After Action Report - Horse Drive

Good trip to “Where the Hell is Maybell, CO” for the Sombrero Horse Drive.

The header photo is some of my cousins talking to a Maybell area rancher they knew growing up in Maybell. He is a real cowboy that passes out taffy to the crowds and keeps a bottle of blackberry brandy in a saddle bag.

 The weather was great but winter came in again Sunday night. The first 150 miles back to the Front Range was a challenge. Sisty had it much worse as she left this morning from Steamboat Springs to investigate a fatally accident in Canon City. Horrible roads all the way there.

Stopped to see old rancher friends in Steamboat Springs. My age, and damned they look old. They are the kind of friends you don’t see for years and when you get together it was like we saw each other last week. As ranchers, wolves were on their minds.

 Their son and daughter-in-law now run the ranch and raise Kargal Sheppard Dogs as a sideline. One is 200 lbs. My friends are grateful for these dogs. One has kept a 400 lb bear away from the ranch. The bear responded by taking a dump in the driveway.

 Banner spent the four days at my sister’s home. He seemed pleased to see me.

 As always, YMMV

So You Want to be a Cowboy?

 Cowboy Up!

This weekend is the Sombrero Horse Drive. 2-500 horses moved from Browns Park to west of Craig, CO. Too late this year but if you have $5,000 or so to spare you can do it next year.

Ride'em

On Sunday the drive goes past Maybell, CO. Our paternal family has a multi-generation history in that corner of Colorado and adjacent parts of Wyoming and Utah. We have a family gathering around that date each year. On Saturday we visit the private family cemetery on land homesteaded around 1913 that is still in the hands of family members, approximately 20 miles west of Maybell.

Side note: Maybell has the distinction as the coldest recorded temperature in the state, -61°F.

(Browns Park          40° 48’ 25.01” N  108° 54’ 27024” W

  Sombrero Ranch  40° 32’ 25.50” W  107° 46’ 13.74” W)

Want a 2^nd Home in Wyoming?

Wretched excess

Wyoming has many isolated, out of the way, places. Bedford may be as isolated as any. Lying in the Star Valley between two mountain ranges and served by one highway, the few Star Valley residents are mainly LDS (Mormon) followers. The Jackson Hole pustule is a hard 69 mile drive away along the Snake River.

Given the financial means, would I buy the place? Hell no! I would rather live in a sheep wagon.

No S**t, Sherlock

Soros Legacy

Colorado 8^th Congressional District

Created after the last census, the Republicans nasty primary fight resulted in an establishment wingnut candidate that independent voters found distasteful. The Democrat winner is a decent person that votes party line and tends “woke”. Polling suggests she might have trouble getting re-elected.

CO 8th

This is the district I live in. The probable Republican candidate is a solid conservative.

MORE

Of interest, but not important, both the current office holder and her presumed opponent are Latino.

Bad Drivers – We are third in the nation, Colorado!

#1 is within reach with just a few more transplants moving here.

Watch out!

The infrastructure isn’t adequate for the amount of traffic.

US 50 Blue Mesa Reservoir Bridge

Closed due to structural cracks. The detour is over 300 miles. My first thought was a temporary float bridge. Seems CDOT has approached the Army for help. No answer yet.

Something for the local residents.

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nCZXZbVWTUwPl7jMSSOio-q9xo_D2liEw

Wolves doing what wolves do, duh!

Emperor Polis to ranchers? “Tough shit”. 

Middle finger

What warms my evil heart is wolves expanding their range and are now appearing along the Front Range. What will happen when a golden doddle gets eaten in Boulder County?

Another sign Biden isn’t running the Executive Branch

The new harebrained scheme is to move the Air National Guard into the Space Force. Biden, with decades of swimming in the swamp, would know this is a sure way to piss of all the Governors. Further, do this in an election year?

I’ve never understood the need for a Space Force in the first place.

Plain Talk

A car selling memory. My sales manager was doing a thirty day alcohol rehab and the corporate trainer ran the store for a month. Honest Art Kinsman (The Working Man’s Friend). A decorated Korean War Marine, he played two seasons as an offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers. He was a foul mouthed hard ass’s hard ass.

 One night I was working a deal with a man with bad credit. After the third pencil (offer), he roared out, “You go up there and tell that banko fag we are the only place that can get him financed and that is the payment!”

Going behind my desk I started, “Jeff, we…” when he cut me off. “I heard”, he said. “Where do I sign”.

Australian Invasion

Many blog posts have to do with Wyoming rare earth deposits. Most are being developed by Australian companies. The latest news involves one of Australia’s wealthiest person. For those interested.

Rare Earth

 There are other players and wannabe players. China is lurking in the background with some of the players. Surprise?

TABOR – The (P)regressive’s never quit

The biggest impediment to the leftist effort to make Colorado California lite is the Taxpayers Bill of rights, a state Constitutional amendment. Their latest effort is to spend more while promising lower taxes. 

Taxes

The Democrats are determined to move Colorado from #13 among state debt at $67 billion toward #1 California $520 billion.

Pesky thing, Constitutions. Lawsuits to follow.

Soylent Green news

Gushing article on advances in better synthetic food,  if you have an interest.

Plant Based "Meat"

Look forward to changes in labeling rules so that the consumer won’t know what they are eating.

Banner’s new tack

What he was using was over four years old and starting to fray. He doesn’t care but the ladies in the building are making a fuss over the new gear and he does enjoy the attention. For me, I went with a new 6’ leash instead of the old 4’.  

 Out of battery 5/4 to 5/7. Will have a laptop but the motel connection is poor. Unless things have changed from last year, little to no cell phone service in Maybell with my carrier.

 As always, YMMV

A Clear and Present Danger

Copied from LL’s Virtual Mirage (Virtualmirage.org)

** Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently appointed Zakiya Carr Johnson as the State Department’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Johnson called America a “failed historical model.” She demanded the destruction of tradition “at every juncture” on the altar of antiracism“ and “we live and work within systems… deeply rooted in patriarchy, colonialism, racism, and otherism.” She also considers herself a feminist but with a racial twist who “embraces a ‘feminist’ leadership style, but one that “counter[s] White-centered feminism trends and narratives.” Predictably, white supremacy was singled out for special ire, “We cannot have equity without dismantling structural racism, patriarchy, and heterosexism … It will start with movements … that compel us to ask … uncomfortable questions. What does inclusion mean, for example, if White supremacy remains intact?”

I’m going for a reach here. Germany after WW I wasn’t a hotbed of anti-Semitism. Many Jews were in the military, were decorated, promoted, patriotic, and accepted as ‘good German citizens”. Had the Nazis tried their genocide immediately most Germans wouldn’t have condoned it, IMO. Rather, several years were spent creating an atmosphere of hate. Isn’t that happening now, in our country, with this Woke rhetoric? Not just to condition citizens, but to erase moral compunctions among the Woke about subjugating others?

Micro Nuclear Reactors

Technology problems, no problem. Regulatory problems, little hope

Burden

Offending the “Woke”

Presented as a public service in case you are missing some triggers.

Snowflakes

 Armed population

Several Wyoming counties had zero homicides in 2023. As one coroner said,

Like many other coroners who share his county’s no-killing status, Beachler credited the county’s low population, which is 6,808, according to July 2023 state data.

He also noted that nearly everyone in Weston County is armed.

“You have a greater respect for each other, I think, when you’re more equal” in that way, he said.

Another Wyoming quote:

There’s no season for idiots in Yellowstone. The park’s West Entrance and several interior roads opened less than a week ago, but incidents are already making the rounds on social media.

As always, YMMV

ADDENDUM: I don't censor any comments. If you lack the guts to put your "handle" on it, it will be deleted. Too bad, some anonymous comments  are worth reading. 

We Lack National Will

 

As a society we have gone from bold innovators to nay saying sheep, IMO. Prove me wrong, please!

Save the planet, end petroleum powered transportation.

One solution was proposed sixty seven years ago.

MORE

Imagine where we would be today if this type of technology were developed?

LL, Virtual Mirage has written about small modular nuclear reactors. Another beneficial technology not being developed due to lack of national will.

Shocking!

We aren’t going to all burn up. We are going to freeze.  A new climate change paper.

Surprise

Amazing, coming from the University of Washington. Are they at war with the Oregon State University (one of the louder Chicken Littles)?

Changes, changes

I stopped at a 7-11 to pay my tax on people bad at math (loto). The person behind the counter was 6’ 200 lbs. Baritone voice, makeup, hair style feminine, wearing some sort of mesh bonnet and black colored clothing not traditional (lots of lace).

 My order was promptly and correctly processed. My change was correct. The cashier was polite and pleasant.

 Upon reflection, decided to file the encounter under life’s little surprises.

Karma

Until 1995 when I started using a CPAP, I was a horrible snorer. Once at Ft Leonard Wood I woke up outside. The other soldiers picked up my bunk with me in it, still asleep, and carried it outside, dead of winter.

 What Karma you ask? I have a dog that snores, loudly.

Wolves killing livestock. Tone deaf politicians respond.

Expected different?

A wolf encounter in Montana with a positive outcome.

Right response

Let’s not jump to conclusions.

The surge in “newcomers” plus those housing challenged doesn’t tie in with the surge of syphilis in Colorado, does it? 

Clap

Vaccine skeptic

Rather than kill you with a series of booster shots, science is developing a way to kill you with just one shot.

Viruses

 Sorry, Scientist Hai, I have my suspicions. No shots for me.

Think I worked there back in the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTvwwDnrQL8&ab_channel=skunkman62

“An old dog teaching an old dog new tricks”.

A nieces’s comment on this Facebook post.

Spoiled rotten Treat hound.

A neighbor puts a special treat for Banner in the bicycle thing-a-ma-jig. I'm trying to limit treats and ignored one this morning. Banner had spotted it. For about an hour he kept bothering me until I gave up and got the &*^%$ treat for him. He is doing a good job of training me.

High cost of unreliable electric power

An interesting analysis of the economic costs of a recent, short term, interruption of electricity.

Blackouts

Granted this was in response to high winds whipping power lines and not a direct result of “green energy”. It is a foretaste of green energy unreliability.

The picture? I freeze a cup 2/3 full of water. One frozen, I place a quarter on top. If power is out for an extended period during my absence, the quarter sinks and alerts me my food is probably spoiled even if refrozen.

Hats and eating.

Law Dog has a post up regarding wearing a hat while eating. 

Hats

I don’t eat while wearing a hat. I’m simply not comfortable. Guess growing up I had proper fetching.

Surprise, surprise!

“Plant based meats” aren’t very nutritious compared to the real deal. If you care to know more it is here. 

Solyent Green

As always, YMMV

The Dog's Fault

Banner News

Some readers like Banner stories. Last week, for the first time in the 4+ years he has lived with me, he didn’t attack his supper. The next day he was at the vet. Complete blood workup showed him slightly dehydrated but nothing else. He has unlimited access to water. Two days later he was his usual self. Despite my vigilance I suspect he ate something bad. Blasted dog will eat just about anything. Sisty suggests he just needed a good poop.

The vet noticed he has gained five pounds in six months. He suggested a change in dog food which has been taken.

The biggest reason for the weight gain is he has stopped taking me for walks.

Wind farms are wonderful?

Advertisement that appeard at the top of the Cowboy Daily. Somehow I don’t think that is ‘full disclosure’.

Wind Farm

Who knew coal is ‘green’?

I like learning new things and this is new to me.

Skin Care

The biggest question is how Kemmer/Diamondville will handle the housing and associated water and poop infrastructure to accommodate 12,000+ new residents?

Entrepreneur spirit

Are some politicians, all big government advocates, and many government employees operating with a perverted entrepreneur motivation? Empire building?

Model Citizen. Four Dui’s? 

Bad Girl

Dumb shits will be dumb shits. 

The gun grabbers are delighted by the actions of this dumb shit leaving a handgun in a state capital restroom. Naturally, the long term (P)regressive pimple on the Fourth Estate’s ass is all over the story.

MORE

 Your GPS is wrong

Map reading is a lost skill and people putting blind faith in their electronic devices are, IMO, deluded. Wyoming’s take on the issue? 

Blind Trust

In my paper hanging job, finding addresses is crucial. I have three separate GPS devices with me. Before I ever go out I use my computer to look at every address. Often, I will view a picture of the address. Getting wrong directions from one or more device happens so often I no longer even bother to cuss.

One example. I needed to find an address in Morgan Heights (Fort Morgan). I knew I was looking for a two story stucco three car attached garage house. Two GPS directions took me to the other end of the street. One wanted to take me to Castle Rock, CO.

My Congresswoman 

Liberal Loser

Hope she is a one term representative. I put the time and effort into a letter on an issue that mattered to me. Sent one copy to her local office and one copy to her D.C. office. No response/reply. Staffers probably file 13d it.

My sister approves of her. My sister has spent thirty years of her life as a volunteer in a community health organization. Caraveo is a strong supporter. Sorry Sisty, I’m not a one issue voter.

Good and kind people

This morning I was reminded there are good and kind people in the world. My neighbor across the hall is 87 and in declining health. A resident of our building is taking her to see her doctor. This person, a LDS widow, is constantly helping others. She takes care of their dogs when they are in the hospital. She takes others grocery shopping. She does all of these acts of kindness quietly and without any fanfare. Some of her acts are motivated by her religious beliefs but I think mainly she does it because she is simply a good and caring person.

IMO, in our day to day lives we overlook how many good people are in our world.

PETA

They recently held a rally at the Wyoming capitol building. Other than the four protesters, nobody showed up. I’m not bothering to link the article.

Firearms control

The tyrants never stop with a death by thousand cuts against legal and lawful firearms owners (I don’t use “gun” unless talking about smooth bores).

Fiddling while Rome burns

What this effort should be labeled is avoiding serious issues while appearing to “DO SOMETHING” with a seasoning of hysteria.

As always YMMV