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| Merry Christmas From The Bad Guy |
All I have in this world are my balls and this snowman. And I don’t break them for no one.
Merry Christmas From The Bad Guy…
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/24/2011
12/23/2011
Ursuline High School Marching Band
Every Christmas our family gets together for the holiday and after dinner old family stories are retold again and again. Most of the family would gather in the family room and recount those funny stories from our past. One of my favorite stories is about the poem my Dad wrote about his high school he attended. (Ursuline High School, Youngstown Ohio)
The year was 1942, and his teacher, (Of course was a Catholic Nun) handed out an English assignment. Each student was to write a poem about something uplifting about Ursuline High School. My Dad was called by the nun to read his poem aloud in front of the class. Dad cleared his throat and read aloud...
The Majorettes came on the field,
The first in Ursuline's history.
Followed by the marching band,
But what they're playing is a mystery.
All the students in class burst out in laughter. However, the Ursuline Nun was not amused. She immediately sent my Dad down to the office. He took his seat and awaited his punishment.
Father Gallagher, (Yes, an Irish priest) walked into the office and sat at his chair and asked my Dad why he was sent to the office. My Dad told him the Nun did not like his poem. Father Gallagher asked my Dad to recite the poem. My Dad did.
Father Gallagher seemed to almost smirk and told my Dad to get the Hell out of the office and back to class.
Like father, like son.
The year was 1942, and his teacher, (Of course was a Catholic Nun) handed out an English assignment. Each student was to write a poem about something uplifting about Ursuline High School. My Dad was called by the nun to read his poem aloud in front of the class. Dad cleared his throat and read aloud...
The Majorettes came on the field,
The first in Ursuline's history.
Followed by the marching band,
But what they're playing is a mystery.
All the students in class burst out in laughter. However, the Ursuline Nun was not amused. She immediately sent my Dad down to the office. He took his seat and awaited his punishment.
Father Gallagher, (Yes, an Irish priest) walked into the office and sat at his chair and asked my Dad why he was sent to the office. My Dad told him the Nun did not like his poem. Father Gallagher asked my Dad to recite the poem. My Dad did.
Father Gallagher seemed to almost smirk and told my Dad to get the Hell out of the office and back to class.
Like father, like son.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/22/2011
General Pattons Prayer For Good Weather
On the anniversary of my Father’s passing, (Three years ago today)I found myself thinking about the movie Patton. For those who have not seen it or know who General Patton was, he was one of the greatest army generals in the history of the United States. My Father was a Corporal in General George Patton’s Third Army during the war.
The movie followed Patton in the European theater during World War II as the alliance battled the German army. Many quotes and actions of Patton were portrayed in the movie but all of them were not entirely accurate. Take for instance the scene in which Patton,(Played by actor George C. Scott) asked the army Chaplin to write a prayer for weather so his army could get on with the war and kill the Germans.
The movie scene went something like this:
Patton: Chaplin, I’m sick and tired of the 3rd army having to fight the Germans in this ungodly weather. I want a prayer, a weather prayer.
Patton: Chaplin, I’m sick and tired of the 3rd army having to fight the Germans in this ungodly weather. I want a prayer, a weather prayer.
Chaplin: Weather prayer sir?
Patton: Yes, let’s see if we can’t get God working with us.
Chaplin: It would take a pretty thick rug for that kind of prayer General.
Patton: I don’t care if it takes a flying carpet.
Chaplin: I don’t know how this is going to be received General, praying for good weather so we can kill our fellow man.
Patton: I can assure you, because of my intimate relationship with God Almighty, that if you write a good prayer, we’ll have good weather. I expect that prayer in an hour.
Chaplin: Yes sir…. As Patton leaves the army tent.
Scene Change: Patton standing outside the tent in the snow as men load equipment and drive army vehicles preparing for battle, Patton stops and takes out the prayer the Chaplin wrote. With the snow swirling, he reads the prayer. The next day, the sky is clear and the 3rd army advances further against the German army enjoying superior air support.
But, as entertaining as that scene was, it was not very accurate. Yes, Patton did request a weather prayer from the Chaplin, and yes, it was intended to have good weather so the army could push forward against the German army, but the prayer came about a little bit differently.
On Dec. 8, 1944, General George Patton made a phone call from his office to the Chaplain James H. O’Neill, the 3rd army Chaplin. Patton asked him if he knew of any good prayers for weather. Patton stated that if we are to win this war, we must have fair weather.
Chaplin O’Neill wrote the following prayer:
“Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.”
But there is more to the story. Researching the Patton prayer online, I found Chaplin O’Neills website and his first person recounting of the actual events that took place.
Chaplin O’Neill typed the prayer onto an index card, and on the front side he typed a Christmas greeting from General Patton to his men in the third army. O’Neill showed Patton both the prayer and the Christmas greeting and Patton was impressed with both. Patton ordered O’Neill to have 250,000 copies of the prayer and greeting printed and distributed to every man in the 3rd Army. Patton himself signed the index card.
The Christmas Greeting was as follows:
To each officer and soldier in the Third United States Army, I Wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May God’s blessings rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day. G.S. Patton, Jr, Lieutenant General, Commanding, Third United States Army.
I have that postcard letter that my father received.
Rest in peace Father. I know the weather is perfect for golf where you are at.
Rest in peace Father. I know the weather is perfect for golf where you are at.
For the complete version of the Patton Prayer, please visit Chaplin O’Neill’s Webpage. You will find it quite entertaining and informational.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
Responses to “General Patton’s Prayer For Weather At Christmas”
- December 27, 2011 at 2:11 pm e
Gumby said
It was said that the moive was close to actual truth, so it seems that the movie took several liberties with the truth.-
December 28, 2011 at 2:57 pm eI would imagine that almost all movies take certain liberties. Take for instance, Avatar. The aliens were no larger than 7 feet tall in reality, but the movie portrayed them as at least 8 feet tall.
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December 28, 2011 at 2:57 pm e
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February 19, 2013 at 2:04 pm eI am touched you wrote of this! HelenPatton (grand daughter of GSP , jr.)
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February 23, 2013 at 10:54 pm eThank you for reading and commenting.
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February 23, 2013 at 10:54 pm e
12/21/2011
A Parrot For A Christmas Gift
A young man named John received a parrot as a Christmas gift. However the parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird’s mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.
John tried and tried to change the bird’s attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to “clean up” the bird’s vocabulary.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. In desperation, John threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer.
For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he had hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.
The parrot calmly stepped out onto John’s outstretched arms and said, “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and behavior. I’m sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior.”
John was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, when the bird continued, “May I ask what the turkey did?”
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
Responses to “A Parrot For A Christmas Gift”
- December 27, 2011 at 2:12 pm e
Gumby said
I hear they taste just like chicken.
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December 28, 2011 at 2:58 pm eOr rabbits. They were delicious.
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December 28, 2011 at 2:58 pm e
12/16/2011
C Staples - BBQ Chicken Dinner
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| Charlie Staples Chicken And Ribs |
The restaurant was crowded, must have been a party happening that evening. (Wink) I made my way to my table and was quickly approached by our waitress who asked us for our orders. Very nice waitress and very fast service. I commend them for such service on such a bust evening.
The dinner consisted of four pieces of chicken smothered in a tangy BBQ sauce, two pieces of bread, and french fries. I received a breast, leg, thigh, and wing. The breast was the main part, and was fair sized and meaty. All the pieces were well cooked. The BBQ sauce just tangy enough to let you know you were dining in a BBQ restaurant.
The fries were surprisingly good. Well cooked and crunchy enough. I left the white bread alone.
The cost was just under $10 dollars with a diet Coke which was very reasonable.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.5 out of 5 shots and recommends C Staples Restaurant for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/11/2011
Longhorn Steakhouse - Filet Mignon
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| Longhorn Steakhouse |
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| Salad |
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| Longhorn Rolls |
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| Loaded Potato Soup |
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| Filet Mignon |
The baked potato was well cooked. I hate when the potato is only halfway cooked and hard in the center. This one was hot and flavorful, with plenty of butter, melted cheese, and enough bacon covering the top to compliment the entire taste of the potato.
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| Strawberry Cheesecake |
Also a plus was that Longhorn offers Coke Zero. I see more and more restaurants are offering this most excellent diet soft drink. Zero calories but all the Coca-Cola taste.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4.5 out of 5 shots and recommends Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
12/09/2011
R.I.P. John Lennon
December 8, 1980, I was upstairs in my room listening to the radio with my headsets on high volume. The radio disc jockey broke in and announced that John Lennon was just gunned down in front of his apartment in New York City. He was shot four times in the back. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.
For some reason, I'm feeling old today. I grew up listening to the Beatles. I just knew that the "Paul Is Dead" was all a hoax. I was pissed off when Yoko broke up the band.
Lennon would have been 71 years old.
Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love
What on earth you tryin' to do
It's up to you, yeah you
12/03/2011
Japonais Restaurant - Mirage Hotel Las Vegas
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| Japonais Filet |
As you can see, I ordered filet mignon with creamy potatoes. It was served on a square low brim hot clay plate. The filet was around $40.00 without tip. A coke was added to complete my meal.
Surprisingly, the fillet was very flavorful, tender, juicy, and excellent. I was a little skeptical about the potatoes as well but they were very good. Instead of mashed, they were puree style with grilled asparagus.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 4 shots out of 5 and recommends Japonais restaurant for dinner. Minor deductions for a minor mishap with our waitress and the cost being just a tad to pricey.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/28/2011
Metro Grill - Cheeseburger And Fries
Metro Grille - Chicago
I was in town during the Transworld Halloween show was in Chicago and made my hotel reservation with the Crowne Plaza. The Plaza is just a five minute walk to the convention center where the show is housed. Winning! Being in a suburb of Chicago and without a car, the dining experience was limited. The first night I opted for the hotel restaurant, the Metro Grille.
The restaurant was not crowded when we walked in. I recall perhaps ten people dining. Perhaps this wasn’t a wise choice. The hostess seated right away and brought us some water. A few minutes later our waitress took our order.
Cheeseburger And Fries
I went with a safe bet, a bacon cheeseburger and fries and a diet Coke. Like Indiana Jones, I choose wisely.
In about ten minutes my order was delivered to our table.
In about ten minutes my order was delivered to our table.
As you can see, it was a bacon cheeseburger. Upon further inspection, I noticed the bacon was not cooked completely. It was still fatty and greasy. I could overlook that if the rest of the burger was alright. A quick glance to my left to survey the french fries, which were well cooked and standard tasting, but seriously, if you can count the fries on your plate, the portion is small.
To the burger itself. The bun was fresh, lightly buttered and toasted. The beef was well cooked, well done as I specified. It was juicy with good flavor and the cheese melted added that extra touch. It wasn’t a big burger, certainly no half pounder, perhaps a little larger than a quarter pound, but no more. Nothing special, nothing terrible, just a typical burger.
The cost of this feast was $15 dollars without tip. Let’s see, uncooked bacon for a topping, a scant amount of french fries, a less than average size burger, for $15 dollars. It should have been set at around $10 dollars, no more.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 2.25 out of 5 shots and only recommends Metro Grille Chicago for dinner for it’s convenience and proximity to my hotel. If you have a car, take the ride to plenty more options.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/20/2011
The Smoky Mountain Brewery - Large Pizza
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| Smoky Mountain Brewery Cheese Pizza |
As you can see, the pizza was a large, a 12 inch pizza. It was delivered in about 20 minutes, which is pretty damn quick as it takes about that time for the pizza to bake in the oven. The crust was thin and crunchy, the cheese plentiful and the sauce zesty and good. And oh yea, the BBQ chicken topping was generous and tasty.
The cost was fair, about 14 dollars without tip. The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 4 stars out of 5 to the Smoky Mountain Brewery Pizza and recommends them for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
Responses to “Brewery Restaurant Pizza”
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January 10, 2008 at 8:33 am eDamn that looks good. Maybe pizza from The Elmton tonight for dinner. BTW the secret ingredient in thier fab pizza……Swiss Cheese!
- January 10, 2008 at 8:47 am e
Jungljim69 said
The Elmton! YUMMY. Don’t forget to have a few chicken wings to go with the pizza -
January 10, 2008 at 11:43 am eYes, I have to get those pictures up. So far behind.
- January 10, 2008 at 1:08 pm e
Valdunagan said
I don’t see the chicken. Is it under the sauce. Looks good, I love thin crust pizza thats crunchy.
11/19/2011
Peddler Steakhouse - Filet Mignon
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| Peddler Salad |
Yes, the Peddler has already been critiqued, but the steak was so good last time, it would merit a second visit. As usual, the Peddler was packed, all the tables occupied and about 100 people waiting to get a table. Knowing the little secret to secure a table we moved to the cocktail area overlooking the scenic stream. (You see, there is usually an hour to two hour wait for a table down stairs but if you go to the cock tail area, there are tables scattered about and you can order dinner and sit there.)
Our waitress came over and asked us what we wanted to drink. I went with the diet Coke and said we would also like to order dinner as well. (In like Flint) I began with the salad, one you make yourself from the salad bar down stairs. Notice the huge chunks of ham and hard boiled egg halves plus real bacon, not those cheap baco bits. The salad is a meal in itself. There were dozens of choices to select from. No two salads are the same.
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| Peddler Filet |
The only setback for the Peddler is it's own popularity. No matter when you go, no matter what day, you will always wait. Always. A one hour wait time is the average to get a seat.
The cost for the dinner is around $45.00 without tip but you get a fabulous salad, great steak, big ass baked potato, hot fresh rolls with butter, and the soft drink, (Coke) of your choice.
Yes, the Gatlinburg Peddler Steakhouse reputation does exceed expectations. With that, The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 4.75 out of 5 shots to the Peddler and recommends the steak house for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
Responses to “Peddler Steakhouse”
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January 23, 2008 at 12:05 am eIt’s taking a day or more to recieve your alerts in my email for your posts. :/ Shame on you for posting such delicious food, I’m fighting not to gnaw at my monitor..LOL
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January 23, 2008 at 8:52 am eDo you mean the Yahoo alerts? if so, there is no problem. I just don’t update it as I should.
However, if you subscribe to the feed…
http://lotgk.wordpress.com/feed/
Either through Feedburner or Google reader, you will receive updates as they happen. -
January 23, 2008 at 10:26 am eWEll I have since done that, because I did finally realize it was slow.
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January 23, 2008 at 10:31 am eThank you.
- January 23, 2008 at 1:22 pm e
Kathy said
The salad is an entire meal in itself. Looks yummy. - January 24, 2008 at 6:21 am e
Lead Scientist said
and its only a 5 minute walk away. -
January 24, 2008 at 8:31 am eEverything in Gatlinburg is a five minute walk away.
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December 25, 2008 at 7:16 pm eMetal plate looks good.
I am Paul.
I love steaks and steakhouses around the world!
11/13/2011
Champions Restaurant – Philadelphia
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| Champions Of Philadelphia |
My order was very simple. A bowl of chicken noodle soup and an order of chicken strips.
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| Champions Chicken Noodle Soup |
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| Chicken Strips |
My wife ordered a Philly steak and cheese. It came without cheese! WTF! It also went back.
Finally, after another 20 minutes, our correct dinners arrived. I will admit the chicken strips tasted great, but i just can't get past the rude and lousy service we received.
Taking into account the shoddy service, the arguing, and the incorrect meals, the Grassy Knoll Diner awards 1.75 shots out of 5 and does not recommend Champions Restaurant inside the Downtown Marriott Marquis Philadelphia hotel.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/12/2011
Francesco’s Italian Restaurant – Las Vegas
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| Francesco's |
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| Appetizers |
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| Chicken Parm |
The chicken was very lightly breaded, well cooked, juicy, smothered in cheese, with a tangy tomato sauce covering a tender chicken breast. The taste was very good. The sauce was tangy, the cheese good, and the chicken well cooked and good tasting. The meal was cooked to perfection and the service very efficient. And the cost, surprisingly low at around $25.00 without tip.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 3.75 shots out of 5 to Francesco's Italian Restaurant and recommends them for dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/07/2011
Rosie Jones - School Teacher
Class is in session. Rosie Jones, A British international glamour model, has been hired to teach a class on blogging etiquette. Enrollment is limited for this one time offering. For more information, contact us in the comment section below.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/04/2011
Aunt Mahalia's Chocolate Confections
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| Chocolate Heaven |
I decided on the artery busting cluster confection of chocolate, cashews, and caramel.
In a word, it tasted delightful. However, the cost was $2.49 for this one piece of delightful. Not so delightful anymore. (Do you think I can squeeze the word delightful in this post one more time?) The cashews were fresh, and whole, (Whole cashews just seem to taste better than pieced cashews) the chocolate was divine, and the caramel nice and thick. It was very good tasting for sure.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 2.5 shots out of 5 and only recommends Aunt Mahalia's delightful (Ding, ding, ding) convection only if you got money to throw out the window.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/02/2011
Hungry Howie's - Calzone
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| Hurry - Its Dying |
I used the flyer that was in my mailbox and called in my take out order. I ordered the above item, which by the menu is a sausage and cheese calzone.
Pickup was painless, the order was ready, and it was correct. When I got home, I unwrapped my dinner and found this. A big blob of soggy dough, cheese, sauce, and what appeared to be rabbit turds.
The taste was, well, terrible. A soggy mess of ingredients congealing wrapped up in a box. I cannot confirm if it was sausage or rabbit turds. Or cheese for that matter. However, the sauce was plain tomato paste, no spice whatsoever.
The Grassy Knoll Diner awards 1.25 shots out of 5 and does not recommend Hungry Howie's for lunch or dinner.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
11/01/2011
Star Bagel - San Francisco Breakfast Sandwich
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| Star Bagel Menu |
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| Egg Bacon And Cheese Bagel |
As you can see, this was a big bagel with plenty of filling. I estimated three scrambled eggs were used for my bagel. They were cooked perfectly. On the bottom was 4 crispy pieces of bacon, well cooked, and delicious. A piece of cheese surrounded by a buttered toasted bagel completed the ensemble. The taste was very good.
The bagel was $2.25 plus added bacon and cheese totaling $4 dollars. There was not a lot of places to sit, and it wasn't the absolute cleanest places, but the bagel was fresh, well cooked and tasted good.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.5 out of 5 shots and recommends Star Bagel of San Francisco for breakfast.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
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00dozo said
LOTGK said
And Happy Holidays to you.
Moominboy said
LOTGK said
Happy New Year!
Gumby said
Happy Christmas grassy dude.
LOTGK said