Well, my beautiful bubbling wife has left me in the dirt (actually it's sand here) once again. She's gone to SoCal to visit family and party. So, I'm left here doing all the things I normally do. You know, things like feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after the critters, dusting, cleaning floors, windows and toilets. Everything, except the cooking for her. So, I'll get a little break there.
In Those Days, I loved my Mom's pan fried chicken. She would cook it for my birthday every year. Made me feel really special, but thinking back about things, I think we had it about once a week anyway. It must be kind of a dying fad though. I don't know anyone who cooks chicken that way now. Apparently it was pushed aside by BBQ, baked, rotisserie, roasted, or deep fried.
My first exposure to the deep fried stuff was KFC, and then later at Popeye's. KFC is not truly deep fried. I think it is first pressure cooked, then fried, or maybe fried under pressure. And I really liked it....until I saw saw their kitchen while investigating a robbery years ago. Don't think I've eaten much of it since, but I still think it is the best tasting.
Now, when She's gone, things change, and I eat fried chicken. Because She can't stand the smell of it, let alone eat it. So, as planned, almost as soon as I dropped her off at the runway, I headed for Freddy's to get some fried chicken. I ate it for both lunch at the river, then again for dinner. It's almost gone. Might finish it off for breakfast and might even get some more after that. I think I'll even get some of that cheap macaroni and cheese to make up.
So, sorry to all the health conscience Lisa types out there. You know who you are (because you might even be named Lisa)! The next few days will be filled with low fiber, all fat, high salt, no exercise (except for my everyday normal chores), and maybe an A&W Papa Burger combo (substituting onion rings for fries and adding a large root beer).
Now, that's "Chickening it."
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Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Where did that come from?
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I wonder about where that came from all the time, especially when I think about people. You know, things like telling lies, cheating, stealing, and being mean to someone.
I really don't think these things are always "learned traits" although I'm sure some are. I remember asking my first born, when she was barely old enough to speak, whether she had pooped in her diaper, and she lied to me. So, where did that come from? There was no one around that could have taught her to lie.
During most of my childhood, I was the eldest sibling. I remember a few times sitting on the chests of my brothers and sisters while holding their arms to the floor with my knees. Then, in order to get back something they had stolen from me, I'd tickle them, or threaten to let a drop of saliva fall from my mouth and into their face. Now, who taught them to steal my stuff, or who taught me how to torture them? I'm not sure about the stealing part, but no one taught me to torture. I think it was just something I figured would work, and it did! So where did that come from?
And the time I placed a gift-wrapped, dead clam into the desk of my 4th grade classmate on a Friday knowing that it would be very stinky when he returned to his desk on Monday. And the time I threw dirt clods at a girl that came to play with my sisters. To this day, I don't even know why I did these things. So where did that come from?
I think we call all attest to incidents such as these at one time or another, especially during our childhood. So then, why did we do it?
I've always been taught that unlike animals, humans don't have instincts. I think that is hogwash. We have many natural reactions to sudden instances, which for the most part, can not be controlled effectively. And that is an instinct. In other words, our instinct would make us duck at the sound of a gunshot.
I also think that we are born with the ability to lie, cheat, and be mean. That's not to say that some of those traits are also learned or are improved with experience. But, I think we are inherently born with these things and must be taught to overcome them. Your thoughts?
By the way, relaxing by Sittin' on the Dock of the Lake is a learned trait. And I learn fast.
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I wonder about where that came from all the time, especially when I think about people. You know, things like telling lies, cheating, stealing, and being mean to someone.
I really don't think these things are always "learned traits" although I'm sure some are. I remember asking my first born, when she was barely old enough to speak, whether she had pooped in her diaper, and she lied to me. So, where did that come from? There was no one around that could have taught her to lie.
During most of my childhood, I was the eldest sibling. I remember a few times sitting on the chests of my brothers and sisters while holding their arms to the floor with my knees. Then, in order to get back something they had stolen from me, I'd tickle them, or threaten to let a drop of saliva fall from my mouth and into their face. Now, who taught them to steal my stuff, or who taught me how to torture them? I'm not sure about the stealing part, but no one taught me to torture. I think it was just something I figured would work, and it did! So where did that come from?
And the time I placed a gift-wrapped, dead clam into the desk of my 4th grade classmate on a Friday knowing that it would be very stinky when he returned to his desk on Monday. And the time I threw dirt clods at a girl that came to play with my sisters. To this day, I don't even know why I did these things. So where did that come from?
I think we call all attest to incidents such as these at one time or another, especially during our childhood. So then, why did we do it?
I've always been taught that unlike animals, humans don't have instincts. I think that is hogwash. We have many natural reactions to sudden instances, which for the most part, can not be controlled effectively. And that is an instinct. In other words, our instinct would make us duck at the sound of a gunshot.
I also think that we are born with the ability to lie, cheat, and be mean. That's not to say that some of those traits are also learned or are improved with experience. But, I think we are inherently born with these things and must be taught to overcome them. Your thoughts?
By the way, relaxing by Sittin' on the Dock of the Lake is a learned trait. And I learn fast.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Colorings
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We got our first color television in about 1964. They had only been out just a few years then and there were very few television shows in color. It was really primitive, and sometimes it was better just to watch the show in black and white.
Soon thereafter, most anything in grey scale seemed to go by the wayside. Gone were the movies, comics, snapshot film, stripped suits, and saddle shoes. Most anything black and white was gone.
Except......Newspapers. It was not until about 1972 that a newspaper appeared on my doorstep with its first color photograph on the cover. Why then did something so seemingly simple to do, take so long? After all, we even got color magazines, and coloring books long before the newspapers adapted to color.
Well, it's because they just refused to improve, and it's for that very same reason that so many newspapers have gone broke in recent years. And, I hope the all go broke. They are so arrogant. In this fast paced world, new is obsolete even before it can be printed. No one lists their wares in the classified section because it is so expensive and reaches so few people. But there is still room for newspapers, but they need to change their ways, and I don't think they will.
That's just what happens when you become stale and arrogant. Wake up General Motors and the like. It might be sad; but you're next.
Bright blue skies above The Dock today.
We got our first color television in about 1964. They had only been out just a few years then and there were very few television shows in color. It was really primitive, and sometimes it was better just to watch the show in black and white.
Soon thereafter, most anything in grey scale seemed to go by the wayside. Gone were the movies, comics, snapshot film, stripped suits, and saddle shoes. Most anything black and white was gone.
Except......Newspapers. It was not until about 1972 that a newspaper appeared on my doorstep with its first color photograph on the cover. Why then did something so seemingly simple to do, take so long? After all, we even got color magazines, and coloring books long before the newspapers adapted to color.
Well, it's because they just refused to improve, and it's for that very same reason that so many newspapers have gone broke in recent years. And, I hope the all go broke. They are so arrogant. In this fast paced world, new is obsolete even before it can be printed. No one lists their wares in the classified section because it is so expensive and reaches so few people. But there is still room for newspapers, but they need to change their ways, and I don't think they will.
That's just what happens when you become stale and arrogant. Wake up General Motors and the like. It might be sad; but you're next.
Bright blue skies above The Dock today.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Bainbridge Account
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I received the following from a source within law enforcement. I have not verified the authenticity, but thought it was both interesting and accurate. Sorry for all the acronyms, but I think you can sort them out enough to figure out the context. Enjoy as I did.
Having spoken to some SEAL pals here in Virginia Beach yesterday and asking why this thing dragged out for 4 days, I got the following:
1. BHO wouldn't authorize the DEVGRU/NSWC SEAL teams to the scene for 36 hours going against OSC (on scene commander) recommendation.
2. Once they arrived, BHO imposed restrictions on their ROE that they couldn't do anything unless the hostage's life was in "imminent" danger.
3. The first time the hostage jumped, the SEALS had the raggies all sighted in, but could not fire due to ROE restriction.
4. When the navy RIB came under fire as it approached with supplies, no fire was returned due to ROE restrictions. As the raggies were shooting at the RIB, they were exposed and the SEALS had them all dialed in.
5. BHO specifically denied two rescue plans developed by the Bainbridge CPN and SEAL teams.
6. Bainbridge CPN and SEAL team CDR finally decide they have the OpArea and OSC authority to solely determine risk to hostage. 4 hours later, 3 dead raggies.
7. BHO immediately claims credit for his "daring and decisive" behaviour.
As usual with him, it's BS. So per our last email thread, I'm downgrading Oohbaby's performace to D-. Only reason it's not an F is that the hostage survived. Read the following accurate account.
Philips’ first leap into the warm, dark water of the Indian Ocean hadn’t worked out as well. With the Bainbridge in range and a rescue by his country’s Navy possible, Philips threw himself off of his lifeboat prison, enabling Navy shooters onboard the destroyer a clear shot at his captors — and none was taken.
The guidance from National Command Authority — the president of the United States, Barack Obama — had been clear: a peaceful solution was the only acceptable outcome to this standoff unless the hostage’s life was in clear, extreme danger.
The next day, a small Navy boat approaching the floating raft was fired on by the Somali pirates — and again no fire was returned and no pirates killed. This was again due to the cautious stance assumed byNavy personnel thanks to the combination of a lack of clear guidance from Washington and a mandate from the commander in chief’s staff not to act until Obama, a man with no background of dealing with such issues and no track record of decisiveness, decided that any outcome other than a “peaceful solution” would be acceptable.
After taking fire from the Somali kidnappers again Saturday night, the on scene commander decided he’d had enough. Keeping his authority to act in the case of a clear and present danger to the hostage’s life and having heard nothing from Washington since yet another request to mount a rescue operation had been denied the day before, the Navy officer — unnamed in all media reports to date — decided the AK47 one captor had leveled at Philips’ back was a threat to the hostage’s life and ordered theNSWC team to take their shots. Three rounds downrange later, all three brigands became enemy KIA and Philips was safe.
There is upside, downside, and spinside to the series of events over the last week that culminated inyesterday’s dramatic rescue of an American hostage. Almost immediately following word of the rescue, the Obama administration and its supporters claimed victory against pirates in the Indian Ocean and [1] declared that the dramatic end to the standoff putpaid to questions of the inexperienced president’s toughness and decisiveness. Despite the Obama administration’s (and its sycophants’) attempt to spin yesterday’s success as a resultof bold, decisive leadership by the inexperienced president, the reality is nothing of the sort. What should have been a standoff lasting only hours — as long as it took the USS Bainbridge and itsteam of NSWC operators to steam to the location — became an embarrassing four day and countingstandoff between a ragtag handful of criminals with rifles and a U.S. Navy warship.
.
I received the following from a source within law enforcement. I have not verified the authenticity, but thought it was both interesting and accurate. Sorry for all the acronyms, but I think you can sort them out enough to figure out the context. Enjoy as I did.
Having spoken to some SEAL pals here in Virginia Beach yesterday and asking why this thing dragged out for 4 days, I got the following:
1. BHO wouldn't authorize the DEVGRU/NSWC SEAL teams to the scene for 36 hours going against OSC (on scene commander) recommendation.
2. Once they arrived, BHO imposed restrictions on their ROE that they couldn't do anything unless the hostage's life was in "imminent" danger.
3. The first time the hostage jumped, the SEALS had the raggies all sighted in, but could not fire due to ROE restriction.
4. When the navy RIB came under fire as it approached with supplies, no fire was returned due to ROE restrictions. As the raggies were shooting at the RIB, they were exposed and the SEALS had them all dialed in.
5. BHO specifically denied two rescue plans developed by the Bainbridge CPN and SEAL teams.
6. Bainbridge CPN and SEAL team CDR finally decide they have the OpArea and OSC authority to solely determine risk to hostage. 4 hours later, 3 dead raggies.
7. BHO immediately claims credit for his "daring and decisive" behaviour.
As usual with him, it's BS. So per our last email thread, I'm downgrading Oohbaby's performace to D-. Only reason it's not an F is that the hostage survived. Read the following accurate account.
Philips’ first leap into the warm, dark water of the Indian Ocean hadn’t worked out as well. With the Bainbridge in range and a rescue by his country’s Navy possible, Philips threw himself off of his lifeboat prison, enabling Navy shooters onboard the destroyer a clear shot at his captors — and none was taken.
The guidance from National Command Authority — the president of the United States, Barack Obama — had been clear: a peaceful solution was the only acceptable outcome to this standoff unless the hostage’s life was in clear, extreme danger.
The next day, a small Navy boat approaching the floating raft was fired on by the Somali pirates — and again no fire was returned and no pirates killed. This was again due to the cautious stance assumed byNavy personnel thanks to the combination of a lack of clear guidance from Washington and a mandate from the commander in chief’s staff not to act until Obama, a man with no background of dealing with such issues and no track record of decisiveness, decided that any outcome other than a “peaceful solution” would be acceptable.
After taking fire from the Somali kidnappers again Saturday night, the on scene commander decided he’d had enough. Keeping his authority to act in the case of a clear and present danger to the hostage’s life and having heard nothing from Washington since yet another request to mount a rescue operation had been denied the day before, the Navy officer — unnamed in all media reports to date — decided the AK47 one captor had leveled at Philips’ back was a threat to the hostage’s life and ordered theNSWC team to take their shots. Three rounds downrange later, all three brigands became enemy KIA and Philips was safe.
There is upside, downside, and spinside to the series of events over the last week that culminated inyesterday’s dramatic rescue of an American hostage. Almost immediately following word of the rescue, the Obama administration and its supporters claimed victory against pirates in the Indian Ocean and [1] declared that the dramatic end to the standoff putpaid to questions of the inexperienced president’s toughness and decisiveness. Despite the Obama administration’s (and its sycophants’) attempt to spin yesterday’s success as a resultof bold, decisive leadership by the inexperienced president, the reality is nothing of the sort. What should have been a standoff lasting only hours — as long as it took the USS Bainbridge and itsteam of NSWC operators to steam to the location — became an embarrassing four day and countingstandoff between a ragtag handful of criminals with rifles and a U.S. Navy warship.
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
Ethics, Christianity, Civil Liberties, and Justice
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Many years ago as a young police officer, I was competing for a promotion. During an interview, I was asked whether I would torture a captured kidnapper for ransom suspect to learn the hidden location of five school children that would die within hours if not rescued. Without hesitation, I said, "Yes!" Well, not only did I not get the promotion, but I scored near the bottom of the candidate list. It was years before I ever tried to promote again.
Today, in public (like for a promotion), I would answer that question quite differently, but in my heart I know that I would not hesitate to torture anyone if I knew it would save an innocent person's life.
Certainly, Ethics, Christianity, Civil Liberties, and Justice all play a significant weight in a very difficult personal decision. Should 24's Jack Bauer, torture some one to save the President, or countless other innocent Americans? Should anyone torture an admitted radical Islamic terrorist to prevent a future strike?
Why is it that we publicly chastise the CIA for torturing a terrorist by putting a bug into his cell him to get him to talk; while at the same time, we praise the naval sharpshooters who took the lives of three pirates to save one American, and call them heroes?
I just don't get it. Is it not the responsibility for our government to provide us with security? Our laws are founded upon Ethics, Christian fundamentals, Civil Liberties, and Justice to give us the absolute right to self defense. So what's the difference when a local cop shoots a deranged person holding a knife to an Innocent's throat, or choking a person to get him to tell you about his accomplices's plan to plant a bomb at Dodger Stadium?
What say you? Since most of you will not comment publicly, please take the poll to the left. I won't look to see who you are. I'll just wait out by The Dock.
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Many years ago as a young police officer, I was competing for a promotion. During an interview, I was asked whether I would torture a captured kidnapper for ransom suspect to learn the hidden location of five school children that would die within hours if not rescued. Without hesitation, I said, "Yes!" Well, not only did I not get the promotion, but I scored near the bottom of the candidate list. It was years before I ever tried to promote again.
Today, in public (like for a promotion), I would answer that question quite differently, but in my heart I know that I would not hesitate to torture anyone if I knew it would save an innocent person's life.
Certainly, Ethics, Christianity, Civil Liberties, and Justice all play a significant weight in a very difficult personal decision. Should 24's Jack Bauer, torture some one to save the President, or countless other innocent Americans? Should anyone torture an admitted radical Islamic terrorist to prevent a future strike?
Why is it that we publicly chastise the CIA for torturing a terrorist by putting a bug into his cell him to get him to talk; while at the same time, we praise the naval sharpshooters who took the lives of three pirates to save one American, and call them heroes?
I just don't get it. Is it not the responsibility for our government to provide us with security? Our laws are founded upon Ethics, Christian fundamentals, Civil Liberties, and Justice to give us the absolute right to self defense. So what's the difference when a local cop shoots a deranged person holding a knife to an Innocent's throat, or choking a person to get him to tell you about his accomplices's plan to plant a bomb at Dodger Stadium?
What say you? Since most of you will not comment publicly, please take the poll to the left. I won't look to see who you are. I'll just wait out by The Dock.
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Friday, April 17, 2009
Stocks vs Slots
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Well there have been a heck of a lot of people, who had a heck of a lot of money, invested in their retirement accounts. And a heck of a lot of those people lost a heck of a lot of their money. And there are a heck of a lot of people that have been forced from retirement to return to work (if they can find it). And there are a heck of a lot of people that can not retire as they had planned.
But, there are a heck of a lot of people that moved their investments from the stock market to liquid savings accounts, and those people still have a heck of a lot of money that they are itching to re-invest.
Interest rates have dropped very low, but the banks still refuse to make new loans. And because the banks now have too much money on hand, they pay those heck of a lot of people who have a heck of a lot of money in the back, next to nothing in interest.
One can not just sit on their heck of a lot of money and let it lose value to inflation. So, there are a heck of a lot of people lined up to jump back into the stock market. And as they do, the stocks will be driven up rise once again and a heck of a lot of people will make a heck of a lot of money.
But when nothing else but the sheer volume of stocks sales drives the price, the market becomes a bubble, and it will burst again. And that circle will go unbroken.
So, if you have a heck of a lot of money, and you put it into stocks again, be prepared to exit quickly. And exit well before the balloon shows a sign of bursting, or you will lose a heck of a lot of money, again..
So, you might ask, "W what will I do?" I'm going to the local casino to invest my heck of a lot of quarters ($20). For me, it's less stressful than the stock market, has about the same odds, but offers more fun!
So, I should be at The Dock within this hour.
,
Well there have been a heck of a lot of people, who had a heck of a lot of money, invested in their retirement accounts. And a heck of a lot of those people lost a heck of a lot of their money. And there are a heck of a lot of people that have been forced from retirement to return to work (if they can find it). And there are a heck of a lot of people that can not retire as they had planned.
But, there are a heck of a lot of people that moved their investments from the stock market to liquid savings accounts, and those people still have a heck of a lot of money that they are itching to re-invest.
Interest rates have dropped very low, but the banks still refuse to make new loans. And because the banks now have too much money on hand, they pay those heck of a lot of people who have a heck of a lot of money in the back, next to nothing in interest.
One can not just sit on their heck of a lot of money and let it lose value to inflation. So, there are a heck of a lot of people lined up to jump back into the stock market. And as they do, the stocks will be driven up rise once again and a heck of a lot of people will make a heck of a lot of money.
But when nothing else but the sheer volume of stocks sales drives the price, the market becomes a bubble, and it will burst again. And that circle will go unbroken.
So, if you have a heck of a lot of money, and you put it into stocks again, be prepared to exit quickly. And exit well before the balloon shows a sign of bursting, or you will lose a heck of a lot of money, again..
So, you might ask, "W what will I do?" I'm going to the local casino to invest my heck of a lot of quarters ($20). For me, it's less stressful than the stock market, has about the same odds, but offers more fun!
So, I should be at The Dock within this hour.
,
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Coffee, Tea, and Me.
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It's my blog and I want it to be "and me" instead what you say is the proper way "or Me?" in my title.
So, what's all the protests all about? I don't think the protesters themselves knew why they were there. Then you got some CNN bimbo shoving a microphone in some dummy's face while she fired tax statistics at him. He didn't know what to say because he didn't know why he was even there. She was as much as an activist as anyone there. What happened to just reporting the facts? Many showed up simply because they had no jobs and were tired of searching for one. Others thought it would be nice just be a part of some historic march against the government. Kinda like the marches led by MLK. Fox News set it all up very cleverly as an attack on Obamamamma and Nancy Pelosi thought that was unfair. But it was fine for her to hammer Bush and the Gop. Could you imagine being married to her?
Well, I prefer coffee anyway. Leave the tea for the Brits. And I'm all for hammering Obamamamma, but for the right things. Like apologizing for America's arrogance toward other countries, until he took over.
Like telling the middle east countries that my Country was not founded on Christianity.
Like overturning a law that prevented medical personnel from doing an abortion against their religious beliefs.
Like opening the door to cloning a human life, only to then kill it in order to extend the life of another.
Like agreeing to help France determine whether the United States conducted torture inappropriately, and place the then US Attorney General on trial for it. And all of a sudden we are to be friends with Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, and Cuba.
Like admitting that under his plan, 44% of Americans don't pay Federal taxes at all,so that the remaining 56% can carry them.
Like all of the past administrations were wrong, and only he has the answers?
He needs to sink his head for a long while at The Dock.
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It's my blog and I want it to be "and me" instead what you say is the proper way "or Me?" in my title.
So, what's all the protests all about? I don't think the protesters themselves knew why they were there. Then you got some CNN bimbo shoving a microphone in some dummy's face while she fired tax statistics at him. He didn't know what to say because he didn't know why he was even there. She was as much as an activist as anyone there. What happened to just reporting the facts? Many showed up simply because they had no jobs and were tired of searching for one. Others thought it would be nice just be a part of some historic march against the government. Kinda like the marches led by MLK. Fox News set it all up very cleverly as an attack on Obamamamma and Nancy Pelosi thought that was unfair. But it was fine for her to hammer Bush and the Gop. Could you imagine being married to her?
Well, I prefer coffee anyway. Leave the tea for the Brits. And I'm all for hammering Obamamamma, but for the right things. Like apologizing for America's arrogance toward other countries, until he took over.
Like telling the middle east countries that my Country was not founded on Christianity.
Like overturning a law that prevented medical personnel from doing an abortion against their religious beliefs.
Like opening the door to cloning a human life, only to then kill it in order to extend the life of another.
Like agreeing to help France determine whether the United States conducted torture inappropriately, and place the then US Attorney General on trial for it. And all of a sudden we are to be friends with Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, and Cuba.
Like admitting that under his plan, 44% of Americans don't pay Federal taxes at all,so that the remaining 56% can carry them.
Like all of the past administrations were wrong, and only he has the answers?
He needs to sink his head for a long while at The Dock.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
All Men Are Created Equal
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Have you ever wondered why Thomas Jefferson chose those words for the opening of our Constitution? Things could have been much different had he thought a bit more about such a strong statement.
Ever since, men have been struggling to prove them better than the other. They knock each other out in a ring, compete to see who is the faster swimmer or runner, the highest jumper, the better golfer, the more brilliant chess player, or who can drink the most beer. The competition never ends.
Now, had it been written, "That all men are created beautiful," there would have been far fewer wars, competitions and hangovers. Because that is a finite statement and would not be argued among men.
Look at the world around you. Recently, right from the comfort of The Dock, I've observed ducks, geese, deer, and now today, a wild turkey. Now, I know that men have in the past consumed Wild Turkey while debating whether they were better than the other, but for me, watching that turkey drove the point home that men are beautiful. It's true and evident where ever you look.
But the wild turkey shows it best. Although the male Mallard duck, Canadian goose, Coastal Deer, or the Red Headed woodpecker, are much prettier than the female of the species, none show it better than the Wild turkey.
With his bright blue head held proudly above his plump body, his bright red feet strut in a perfectly timed cadence, while his female follows a few paces behind. And when those feathers spread, there is no doubt who is beautiful.
So call me a turkey if you want. There will me no fight though. No arguments. No competition. Because I am beautiful!
.
Have you ever wondered why Thomas Jefferson chose those words for the opening of our Constitution? Things could have been much different had he thought a bit more about such a strong statement.
Ever since, men have been struggling to prove them better than the other. They knock each other out in a ring, compete to see who is the faster swimmer or runner, the highest jumper, the better golfer, the more brilliant chess player, or who can drink the most beer. The competition never ends.
Now, had it been written, "That all men are created beautiful," there would have been far fewer wars, competitions and hangovers. Because that is a finite statement and would not be argued among men.
Look at the world around you. Recently, right from the comfort of The Dock, I've observed ducks, geese, deer, and now today, a wild turkey. Now, I know that men have in the past consumed Wild Turkey while debating whether they were better than the other, but for me, watching that turkey drove the point home that men are beautiful. It's true and evident where ever you look.
But the wild turkey shows it best. Although the male Mallard duck, Canadian goose, Coastal Deer, or the Red Headed woodpecker, are much prettier than the female of the species, none show it better than the Wild turkey.
With his bright blue head held proudly above his plump body, his bright red feet strut in a perfectly timed cadence, while his female follows a few paces behind. And when those feathers spread, there is no doubt who is beautiful.
So call me a turkey if you want. There will me no fight though. No arguments. No competition. Because I am beautiful!
.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Harley Harmony
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The Model Flhtcu, better known as the Harley Davidson Classic Ultraglide, has been cleaned, polished, and tuned. It's ready to ride and I'm ready to ride it. The weatherman says it will be clear and near 70 soon and will remain so through the weekend. I'm not waiting for the weekend. I'll ride tomorrow.
So many country roads to ride. The warm tan colored sands of the beach will quickly turn to green as I ride the back roads through the forrest pass into Eugene. Actually it's part business trip because I have to go to Lowes (yes one just opened here a few weeks ago) to measure the modular metal cabinets I'll use to build my workshop. Don't have the funds to buy them now, but with the measurements I can build around them, then slide them in on a Sumday.
No time for The Dock tomorrow. Ride on!!
The Model Flhtcu, better known as the Harley Davidson Classic Ultraglide, has been cleaned, polished, and tuned. It's ready to ride and I'm ready to ride it. The weatherman says it will be clear and near 70 soon and will remain so through the weekend. I'm not waiting for the weekend. I'll ride tomorrow.
So many country roads to ride. The warm tan colored sands of the beach will quickly turn to green as I ride the back roads through the forrest pass into Eugene. Actually it's part business trip because I have to go to Lowes (yes one just opened here a few weeks ago) to measure the modular metal cabinets I'll use to build my workshop. Don't have the funds to buy them now, but with the measurements I can build around them, then slide them in on a Sumday.
No time for The Dock tomorrow. Ride on!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Why do the Math?
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From my limited knowledge of general math, I know that math is finite. One can not debate whether 2+2=4. One can only question whether the formula used derive the conclusion is correct, and that the calculations were performed accurately. Although I am amazed with math, I really prefer less finite subjects. So, why do the math?
I've been a paid investigator for 87% of my adult life (check the math). And I am a skeptic. Now, I've learned that some things people testify to are fact, other things are lies, and some (most) are a perception (Point of View).
Most of the time, I never saw the incident occur. And, even if I did, I know what I saw could still be my perception. So, in an effort to determine what really happened, I had to do the math to determine the weight and credibility of the witnesses account. Then I would compare the accounts to one another and consider the evidence before making my conclusion. And then, a jury would do their math by studying my methods to come to their conclusion.
A seemingly credible witnesses statement that he/she looked through a window to see the act occur could be proved a fact, perception, or even a lie by doing the math. You assess the validity by asking the time of day, lighting conditions, whether he wore glasses, and visiting the area to determine whether the window offered an unobstructed view of the incident.
So you ask, "What is your point with this?"
I am the author of this blog, and I love to promote debate. I write only what I believe to be fact, but admit some of what I write could be perception. I have never written anything that I know to be a lie. My writings are designed to make you think, and to create dialogue.
As an example, if I describe an incident that occurred 53 years ago, and you are but 50 years old, then it should be obvious why you can't remember things the way I do. But you can still form a conclusion by doing the math. If you were there, ask yourself how could it be that our perspectives differ. Consider the evidence, my credibility, and anyone else's perspective. If you were not there, ask others who were. Consider any evidence present, and then come to your conclusion.
Discussions are healthy. Bring your conclusions to the Dock for discussion, but please do your math first. This Dock is for more than just fishing.
.
From my limited knowledge of general math, I know that math is finite. One can not debate whether 2+2=4. One can only question whether the formula used derive the conclusion is correct, and that the calculations were performed accurately. Although I am amazed with math, I really prefer less finite subjects. So, why do the math?
I've been a paid investigator for 87% of my adult life (check the math). And I am a skeptic. Now, I've learned that some things people testify to are fact, other things are lies, and some (most) are a perception (Point of View).
Most of the time, I never saw the incident occur. And, even if I did, I know what I saw could still be my perception. So, in an effort to determine what really happened, I had to do the math to determine the weight and credibility of the witnesses account. Then I would compare the accounts to one another and consider the evidence before making my conclusion. And then, a jury would do their math by studying my methods to come to their conclusion.
A seemingly credible witnesses statement that he/she looked through a window to see the act occur could be proved a fact, perception, or even a lie by doing the math. You assess the validity by asking the time of day, lighting conditions, whether he wore glasses, and visiting the area to determine whether the window offered an unobstructed view of the incident.
So you ask, "What is your point with this?"
I am the author of this blog, and I love to promote debate. I write only what I believe to be fact, but admit some of what I write could be perception. I have never written anything that I know to be a lie. My writings are designed to make you think, and to create dialogue.
As an example, if I describe an incident that occurred 53 years ago, and you are but 50 years old, then it should be obvious why you can't remember things the way I do. But you can still form a conclusion by doing the math. If you were there, ask yourself how could it be that our perspectives differ. Consider the evidence, my credibility, and anyone else's perspective. If you were not there, ask others who were. Consider any evidence present, and then come to your conclusion.
Discussions are healthy. Bring your conclusions to the Dock for discussion, but please do your math first. This Dock is for more than just fishing.
.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Easter Memories
In Those Days, Easter was a very special time for me. It was Spring and always seemed to be the most beautiful day of the year. It was my Mother's favorite day as well. Every year she made my sisters a new lacy pastel colored dress, and the boys usually got a new shirt or shoes, and a fresh haircut. My Mom would sometimes get a new bonnet, which made her the most beautiful person in my eyes.
We would awake early to search for our very own Easter Basket, and then search for colored eggs to fill the baskets. I was the eldest sibling at home during that time, so naturally I found the most eggs. It was hard to give them up to the youngers as Mom insisted. So they got the ugliest eggs from my find, unless I had found the egg with their name on it.
When I was about 11 or so, after questioning the Easter Bunny's existence for a few years, I announced to Mom that he was just a fake, because I knew that a rabbit could not lay eggs, let alone colored ones. Her response, "Those that don't believe, won't receive," rings in my ears even today. Because that year, I didn't get a basket, and had no where to put the eggs that I found. I cried until the afternoon of that Easter, when Mom called me to the kitchen, where while fixing dinner, she found a basket hidden in the oven. It was mine!!
Then it was off to church where the months of my mother's work paid off for her. She paraded us all in front of everyone. I absolutely hated people pinching my cheeks, and telling me how handsome my bow tie made me look. She was so proud of her children. And then, to a parade if one was held nearby.
Those Easter traditions carried though to my family. Mom tried hard to make each of my daughters a dress, and I bought their Mom a new bonnet, that she never wore. And the family Easter traditions continued, except for that bonnet, which remained in its case, on a shelf in the closet, to make me wonder whether she would wear it the following year. From the beginning, she said she would never wear it because she didn't like it, but I always thought it was as beautiful as the ones my mom wore. Perhaps that was the reason.
Enjoy your Easter in your way. No more baskets, bunnies, or bonnets for me (I'll miss the deviled eggs). We'll praise the Lord in our way, and watch as others celebrate their way. It's all good if you include the Lord in your life.
We would awake early to search for our very own Easter Basket, and then search for colored eggs to fill the baskets. I was the eldest sibling at home during that time, so naturally I found the most eggs. It was hard to give them up to the youngers as Mom insisted. So they got the ugliest eggs from my find, unless I had found the egg with their name on it.
When I was about 11 or so, after questioning the Easter Bunny's existence for a few years, I announced to Mom that he was just a fake, because I knew that a rabbit could not lay eggs, let alone colored ones. Her response, "Those that don't believe, won't receive," rings in my ears even today. Because that year, I didn't get a basket, and had no where to put the eggs that I found. I cried until the afternoon of that Easter, when Mom called me to the kitchen, where while fixing dinner, she found a basket hidden in the oven. It was mine!!
Then it was off to church where the months of my mother's work paid off for her. She paraded us all in front of everyone. I absolutely hated people pinching my cheeks, and telling me how handsome my bow tie made me look. She was so proud of her children. And then, to a parade if one was held nearby.
Those Easter traditions carried though to my family. Mom tried hard to make each of my daughters a dress, and I bought their Mom a new bonnet, that she never wore. And the family Easter traditions continued, except for that bonnet, which remained in its case, on a shelf in the closet, to make me wonder whether she would wear it the following year. From the beginning, she said she would never wear it because she didn't like it, but I always thought it was as beautiful as the ones my mom wore. Perhaps that was the reason.
Enjoy your Easter in your way. No more baskets, bunnies, or bonnets for me (I'll miss the deviled eggs). We'll praise the Lord in our way, and watch as others celebrate their way. It's all good if you include the Lord in your life.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Intervention
During the last week of August 2008, my wife and I visited Colorado. Since our eldest daughter-in-law had just spent a week or so with us in Oregon, we chose to stay with our eldest daughter for our Colorado visit. As it turned out, our eldest daughter in law joined in on the fun and stay several days with us at our daughter's house.
It was during that visit, that I was asked to pose for a photo with my grand kids. I thought that was a bit odd (just me and the grand kids), because the grand kid's grandmother, and the grand kid's mothers were also present. So, the picture was taken, and it turned out really nice.
Let me back up a bit. For those of you that don't know, I started smoking when I was about 15, and have smoked for 35 of the last 40 years (I did quit for five years about 15 years ago). Each time I went for a physical, my lungs checked clear, which for me, served as an incentive to continue on. I've always enjoyed smoking, except for the times I've burnt my self, my clothing, or my furniture.
Now I have also been aware that my eldest grand daughter has been praying every day for the past 5 years, that I stop smoking, although she has never mentioned it to me. And my eldest grand son entered a anti-smoking poster contest, and his entry was subsequently selected to become part of a published calender.
Then on October 1, 2008, I get this package in the mail. In it was the a framed photograph taken with my grand children. And attached to it was a caption asking me to extend my life with them by quitting smoking. And included in the package were handwritten notes from my daughter, my daughter-in-law, and each of the grand children. My wife then placed the photo inside the new house, where at that time, I worked on it most every hour I could.
I have to admit that the photograph and letters brought tears to my eyes, but it also really pissed me off. But an intervention is designed to shock the conscience of the subject. I know that because I've orchestrated one my self in the past.
Not a night did pass that I didn't think about the photo and the letters. Every day for 92 days. Then on New Year's Day, I made the effort. I slipped on Day 3 when I found a pack of smokes that I forgot to smoke, so I smoked them over a period of 3 days. Now, it's been 93 smoke free days.
So, thank you guys for doing The Intervention, and thank you everyone else who have been supportive of my efforts to quit.
I'm well on my way to recovery now, but I must admit, a smoke and a cup of coffee at the Dock seems like a good idea right now. I'll just say, "No. No. No."
It was during that visit, that I was asked to pose for a photo with my grand kids. I thought that was a bit odd (just me and the grand kids), because the grand kid's grandmother, and the grand kid's mothers were also present. So, the picture was taken, and it turned out really nice.
Let me back up a bit. For those of you that don't know, I started smoking when I was about 15, and have smoked for 35 of the last 40 years (I did quit for five years about 15 years ago). Each time I went for a physical, my lungs checked clear, which for me, served as an incentive to continue on. I've always enjoyed smoking, except for the times I've burnt my self, my clothing, or my furniture.
Now I have also been aware that my eldest grand daughter has been praying every day for the past 5 years, that I stop smoking, although she has never mentioned it to me. And my eldest grand son entered a anti-smoking poster contest, and his entry was subsequently selected to become part of a published calender.
Then on October 1, 2008, I get this package in the mail. In it was the a framed photograph taken with my grand children. And attached to it was a caption asking me to extend my life with them by quitting smoking. And included in the package were handwritten notes from my daughter, my daughter-in-law, and each of the grand children. My wife then placed the photo inside the new house, where at that time, I worked on it most every hour I could.
I have to admit that the photograph and letters brought tears to my eyes, but it also really pissed me off. But an intervention is designed to shock the conscience of the subject. I know that because I've orchestrated one my self in the past.
Not a night did pass that I didn't think about the photo and the letters. Every day for 92 days. Then on New Year's Day, I made the effort. I slipped on Day 3 when I found a pack of smokes that I forgot to smoke, so I smoked them over a period of 3 days. Now, it's been 93 smoke free days.
So, thank you guys for doing The Intervention, and thank you everyone else who have been supportive of my efforts to quit.
I'm well on my way to recovery now, but I must admit, a smoke and a cup of coffee at the Dock seems like a good idea right now. I'll just say, "No. No. No."
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Finally a Final
Woo Hoo! Yahoo! Cool! Rad! Mad! Fab! Bitchin'! Groovy! Chillin'! Grillin'! Wow! These are just a few of the words that popped into my head yesterday as the County inspector drove away from our new home.
Our home is done as far as he is concerned. Everything that is required by the local building code has been satisfied. So Finally he gave us a Final inspection.
Actually the home is not finished completely. But really, does that ever happen? Seems not. For me there seems to always be a new project, even when I've been in the same place for lots of years.
Structurally and mechanically it is done. But there is still lots of finish stuff to do, like vanity mirrors, sliding closet doors, a linen cabinet, in the master bath, and an upper cabinet in the laundry room, some shelving, and the workshop benches and stuff. We still need to unpack fully, and get some more furniture for each of the bedrooms, dining, and living room (just about the whole house).
And that is why I'm jazzed to Finally get a Final. With that, we will try to get a home loan to finish things off. Our lack of money has been the big holdup in progress for the last few months.
But it will get done. Today is a rainy day, so I think I'll just think about what I have to do next.
Our home is done as far as he is concerned. Everything that is required by the local building code has been satisfied. So Finally he gave us a Final inspection.
Actually the home is not finished completely. But really, does that ever happen? Seems not. For me there seems to always be a new project, even when I've been in the same place for lots of years.
Structurally and mechanically it is done. But there is still lots of finish stuff to do, like vanity mirrors, sliding closet doors, a linen cabinet, in the master bath, and an upper cabinet in the laundry room, some shelving, and the workshop benches and stuff. We still need to unpack fully, and get some more furniture for each of the bedrooms, dining, and living room (just about the whole house).
And that is why I'm jazzed to Finally get a Final. With that, we will try to get a home loan to finish things off. Our lack of money has been the big holdup in progress for the last few months.
But it will get done. Today is a rainy day, so I think I'll just think about what I have to do next.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
That Old Fisherman
Across the Lake from the Dock is another dock that serves a group of six homes. Those homes appear to be owned by snowbirds because no one lives in them during the winter. Well, now they are returning, and one is that old fisherman that I spoke about yesterday.
I like watching people, and I'm watching him as we speak. The dock from which he fishes, is newer, better, and longer, than the Dock. I dream of rebuilding the Dock like the other dock.
Here's what I find odd..... After arriving at his dock, he sets up his combination chair/tackle box (almost like the one I got for my birthday) at the dock, near the shore. The fisherman then carries his fishing rod out to the end of his dock, which extends about 40 feet into the Lake. Then, he casts his line even deeper toward the center of the Lake. That part makes sense..
But after casting his line, he makes slack in the line as he walks back to his combination chair/tackle box where he sits quietly waiting for the big one. What I don't understand is why he just doesn't sit and wait for the big one at the end of his dock. The water is calm, not very deep, and the dock has a railing. Yesterday, he spent 4 hours fishing in the morning, must have taken a nap, and then returned for a few more hours in the evening. I have yet to see him reel one in.
But then again, I've sat for hours at the Dock and did absolutely nothing. He must also be retired.
I like watching people, and I'm watching him as we speak. The dock from which he fishes, is newer, better, and longer, than the Dock. I dream of rebuilding the Dock like the other dock.
Here's what I find odd..... After arriving at his dock, he sets up his combination chair/tackle box (almost like the one I got for my birthday) at the dock, near the shore. The fisherman then carries his fishing rod out to the end of his dock, which extends about 40 feet into the Lake. Then, he casts his line even deeper toward the center of the Lake. That part makes sense..
But after casting his line, he makes slack in the line as he walks back to his combination chair/tackle box where he sits quietly waiting for the big one. What I don't understand is why he just doesn't sit and wait for the big one at the end of his dock. The water is calm, not very deep, and the dock has a railing. Yesterday, he spent 4 hours fishing in the morning, must have taken a nap, and then returned for a few more hours in the evening. I have yet to see him reel one in.
But then again, I've sat for hours at the Dock and did absolutely nothing. He must also be retired.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Do You Know That Feeling?
Now, if you have just gotten home from work you'll know what I mean. That feeling when all the kids greet you at the door, and the pets are wagging their tails at your feet, and the smell of the home cooked meal that soon will be served, and that soft kiss from your spouse, and time to wind down from a busy day with a glass of wine. Do you know that feeling?
Well, that's the feeling I've had ever since we moved into our home. These last few days were really like that. Fresh pancakes with blueberries for breakfast. Burning some downed trees, and I mean logs, kinda like a beach bonfire. It was an all dayer, but so relaxing watching it burn from the Dock. A spring tune up of my bicycle (only because my Harley wouldn't start), and a few other small chores, but only those that I wanted to do, and then dinner out with my wife and friends. Today, I've watched an old man fishing on the dock across the lake. I don't think he's caught anything, but I'm sure he feels much like I. He reminds me of my daughter's grand father. And now, there is a made from scratch chocolate chip cake coming out of the oven!
There is nothing like retirement. It's kinda like coming home from work, but it never starts and it never ends. I hope those that haven't all ready, get the chance to know that feeling someday themselves.
So, what will today be like, you ask? I really don't know. Probably much like yesterday, and kind of like tomorrow, I spoze. What day is it anyway? Rockin' at the Dock..
Well, that's the feeling I've had ever since we moved into our home. These last few days were really like that. Fresh pancakes with blueberries for breakfast. Burning some downed trees, and I mean logs, kinda like a beach bonfire. It was an all dayer, but so relaxing watching it burn from the Dock. A spring tune up of my bicycle (only because my Harley wouldn't start), and a few other small chores, but only those that I wanted to do, and then dinner out with my wife and friends. Today, I've watched an old man fishing on the dock across the lake. I don't think he's caught anything, but I'm sure he feels much like I. He reminds me of my daughter's grand father. And now, there is a made from scratch chocolate chip cake coming out of the oven!
There is nothing like retirement. It's kinda like coming home from work, but it never starts and it never ends. I hope those that haven't all ready, get the chance to know that feeling someday themselves.
So, what will today be like, you ask? I really don't know. Probably much like yesterday, and kind of like tomorrow, I spoze. What day is it anyway? Rockin' at the Dock..
Lotsas Lisas
Not since junior high school, have I become friends with anyone named Lisa. Until recently.
Soon after arriving in this coastal town, my wife me Lisa G. They hit it off, and before long, we were doing things as couples. Lisa led us to church, which has been a blessing. We've have dined out together, camped out together, rode Harleys together, played games together, shared Christmas and Thanksgivings together, and laughed together. Some of my Followers have all ready met Lisa G. and the rest of you will too when you visit the Dock.
Lisa N's father lived in the house across the street from us. After his passing two years ago, Lisa and her family began sharing the summer months at the house. More recently, she has been using it as a get-a-way from the city. She bought a duck spotter's book and spends time trying to identify the various species of ducks on the Lake. She has 7 cats and two dogs, so my wife invited her to visit the Humane Society in town. She loved it, especially the cattery. It's nice to have neighbors once in a while.
Most recently, we met Lisa O. while redeeming freebee coupons at the local casino. She, somehow, recognized my last name when her husband spoke about me some 25 years ago. Although we had never met before, she remembered that I once worked with her husband in SoCal. He left the jobs many years ago. We had breakfast together, and I'm sure that they will also make good friends.
You all know, I am a loner. I could be perfectly happy lazing on the Dock, or building stuff, or exploring things all by myself. These Lisas encourage me to do stuff with others, which I have learned I actually like. And they have led us to meet even more friends, which I have learned we actually need. Thank you Lisas!
And now I'm going to the Dock, by myself.
Soon after arriving in this coastal town, my wife me Lisa G. They hit it off, and before long, we were doing things as couples. Lisa led us to church, which has been a blessing. We've have dined out together, camped out together, rode Harleys together, played games together, shared Christmas and Thanksgivings together, and laughed together. Some of my Followers have all ready met Lisa G. and the rest of you will too when you visit the Dock.
Lisa N's father lived in the house across the street from us. After his passing two years ago, Lisa and her family began sharing the summer months at the house. More recently, she has been using it as a get-a-way from the city. She bought a duck spotter's book and spends time trying to identify the various species of ducks on the Lake. She has 7 cats and two dogs, so my wife invited her to visit the Humane Society in town. She loved it, especially the cattery. It's nice to have neighbors once in a while.
Most recently, we met Lisa O. while redeeming freebee coupons at the local casino. She, somehow, recognized my last name when her husband spoke about me some 25 years ago. Although we had never met before, she remembered that I once worked with her husband in SoCal. He left the jobs many years ago. We had breakfast together, and I'm sure that they will also make good friends.
You all know, I am a loner. I could be perfectly happy lazing on the Dock, or building stuff, or exploring things all by myself. These Lisas encourage me to do stuff with others, which I have learned I actually like. And they have led us to meet even more friends, which I have learned we actually need. Thank you Lisas!
And now I'm going to the Dock, by myself.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
In Just a Very Short Time
Uh Oh..... You Know...
In just a very short time, I have gone from just reading other persons blogs, to other persons writing about me in their blogs. Some Followers even go so far as to ask me to blog more often. I think they urn for my wisdom.
Now, I really can't attest to the number of other people writing about me because for me to get that account, I'd have to read millions of other blogs to see who wrote about me. And that would take away my time to blog, and starve my readers, including you, from receiving my wisdom.
Now, I do know of one particular Follower who has asked for more. And, I know where there is one, there are more. So, that puts me in parity with President Obama's popularity.
As a side note, I tossed and turned all last night. Not only because my wife had a return of her dreadful whooping cough, but because of what I had written in yesterday's blog. At issue, was whether I should apologize or retract my opinions due to the risk of offending someone? Absolutely not. People love smut. Now maybe I'll lose Obama from my fan base, but I'll gain many more in return, simply by speaking true.
Speaking of Truth... I'm off to church, but I'll be back at the Dock soon..
In just a very short time, I have gone from just reading other persons blogs, to other persons writing about me in their blogs. Some Followers even go so far as to ask me to blog more often. I think they urn for my wisdom.
Now, I really can't attest to the number of other people writing about me because for me to get that account, I'd have to read millions of other blogs to see who wrote about me. And that would take away my time to blog, and starve my readers, including you, from receiving my wisdom.
Now, I do know of one particular Follower who has asked for more. And, I know where there is one, there are more. So, that puts me in parity with President Obama's popularity.
As a side note, I tossed and turned all last night. Not only because my wife had a return of her dreadful whooping cough, but because of what I had written in yesterday's blog. At issue, was whether I should apologize or retract my opinions due to the risk of offending someone? Absolutely not. People love smut. Now maybe I'll lose Obama from my fan base, but I'll gain many more in return, simply by speaking true.
Speaking of Truth... I'm off to church, but I'll be back at the Dock soon..
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Here We Go!
Thanks to you that took part in my poll. From it, I was able to verify that what I had suspected, was true. I have many thousands of readers, but only about 5 or so true Followers. Just like I thought, my numbers are close to that of our President's.
Speaking of Obama, I found a most interesting article in the news. Although his name was never mentioned, his influence was everywhere. Here are some of the highlights, but you can actually read it for yourself here: http://theroot.com/views/even-further-behind-joneses?GT1=38002
My responses are in Italics.
For every dollar of wealth owned by the typical white family, the African American family has only one thin dime. That makes sense because only 10 percent of Blacks actually work for their wealth. The statistics likely do not include wealth derived by stealing, selling dope, or committing welfare frauds.
At a two-day conference called the Color of Wealth summit, it was stressed that our future depends on the inclusion of all Americans in opportunities to build wealth. Obama himself must have picked the name for the summit.
The biggest predictor of the future economic status of a child is the net worth of the child’s parents. Historically, white families have enjoyed more government support and tax-paid subsidies than Blacks. Really? How did the summit conclude that? Pass along the bong and see what else they conclude. But, if true, my children might become wealthy.
For example, in home ownership, during the Depression, the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation was formed to rescue families whose homes were in foreclosure. Not a single loan went to a family of color. That's because Blacks didn't own homes in the first place.
After World War II, of the 67,000 mortgages issued under the GI Bill, 66,900 went to white veterans. And today, White families are five times as likely as a family of color to have a bank account. I would think that to get a mortgage or a bank account, one would have to earn sufficient assets by working. I'm sure that home purchases obtained through narcotic sales are not included in the summit's findings.
Rules in our tax code have strengthened the hand of those who already have assets. You can get a tax deduction for the interest paid on home mortgages. But if you own a home and make too little to itemize, the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction does not help you at all. So, how is this disparity, as it seems to imply? It equally applies to all. There really are some White home owners that can't claim the deduction, namely me!
We need a Financial Product Safety Commission, to act against discriminatory lending policies. We need to revise the mortgage interest deduction so low-income homeowners (Black) are able to benefit. And mandating that new schools, transportation and commercial projects, be located only in areas with racially inclusive zoning policies (Black) would do much to create and grow neighborhoods of opportunity (Black).
Building wealth is essential to the American promise of opportunity regardless of the accident of one’s birth. And a disproportionate number of Black births are by accidents.
It’s time to start an honest game with a new deck. All of our futures depend on it. The Insight Center for Community Economic Development in Oakland, Calif. organized the Color of Wealth 2009 Policy Summit, held in Washington on March 23 and 24.
I've walked so far to see that my children (at least one of which was planned) can receive my wealth, which was passed to me by my wealthy father, and his wealthy immigrant father. I now only need to sit on the Dock and cool those aching feet in the Lake for a bit.
Speaking of Obama, I found a most interesting article in the news. Although his name was never mentioned, his influence was everywhere. Here are some of the highlights, but you can actually read it for yourself here: http://theroot.com/views/even-further-behind-joneses?GT1=38002
My responses are in Italics.
For every dollar of wealth owned by the typical white family, the African American family has only one thin dime. That makes sense because only 10 percent of Blacks actually work for their wealth. The statistics likely do not include wealth derived by stealing, selling dope, or committing welfare frauds.
At a two-day conference called the Color of Wealth summit, it was stressed that our future depends on the inclusion of all Americans in opportunities to build wealth. Obama himself must have picked the name for the summit.
The biggest predictor of the future economic status of a child is the net worth of the child’s parents. Historically, white families have enjoyed more government support and tax-paid subsidies than Blacks. Really? How did the summit conclude that? Pass along the bong and see what else they conclude. But, if true, my children might become wealthy.
For example, in home ownership, during the Depression, the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation was formed to rescue families whose homes were in foreclosure. Not a single loan went to a family of color. That's because Blacks didn't own homes in the first place.
After World War II, of the 67,000 mortgages issued under the GI Bill, 66,900 went to white veterans. And today, White families are five times as likely as a family of color to have a bank account. I would think that to get a mortgage or a bank account, one would have to earn sufficient assets by working. I'm sure that home purchases obtained through narcotic sales are not included in the summit's findings.
Rules in our tax code have strengthened the hand of those who already have assets. You can get a tax deduction for the interest paid on home mortgages. But if you own a home and make too little to itemize, the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction does not help you at all. So, how is this disparity, as it seems to imply? It equally applies to all. There really are some White home owners that can't claim the deduction, namely me!
We need a Financial Product Safety Commission, to act against discriminatory lending policies. We need to revise the mortgage interest deduction so low-income homeowners (Black) are able to benefit. And mandating that new schools, transportation and commercial projects, be located only in areas with racially inclusive zoning policies (Black) would do much to create and grow neighborhoods of opportunity (Black).
Building wealth is essential to the American promise of opportunity regardless of the accident of one’s birth. And a disproportionate number of Black births are by accidents.
It’s time to start an honest game with a new deck. All of our futures depend on it. The Insight Center for Community Economic Development in Oakland, Calif. organized the Color of Wealth 2009 Policy Summit, held in Washington on March 23 and 24.
I've walked so far to see that my children (at least one of which was planned) can receive my wealth, which was passed to me by my wealthy father, and his wealthy immigrant father. I now only need to sit on the Dock and cool those aching feet in the Lake for a bit.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
You Know Who You Are!
When I began this blog, I did so only in an effort for me to understand who I am. I believe that by putting my thoughts to words helps me to that goal. So, I invited two or three persons to check my blog out.
But as time passed, I realized there are many Followers who read this blog because they too are trying to understand who I am. It is apparent that the original people that I invited to the blog, became active Followers, and they have told their friends, who told their friends, and their friends told their friends. It's incredible to realize the fan base that I have developed so soon. I think I have even built a fan base of Followers equal to that of Barrack Obama.
Problem is; I can't actually verify the number of my Followers out there, because not everyone comments each time they visit, and there is no counter system in place to see the actual number of hits like E-Bay has. Now, I know there are at least two Followers, but I reason reason to believe there are many thousands, perhaps millions more, out there as well.
I sense that I've had one particular avid Follower that seems intrigued by me, but who prefers anonymity and has never left a comment. I know that he/she is reading this. Only You Know Who You Are!
So, in an effort to determine my true popularity, please participate in the poll at the left. And no, it doesn't expose your identity to me. I'll be waiting for the results from the Dock.
But as time passed, I realized there are many Followers who read this blog because they too are trying to understand who I am. It is apparent that the original people that I invited to the blog, became active Followers, and they have told their friends, who told their friends, and their friends told their friends. It's incredible to realize the fan base that I have developed so soon. I think I have even built a fan base of Followers equal to that of Barrack Obama.
Problem is; I can't actually verify the number of my Followers out there, because not everyone comments each time they visit, and there is no counter system in place to see the actual number of hits like E-Bay has. Now, I know there are at least two Followers, but I reason reason to believe there are many thousands, perhaps millions more, out there as well.
I sense that I've had one particular avid Follower that seems intrigued by me, but who prefers anonymity and has never left a comment. I know that he/she is reading this. Only You Know Who You Are!
So, in an effort to determine my true popularity, please participate in the poll at the left. And no, it doesn't expose your identity to me. I'll be waiting for the results from the Dock.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Shipwrecks, Sea Shells, and Whales
I've always liked the beach. Not for swimming or surfing so much, but for the intersting things I've seen at the beach.
As a young teen, we lived on the Right Coast and that was my first real exposure to a beach. I loved to play beneath the boardwalk at Coney Island while searching for lost things dropped by those above. I discovered surf fishing then, and actually swam in the warm water current during a winter snow.
I've visited my share of beaches. Beaches in Florida, beaches in Louisanna, beaches in Texas, Bahama beaches, California beaches, Hawaiian beaches, and now the beaches of the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon beaches are really different than the ones I've visited in the past. They are not much for swimming, although some do. They are mostly for walking, exploring, finding stuff, and appreciating nature. And you can drive a car right on most of the beaches here.
I've seen but a few that dare to wear a bikini, or a bathing suit of any kind. No, no one is nude, but more likely wearing Levis instead. And there is lots of stuff to discover, recover, or just let be. It's common to find intact shells, starfish, and unusual driftwood pieces. I've not seen a condom, or hypodermic needle, a dirty diaper, or many empty beer bottles.
Low tide, following a storm, is the best to beachcomb. Sand Dollars the size of your palm, colorfull dinner plate sized starfish cover the rocks, while crabs hide nearby from the birds lurking above. Driftwood pieces of all sizes, some apparently hundreds of years old, are waiting to be picked up and fashioned into artwork. I'll see people digging for clams, fishing the surf, or riding a sail buggy through the winds and for miles down the sand.
The bigger storms really stur things up. This year, at least two shipwrecks have appeared on the beach. Temporarily uncovered by the ocean's forces, they reveal themselves briefly only to be taken back to the depths with the next storm. Historians work fevorishly to identify the wrecks and preserve the artifacts before the wreck leaves, usually in the next storm. Recently, 4 cannons from the same ship were found on the beach, in three different places, across 60 miles of coastline. Amazing..
Oregon law declares all natural waterways are public domain up to the hide tide or high water shoreline. That means that you can walk the shoreline of any beach, lake, river, or stream without fear of tresspassing, including the shoreline of my front yard. And Oregon has a finder keepers law that allows you to keep anything you find along a shoreline providing it is not stolen, you register it, and have the means to recover it in it's entirety (ie: you can not cut pieces off a shipwreck, but you can take a cannon lying next to it in the sand, if you have the means).
Volunteers, organized by the State, watch and monitor the coast. Each volunteer is assigned a segment of beach and is required to monitor it regularily and report their findings to the State. It seems that there are beach clean up days every weekend. Therefore, you'll find little trash on the beach, and most of what you do find originates from other parts of the world.
A few weeks ago,coastal observers discovered a 55 foot whale lying dead on the beach in our town. Unlike in 1970, where a dead whale was blown up with dynamite by the town experts, it was quickly burried with a bulldozer. Check ou this old video clip to see that whale explosion, and the ensuing side effects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_t44siFyb4
Visit the Dock and I'll take you to the beach.
As a young teen, we lived on the Right Coast and that was my first real exposure to a beach. I loved to play beneath the boardwalk at Coney Island while searching for lost things dropped by those above. I discovered surf fishing then, and actually swam in the warm water current during a winter snow.
I've visited my share of beaches. Beaches in Florida, beaches in Louisanna, beaches in Texas, Bahama beaches, California beaches, Hawaiian beaches, and now the beaches of the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon beaches are really different than the ones I've visited in the past. They are not much for swimming, although some do. They are mostly for walking, exploring, finding stuff, and appreciating nature. And you can drive a car right on most of the beaches here.
I've seen but a few that dare to wear a bikini, or a bathing suit of any kind. No, no one is nude, but more likely wearing Levis instead. And there is lots of stuff to discover, recover, or just let be. It's common to find intact shells, starfish, and unusual driftwood pieces. I've not seen a condom, or hypodermic needle, a dirty diaper, or many empty beer bottles.
Low tide, following a storm, is the best to beachcomb. Sand Dollars the size of your palm, colorfull dinner plate sized starfish cover the rocks, while crabs hide nearby from the birds lurking above. Driftwood pieces of all sizes, some apparently hundreds of years old, are waiting to be picked up and fashioned into artwork. I'll see people digging for clams, fishing the surf, or riding a sail buggy through the winds and for miles down the sand.
The bigger storms really stur things up. This year, at least two shipwrecks have appeared on the beach. Temporarily uncovered by the ocean's forces, they reveal themselves briefly only to be taken back to the depths with the next storm. Historians work fevorishly to identify the wrecks and preserve the artifacts before the wreck leaves, usually in the next storm. Recently, 4 cannons from the same ship were found on the beach, in three different places, across 60 miles of coastline. Amazing..
Oregon law declares all natural waterways are public domain up to the hide tide or high water shoreline. That means that you can walk the shoreline of any beach, lake, river, or stream without fear of tresspassing, including the shoreline of my front yard. And Oregon has a finder keepers law that allows you to keep anything you find along a shoreline providing it is not stolen, you register it, and have the means to recover it in it's entirety (ie: you can not cut pieces off a shipwreck, but you can take a cannon lying next to it in the sand, if you have the means).
Volunteers, organized by the State, watch and monitor the coast. Each volunteer is assigned a segment of beach and is required to monitor it regularily and report their findings to the State. It seems that there are beach clean up days every weekend. Therefore, you'll find little trash on the beach, and most of what you do find originates from other parts of the world.
A few weeks ago,coastal observers discovered a 55 foot whale lying dead on the beach in our town. Unlike in 1970, where a dead whale was blown up with dynamite by the town experts, it was quickly burried with a bulldozer. Check ou this old video clip to see that whale explosion, and the ensuing side effects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_t44siFyb4
Visit the Dock and I'll take you to the beach.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It's Gone!
"What," you might ask, "Is gone?" Well, the Taco Soup is gone, and with one last bite, so will the cornbread.
One week ago today (seems like it was just the other day), my wife, and her daughter-in-law, made the Taco Soup. That evening, we served it, with cornbread, to a bunch of friends that dropped by to meet our family and tour the new house. I'm guessing about 15 bowls were served, and many spoon fulls went to those that only wanted to taste it.
Then we had it again for lunch and snacking the next day. Friday, my wife took the remaining stock to work and served it all day from a crock pot to the co-workers, friends, and customers dropping off their pets for medical care.
So that polished off the Taco Soup, but it took me until this morning to get to the last of the cornbread. Talk about getting your money's worth.
Well, an appointment with the tax guy is in a few hours. Then I got to do the grocery shopping for my wife. Seems she's come down with a cold this past weekend, so I've been pampering her until she regains her strength. She always gets hit much harder with these bugs and takes much longer to recover from them than I do. I think she has the whooping cough this time, but hopefully with the pampering I provide (doing all the cooking/cleaning/shopping/etc) she'll bounce back soon. She loved the chicken soup I prepared for her, but gets bummed because I so seldom fall ill.
Oh well... I'll find some time for the Dock anyway.
One week ago today (seems like it was just the other day), my wife, and her daughter-in-law, made the Taco Soup. That evening, we served it, with cornbread, to a bunch of friends that dropped by to meet our family and tour the new house. I'm guessing about 15 bowls were served, and many spoon fulls went to those that only wanted to taste it.
Then we had it again for lunch and snacking the next day. Friday, my wife took the remaining stock to work and served it all day from a crock pot to the co-workers, friends, and customers dropping off their pets for medical care.
So that polished off the Taco Soup, but it took me until this morning to get to the last of the cornbread. Talk about getting your money's worth.
Well, an appointment with the tax guy is in a few hours. Then I got to do the grocery shopping for my wife. Seems she's come down with a cold this past weekend, so I've been pampering her until she regains her strength. She always gets hit much harder with these bugs and takes much longer to recover from them than I do. I think she has the whooping cough this time, but hopefully with the pampering I provide (doing all the cooking/cleaning/shopping/etc) she'll bounce back soon. She loved the chicken soup I prepared for her, but gets bummed because I so seldom fall ill.
Oh well... I'll find some time for the Dock anyway.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The Tree
You know, while my eldest daughter was visiting here the other day, she commented on The Tree that she saw through the window, and how different it was. The conversation soon went in another direction. She was referring to the smaller tree on the left in the photos.I had seen The Tree many times in the past, but had paid it little attention.
But this morning, as I sat with my coffee, I looked at it again. This time, I saw so much more. Look at it closely and you immediately will notice that it is about 25% shorter than the one next to it, although they appear to be close to the same age. But, following it's main stem, you will note that for no apparent reason (no lightning strikr or broken limb), the stem suddenly makes a 90 degree turn to the left for a few feet.
Then it makes another 90 degree turn and grows downward a few more feet. Then it makes yet another 90 degree turn and follows a path right back, but below where it first began it's path. Then, as it collides with the main stem. it grows true and straight skyward and blossoms into a near perfect Christmas Tree, even more beautiful than the tree growing taller and straighter right next to it.
The Tree reminds me of my life where I grew quickly and straight for a number of years, very successful to some, but I was without branches or blossoms. Then suddenly, my life changed. A plateau for a few years, then a downturn, followed by another plateau. And finally I grew straight and true again, but better than I was before. Like a Christmas Tree, I now feel full of life and happiness. Although, perhaps not as tall as I would have been, but much fuller and better instead.
You see, although I began with a firm foundation and a faith in Christ, I soon became too busy for Him. I grew without him, but without blossoms. I struggled for a while before casting Him entirely from my life. But, He has always stood by me, even as I tumbled downward. And when I asked for His forgiveness, and invited him back into my life, my life grew upward once again, and better than ever.
I had once thought about removing The Tree to widen our view of the Lake. But now, if I thin anything out, The Tree will stay. I will share it as a testimony of Faith to everyone who visits the Dock.
The Tree reminds me of my life where I grew quickly and straight for a number of years, very successful to some, but I was without branches or blossoms. Then suddenly, my life changed. A plateau for a few years, then a downturn, followed by another plateau. And finally I grew straight and true again, but better than I was before. Like a Christmas Tree, I now feel full of life and happiness. Although, perhaps not as tall as I would have been, but much fuller and better instead.
You see, although I began with a firm foundation and a faith in Christ, I soon became too busy for Him. I grew without him, but without blossoms. I struggled for a while before casting Him entirely from my life. But, He has always stood by me, even as I tumbled downward. And when I asked for His forgiveness, and invited him back into my life, my life grew upward once again, and better than ever.
I had once thought about removing The Tree to widen our view of the Lake. But now, if I thin anything out, The Tree will stay. I will share it as a testimony of Faith to everyone who visits the Dock.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Really Wowing!
Wow! For me, that is, what this past week was, when my children, and their children, visited the Dock.
You know, many people enjoy and remember their family visits by the fun times, playing games, visiting attractions, over eating, revisiting memories, and catching with the rest of the family happs. And we did all of that.
But for me, it is most wowing to watch how the roots that I helped plant have matured. And by no means is that meant to say that I am the reason for their success, but it is comforting to think that I was a part of it. And as I mature with my family, the more I learn and love it.
With each visit I learn and love so much more than the previous. I learned that I can actually communicate very well with a 2 year old, if I only take the time to listen. And that her favorite colors are really similar to her mother's, and her mother's mother color favorites.
I learned that my daughter's husband can call me Dad, and that I can think of him as my son. He has shown me the value of being the true leader of a family, rather than the dictator that I was. He learned that I don't know everything, and that I increasingly turn to him for advice. I learned that you don't always get a crab with every trap set, but that it was because of his bad luck.
I realized that my eldest grandson is not always buried in a book, but likes to chop wood with an axe. And that my eldest grand daughter is beautiful, (some have even commented that there is a resemblance to me), and rocks out to music through her headset as she heads toward becoming a teenager. And that they both love to explore and value the creatures of nature.
I learned that I am much more like my daughter than we care to admit. She learned that I wear a belt with my sweat pants, even though there are no loops. I learned that I can mark my initial "D" to label my bottle cap, but from her perspective it looked like the letter "A" and questioned why.
And I learned that it is lonesome at the Dock without them.
You know, many people enjoy and remember their family visits by the fun times, playing games, visiting attractions, over eating, revisiting memories, and catching with the rest of the family happs. And we did all of that.
But for me, it is most wowing to watch how the roots that I helped plant have matured. And by no means is that meant to say that I am the reason for their success, but it is comforting to think that I was a part of it. And as I mature with my family, the more I learn and love it.
With each visit I learn and love so much more than the previous. I learned that I can actually communicate very well with a 2 year old, if I only take the time to listen. And that her favorite colors are really similar to her mother's, and her mother's mother color favorites.
I learned that my daughter's husband can call me Dad, and that I can think of him as my son. He has shown me the value of being the true leader of a family, rather than the dictator that I was. He learned that I don't know everything, and that I increasingly turn to him for advice. I learned that you don't always get a crab with every trap set, but that it was because of his bad luck.
I realized that my eldest grandson is not always buried in a book, but likes to chop wood with an axe. And that my eldest grand daughter is beautiful, (some have even commented that there is a resemblance to me), and rocks out to music through her headset as she heads toward becoming a teenager. And that they both love to explore and value the creatures of nature.
I learned that I am much more like my daughter than we care to admit. She learned that I wear a belt with my sweat pants, even though there are no loops. I learned that I can mark my initial "D" to label my bottle cap, but from her perspective it looked like the letter "A" and questioned why.
And I learned that it is lonesome at the Dock without them.
Friday, March 13, 2009
School Books and Stuff..
America invented the computer. Do you ever wonder why then our educational system sucks? Recently a ballot measure asking for additional property tax funding for our schools failed by a large margin, shocking the local school board.
The Board cried that because our community is heavily populated by senior and retired persons, we don't care about the future of the American youth. The board immediately cut the school year, layed off teachers, cut sports, and most of the arts in the elementary schools, and threatened to do the same for junior and senior high schools. That's nuts. How would they expect a student to begin art, music, or sports in junior high, if they never finger painted, sang a song, or played dodge ball in elementary school?
The People replied that they would gladly give the Board more money, if they could be assured that it would be spent appropriately. They said the upper management gets paid too much, take expensive retreats they link to training, and waiste money buying books.
I'm sure most every community across America has a similar problem. But squawking about buying books sounded crazy. Until I thought more about it. The schools claim that it costs hundreds of dollars per student every year for books, only for them to become obsolete within a few years. I don't think elementary school books become out dated quite so fast though. But I do think most other books are obsolete before they are even printed. I believe that once a child has basic reading, writing and arithmatic skills, usually (hopefully) by the 4th grade or so, his books do become very obsolete.
Imagine learning about a country, that by the time you read it, it no longer exists! Or studying chemistry to find a way to make something more green, when the idea has all ready been discussed!
I believe in technology, and I think computers are the way to go. Just think, the laptop I am now using can be purchased for less than $300. If every middle and senior high student were provided with a laptop filled with everything he will study during the term; that could replace most every text book he lugs to school daily. I'm sure the initial cost could be expensive, but they could be updated every year with the latest learning information, and that cost would be small. Imagine have access from your school room or from home, to every book in the school library. It would have to have a big impact on teaching our kids. Why make them wait to get to college before using a computer?
I'm voicing my concern to our local district, and if you agree, please voice yours as well. Gotta get busy to make way for the children's visit. No more Docking today.
The Board cried that because our community is heavily populated by senior and retired persons, we don't care about the future of the American youth. The board immediately cut the school year, layed off teachers, cut sports, and most of the arts in the elementary schools, and threatened to do the same for junior and senior high schools. That's nuts. How would they expect a student to begin art, music, or sports in junior high, if they never finger painted, sang a song, or played dodge ball in elementary school?
The People replied that they would gladly give the Board more money, if they could be assured that it would be spent appropriately. They said the upper management gets paid too much, take expensive retreats they link to training, and waiste money buying books.
I'm sure most every community across America has a similar problem. But squawking about buying books sounded crazy. Until I thought more about it. The schools claim that it costs hundreds of dollars per student every year for books, only for them to become obsolete within a few years. I don't think elementary school books become out dated quite so fast though. But I do think most other books are obsolete before they are even printed. I believe that once a child has basic reading, writing and arithmatic skills, usually (hopefully) by the 4th grade or so, his books do become very obsolete.
Imagine learning about a country, that by the time you read it, it no longer exists! Or studying chemistry to find a way to make something more green, when the idea has all ready been discussed!
I believe in technology, and I think computers are the way to go. Just think, the laptop I am now using can be purchased for less than $300. If every middle and senior high student were provided with a laptop filled with everything he will study during the term; that could replace most every text book he lugs to school daily. I'm sure the initial cost could be expensive, but they could be updated every year with the latest learning information, and that cost would be small. Imagine have access from your school room or from home, to every book in the school library. It would have to have a big impact on teaching our kids. Why make them wait to get to college before using a computer?
I'm voicing my concern to our local district, and if you agree, please voice yours as well. Gotta get busy to make way for the children's visit. No more Docking today.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Three More
My wonderful child, and her amazing husband, and their amazing children, will be visiting the Dock in just Three More days. How fun will that be?
I'm sure there are other avid Followers of mine that would love to join in. Wouldn't you?
They arrive late into the night of the next weekend day. They will likely be really tired after being up at dawn tending to the amazing children's school events only then to travel here later in the evening. They'll lose an hour of the day when they arrive in the Pacific Time Zone, after all ready losing an hour earlier this week to Daylight Savings Time.
So, we'll pick them up in the Manor on Wheels, and get some sleep. Then, we'll drive a bit to my udda brudda's place and attend the Baptism of his eldest child. Following the celebration and visit, we'll continue on westwardly (or should it be westerly/) to the Central Oregon Coast, and arrive soon thereafter at the Dock for several fun filled days.
We'll go camping for a night in the Forrest at the famous Oregon Dunes. We might go crabbing in the bay, or try a hand at fishing the Lake, or shoot an arrow, or walk the beach, or visit a lighthouse, or experience some fresh seafood, or chop some wood, or just hang out at the Dock and relax with a bowl of Taco Soup.
So, it's not too late to get some discounted tickets and join in on the fun. There's plenty of room, and a local casino for you Paigow addicts. Yipee!
I'm sure there are other avid Followers of mine that would love to join in. Wouldn't you?
They arrive late into the night of the next weekend day. They will likely be really tired after being up at dawn tending to the amazing children's school events only then to travel here later in the evening. They'll lose an hour of the day when they arrive in the Pacific Time Zone, after all ready losing an hour earlier this week to Daylight Savings Time.
So, we'll pick them up in the Manor on Wheels, and get some sleep. Then, we'll drive a bit to my udda brudda's place and attend the Baptism of his eldest child. Following the celebration and visit, we'll continue on westwardly (or should it be westerly/) to the Central Oregon Coast, and arrive soon thereafter at the Dock for several fun filled days.
We'll go camping for a night in the Forrest at the famous Oregon Dunes. We might go crabbing in the bay, or try a hand at fishing the Lake, or shoot an arrow, or walk the beach, or visit a lighthouse, or experience some fresh seafood, or chop some wood, or just hang out at the Dock and relax with a bowl of Taco Soup.
So, it's not too late to get some discounted tickets and join in on the fun. There's plenty of room, and a local casino for you Paigow addicts. Yipee!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Three
This past week, Ive been working my butt off building a walkway from the front entrance to the driveway and street using Three Rivers Rock. It's a flagstone kind of product that was imported from Colorado. No surprise there since Colorado sure has a lot of beautiful rocks. The Do it Yourself show made it look simple, but I didn't find that to be true. Had I access to those SoCal illegal aliens hanging out at Home Depot, I would have considered renting a few. But there are none here..
Friday evening, the local draw bridge over our Siuslaw River (one of the Three rivers in our hood) opened to allow a fishing vessel to leave the harbor. But it go stuck as it began to close due to an electrical fire. That cut off all the tourists pouring into town from the south, and the sand rail nuts going to the Dunes from the inland areas. A crew was called from 60 miles south to lower the bridge by hand crank. That snarled traffic for Three hours. What a mess.
Saturday evening we went to get a burger at Three Rivers Casino. The coffee shop has a one-pound burger called the Jackpot. It's huge, about the size of an 8 inch frisbee, and a full one inch thick, with fries and fixins.
The casino floor was packed. At first, I thought the Stimulus Plan was surely at work. But then, I realized that most of the patrons, unable to make their rent with the few quarters they have left, stuff them feverishly into the machines hoping for a big one. Then it was announced that someone playing a machine in the new non-smoking section, hit one for 10-Thousand Dollars. And then they announced a Five Million, Two Hundred Thousand pot was awarded just the night before in that very same non-smoking section.
Now I thought the Stimulus Plan was surely working, and there would surely be a third, because 3's were all around me. So, I converted a 20 into quarters and promptly fed a Keno machine to no avail. Guess I should have picked a machine in that Non-smoking section to play, since thanks to the pressures of friends and family, I'm on my way to being smoke free. But the Obama Plan ain't working for me.
Ain't going to the Dock now because it snowed this morning and it's cold there. I wonder what Al Gore is thinking now.
Friday evening, the local draw bridge over our Siuslaw River (one of the Three rivers in our hood) opened to allow a fishing vessel to leave the harbor. But it go stuck as it began to close due to an electrical fire. That cut off all the tourists pouring into town from the south, and the sand rail nuts going to the Dunes from the inland areas. A crew was called from 60 miles south to lower the bridge by hand crank. That snarled traffic for Three hours. What a mess.
Saturday evening we went to get a burger at Three Rivers Casino. The coffee shop has a one-pound burger called the Jackpot. It's huge, about the size of an 8 inch frisbee, and a full one inch thick, with fries and fixins.
The casino floor was packed. At first, I thought the Stimulus Plan was surely at work. But then, I realized that most of the patrons, unable to make their rent with the few quarters they have left, stuff them feverishly into the machines hoping for a big one. Then it was announced that someone playing a machine in the new non-smoking section, hit one for 10-Thousand Dollars. And then they announced a Five Million, Two Hundred Thousand pot was awarded just the night before in that very same non-smoking section.
Now I thought the Stimulus Plan was surely working, and there would surely be a third, because 3's were all around me. So, I converted a 20 into quarters and promptly fed a Keno machine to no avail. Guess I should have picked a machine in that Non-smoking section to play, since thanks to the pressures of friends and family, I'm on my way to being smoke free. But the Obama Plan ain't working for me.
Ain't going to the Dock now because it snowed this morning and it's cold there. I wonder what Al Gore is thinking now.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Not a Bear...yet
It's Spring time on the Left Coast. Geese fly in formation to their northerly destinations overhead, while the Lake is hosting a variety of new duckings. Their chicks, now only about the size of a child's fist hang out around the Dock as their mammas and pappas keep a careful eye over them. It's amazing to watch them mature. In a few weeks they will be taught to fly. Watching that is too funny!
Otters make their trips around the Lake and play with one another much like seals do. They always seem to be having a blast. Osprey and Eagles soar above with a watchful eye below, always eager to dine. They have a feast when the Fish and Game plant thousands of trout in the Lake each month. The fishermen show up in droves, but I haven't seen them catch much recently. I guess the water needs to warm a bit.
Seems the Great Blue Herons have moved on, but I don't know where they go. Very soon the bears will awake and the deer will move into the areas looking for the budding rose bushes.
I love to watch nature. God has truly created a fascinating place for us. Every thing and every one has a place and function. I am amazed at His power and grace.
Oops, just as a thankful tear came to my eye thinking about His place, I saw a GBH land in the shallows just a few feet from the Dock. Guess I spoke too soon. Wonder what it's up to?
The sky is a brilliant blue and the air is calm. What a wonderful world it is, especially when viewed from the Dock.
Otters make their trips around the Lake and play with one another much like seals do. They always seem to be having a blast. Osprey and Eagles soar above with a watchful eye below, always eager to dine. They have a feast when the Fish and Game plant thousands of trout in the Lake each month. The fishermen show up in droves, but I haven't seen them catch much recently. I guess the water needs to warm a bit.
Seems the Great Blue Herons have moved on, but I don't know where they go. Very soon the bears will awake and the deer will move into the areas looking for the budding rose bushes.
I love to watch nature. God has truly created a fascinating place for us. Every thing and every one has a place and function. I am amazed at His power and grace.
Oops, just as a thankful tear came to my eye thinking about His place, I saw a GBH land in the shallows just a few feet from the Dock. Guess I spoke too soon. Wonder what it's up to?
The sky is a brilliant blue and the air is calm. What a wonderful world it is, especially when viewed from the Dock.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Almost to Final
Well, I think all my Followers know that we moved from out tiny mobile home into the new house just before Christmas. Speaking of Followers. I've just learned that I actually have three. Seems my udda brudda, DDD, is an avid Follower. I'm sure that there are many more that I don't even know. They just feed on my thoughts and disappear into the sunset as a better, smarter person. I expect my blog will quickly grow to the point where I might make some money by offering advertisement space to major corporations very soon.
Anyway, today was another milestone in our home project. The guy from Colorado had our mobile home hauled away to his home site of 87 acres a few hours south of us. With that, I can finish the grading to the basement level, remove the old septic tank, and hopefully get the final inspection signed off in the next few weeks.
Pretty excited about that. Not that it will mean I'm finished ('cause none of my prior homes ever got really finished), but at least it will mean I can relax on the work without being rushed to make deadlines.
And then on Sumday, I gotta rebuild the Dock.
Anyway, today was another milestone in our home project. The guy from Colorado had our mobile home hauled away to his home site of 87 acres a few hours south of us. With that, I can finish the grading to the basement level, remove the old septic tank, and hopefully get the final inspection signed off in the next few weeks.
Pretty excited about that. Not that it will mean I'm finished ('cause none of my prior homes ever got really finished), but at least it will mean I can relax on the work without being rushed to make deadlines.
And then on Sumday, I gotta rebuild the Dock.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Scrambled?
So, a few months ago, I advertised our old mobile home on Craig's List. Would you believe, Jay from Colorado, responded to the ad. Turns out he has some property about 3hrs south of us and wanted the place. I had been planning to just demolish the old thing and haul it to the dump, which would have cost me $$ and a lot of hard work. I agreed to let him have it for free providing he bear the moving expense. He was delighted,and so was I.
Anyway, yesterday he arrived here to make the final preparations. Look what he brought with him for me. He was so excited to give me the gift. I opened the egg carton and saw these things inside. I guess he stopped by a local farm while driving from the airport to here, and bought them. Turns out they are quail eggs. I guess they're a delicacy for some, but for me? Took him out to lunch and sent him on his way.
Well. my wife came home from work, and discovered these beauties in the refrigerator. She almost cried and told me to rid them.
So, what am I supposed to do? If either of my avid followers would like them, you need to speak up soon. Maybe I'll put them into an Easter basket to give to a friend. Maybe they will just hatch and I could then return the chicks to nature. Or perhaps I'll advertise the on Craig's List.
Remember, there is enough for everyone, but never enough for the greedy ones. It's raining at the Dock.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Whether Weather
Have you ever wondered whether the weather will be nice? Or, whether it was freezing outside. Or weather the winds were gale force? I have.
I used to gauge the wind by the bend in the trees. I used to measure the rain by setting out two buckets, one which I emptied every day, and the other left to catch the daily accumulations over a period of time. That all worked fine in their day.
But no more.... Now I have a real weather gadget. One of my daughters gave it to me as a gift, while the udda daughter gave me a gadget to plot the stars, that same Christmas. They were both great gifts, but it goes to show what they think retired life must be like.
Anyway, no more buckets, checking for signs of ice, or looking to the trees to judge the weather conditions. I don't even have to empty the rain collector every day. It's all automatic. I have it all instantly available right in my office. There are outside sensors that collect the samples, then relay that information wiredlessly to an inside display, that in turn, feeds it to my desktop computer by wire, and records it on a giant spreadsheet every so often (although I haven't got that part working quite yet). So ask me anything. I know it all about our local weather.
And the other gadget fares just as well. From anywhere in the world, and at any time of day, I can determine where to look and find any star in the galaxy that is visible at the time.. I love gadgets.
But, for best results, you'll need a dark, clear sky, like the one I have from the dock.
I used to gauge the wind by the bend in the trees. I used to measure the rain by setting out two buckets, one which I emptied every day, and the other left to catch the daily accumulations over a period of time. That all worked fine in their day.
But no more.... Now I have a real weather gadget. One of my daughters gave it to me as a gift, while the udda daughter gave me a gadget to plot the stars, that same Christmas. They were both great gifts, but it goes to show what they think retired life must be like.
Anyway, no more buckets, checking for signs of ice, or looking to the trees to judge the weather conditions. I don't even have to empty the rain collector every day. It's all automatic. I have it all instantly available right in my office. There are outside sensors that collect the samples, then relay that information wiredlessly to an inside display, that in turn, feeds it to my desktop computer by wire, and records it on a giant spreadsheet every so often (although I haven't got that part working quite yet). So ask me anything. I know it all about our local weather.
And the other gadget fares just as well. From anywhere in the world, and at any time of day, I can determine where to look and find any star in the galaxy that is visible at the time.. I love gadgets.
But, for best results, you'll need a dark, clear sky, like the one I have from the dock.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
She is the Boss
Back in 2002, we scouted this Central Oregon Coast for a place to retire. Actually, over a period of several years, we scouted most every city within 100 miles of the coast from the Mexican border Astoria, the northern most coast of Oregon. And prior to that, we looked all over the inland areas of central and norther California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. But the best spot for us was the last spot. So we were led here....To retire (I thought)..
It was really easy for me not to work any longer. Easy not to shave unless I want, easy to get up early and fish, or sleep in late only to ride the Harley, easy to walk the countless trail, and easy just to relax.
Not so though with my perfect wife. I call her that because everybody thinks she is perfect, and everyone likes her better than me. And I do too. She's keeps me going (and going, and going). She actually misses working, and has from the start. So, to fill her void, she took up volunteering and went just bout anywhere someone would take her. Finally she ended up at our local Animal Shelter.
First she did a day a week cleaning cat boxes, but what was supposed to be a 4 hour gig, worked into about 8 because she just had to play with the kitties while she did their cleaning. She loved it, and soon it became several days a week, plus a Saturday a month to run the adoption clinic at the local grocery store. Then she was elected to the Board of Directors, and later offered a full time paid position. Now, guess what? Today was her first day as the Chief Administrative Officer. I'm very proud of her, although this was not the plan. I just go where I'm led.
So much for retirement...
It was really easy for me not to work any longer. Easy not to shave unless I want, easy to get up early and fish, or sleep in late only to ride the Harley, easy to walk the countless trail, and easy just to relax.
Not so though with my perfect wife. I call her that because everybody thinks she is perfect, and everyone likes her better than me. And I do too. She's keeps me going (and going, and going). She actually misses working, and has from the start. So, to fill her void, she took up volunteering and went just bout anywhere someone would take her. Finally she ended up at our local Animal Shelter.
First she did a day a week cleaning cat boxes, but what was supposed to be a 4 hour gig, worked into about 8 because she just had to play with the kitties while she did their cleaning. She loved it, and soon it became several days a week, plus a Saturday a month to run the adoption clinic at the local grocery store. Then she was elected to the Board of Directors, and later offered a full time paid position. Now, guess what? Today was her first day as the Chief Administrative Officer. I'm very proud of her, although this was not the plan. I just go where I'm led.
So much for retirement...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
No Mas Mud
Where I live, from the sea to a bout 5 miles inland, is one giant sand pile. And that means there is no mud, no mud puddles, no mud to track into the house, no muddy tires on your car, no muddy hands while tending a garden, no mud period...
You might say, "Now, I like it like that!" That's because you've had mud all your life and you just don't appreciate it. Now, I haven't had muddy hands for several years now, and I miss it.
Mud is good. Without it, soil is bad. Ah, it's nice to walk along the beach, then just dust or rinse and your mighty clean, but try growing or building something without mud. I miss mud..
Here you can leave a water hose running full open on the ground and you might get a puddle 1 inch deep and a few feet wide, but it disappears as soon as you turn the supply off. And as soon as you do that, it returns to soft, flaky sand. Just like at the beach, you can build a castle out of sand, but as soon as you add too much water, or it dries out, it simply returns to what it was, just flat sand.
So to get anything to grow, or build anything in it, you have to make mud out of the sand. Now that's really hard and expensive to do. So, building that simple berm to hold the water around the base of your bush, or terracing a hill, is impossible because as soon as it all dries out, it flattens out. Everything must have some sort of retaining system to prevent the soil from washing away.
So, appreciate your mud. And when you come to visit, leave the mud on your shoes. I'll be glad to have it. But for now, I gotta go try and make some mud.. Imagine that!
You might say, "Now, I like it like that!" That's because you've had mud all your life and you just don't appreciate it. Now, I haven't had muddy hands for several years now, and I miss it.
Mud is good. Without it, soil is bad. Ah, it's nice to walk along the beach, then just dust or rinse and your mighty clean, but try growing or building something without mud. I miss mud..
Here you can leave a water hose running full open on the ground and you might get a puddle 1 inch deep and a few feet wide, but it disappears as soon as you turn the supply off. And as soon as you do that, it returns to soft, flaky sand. Just like at the beach, you can build a castle out of sand, but as soon as you add too much water, or it dries out, it simply returns to what it was, just flat sand.
So to get anything to grow, or build anything in it, you have to make mud out of the sand. Now that's really hard and expensive to do. So, building that simple berm to hold the water around the base of your bush, or terracing a hill, is impossible because as soon as it all dries out, it flattens out. Everything must have some sort of retaining system to prevent the soil from washing away.
So, appreciate your mud. And when you come to visit, leave the mud on your shoes. I'll be glad to have it. But for now, I gotta go try and make some mud.. Imagine that!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Incredible Edible
About 7 years ago, I discovered the Oregon Coast for the first time, and a few months later my life (wife) and I returned for her to see for herself. We stopped in a small coffee house in Old Town and we chatted with the proprietor. Some how it came out where we were from and my occupation (but not specifically for whom I worked). She asked if I knew Lloyd O'C. and I politely brushed her off to another subject.
But that name did sound familiar and months later I realized that I worked with a kid by that name in the late 70's. I lost touch with him because he left the job rather suddenly, and I soon forgot all about him.
Well, the other evening we went to the local casino, and were at the Welcome Booth to redeem some freebee coupons, when that clerk asked me if I knew her husband, Lloyd. She said that she recognized my name from the stories he had told her years ago. So, after exchanging a few e-mails, we met for breakfast today.
Seems he was visiting the coast about the time we first began coming here, and had a cup of coffee at that same place in Old Town. He too had a casual conversation there, and that lady must have remembered him when I came in.
Who would ever think? Some thirty years later..... In a small town so far away.... Friendly people.... A casual conversation with a stranger who actually heard what you said....And a chance to visit a friend from the past....
I think that is incredible, although I did get hooked for the edibles.
But that name did sound familiar and months later I realized that I worked with a kid by that name in the late 70's. I lost touch with him because he left the job rather suddenly, and I soon forgot all about him.
Well, the other evening we went to the local casino, and were at the Welcome Booth to redeem some freebee coupons, when that clerk asked me if I knew her husband, Lloyd. She said that she recognized my name from the stories he had told her years ago. So, after exchanging a few e-mails, we met for breakfast today.
Seems he was visiting the coast about the time we first began coming here, and had a cup of coffee at that same place in Old Town. He too had a casual conversation there, and that lady must have remembered him when I came in.
Who would ever think? Some thirty years later..... In a small town so far away.... Friendly people.... A casual conversation with a stranger who actually heard what you said....And a chance to visit a friend from the past....
I think that is incredible, although I did get hooked for the edibles.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Making a Bunyun
Oregon really has many, many, and lots and lots of trees. But the trees on the Oregon Coast are not really pretty. Even Bakersfield has prettier trees, at least when they decorate the oil dereks. And Tehachapi has beautiful fir trees, and then there are the gorgeous trees in the redwood areas of NoCal.
Our trees, at least where I live are called Coastal Pines. They grow very tall, but they're built like telephone poles, not very thick at the base, and about the same diameter from the base to the top ( I remember my 2nd grade crush having a bod like that). Most of the branches are at the top of the tree, and the roots are shallow in the sandy soil.. So, when the wind blows, the tree bends, and bends. Some don't make it, as either the tree snaps off near the top, or the roots give way and the tree capsizes. It's pretty common all around here, and I have a few that scare me that are growing on my property. Some have all ready come down, which makes me do mounds of work chopping it all up.
So, today, I took a tree falling lesson from a friendly logger. Actually, they call it tree "felling" here. But anyway, we cut one down together. It was pretty awsum. So, on Sumday, I'll get up the nerve to fell a tree of my own. Well, maybe not.. Might just wait for mother nature to take her course.
Sure wish someone would visit me so that I could teach them this stuff in person.
Our trees, at least where I live are called Coastal Pines. They grow very tall, but they're built like telephone poles, not very thick at the base, and about the same diameter from the base to the top ( I remember my 2nd grade crush having a bod like that). Most of the branches are at the top of the tree, and the roots are shallow in the sandy soil.. So, when the wind blows, the tree bends, and bends. Some don't make it, as either the tree snaps off near the top, or the roots give way and the tree capsizes. It's pretty common all around here, and I have a few that scare me that are growing on my property. Some have all ready come down, which makes me do mounds of work chopping it all up.
So, today, I took a tree falling lesson from a friendly logger. Actually, they call it tree "felling" here. But anyway, we cut one down together. It was pretty awsum. So, on Sumday, I'll get up the nerve to fell a tree of my own. Well, maybe not.. Might just wait for mother nature to take her course.
Sure wish someone would visit me so that I could teach them this stuff in person.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Parsnips
We were invited to a friend's house with other friends for a dinner on the Love Day. Beef Wellington was served with fresh asparagus and parsnips. Now, I've had asparagus but never beef wellington or parsnips. The beef wellington was delightful, but the parsnips were even better.
I don't think I've ever even seen a parsnip in a store, let alone eaten one. I didn't even know what I was eating and I was afraid to ask. Thankfully someone else asked for me. I guess they are a root kinda vegie that looks like a white carrot. Really tasty. If you've never tried one, I encourage you to do so. Google says you cook 'em up just like potatoes, or carrots. Boiled, baked, fried, or eat them raw. I think you'll like them. And the Wellington was great, but I think that's beyond my means.
Yum..Yum..
I don't think I've ever even seen a parsnip in a store, let alone eaten one. I didn't even know what I was eating and I was afraid to ask. Thankfully someone else asked for me. I guess they are a root kinda vegie that looks like a white carrot. Really tasty. If you've never tried one, I encourage you to do so. Google says you cook 'em up just like potatoes, or carrots. Boiled, baked, fried, or eat them raw. I think you'll like them. And the Wellington was great, but I think that's beyond my means.
Yum..Yum..
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Who dis?
For history is who we are, and why we are the way we are. I know you crave for more, but no. Not today.
It's the weekend. But every day seems like a weekend for me. I only track the days because it's necessary to tune into my favorite tv show. Yesterday, I tuned into Friday Night Lights.
One of my sistas wished me a Happy Valentine's Day and you know who you are. Ta Tah
It's the weekend. But every day seems like a weekend for me. I only track the days because it's necessary to tune into my favorite tv show. Yesterday, I tuned into Friday Night Lights.
One of my sistas wished me a Happy Valentine's Day and you know who you are. Ta Tah
Friday, February 13, 2009
What's This Thing?
Maybe I'm weird, but I don't get this. Perhaps someone can help me understand.
I've noticed the symbol at the left on some blogsites. In particular, on my udda Sista's site, whenever I leave a comment, a secret word appears, and I must type it into the secret word box to leave my comment. I know that it is some kinda security thing, but my site doesn't have it. But, shouldn't I have one? My blogs do contain some pretty deep stuff you know.
What I don't get is how a seeing impaired peson can see that little handicapped graphic, or for that matter, put his cursor into the secret word box in order to imput the set of numbers they hear. And, it also assumes that the sight impaired person is not also hearing impaired? What then?
Wiredlessly awaiting from somewhere for someone to help me with this.
Weird and Wireless
Well, most (actually all) of my known, active followers have called me weird at one time or another. But now they can call me weird less often, because I'm wireless, which makes me more like them, thus weirdless.
I've always wanted to be wireless. Or less wired, because those systems do have a wire connecting them to the telephone system. So, they're really just wiredless. After seeing my favorite son in law's system, I really wanted one (actually he's my only son in law so he has to be the favorite). Until recently, I never had a need for it because the Lan cable could easily span the 8ft distance all the way cross my living room, and I could remain weired and wired. But things changed.
Now my living room is downstairs from my office, and of course there is a Dock and decks. So, I went wiredless yesterday. The G-routers are quite cheap now, and with the openness of my house (as is this entire state) it works really swell. Now need for that pricier N-router. And it was really simple for me to set up. I didn't employ the security features though, so most anyone could steal my signal from a boat on the Lake, or from the bushes across the street. Yes, my street is paved, believe it or not. But it is hard to find, especially in the dark, and there's bears in those bushes. That's my security system.
So, now I can be connected wherever I go around here, even at the Dock. And if I get that laptop carrier that opens into a dome tent to cover my computer, I can even sit in the rain to connect wiredlessly if I want. I just need better rain suit though. Maybe the kind that the crabbers wear on Deadliest Catch, because it rains hard here.
I'm actually connected now, wiredlessly, as I sit in the comfort of the recliner I got from the thrift store. I do plan to replace that chair, but unlike my udda Sista, I'll wait for my handout check to clear the bank before I stimulate myself and my country. I might even watch that Sista's retirement celebration from here as well.
Right now, I have to check my wiredless signal strength at the Dock of the Lake.
I've always wanted to be wireless. Or less wired, because those systems do have a wire connecting them to the telephone system. So, they're really just wiredless. After seeing my favorite son in law's system, I really wanted one (actually he's my only son in law so he has to be the favorite). Until recently, I never had a need for it because the Lan cable could easily span the 8ft distance all the way cross my living room, and I could remain weired and wired. But things changed.
Now my living room is downstairs from my office, and of course there is a Dock and decks. So, I went wiredless yesterday. The G-routers are quite cheap now, and with the openness of my house (as is this entire state) it works really swell. Now need for that pricier N-router. And it was really simple for me to set up. I didn't employ the security features though, so most anyone could steal my signal from a boat on the Lake, or from the bushes across the street. Yes, my street is paved, believe it or not. But it is hard to find, especially in the dark, and there's bears in those bushes. That's my security system.
So, now I can be connected wherever I go around here, even at the Dock. And if I get that laptop carrier that opens into a dome tent to cover my computer, I can even sit in the rain to connect wiredlessly if I want. I just need better rain suit though. Maybe the kind that the crabbers wear on Deadliest Catch, because it rains hard here.
I'm actually connected now, wiredlessly, as I sit in the comfort of the recliner I got from the thrift store. I do plan to replace that chair, but unlike my udda Sista, I'll wait for my handout check to clear the bank before I stimulate myself and my country. I might even watch that Sista's retirement celebration from here as well.
Right now, I have to check my wiredless signal strength at the Dock of the Lake.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Everyone Else
Well, I'm about to leave this subject for something anew. Maybe I'll just blog about nonsensical things that won't test your minds at all. But before that, think about this.
Do you realize that over 40% of us work for the government, either Federal, State, or Municipal? Add to that the 12% that receive some kind of government aid, and another 10% who get unemployment. Now who's actually working after you subtract the wealthy who don't work?
Of course government is necessary, but by the government providing the income to over 50% of its population, it is able to control us. Most everyone now earns the same money when compared to another in the same region of America. Cops make the same as nurses, as do teachers, as do firemen and all the other everyday kinda people around. Even those on welfare, the unemployed, and those on disability have similar incomes to those who actually work. Only the few in private industry, like CEO's, doctors, and attorneys make significantly more than everyone else.
Government programs like Minimum Wage brings everyone even closer. Oregon just raised it's minimum wage again, but no one that I know that is working above the minimum wage, received an increase in their pay. So we are just another step closer to all being the same. Soon we will be either in the "Everyone Else" bracket, or the Wealthy bracket. That is what Socialism is. And I don't think that was what our founding fathers envisioned.
So, I'll be social, and drop another bread crumb to the fish in the Lake while I relax and ponder from the Dock.
Do you realize that over 40% of us work for the government, either Federal, State, or Municipal? Add to that the 12% that receive some kind of government aid, and another 10% who get unemployment. Now who's actually working after you subtract the wealthy who don't work?
Of course government is necessary, but by the government providing the income to over 50% of its population, it is able to control us. Most everyone now earns the same money when compared to another in the same region of America. Cops make the same as nurses, as do teachers, as do firemen and all the other everyday kinda people around. Even those on welfare, the unemployed, and those on disability have similar incomes to those who actually work. Only the few in private industry, like CEO's, doctors, and attorneys make significantly more than everyone else.
Government programs like Minimum Wage brings everyone even closer. Oregon just raised it's minimum wage again, but no one that I know that is working above the minimum wage, received an increase in their pay. So we are just another step closer to all being the same. Soon we will be either in the "Everyone Else" bracket, or the Wealthy bracket. That is what Socialism is. And I don't think that was what our founding fathers envisioned.
So, I'll be social, and drop another bread crumb to the fish in the Lake while I relax and ponder from the Dock.
Tone My Bell Easy
It's history folks, not politics, that I've been blogging about. I've only recapped what has occurred in my country during the past 40-60 years, which is history. I have only pointed out our our slide into socialism and that has occurred regardless of whether our leadership has been Republican or Democrat.
I'm sorry for the confusion, or if you find history boring. But to me, it's both fascinating and rewarding. I know that learning history better prepares one for what will be in the future. Like knowing your how your company came to be, its failures and successes, and what their direction is, enables one to have to a more successful career. Now, imagine how difficult it would be for a Christian to go forward, if he didn't have the Bible to tell him where he came from, what is expected from him, and what his future will be?
Now, I'm not a radical advocating a rebellion in America. I'm only encouraging you to understand what has happened, watch what's going on now, and prepare for your future. I have. Now, I'm going to the Dock and wait for my check. And, there will be no need to pack a lunch because it is coming soon. I'll bring a snack though. Just in case...
I'm sorry for the confusion, or if you find history boring. But to me, it's both fascinating and rewarding. I know that learning history better prepares one for what will be in the future. Like knowing your how your company came to be, its failures and successes, and what their direction is, enables one to have to a more successful career. Now, imagine how difficult it would be for a Christian to go forward, if he didn't have the Bible to tell him where he came from, what is expected from him, and what his future will be?
Now, I'm not a radical advocating a rebellion in America. I'm only encouraging you to understand what has happened, watch what's going on now, and prepare for your future. I have. Now, I'm going to the Dock and wait for my check. And, there will be no need to pack a lunch because it is coming soon. I'll bring a snack though. Just in case...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Capitalism
Should people be allowed to follow their dreams as they please? To be all they can be? To develop their minds and keep the rewards of their hard work? That's called free enterprise, or capitalism, and that is what America was. Compare the progress of America and Japan, each having capitalism, to those counties that have socialism, and determine the results for yourself.
Capitalism encourages being smart, innovative, and taking risks. Those that master that are entitled to reap the rewards. And for those that fail, sink to the bottom and are quickly consumed and replaced by those continuing ever to climb.
Now, suppose one gets the great idea to feed his quarters endlessly into a Keno machines. Now he might have thought that his idea was innovative, and smart, and could lead to a healthy reward. But he also knew there was risk. Now, suppose his idea paid off when he hit the Big One, but in his effort to do it again, he lost all of his quarters, and then some.
Now suppose his government took money from other people who were also successful, and reimbursed him for all of his losses, then encourage him to try it again without any supervision from the government. Would he do it? Sure he would! Now that's socialism at it's best. Well, that is what our government is doing. Is that what you want?
Many people took risk in investing in banks that made risky loans in an effort to get ahead. Many more people took risk and purchased homes, cars, and toys using credit in their effort to enjoy life more. Most failed. That's free enterprise and capitalism at work. Socialism seeks to refund these losses from the earning of those that did not lose, so that everyone is again equal?
I'm saddened that so many have lost so much. But there will be others that will rise in their place, to fill their void. And some of those losers will recover to emerge even stronger. Woolworth's, Gemco, Montgomery Wards, and Edsel all eventually failed but were replaced with the likes of Target, Walmart, Costco, and Toyota. And they too might fail only to be replaced by something even better. Not a novel idea. It's been happening for years, and the cycle will continue if allowed.
But we are going social, so I'll go back to the Dock and think of how best to spend my handout.
Capitalism encourages being smart, innovative, and taking risks. Those that master that are entitled to reap the rewards. And for those that fail, sink to the bottom and are quickly consumed and replaced by those continuing ever to climb.
Now, suppose one gets the great idea to feed his quarters endlessly into a Keno machines. Now he might have thought that his idea was innovative, and smart, and could lead to a healthy reward. But he also knew there was risk. Now, suppose his idea paid off when he hit the Big One, but in his effort to do it again, he lost all of his quarters, and then some.
Now suppose his government took money from other people who were also successful, and reimbursed him for all of his losses, then encourage him to try it again without any supervision from the government. Would he do it? Sure he would! Now that's socialism at it's best. Well, that is what our government is doing. Is that what you want?
Many people took risk in investing in banks that made risky loans in an effort to get ahead. Many more people took risk and purchased homes, cars, and toys using credit in their effort to enjoy life more. Most failed. That's free enterprise and capitalism at work. Socialism seeks to refund these losses from the earning of those that did not lose, so that everyone is again equal?
I'm saddened that so many have lost so much. But there will be others that will rise in their place, to fill their void. And some of those losers will recover to emerge even stronger. Woolworth's, Gemco, Montgomery Wards, and Edsel all eventually failed but were replaced with the likes of Target, Walmart, Costco, and Toyota. And they too might fail only to be replaced by something even better. Not a novel idea. It's been happening for years, and the cycle will continue if allowed.
But we are going social, so I'll go back to the Dock and think of how best to spend my handout.
Going Social
So, what do you think the role of our federal government should be? I think our founders intended it to be quite simple. As a Democracy, we were given a voice in our government. Our government was to guarantee our right to worship as we choose, to pursue life and happiness in the way we choose, and to protect our borders from outside aggressors.
There were still the rich and the poor, but unlike the previous dictatorship, the poor had the opportunity to become rich. A middle-class began to emerge from those that lost their riches, and from the poor that bettered themselves. But there was no guarantee that once rich, one would remain rich, or the other way around. That was capitalism.
The government's role evolved as time passed. People demanded more. No more rich. No more poor. Just one class with everyone being of equal wealth. That is socialism, and over the past five decades, our government has been going farther and farther in that direction. The government collects taxes from the rich and middle classes (because the poor can not pay taxes), then gives it back to only the poor and the middle class. Social Security, Medicare, and Welfare, are the examples I see.
But does socialism really work? I'll kick it around more later....I'm going to the Dock..
There were still the rich and the poor, but unlike the previous dictatorship, the poor had the opportunity to become rich. A middle-class began to emerge from those that lost their riches, and from the poor that bettered themselves. But there was no guarantee that once rich, one would remain rich, or the other way around. That was capitalism.
The government's role evolved as time passed. People demanded more. No more rich. No more poor. Just one class with everyone being of equal wealth. That is socialism, and over the past five decades, our government has been going farther and farther in that direction. The government collects taxes from the rich and middle classes (because the poor can not pay taxes), then gives it back to only the poor and the middle class. Social Security, Medicare, and Welfare, are the examples I see.
But does socialism really work? I'll kick it around more later....I'm going to the Dock..
Friday, February 6, 2009
Dock or Deck
I guess, I've been misleading my followers because sometimes my thoughts originate from the Deck, not the Dock. So what's the difference? Well, the Dock is at the water, and the Deck overlooks the water. I get a different perspective depending on what platform I'm doing the thinking from.
Anyway, yesterday, I was on the Deck when I saw a Great Blue Heron wading at the water's edge. The locals here call them GBH's, so now that I've been here for several years, I will too.
This GBH, like the one at the above, it stood about 3 feet tall, and had a wingspan of about 4-5 feet. Kinda like a pelican, but without the flabby chin, it stands perfectly still in the shallows and feeds on fish as they pass by. Now, I could never see their feet and presumed they were webbed like a duck. I watched as this giant caught a fish, then few away and landed in a tree to eat it. I was very amazed that he could perch himself on the branch with webbed feet. I scrambled for my scope (no, not a rifle scope, but a real spotting scope that I got for Christmas) to get a bird's eye view of things. But I was too late.
So, much like my child does to find quick and simple dinner recipes, I Googled it. It was only then did I realize a GBH has regular bird's feet. That's why they don't land on the water like the ducks do, but rather on a log or something and step into the shallow water.
Flip Flop, Tick Tock, like a Clock, from the Deck or Dock.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
It's Alarming
I'm sure you've been startled by alarms. You know, like the sound of an auto horn as you pull into someones path, the ear piercing sound you hear when dinner is smoking in your kitchen, or the frantic cry of your child. Those types of alarms are effective because they are unexpected.
Here, at the coast, we have an alarm to warn of a tsunami. It's a siren, much like the air raid sirens we had in the 50's and 60's, and it is tested weekly. Much like police sirens (unless you're the one the cop is after), ambulance sirens in a big city, or my piece of crap truck's backfire, we tend to grow accustomed to those alarms. And those alarms tend to lose their effectiveness.
Such is the same for bedroom alarm clocks, like the one my wife uses most mornings because she works. But I don't, because I don't work any more. Problem is, her alarm goes off for an hour before she responds to it. But I do, even though I don't work anymore. And that is annoying.
So this morning, I explained to her that her alarm clock has lost it's effectiveness to her because she has become accustomed to it. So, I offered to wake her myself when I hear her clock go off. But I told her, to keep it from becoming ineffective, I would jump on top of her while she slept and beat her with the pillows should she not respond quicker to her alarm clock. I think that would solve her problem, and mine.
And then... I'd go to the Dock.
Here, at the coast, we have an alarm to warn of a tsunami. It's a siren, much like the air raid sirens we had in the 50's and 60's, and it is tested weekly. Much like police sirens (unless you're the one the cop is after), ambulance sirens in a big city, or my piece of crap truck's backfire, we tend to grow accustomed to those alarms. And those alarms tend to lose their effectiveness.
Such is the same for bedroom alarm clocks, like the one my wife uses most mornings because she works. But I don't, because I don't work any more. Problem is, her alarm goes off for an hour before she responds to it. But I do, even though I don't work anymore. And that is annoying.
So this morning, I explained to her that her alarm clock has lost it's effectiveness to her because she has become accustomed to it. So, I offered to wake her myself when I hear her clock go off. But I told her, to keep it from becoming ineffective, I would jump on top of her while she slept and beat her with the pillows should she not respond quicker to her alarm clock. I think that would solve her problem, and mine.
And then... I'd go to the Dock.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I'm Always Wondering
The skies were blue, there was no wind, and the temperature was heading to the 60's, as I finished my coffee on the Dock. But here is what I thought about today.
A few weeks back, I contracted with a local glass shop to have a shower door built. The design included clear glass, one fixed panel, with a door next to it. The was to be a metal frame to provide extra strength. The top of that frame was to be 75 inches, enough to allow 6'2" person to pass through.
A few weeks later, the installer came. I left him alone to do his job while I tended to other matters. When I returned, he was nearly finished and was standing inside the shower. Like me, he was about 5'8" tall. His head and shoulders were above the top frame of the as he looked over it at me. He seemed surprised when I told him, "Now that won't work. Take it out." He asked what was the problem, and I asked him to come outside to my vantage. He squatted nearly to his knees to get under and through the door opening. Once outside the shower with me, I asked whether he then knew the problem. And he said he thought it was an odd design, but surmised it was designed for a person in a wheelchair. Must have been a handicapped type that never has a assistant though, I thought to myself. When I showed him the design drawings that had a 75" top height instead of the 57" tall door that he had installed, he agreed that he should have inquired with me before waisting his time installing it.
Am I weird or do you wonder like me sometimes?
A few weeks back, I contracted with a local glass shop to have a shower door built. The design included clear glass, one fixed panel, with a door next to it. The was to be a metal frame to provide extra strength. The top of that frame was to be 75 inches, enough to allow 6'2" person to pass through.
A few weeks later, the installer came. I left him alone to do his job while I tended to other matters. When I returned, he was nearly finished and was standing inside the shower. Like me, he was about 5'8" tall. His head and shoulders were above the top frame of the as he looked over it at me. He seemed surprised when I told him, "Now that won't work. Take it out." He asked what was the problem, and I asked him to come outside to my vantage. He squatted nearly to his knees to get under and through the door opening. Once outside the shower with me, I asked whether he then knew the problem. And he said he thought it was an odd design, but surmised it was designed for a person in a wheelchair. Must have been a handicapped type that never has a assistant though, I thought to myself. When I showed him the design drawings that had a 75" top height instead of the 57" tall door that he had installed, he agreed that he should have inquired with me before waisting his time installing it.
Am I weird or do you wonder like me sometimes?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Saturdays
Well, I'll use this slot to describe the conclusions that I've come to this past week or so. Besides, I'm sure each of you have had experiences to similar to mine, and are bored reading about mine by now.
What I called Those Days, is my history. And I believe history is very important because from it, we can tend to predict the future. As each day of history passes, it creates a farther sight into into the future. I've realized that change is inevitable. For some, change is often called progress. And for some, progress is deemed good.
For me, life has been good and I love it. However, I don't believe in luck, or fate. I know that my good days, and the not so good days, were all provided by God. However, I do believe one can have significant impact on life by following God's lead.
I have realized this past week that all of my struggles, or not so good days, came at a time when I thought I was in control. When I encountered the not so good days, I felt as if I were losing control, and fought even harder to keep it. Only then, when I surrendered the control that I thought I had but never had, to God, did my struggles recede. That is what I call Faith, and my Faith continues to grow with each passing moment, knowing that I am under only God's control.
I am troubled though, with those that don't know my Lord, who continue to try to exert their control over others. Their efforts to oppress the people to maintain their control, results in greed, crime, corruption, and often genocide. They infiltrate our schools and government, and prey upon people that don't know God, to oppress them, and convince them to join their ways. Only those that know my Lord can stand strong to preserve His will.
I tend to like Those Days best. Perhaps it is because I was innocent and ignorant then. I know better now. The future is of concern to me. More crime, corruption and oppression will surely come, as populations grow. But I am at peace here on the Dock knowing that I know God and will always follow His way.
What I called Those Days, is my history. And I believe history is very important because from it, we can tend to predict the future. As each day of history passes, it creates a farther sight into into the future. I've realized that change is inevitable. For some, change is often called progress. And for some, progress is deemed good.
For me, life has been good and I love it. However, I don't believe in luck, or fate. I know that my good days, and the not so good days, were all provided by God. However, I do believe one can have significant impact on life by following God's lead.
I have realized this past week that all of my struggles, or not so good days, came at a time when I thought I was in control. When I encountered the not so good days, I felt as if I were losing control, and fought even harder to keep it. Only then, when I surrendered the control that I thought I had but never had, to God, did my struggles recede. That is what I call Faith, and my Faith continues to grow with each passing moment, knowing that I am under only God's control.
I am troubled though, with those that don't know my Lord, who continue to try to exert their control over others. Their efforts to oppress the people to maintain their control, results in greed, crime, corruption, and often genocide. They infiltrate our schools and government, and prey upon people that don't know God, to oppress them, and convince them to join their ways. Only those that know my Lord can stand strong to preserve His will.
I tend to like Those Days best. Perhaps it is because I was innocent and ignorant then. I know better now. The future is of concern to me. More crime, corruption and oppression will surely come, as populations grow. But I am at peace here on the Dock knowing that I know God and will always follow His way.
Fridays
In Those Days, I was the Firstborn Son of a six sibling family. Only a sister was older than I, and she, to me, was as beautiful as a princess. She could twirl on skates, and dance just like a ballerina. She taught me a lot, but soon left our family to build one of her own. Although I loved my childhood, I dreamed of the day that I too could have independence. I tried it once when I was 11 or so, but that lasted only a few hours. Actually, Mom saw me packing and followed from a distance, keeping her watch full eye on me. While overseas, a Sears catalog was my only source, and I used it to plan the hows of my escape when I returned stateside. By then, I'd be 15, and well prepared to be on my own...I thought.
And things did change. Wasn't long after, I became a legally emancipated person, married, and began a family of my own. My father was soon transferred to another part of the country, taking with him Mom and the siblings. And I was alone, to fend for myself, and to care for my family. With time, my in laws came to be more accepting of me, and I learned to trust and admire them, especially the one my kids called Pop. It was strange to me that he was called Pop, just as my father was. Although we butted heads occasionally, I leaned from him as well. Mostly economics and such, which I used to build a solid foundation for my future.
And now as I sit on this Dock, and reflect back to the Days that Were, I have recognized my roots and I know how I came to be me.
And things did change. Wasn't long after, I became a legally emancipated person, married, and began a family of my own. My father was soon transferred to another part of the country, taking with him Mom and the siblings. And I was alone, to fend for myself, and to care for my family. With time, my in laws came to be more accepting of me, and I learned to trust and admire them, especially the one my kids called Pop. It was strange to me that he was called Pop, just as my father was. Although we butted heads occasionally, I leaned from him as well. Mostly economics and such, which I used to build a solid foundation for my future.
And now as I sit on this Dock, and reflect back to the Days that Were, I have recognized my roots and I know how I came to be me.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Thursdays
In Those Days, the winters were cold. Sometimes the snow would drift against the house, all but covering the windows and blocking the doors. The snowplows would run the streets, pushing piles into the driveway, or burying the car if it was parked at the curb. Pop always went to work early in the day, which meant I got up with him to clear the car of the snow. Many times, the car never even started anyway and he would have to call a Jeep from the base to come get him. Mom layered so many clothes on me that I could only walk like a Ginger Bread Man on the way to school. But after school, was fun. I stripped away most of the outer clothes so I could sled, skate, or have snowball fights. So much fun. By dinner time, I was so cold that Mom bathed me in cold water to warm me up.
Winters changed for me as time passed. It still seemed as cold as it was, but I think that was because I was older and couldn't take it as well. Things were pale and brown, and the winds always blew. Some people fashioned a likeness of snowmen from tumbleweeds. It was football season and I loved to play. The cold wind never bothered me while playing, but for my fans in the stands, it was another story. I found that out when I became the fan while my children played the games. Watching the soccer games were the worst, although I loved to go.
For me, it's not so cold anymore. Seldom do I wear much more than a sweatshirt now. If it does snow, it melts away very soon. And if the wind blows, it's not all the time. And when it rains, I adapt. There is never a time that I can't sit on the Dock and ponder.
Winters changed for me as time passed. It still seemed as cold as it was, but I think that was because I was older and couldn't take it as well. Things were pale and brown, and the winds always blew. Some people fashioned a likeness of snowmen from tumbleweeds. It was football season and I loved to play. The cold wind never bothered me while playing, but for my fans in the stands, it was another story. I found that out when I became the fan while my children played the games. Watching the soccer games were the worst, although I loved to go.
For me, it's not so cold anymore. Seldom do I wear much more than a sweatshirt now. If it does snow, it melts away very soon. And if the wind blows, it's not all the time. And when it rains, I adapt. There is never a time that I can't sit on the Dock and ponder.
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