"Books are welcome, assiduous companions, always ready to appear in public or to go back in their box at your command, always disposed to speak or to be silent, to stay at home or to make a visit to the woods, to travel or to abide in the country; to gossip, joke, encourage you, comfort you , advise you, reprove you, and take care of you; to teach you the world’s secrets, the records of great deeds, the rules of life and the scorn of death, moderation in good fortune, fortitude in ill, calmness and constancy in behavior. These are learned, happy, useful, and ready spoken companions who will never bring you tedium, expense, lamentations, jealous murmurs, or deception."

                                                                        Petrarch

I had no idea who Petrarch was until I read about him in the book I’m reading - "The Foundations of Western Civilization." He was an early leader of what we know as the Renaissance. Isn’t this quote great about books. I love books. I have a great collection. I buy books now even when I don’t have time to read them. LOL. When my grandfather Deters died, the family gave me his books. They are a prized possession. The writer/philosopher Erasmaus said he spent his money on books, and if there was money left - food and clothes. I have a very bad habit of spending too much money on books, CD’s and DVD’s. Last night I bought a new movie camera and threw in Avril Lavigne’s latest CD (My kids laugh at me. I’ve been hearing her music at the gym. She rocks!), they best of 70's lite FM; a DVD about Presidential Elections 1952 to present, the "Rolling Stones: Shine a Light"; the True Story of Charlie Wilson; the Great Indian Wars - 1540-1890, a CD of Abba Gold. How do you like that mix? LOL. When I’m "rich and famous", all day and night it’s going to be - read, write, watch movies, listen to music, and exercise. I need to live near a movie theater, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble.

He’s still the master. My buddy, Randy McCafferty, who is an Air Force Chaplain, who like me marvels at Bill’s "survivor ability", use to joke how Bill is a cartoon - Wiley Coyote. He never dies. LOL.

Great speech last night. I love Joe Biden. I also can connect to his story. He lost his wife and daughter in a car wreck and became a single Dad. And a great one he was and is. I did not lose a child, but when my first wife died of cancer, I became the "world" to my children and they mine. I had to step up to the plate and I did. Sure, I’m loud at times. Sure, I’m out in the public all the time. But, I have my priorities straight. When Joe Biden’s son said no matter what, when or where they called him, he took their call, I nearly cried. For the last ten years, I’ve done the same. When my children call, I could be in a meeting with the President, I’ll take their call. You always do the same. God Bless.

What a great lady. I like her too.

I like the conventions choice of "The Rising" by Springsteen. I’m still for McCain even though my musical hero isn’t. LOL.

Aren’t fortune cookies a joke. I got one last night that said: You love your family. Wow. Way to take a chance on a prediction. They say things like: You will get hungry. You need to sleep. Don’t you wish you opened up a fortune cookie and it said: You will get a pay raise this Friday. Or, you will pass the test you take tomorrow. I think I’ll start a fortune cookie company that goes out on a limb. LOL.

I’m lucky. I’m a bog Cowboys fan. I’m getting to see their Preseason on HBO’s Hard Knocks. Damn. What a great stadium they are going to have. What a franchise different in attitude than the Bengals.