And now here’s Barry with the news, weather and sports:

In political news, Governor Rick Perry has seized a commanding lead in his bid to become the GOP’s choice for the White House. Not that it matters if any Republican wins the presidency, since the Obama administration is not creating any new jobs.

Hurricane Irene left devastation in its wake but failed to flatten New York City which prompted Internet and newspaper headlines such as “New Yorkers Unimpressed By Irene”. That’s right, apparently the citizens of the Big Apple weren’t enormously relieved, just unimpressed. Of course, all of us are a little bit let down when a storm doesn’t destroy everything we own and take the lives of our friends and family. Maybe next time, disappointed New Yorkers.

Turning now to sports, the Philadelphia Eagles just signed quarterback Michael Vick to a 100 million dollar contract for six years…that’s 42 in dog-killing years.

As they say at the yogurt factory, so much for culture. There is blanket business at hand. I hate to admit it, but I need your expertise. I have been asked to identify the blanket that accompanies young Robert Rinehart in a photo said to be taken in Wheeler, Oregon in 1919. A scrap of that blanket remains in the family’s hands and can be seen below. I can’t find a picture of the pattern in my files – please let me know if you own a labeled example and help me look smart.

     This month’s Blanket Of The Month selection will grace the pages of my new book. Officially, it’s a couch cover and found so rarely that there is no danger of my being obligated to pick a Couch Cover Of The Month. This is a first label Pendleton courtesy of Arizona’s own Chris Ehrlich.

     Next month in Jerusalem!