Hard to believe that it’s been that long, and so much has changed.

I started out blogging on Blogspot just to put my family history in electronic form – that project is still in the works, as evidenced by the lack of progress behind the tab marked “The Wisconsin Cartters” at the top of this page.

Then I started a personal blog to take my rants off the family page. That led me to meet a wonderful bunch of people – most of them still hanging out on my blogroll, some of them having signed off, one or two having shed this mortal coil – but all of them worth reading and chatting with when I get the chance. Oh, sure – like any family, there are going to be instances where some members of my blog-family aren’t going to be getting along with other members, and that’s fine, we’re all human, and if we all got along all the time it would be downright boring.

I started out with two blogs, and ended up with this one when I merged them in April of 2008. Having my own domain and full control over the blog is a comfort to me, being the semi-control freak that I am, and I have to thank Texas Fred and Robert for their help with getting this site set up.

I don’t remember who the first batch of contacts I made was, perhaps the gang over at The Notebored, a writer’s workshop headed up by Dee and her wonderful circle of fellow writers. I tried my hand at some writing projects over there, but there was something – I don’t know, missing? – and I just never really fully clicked. They are very welcoming there on The Notebored, but I don’t think I was ready for primetime. I do know that once I ran into Gawfer I ran into the best bunch of people I could call friends and a great variety of “conservatives” – from absolute white hat to situational conservatives, you can find a bunch of them on the blogroll now. Like I said, we don’t all get along all of the time, but we always have a great conversation.

I found Bill Whittle, a former liberal who started reading and thinking for himself (proof, by the way, that it can happen) and then using his talents as a writer to put our thoughts to “paper” and let us all read it and realize that “Yes, by thunder, that is EXACTLY what I was trying to say!” I still read him, when he publishes in between his super-glam life on the west coast and the movie deals and the screenplays… In fact, one of my personal favorite entries for I’m Thinking of the “O” Word was inspired greatly by Bill’s writing; specifically, my entry titled The Sheep, The Sheepdogs, and the Wolves was written after I had read his entry titled Tribes. I think it’s still relevant.

My wife, whom I refer to as TMBWitW, gave birth to our child, MEG, on December 30, 2006. I ran a babypool of sorts, and Paul at prying1 came in second while Just John (who, at the time, was going by Gunny John) came the closest in guessing the day and time for the momentous occasion. MEG is growing and running around and keeping the dogs on their toes now – the cats are not sure what to make of this little rosy-cheeked beauty that wants to pet them all…

And then in January of 2007 I read this entry on Jenn’s blog, and it just didn’t sit right with me. I started my campaign. Without funding. Trying to get a groundswell of support and momentum for a run at the White House. Trying, and failing. My feelings haven’t changed, especially now that we are guaranteed a liberal in the Oval Office, and I am seeing more and more signs of a revolution brewing to take this country back into the conservative hands of We The People. I do, however, plan to take another run at it in 2012, when the people of this country should be good and fed up with the liberal actions of the president and want to get back to being a sovereign country with absolute borders and absolute laws.

Now I have a BlogTalkRadio show called, appropriately enough, The O Word. Be sure to tune in on Friday mornings at 0700 Mountain Standard Time.

One thing about having a blog, and meeting (on line, of course, except in rare instances where you actually get to meet the fine people you blog with in person) other blog-owners – you will never run out of people to meet, and people who you want to link to, and people who may want to link back to you. Of course, having all these links is one thing, but being able to keep the connection going is another. I don’t always get to read all my links every day, but I sure try to stop in at least once a week or so.

Most recently, I was asked to join the gang over at Reject the UN and help spread that word. I don’t know how often I will be able to contribute, but I will be doing what I can when I can.

One thing that hasn’t wavered since I’ve discovered it: Wear Red on Fridays. I’ve got some way cool shirts that help spread the word, and I know that when service members see my red shirt they know they are being supported, prayed for, worried about, and generally appreciated for what they are doing.

A lot has changed in three years. I am so happy to have met all of you, and hope that you feel the same about me. We may not see eye to eye, but unless you break my commenting rules and totally disregard common courtesy, you will be welcome here. I know that there are a lot more people out there who deserve to be mentioned, and I will, on this Friday’s show. I’m sorry if I didn’t specifically mention you, but know that I think of each one of you often. Either to wonder what you are up to, or why you haven’t written anything lately, or to berate myself for not getting over to your site and leaving a comment. Tell you what – would you do me a favor, and just click on the “All Blogrolls Here” tab up there, and read through everyone who is making a difference in the blogosphere? Stop in and tell them I said hi, and I’ll be by later to chat.

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Well, since it’s rare that I get to post on Wednesday, I’m going to take advantage of the access to the computer.

I wanted to let you know that I’ve made another excellent addition to my blogroll: EvolutionRight, written by SoCalOilMan. The funny thing is, he sounds like I do. He also like Bill Whittle over at Eject! Eject! Eject!, so he’s all right in my book. SoCalOilMan showed up over on Texas Fred’s in one of the comment forums.

I won’t be on the computer tomorrow, since TMBWitW will be working from home tomorrow instead of today.

Whoops – scratch that. TMBWitW just called with the news that due to the ineffective use of time demonstrated by the corporate auditors, she gets to stay in the office instead.

Looks like I may have the computer tomorrow after all …

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Shamelessly lifted from Texas Fred’s:

I Am Your Worst Nightmare. I am a BAD American.

I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some mid level governmental functionary, be it Democratic or Republican!

I believe that owning a gun doesn’t make you a killer, I believe it makes you a smart American.

I believe that being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything.

I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, do it in English.

I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.

My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and whoever canceled Jerry Springer.

I don’t hate the rich. I don’t pity the poor.

I know wrestling is fake and I don’t waste my time watching or arguing about it.

I’ve never owned a slave, or was a slave, and I WILL NOT pay reparations for something that I didn’t do.

I haven’t burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you! So, shut up already.

This is AMERICA, I believe if you don’t like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country!

I want to know which church it is exactly, where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution. Can I get an AMEN on that one?

I think the cops have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you’re running from them, because if you’re not guilty, WHY are you running?

I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you’re breaking the law, regardless of what color you are, that’s the job we’re paying them to do.

And, no, I don’t mind having my face shown on my drivers license. I think it’s good, it lets you know it’s really me.

I’m proud that the word ’God’ is written on my money.

I believe that if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don’t want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.

I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making ‘donations’ to their cause.

I believe that it doesn’t take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.

I believe ‘illegal’ is illegal no matter what the law makers think.

I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed to fly over American soil! If you want to fly the flag of YOUR nation at the top of a flag pole, by all means, do so, IN YOUR OWN NATION! And if the American flag is NOT your flag, then this is NOT your nation!

If this makes me a BAD American or causes you to classify me as a racist, then yes, I’m a BAD American and a racist.

If you’re a BAD American, if you share the same feelings and beliefs that I do, please, copy and post this on your web site for everyone to see.

We want our country back! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

AMEN.

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

First, hop over to Texas Fred’s to answer a few questions. My reply, in part, was thus:

We need leaders who are not afraid of enforcing OUR laws on OUR land. Kowtowing to the vocal minority is what got us to where we are.

The list of conservatives who are qualified to lead this country where it needs to go is short; the list of those qualified and willing even shorter. Certainly, none of the “presumptive” candidates for either of the major parties is going to get the job done when it comes to maintaining the sovereignty of the United States. I certainly don’t know who I am going to vote for. The “candidates” decry the “single issue voter” but fail to realize that this one issue drives 75% of the rest of the issues we as a nation are facing today.

I do, however, know this: You will never find out how well armed I am or how well trained my dogs are unless you stop by the house personally. I would suggest you call first if it’s meant to be a friendly visit.

Leave a comment there to let him know how you answered.

If you recall, last Saturday was not a good day for The Most Beautiful Woman in the World. Her Camry was rear-ended by a lady* who, it turns out, was not insured. In fact, presented an insurance card to the highway patrol officer (DPS) that she knew was not only expired (in January) but had not been valid since she cancelled her insurance in November of 2007. At this point in time, I would like to say that so far, our insurance company has been very good to work with. MetLife, you have my thanks for the way you have handled this claim. On my way to either pick up TMBWitW and MEG and the Momma from the accident site or to make sure they were able to get going under their own power, the air conditioning in the Road Rhino (aka the QX4) died a horrible death. (in unrelated news, we had our first 100° day today) With TMBWitW driving a rental, and the Rhino being repaired by an A/C specialist, flexibility was strained.

Transportation issues (and the patience of MEG) were put to the test today. You see, my lovely wife, the Bride of the Century, The Most Beautiful Woman in the World, participated in her commencement exercises today. The degree of Bachelor of Science, Accounting, was bestowed upon her. This simple action required us (due to a lack of a second vehicle) to arrive at the graduation ceremony site by 1100 hours for the Graduate to take part in the group pictures (Accounting class, Golden Key International Honor Society group) and then wait for the ceremony to begin. There were several other group photos to be taken, but she was not involved in them; this was a typical “hurry up and wait” scenario. MEG and I, meanwhile, got to wander around the grounds of the MArriot where the ceremony was scheduled. Since we left the house about 0930, and MEG’s first nap time is usually around 1000, someone was not in the mood to cooperate very much, although she was a real trooper and didn’t fuss. The ceremony started promptly at 1300, which is about an hour prior to someone’s second nap time, and concluded about 1530. Still, no fussing, and a minimal amount of squirming. I tell you, God has blessed me twice in this lifetime – first, with the wife I didn’t deserve, and then with a daughter that is so darned cute AND loving AND patient with all this adult silly business. We were joined by family and friends, and we all had a good time, with the majority of the group convening to the nearest Islands restaurant for dinner.

Did I mention how proud I am of my wife?

She has worked so hard to get to this point. She is now a degreed accountant, instead of just trained – she has book knowledge and a piece of lambskin to back up what she knows!

Woo HOO!

Honey, if you are reading this, I just want you (and the rest of the blogging community) to know how darned PROUD of you I am. I can’t say enough about you, and even when I do run on at the mouth I can’t cover it all. People think I’m gushing, but I”m barely getting started.

TMBWitW BS/A, you rock.

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

*The use of the word “lady” in this instance is a capitulation to the fact that the driver was a female. My testimony prevents me from describing the illegal immigrant other driver in any other term, no matter how accurate that alternate description would be.

Still working on the design.

Please bear with me as I try to work with the one TexasFred really likes, too.

Update: Many many thanks to Bushwack and his lovely bride for their help with the new header image. The shot itself is of a sunset over the White Tanks west of Glendale I took with a low-resolution digital camera (it was a setting I hadn’t yet set on a brand new camera) about two years ago; Mrs. Bushwack applied her vast knowledge and skills to the removal of some objectionable items while Bushie himself helped me with some coding tips.

So – whaddya think?

Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!