I knew personal computers had a lot of potential when I saw my first one back in the '70s, but who would have guessed the things they would make possible.

Just one example was illustrated by the chat I had with Don Schaaf the other day.

Schaaf, who readers may recall as the author of the "Dondotcom" column that ran in this space during the early days of the Internet, told me he and a few buddies planned to invade the Netherlands.

Who woulda guessed it?

It seems he and a few of his buddies around the world -- including some Germans -- have an elaborate plan to re-enact Operation Market Garden, using high-speed Internet connections and flight simulator software.

Taking off in C-47s and following a flight plan, they will tow troop gliders to the drop zone, then, on a prearranged signal, switch to the gliders themselves for the hair-raising landing.

Their operation is complete with custom scenery and the ability to view the other participants flying in formation.

If you're not familiar with World War II history, the Internet will help out there, too. You can find out all about it at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Market_Gard...

Or, if Hollywood is more your style, you can find a DVD of the movie about the event, "A Bridge Too Far," or read about it at:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075784/

Of course, this is nothing to somebody who grew up with the technology. The other day, my soon-to-be-14 son was simultaneously carrying on an online chat with friends in town, others around the state and his uncle in Michigan -- with his dad keeping an eye over his shoulder.

And, who would have guessed the impact PCs and Internet would have had on national politics?

Matt Drudge broke the Monica Lewinsky scandal using his Web site, and his populist descendants, the bloggers -- for "Web blogs" -- found the holes in Dan Rather's story about documents related to President Bush's National Guard service.

They used to say, "freedom of the press applies to those who own the press."

Nowadays, thanks to blogs, anybody can own a "press" with capabilities of attracting as many worldwide readers as their writing can attract.

Do you have a blog? Do you have a favorite you like to visit? Drop me an e-mail at editor@mccookgazette.com and tell me about it.

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Corky Reed of Mexico Lindo thinks he has an explanation for the recent rains.

His daughter, it seems, brought him a wooden statue from Africa, which, if held on one's head while dancing, will bring the precipitation.

I'm not saying what he did with it, but did you notice that 2-inch rain a couple of weeks ago?

-- Bruce Crosby is afraid the rain will stop if he takes down his rain gauge for the winter.