Bob Richards

"It's a bird! It's a plane!" No. It's a SIAD which is an acronym for a supersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator. NASA speculates a day may come when a device like the above may be the most efficient way to transport or land robotic equipment on planets like Mars. As it enters the atmosphere the donut inflates causing drag thus a slow down in speed. Some say the SIAD looks like a flying saucer or donut. Just think...for the reason that many compare UFO's to saucers and saucers look like donuts , does it not make sense that the best way to garner an interest in your UFO reports is to refer to them preferably using the last description...donuts in the air? How much more seriously for example will emergency personal such as the police take your UFO reports if you define them as flying donuts zooming around upwards. It goes without saying that they'll rush to your location with no delay to enquire of the type and kind. "You saw a DON...

We looking at today the city in which I reside, Oshawa, Ontario Canada or more specially the pioneers or the first settlers in the region and how they came about being here. I think it's a sad thing that so many can live in whatever locality spend their whole lives in a place and not be knowledgeable or aware of the history of what had went on before---on the very ground they walk on and tread. The world is an extremely big place---but the world also can be thought of as in a micro sense as well---the world in which people live out their individual lives. Every place I believe has a story to tell especially a city due to it's size and greatness. Oshawa is no different. When one considers it's history even the things one considers as landmarks for direction---or the streets they drive up and down---I'm of the opinion their are stories concerning them that us later generations would appreciate to know. I trust at least the people who live in and around the Oshawa migh...

  "Hey bud! I drove all the way to your place! The least you can do is buy into one of my deals! I've got to make some money you know!" Such were the words heard by a friend of mine who was told this  from a home contractor after he gave him a quote for renovations.  He was aware the quote he'd be given would be several thousand dollars but it was about twice as much as he'd considered. He countered by making it clear he wasn't interested and, "No thank you" to which the other began to dish out every thought and expression that this "free estimate" would be anything but. He got him out of the house with no problem quite easy I guess when he had a doberman dog just awaiting instructions. He left however with stating the last two things..."You won't get this deal tomorrow so you better jump at it" and secondly "I'll even knock off $200.00." Two hundred bucks?? When the bill would end up being something ...

How sweet! I just read a cop in Texas with a group of other officers pulled over his girl friend as she drove her vehicle. They made on she had a broken tail light plus a great many outstanding warrants for her arrest. As she began to sink down in a deep sense of melancholy her boyfriend the first cop approached the car with a wedding ring and proposed marriage! What a relief! Instead of the fear of being thrown in the slammer she could accept his proposal to live a life time together! Perhaps next time you see the police pull someone over your thought, "Looks like the cop got that one" might take on a whole new meaning. I'll probably say henceforth, "He probably just wants to propose marriage!" It makes me wonder if people might be able to hire a cop to do this for a few bucks on the side...LIGHTS FLASHING, SIREN GOING...what a grand way to get the other's attention and to make a lasting impression for life! One wonders what would have happened to the...

I got to thinking about the Song "The 12 Days of Christmas" and wondered what I'd do with all those gifts. Here's my best thoughts on what I'd do getting all those  crazy things! In the Christmas Carol "The 12 Days Of Christmas" I'd say it's pretty excessive exactly how many gifts the one received! I suspect the giver needed to give their head a shake and get some perspective. Some who have taken the time to count them up, for remember the number is compounded each day...if you received 7 swans a swimming on Day 7 and next day another 7...well you get the picture. It comes in total to 364 gifts! Why not have added 1 more to make it 365 one for each day?? Oh well.  Maybe I can throw in one more partridge in a pear tree. As for myself receiving some of those gifts I'd consider exchanging them for something else. The 12 Partridges I'd probably kill and put in the freezer for food...perhaps eat one for each month of the year. The 22 T...

I wasn't going to put up with it! It was time to get back at the bully and that I did!  I'd like to share the story how at nine years of age I took actions to get back at the playground bully. He was about 3 years my senior and delighted to push us younger ones around. I recall one particular incident I said to myself that enough was enough! My parents usually gave me a nickel [5 cents] or a dime once a day. In the early 1960's that'd buy you a chocolate bar or a can of soda...and so I did. Tommy  the bully came around...grabbed the chocolate bar  from my hand and laughed while consuming it away. The only thing I could think was to get him in trouble and if I was going to do it I wanted to make it BIG TIME trouble. I watched his house to see when his parents got home and upon seeing them drive in the driveway I knew the time had come. I waited a few moments to let them get settled.  My friends asked, "Are you really going to do it?"https://upload...

Nov 1, 1800 John Adams becomes the first US president to live in White House Nov 2nd, 1783 - General George Washington, later 1st American President, bids farewell to his army after the American Revolutionary War Nov 3rd,   1900 1st US automobile show opens at Madison Square Garden (NYC) Nov 4th, 1841 - 1st wagon train arrives in California Nov 5th, 1895 - 1st US patent granted for auto (George B Selden) for gasoline driven car Nov 6th, 1572 - Supernova is observed in constellation known as Cassiopeia Nov 7th, 1872 - Cargo ship Mary Celeste sails from NY to Genoa; mysteriously found abandoned 4 weeks later Nov 8th, 1966 - Movie actor Ronald Reagan elected Governor of California Nov 9th, 1904 1st airplane flight to last more than 5 minutes Nov 10th, 1951 - 1st long distance telephone call without operator assistance Nov 11th 1911 - Many cities in the U.S. Midwest broke their record highs and lows on the same day as a strong cold front rolls...