LANCE ARMSTRONG AND THE NRA HAVE A LOT IN COMMON!

Despite overwhelming evidence, neither one will admit that they are wrong. Instead of stepping forward with sensible solutions to problems, they throw up their hands in disgust and blame everyone else around them. The National Rifle Association needs to concede that there's no reason for anyone to own an automatic weapon with such destructive power as the AR-15 or similar weapons. The second amendment is not in jeopardy simply by banning these weapons or clips, which hold vast amounts of ammo. You are currently not allowed to own a Sherman tank that is fully functional despite the fact that it would be fun to shoot. Step up and do the right thing. Twenty first graders from Connecticut would like to have had that choice... As for Lance Armstrong, prison should be his next tour.

A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC

A few years ago, people cheered when the United States closed its processing plants, because they believed horses would be spared a cruel death. Instead, it had the opposite effect. Blame it on the drought, the economy tanking, or whatever you want, but when a bale of hay reached $7.00, a lot of people could no longer afford it. As a result, the number of horses being neglected rose significantly. If a horse has to be slaughtered, wouldn't you rather it be done within our borders where there are laws to protect them? I would. Therefore, I applaud the reopening of the slaughter houses.

THE SNOW AND BITTER COLD PAYS NORTHERN MICHIGAN A VISIT

In the wee hours of the morning, I work with pulsating fingers trying to thaw outside water faucets and frozen hoses. My reward? Flowing water. While I wait for the water troughs to fill, I throw down some hay for the horses. Afterwards, I drain the hoses and put them away so that I won't have to fight with them again later in the evening when the whole process will need to be repeated all over again.

A NOTE FROM NORTHERN MICHIGAN

My friend's kids don't think it's plausible when I tell them, "Back in the day, when I was a kid, the snow piles alongside the roads were as big a mountain." Despite that these kids grew up in Northen Michigan, I find myself trying to describe every aspect of what it was like to trudge through the snow with our sleds until we reached the top of a hill just so we could glide back down. Afterwards, we tunneled through snow piles and built forts. I can see why they might be skeptical. I mean, here it is the middle of January and there's only a dusting of snow on the ground. It makes me wonder if today's kids will ever get to experience the heavy snowfalls of the past. I hope so, because if they don't, they'll be missing out on some of my fondest childhood memories.

BETSY LERNER'S WITTY ADVICE TO WRITERS

Besides being a top notch writer, Betsy has a sense of humor. She soon had me laughing with her straight shooter commentary. Although, as I delved deeper into "The Forest for the Trees," I thought, you're supposed to be mentally unstable in some form to be a writer, willing to cut off body parts to draw attention to yourself and your book was my take. Her vast experience led me to believe she worked in a mental institution, but I know better. Now, I can offer her a reprieve from the everyday rigors for I am as normal as they come, imagine the possiblilties. Enjoyed the book and the wit it took to make the subject points sink in.

TIM ON THE BEACH WITH HIS NEPHEWS

UNBRIDLED PASSION

The story begins the day I saw her. I knew I had to have her. And it's true what they say, love knocked me off my feet and left me breathless, but so did a swift kick to the gut from one of her well placed hooves. As I lay there, hurt and helpless, I knew I had to get right back up, because there were still chores that had to be done, she's not going to feed herself or clean her own stall.