be an infraction moving forward. I don’t see the reasoning behind this. I suppose it is to give the officials a little leeway. One way to interpret this rule, (I suppose), would be….PLAYERS MAY USE THE HORSE COLLAR TO S..L..O..W THE RUNNER; THEN SLIDE DOWN AND MAKE THE TACKLE JUST DON’T PUT HIM TO GROUND WHILE IN THE HIGH AREA. (Heck, next year it may be illegal to touch a player above the waist). Five Yard Penalty for Excess Timeout. If a team tries to call a timeout when they don’t have one, there will be a delay of game penalty called on them. This could work either way. Penalty OR benefit, (Example in a two minute drill? just saying) I think if they are going to hae this rule it should be at last a TEN yard penalty. (Or, just for the heck of it let’s make it a 7 1/2 yard penalty. Add a little twist to the game. Illegal Touching Penalty. Previously, if a player went out of bounds and then caught a pass, it’s not a legal catch. The offending team would be penalized five yards, but would repeat the down. Now, with the new rule, the offending team will not be penalized in yardage, but they will lose the down. Thus ruled as an incomplete pass. Double Foul Issue: A. If there is a double foul during a down in which there is a change of possession, THE team last gaining position may keep the ball UNLESS, its’ foul was committed prior to the change of possesion. B. If a double foul occurs after a change of possession, The DEFENSIVE team retains the ball at the spot of its’ foul or dead ball spot. C. If one of the double foul involves disqualification, that player must be removed, fut no penalty yardage is to be assessed. D. If the kickers foul during a kickoff, punt, safety kick, or field goal attempt before possession changes, the receivers will have the option of replaing the down at the previous spot (offsetting fouls), or keeping the ball after enforcement for its foul. (Please feel free to do your own interpretation of this rule. I figure the officials will have to huddle to decipher this one. BUT how often do you see a double foul called)? Re-Signing Player With Injury Settlement. Teams can reach injury settlements with players to waive them. Basically, if a team meant to sign a player for one week but they suffer an ankle injury, for roster flexibility, they can reach an injury settlement for four weeks of pay if that is how long they feel it would’ve taken the player to heal. PER the old rule said that if you wanted to re-sign that player, you had to wait six weeks after the end of the injury settlement time. Now, that period is shortened to three weeks. Short-Term IR Change. In the past, teams could designate one player to return from injured reserve. Teams were often in a predicament with regard to which player they should give the designation to,… Continue reading NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS Week 2 09-15-18-19-2016

NFL Regular Season Kick Off 2016; NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS Week 1 09-08-11-2016

Welcome to our 4th year of NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS !!!!! This also marks the 97th SEASON OF THE NFL!! We; no doubt, will see many errant calls by the field officials. SOME legitimate, (after all they are human and can make a miss call). Some wil most likely come from NFL RULE changes. So be prepared for some mistakes, both from teams, players, and officials. Here is a list of the rule changes, as I understand them. Extra Points Permanently Moved Back. Last year was a 1-year trial run for extra points being moved from the 2- to the 15-yard line. This year, the vote was to make the change permanent, Press Box Coach-to-Player Communication. In the past, coaches in the press box could not talk to players with the communication system directly. The coach in the press box had to radio down to the sideline; then the coach on the sideline could relay it to the player. Now, teams have the option of the “box coach” talking directly to the players. The hope here is to have fewer delay of game issues? Chop Blocks Are Eliminated. Chop blocks are now illegal, However, you can still go low if a defensive player engages you first. (This may change some teams’ playbooks on offense, but shouldn’t have a major impact. (Defenders, might feel safer about their lower legs.) Ejection for Certain Unsportsmanlike Penalties. This was passed for a one-year trial run. (Shouldn’t this be at the Official’s descretion). Hopefully this will not come up more than 2-3 times during the season. I look for it to be tossed next season. I do not know what the Certain Unsportsmanlike actions will be. But to call for EJECTION, they must be pretty severe. Touchbacks Now Come Out to the 25. I see this as an attempt to eliminate run backs. After it is rare when someone ran it back for 25 yards. I didn’t even like it coming out to the 20. It is like a free play. NOW that fictionalplay will get you down 25% of the field. Let’s just make the field 75 yards long? The challenge will now be for the KICKER to kick HIGH and SHORT . This proposal passed for a one-year trial run as well. I think the fans will not take to this rule. ( I think moving the kickoff to the ten yard line would be more acceptable). Horse Collar Expanded. The horse collar penalties have been expanded to a little below the neck area of the jersey; grabbing anywhere near the name area and yanking the player down will be an infraction moving forward. I don’t see the reasoning behind this. I suppose it is to give the officials a little leeway. One way to interpret this rule, (I suppose), would be….PLAYERS MAY USE THE HORSE COLLAR TO S..L..O..W THE RUNNER; THEN SLIDE DOWN AND MAKE THE TACKLE JUST DON’T PUT HIM TO GROUND WHILE IN THE HIGH AREA. (Heck, next year it may be illegal to touch a player above the waist). Five Yard Penalty for Excess Timeout. If a team tries to call a timeout when they don’t have one, there will be a delay of game penalty called on them. This could work either way. Penalty OR benefit, (Example in a two minute drill? just saying) I think if they are going to hae this rule it should be at last a TEN yard penalty. (Or, just for the heck of it let’s make it a 7 1/2 yard penalty. Add a little twist to the game. Illegal Touching Penalty. Previously, if a player went out of bounds and then caught a pass, it’s not a legal catch. The offending team would be penalized five yards, but would repeat the down. Now, with the new rule, the offending team will not be penalized in yardage, but they will lose the down. Thus ruled as an incomplete pass. Double Foul Issue: A. If there is a double foul during a down in which there is a change of possession, THE team last gaining position may keep the ball UNLESS, its’ foul was committed prior to the change of possesion. B. If a double foul occurs after a change of possession, The DEFENSIVE team retains the ball at the spot of its’ foul or dead ball spot. C. If one of the double foul involves disqualification, that player must be removed, fut no penalty yardage is to be assessed. D. If the kickers foul during a kickoff, punt, safety kick, or field goal attempt before possession changes, the receivers will have the option of replaing the down at the previous spot (offsetting fouls), or keeping the ball after enforcement for its foul. Please feel free to do your own interpretation of this rule. I figure the officials will have to huddle to decipher this one. BUT how often do you see a double foul called? Re-Signing Player With Injury Settlement. Teams can reach injury settlements with players to waive them. Basically, if a team meant to sign a player for one week but they suffer an ankle injury, for roster flexibility, they can reach an injury settlement for four weeks of pay if that is how long they feel it would’ve taken the player to heal. PER the old rule said that if you wanted to re-sign that player, you had to wait six weeks after the end of the injury settlement time. Now, that… Continue reading NFL Regular Season Kick Off 2016; NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS Week 1 09-08-11-2016

WELCOME TO YOUR 2016 SEASON OF NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS

Welcome to our 4th year of NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS !!!!! This also marks the 97th SEASON OF THE NFL!! We; no doubt, will see many errant calls by the field officials. SOME legitimate, (after all they are human and can make a miss call). Some wil most likely come from NFL RULE changes. So be prepared for some mistakes, both from teams, players, and officials. I will have these rule changes posted with the PICK sheets for the next 3-4 weeks COMMENT: I really hate to bring this up. But I can’t help wondering if any of you have the same feeling on this subject. I feel , MAKIING TOM BRADY AN HONORARY CAPTAIN OF THE MICHIGAN WOLVERINES DURING HIS TIME OF PUNISHMENT ( THE SUSPENSION), IS AN AFFRONT TO not only the School, the Alumni, and all the the things the NCAA is supposed to stand for. WHY! Honor someone who CHEATED!!!! Maybe after he has served his suspension. Then he could have a message of what he learned . (If anything). To me this is just not the right thing to do. He takes back the message that “Cheating is okay. (Just don’t get caught). This could spill over to the academics; if it is okay to cheat on the field, it must be okay to cheat in the classroom. Here is a list of the rule changes, as I understand them. Extra Points Permanently Moved Back. Last year was a 1-year trial run for extra points being moved from the 2- to the 15-yard line. This year, the vote was to make the change permanent, Press Box Coach-to-Player Communication. In the past, coaches in the press box could not talk to players with the communication system directly. The coach in the press box had to radio down to the sideline; then the coach on the sideline could relay it to the player. Now, teams have the option of the “box coach” talking directly to the players. The hope here is to have fewer delay of game issues? Chop Blocks Are Eliminated. Chop blocks are now illegal, However, you can still go low if a defensive player engages you first. (This may change some teams’ playbooks on offense, but shouldn’t have a major impact. (Defenders, might feel safer about their lower legs.) Ejection for Certain Unsportsmanlike Penalties. This was passed for a one-year trial run. (Shouldn’t this be at the Official’s descretion). Hopefully this will not come up more than 2-3 times during the season. I look for it to be tossed next season. I do not know what the Certain Unsportsmanlike actions will be. But to call for EJECTION, they must be pretty severe. Touchbacks Now Come Out to the 25. I see this as an attempt to eliminate run backs. After it is rare when someone ran it back for 25 yards. I didn’t even like it coming out to the 20. It is like a free play. NOW that fictionalplay will get you down 25% of the field. Let’s just make the field 75 yards long? The challenge will now be for the KICKER to kick HIGH and SHORT . This proposal passed for a one-year trial run as well. I think the fans will not take to this rule. ( I think moving the kickoff to the ten yard line would be more acceptable). Horse Collar Expanded. The horse collar penalties have been expanded to a little below the neck area of the jersey; grabbing anywhere near the name area and yanking the player down will be an infraction moving forward. I don’t see the reasoning behind this. I suppose it is to give the officials a little leeway. One way to interpret this rule, (I suppose), would be….PLAYERS MAY USE THE HORSE COLLAR TO S..L..O..W THE RUNNER; THEN SLIDE DOWN AND MAKE THE TACKLE JUST DON’T PUT HIM TO GROUND WHILE IN THE HIGH AREA. (Heck, next year it may be illegal to touch a player above the waist). Five Yard Penalty for Excess Timeout. If a team tries to call a timeout when they don’t have one, there will be a delay of game penalty called on them. This could work either way. Penalty OR benefit, (Example in a two minute drill? just saying) I think if they are going to hae this rule it should be at last a TEN yard penalty. (Or, just for the heck of it let’s make it a 7 1/2 yard penalty. Add a little twist to the game. Illegal Touching Penalty. Previously, if a player went out of bounds and then caught a pass, it’s not a legal catch. The offending team would be penalized five yards, but would repeat the down. Now, with the new rule, the offending team will not be penalized in yardage, but they will lose the down. Thus ruled as an incomplete pass. Double Foul Issue: A. If there is a double foul during a down in which there is a change of possession, THE team last gaining position may keep the ball UNLESS, its’ foul was committed prior to the change of possesion. B. If a double foul occurs after a change of possession, The DEFENSIVE team retains the ball at the spot of its’ foul or dead ball spot. … Continue reading WELCOME TO YOUR 2016 SEASON OF NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS

ORLANDO PULSE CLUB SHOOTING, MY THOUGHTS.

I feel sorrow for the families of both victims, and shooters family. It is a hard thing to accept on both sides. That a friend or family member uselessly had their life terminated, or suffered injury. Some of which could prove to be a life altering thing. I am certain the memory will always be life changing. The shooter’s family, because it has to be hard to accept the fact that someone you knew,cared for, and LOVED, could possibly be involved in such a cowardly act. By the way ISIS has reportedly admitted they were behind the attack. CAN YOU SAY “TERRORIST”? Apparently Barack nor Hillary can’t. Hillary and her gun hating lemmings will have a field day with this one as they always do. It seems they look forward to unfortunate events, (I don’t particular like to use “event” here but, I think it adequately fits, the way Hillary/Barack look at this); It gives them a exvuse to strut their DIS-ARMING AMERICA agenda. I can’t help but wonder how they would feel if the people they have guarding them were to suddenly lose the guns. Then the agents would not be there. I can’t afford to hire people to be my personal guards. That would put them on equal ground with me. Walking around in a city or country side with no means to protect me from harm. Many times I read of people in perfectly NICE neighborhoods being injured or killed. Not just guns,…. But Knives, Arrows, Strangulation, Arson. Beaten to death, just to name a few. Many times when I go to major sporting events, or Conventions, I must make my way on dark streets, or by alleyways, or even recessed doorways. AND don’t give me that old “police presence” will protect me. I could be attacked and my assailant far away before the nearest police officer could come to my aid. BUT, if I get to my destination I most likely not be allowed to have any means of protection on me. Thus I am open to attack. Excuse me for straying a little, however I believe it is important in relating my feeling on these MASS KILLINGS. 1. Have these anti gun people realized. MOST ALL, of these mass killings have been in “gun free” zones. Schools, Churches, even Government buildings, or annexes. Cowards will take a path of least resistance. FIFTY people killed. I just can’t help but wonder why so many killed and injured before police arrived. After all according to the anti gun people this is why we have them to protect and prevent something like this from happening. Always in the right place at the right time. (Apparently even after they arrived). Perhaps if one or two of the patrons, or employees had a a legally permited GUN; MAYBE, JUST, one of them could have stopped the perpetrator, before all of the death and injury. HOW, many people might still be alive? Uninjured? If only HALF of them, heck even one would have been saved. Isn’t that worth something? Apparently not according to those who want to be like Hitler, and those others whose first steps were to disarm the citizenry). GEE! Just think if the British had of thought of this we COULD all still be British subjects, OR overrun by some other country. 2. While, as a CHRISTIAN, I can’t condone homosexuality. But neither do I wish to give up my rights to them either. I, in fact, still can’t stop wondering if a boy in a neighboring school, of mine, who everyone knew was a homosexual, but no one I know of treated him any differently, BUT the fact that when he “hit the beach” of Viet Nam, It was reported he was the first one killed. Enemy coincidence, or was he killed by “friendly fire” I have always wondered about that. I am affronted by their constant public displays (as a group), (“LGBT”). It would appear to me, this group of people were not hurting anyone, they were not blatantly displaying their sexuality in anyone’s face, The assassin may have been known to some of the club attendees, as it was stated he was a “REGULAR” at the club. BUT it is not my place to judge them. That is up to GOD. I am not qualified to say what his Judgement will be. I guess I am more offended by what appears to me a CALL to put my religious beliefs on the back burner while demanding I accept their lifestyle. I treat all people equally, unless they give me reason not to. Being Homosexual is not one of them. But I would surely like to be able to use the word “GAY” properly, and not have it confused with homosexual . As it is now used, apparently everyone in the 1890’s were homosexual. “GAY NINETIES” We even had a little eating place “very small, really good food. The name was GAY DAN’S. ( meaning a fun place to eat, apparently owned by someone named DAN). When homosexuals became associated with the word “GAY” the small eating chain had to close it’s doors. 3. Need for more extensive background checks? EXCUSE ME! I believe the FBI investigated Omar Marteen at least 3 times, before he purchased his weapons. Why this didn’t trigger a flag on the background check is beyond me. That seems pretty EXTENSIVE to me. In the state where I live we have the NICS background check, even when purchasing a squirrel rifle. I also know IF there is a flag of something unverified, or whatevere reason, the inquiry comes back with a hold, ( I think of 5 or 7 days), so a more extensive background check can be made. 4. A woman I recall being interviewed about gun laws, stated, “All anyone has to do is go online and buy a gun and have it shipped to his door.” Ignorance of the law is no excuse. In my state, YES! I… Continue reading ORLANDO PULSE CLUB SHOOTING, MY THOUGHTS.

TIPS ON LAKE FISHING

Todays tips come to us via an old, old friend and sometimes contributer, U.N. Owen. Thanks Owi Tips on Lake Fishing for a Great Outdoor Experience For many years, lake fish have been classified under three general heads: game fish, food fish, and forage or bait fish. The bass, trout, pike, pickerel, muskellunge, pike perch, etc., have been generally known as game fish because of their sporting value. On the other hand, carp, suckers, some of the catfish, yellow perch, etc., have been considered as food fish. While this latter group has not been considered as furnishing the sport that the so-called game fish do, nevertheless, it has a real economic and recreational value. Generally speaking, in lake fishing, words are really inadequate when it comes to describing the correct procedure in casting. The best way to learn how to cast is to go down to the beach, watch an expert at work, and try to do likewise. Nevertheless, lake fishing can really be fun and the novice will quickly master the correct form in lake fishing. Therefore, to further harness their craft, here are some tips that could help the anglers on their lake fishing activity. 1. In lake fishing, as with other forms of fishing, a smooth, snappy stroke is required but not as snappy as when snapping a whip. This type of stroke will cause the loss of many flies. 2. Anglers should remember that it is the line that is cast, not the fly. The fly is but a passenger, which is attached to the leader. 3. Proper timing is an important factor on both the backcast and forward cast. 4. Know the fish habitat and the kinds of fish that inhabit the lakes. Some of them are the sunfish, and the small mouth black bass. These kinds of fish can usually be found hiding near some submerged log or stump, or among the plants. 5. When catching big fish in the lake, it is best to use big, sturdy rods. Big fish like the bass usually attain a weight of 12 pounds, which usually inhabits the lake or pond. The reason why they grow really big is that in lakes or ponds, the food is both abundant and very rich. Hence, to handles these sizes, the ideal length and weight of the rod is 8 ½ feet in length and from 4 to four and three quarters of an ounce in weight. Indeed, the fundamental principles in lake fishing are not difficult to master and with little patience and practice, the novice can become a successful angler in the lake. Views: 116

GARDENING: FIGHTING PLANT ENEMIES

This article comes to us from our friend; and occasional contributor O.L. Thymer. Thanks OLT, The devices and implements used for fighting plant enemies are of two sorts: (1) Those used to afford mechanical protection to the plants; (2) Those used to apply insecticides and fungicides. Of the first the most useful is the covered frame. It consists usually of a wooden box, some eighteen inches to two feet square and about eight inches high, covered with glass, protecting cloth, mosquito netting or mosquito wire. The first two coverings have, of course, the additional advantage of retaining heat and protecting from cold, making it possible by their use to plant earlier than is otherwise safe. They are used extensively in getting an extra early and safe start with cucumbers, melons and the other vine vegetables. Simpler devices for protecting newly-set plants, such as tomatoes or cabbage, from the cut-worm, are stiff, tin, cardboard or tar paper collars, which are made several inches high and large enough to be put around the stem and penetrate an inch or so into the soil. For applying poison powders, the home gardener should supply himself with a powder gun. If one must be restricted to a single implement, however, it will be best to get one of the hand-power, compressed-air sprayers. These are used for applying wet sprays, and should be supplied with one of the several forms of mist-making nozzles, the non-cloggable automatic type being the best. For more extensive work a barrel pump, mounted on wheels, will be desirable, but one of the above will do a great deal of work in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and vines may be obtained for either. For operations on a very small scale a good hand-syringe may be used, but as a general thing it will be best to invest a few dollars more and get a small tank sprayer, as this throws a continuous stream or spray and holds a much larger amount of the spraying solution. Whatever type is procured, get a brass machine it will out-wear three or four of those made of cheaper metal, which succumbs very quickly to the, corroding action of the strong poisons and chemicals used in them. Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, prong-hoe and spading- fork, very few are used in the small garden, as most of them need not only long rows to be economically used, but horse- power also. The onion harvester attachment for the double wheel hoe, may be used with advantage in loosening onions, beets, turnips, etc., from the soil or for cutting spinach. Running the hand- plow close on either side of carrots, parsnips and other deep-growing vegetables will aid materially in getting them out. For fruit picking, with tall trees, the wire-fingered fruit-picker, secured to the end of a long handle, will be of great assistance, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it will not be needed. Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but where this is attended to properly from the start, a good sharp jack-knife and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work of the kind necessary. Still another sort of garden device is that used for supporting the plants; such as stakes, trellises, wires, etc. Altogether too little attention usually is given these, as with proper care in storing over winter they will not only last for years, but add greatly to the convenience of cultivation and to the neat appearance of the garden. As a final word to the intending purchaser of garden tools, I would say: first thoroughly investigate the different sorts available, and when buying, do not forget that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after the price is forgotten, while a poor one is a constant source of discomfort. Get good tools, and take good care of them. And let me repeat that a few dollars a year, judiciously spent, for tools afterward well cared for, will soon give you a very complete set, and add to your garden profit and pleasure. Views: 118