Failure

Went to Otis, CO (population 534) Monday on an assignment and failed to find the property. I can’t remember the last time that happened. Gad, I hate to fail!

The address was on Fourth Avenue. I ended up checking every house that had an address number (many didn’t) and every mailbox on the entire miserable Avenue from West to East.  Used both map programs on my tablet. Neither agreed with the other.  OK, went over the railroad tracks and checked all the streets on the South side. Finally said, “Fuck this!”

Otis is just one of many dying towns on the High Plains. Located on Highway 34 that runs from Estes Park, CO to Wray, CO, Otis is between two towns that are not dying, Yuma to the East and Akron to the West. That is not to say both are booming, but are stable. Beyond me why.

Akron is an interesting little town. It was started by the railroad solely because it is the highest point between Chicago and Denver. Well known to pilots, there is a nearby VOR and a 7,000’ runway. The hilltops are a jungle of communication towers.

The area was the scene of several significant battles during the late 1800’s Indian Wars. One needs to look but you can find some interesting geology in the area.

I like exploring the area in the spring but not when it is 10° with a 50 mph North wind.

Mostly I hate ending the year with a failure. Yes, I’m my harshest critic. In truth, other than my sister, I don’t give a rat’s ass for most people’s opinion.

Last One Standing UPDATE

My sister called today to let me know our last uncle passed away today. 

Chuck Wyatt, Mills, WY was nearly 95 and still productive. About ten minutes before an aneurism took him, he was reworking his walker.

 He leaves a daughter and three grandsons. His wife preceding him in death about ten years ago and a son, felled by a stroke and left disabled, died two years ago. They lost a girl as an infant.

My youngest aunt was a teen when her mother died leaving her an orphan.   Chuck and Kathleen took her in and she graduated high school while living with them.

Born and raised in Moffat County, CO, he was a WWII vet. My sister describes him as the finest human being you ever met and I certainly don’t disagree.

He was always a “blue collar” worker; a self taught jack of all trades, and was known to be utterly reliable.

An early memory of mine was his propane fueled car. He worked for a propane distributor and had a sideline converting vehicles to run on propane.

Come this May we will all gather at the old homestead during the Sombrero Horse Drive weekend to inter his cremains  in the private family cemetery.

My hope is only his cremains will be interred. My sister and I are down to two aunts, both in their 80’s.

Well, That Sucks

Last night it seemed this storm would miss us. Not so. Plans for the day are changed.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?x=166&y=72&site=bou&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=166&map_y=72#.Xgd0c_E0_bg

On the upside, my new Service(d) dog was enjoying himself this morning like a trust fund skier in fresh powder. He is the dog, I’m the service. An exuberant 65 lb. Lab pulling on his leash can be daunting when you are on snowpack.

Social Skills

Two days ago the women who gather for morning “coffee” in the common area informed me they are to be called, “The Ladies of The Round Table”, and not the , “Coven”. My innocent question, “Is this the Coven’s unanimous position”, received a frosty reception.

Politics

Speaking of things that suck, our ultra (P)regressive Governor issued eight pardons to mark the holiday’s including one illegal immigrant who has spent years living in sanctuary churches.

https://kdvr.com/2019/12/23/polis-pardons-peruvian-immigrant-convicted-of-felony-facing-deportation/

That takes care of the state charges. Good luck with ICE!

The rest? Shrug here, as I’m not familiar with the facts, and not really interested. I do have an opinion on murders. As long as they are breathing air and taking nourishment, and their victims cannot, let them rot.

Meanwhile, the (P)regressives have not been idle.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/the-tax-fight-continues-in-colorado-as-liberal-group-files-35-more-ideas-for-the-2020-ballot/

Former Governor and wanna be Presidential candidate, John WishyWashy, keeps stepping on his peepee.

https://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2019/12/20/ethical-issues-hick-says-commission-slow-jamming-their-probe-and-fiat-chrysler-fibbed/

https://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2019/12/10/sham-dems-block-audit-of-9-11-funds-paid-to-hickenloopers-ethics-lawyer/

and more and more. Wonder who he managed to piss off?

Local Scandal?

Inquiring minds want to know.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/severance-police-chief-on-unpaid-leave-sergeant-no-longer-with-department/

Pilgrims

A common Colorado story. Often involves Californians.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/texas-family-lost-in-colorado-snowy-wilderness-found-after-24-hours/

Other Texans not welcome.

https://www.kunc.org/post/destructive-wild-pigs-marching-toward-mountain-west#stream/0

Impeachment

What a fucked up goat roping circus! Hope it bites the (P)regressives in the ass come the next Congressional elections.

Oh Well

For the readers who have made it this far, I apologize for the lack of anything remotely profound. The Muse has been AWOL for several days and events have only caused irritation instead of outrage.

Christmas Memory

Out on a long walk with the dog, he was in need of a rest, so I took a seat on a big landscape rock and watched a neighborhood scene unfold. Two kids received a pedal go-cart for Christmas. They, along with Dad and Granddad were trying it out on the sidewalk. Mom and the family dog soon joined them. There was joy and happiness on display.

Nothing out of the ordinary. That scene is being played out coast to coast but it put a smile on my face and brought back a 35+ year memory of my youngest son and his “Big Wheel”.

We lived on a ¾ mile street with no side streets. That kid wore out two Big Wheels tearing up and down the street. In that more tolerant time, the neighbors enjoyed watching him go.

The dog needed a rest? That is my story and I’m sticking to it.

Merry Christmas to all you Christian readers, and the joy of the season to all. May your days be blessed.

Community

We are never too old to learn and to share new experiences. This was brought home to me this morning when a favorite leather glove was pinned to the bulletin board. Seems I had dropped it in the parking lot and some resident found it. Another put it on the bulletin board. A small thing to be sure but it set me to thinking.

This 90 unit 62+ Senior Housing unit started filling up a year ago. Since then, we residents have become a community. For me, it has been an adjustment, having been a “lone wolf” for many, many years.

With an average age of 70+ residents, it is not surprising we lose one a month on the average. Aid cars parked in the Porte-cochere are a too common sight.  Walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and portable oxygen are just part of the ambiance.

Acquiring the dog has lead to many small changes in my life. He needs to go out four times a day, and I’m getting a lot of exercise as a result. The other changes are my interactions with other residents. The dog lovers all want to pet him. Many want to give him treats. The dog soaks it all up.

Many residents are dirt poor. I’m one a handful of residents who pay full rent. These people tend to be lonely and withdrawn. The way they open up and start smiling when they see Banner, the dog, is amazing. Going through the lobby and common areas, we must stop and let them pet him. It warms me to see their smiles and enjoyment. I’ve become far more social as I chat with those petting the dog. A good thing for me, I believe.

Like any community, clicks form. One group I call The Coven (and I call them this to their faces) gather for coffee in the common area which has a kitchen. One always has treats for the dog and the damned beast can’t wait to see her. A 65 lb Lab can pull mighty hard on a leash, I’m here to say. While he is being loved on, others in the group try to bust my balls with verbal skills honed over the years doing the same to husbands.

Gathered in the lobby is the click who doesn’t like The Coven. The lobby has a coffee bar. One of them always has treats for the dog.

Other residents don’t join either click but have dogs and we end up talking.

Around each of the holidays a potluck lunch is held and I usually find myself helping, that is to say, being bossed around by the ladies.

To date, I’ve avoided any “romantic” involvements. There is one resident who might change that as I am attracted. Mutual? Time will tell.

A Senior Housing situation wasn’t my first choice. I was content with the apartment I had until they didn’t fix my a/c for an entire summer then raised my rent $145 a month. I feel fortunate to have this place which will serve until I can execute COLOEXIT. The biggest regret is no carport or garage.

Thanksgiving Surprise

Skilled photographers impress me with their ability to capture moments and convey emotions.

Recently my daughter in law emailed pictures taken Thanksgiving by her friend who then introduced my late son’s photograph into the picture. Took me aback for a moment. So appropriate, that he is still watching over them from the other side.

She has two children from a previous relations ship and he had two. Together they had another son.

 Soon after they became a family her children asked me what they should call me.

“You can call me whatever you want”, was my reply.

“Can we call you Grandpa?”

“Sure can”, was my response, with a big grin. Been Grandpa every since.

Admiration for my daughter in law is off the charts. The way she has dealt with the loss of her husband, and kept on keeping on, vindicates my son’s good sense in marring her. I say this even though she refers to me as, “Grumpy Old Bastard”.

Yep, she isn’t easily fooled!

Impeachment

This impeachment business has enough nuisances to leave me befuddled. As I understand it, the House of Representatives passed a “resolution”. They still need to vote on, and send to the Senate, the actual impeachment. In other words, a two step process.

Pelosi had a press conference where she said that won’t happen until she and the (P)regressive leadership are assured of a “fair trial” by the Senate.

So what is going to happen?

The (P)regressives must believe the  ongoing bullshit will help them and weaken President Trump. Mark Levin says it is to prevent President Trump from appointing another Supreme Court Justice before the 2020 election. Is Ruthy about to croak?

My guess is the Democrats haven’t anything concrete to run on, nothing that they can claim as an accomplishment, so their strategy in 2020 will be a constant drum roll of “impeachment, he was impeached, he is illegitimate”, and on and on. This will be the talking points of their syncopate allies, the American Media Maggots (h/t BZ).

Both groups will be praying for, and trying to trigger, an economic downturn.

Unless the Deep State can get to McConnell, he will continue to tell Pelosi to pack sand. She probably thinks she is in a win/win situation. She gets her “fair trial” or she can pontificate about the evil Republicans.

Yes, we have no bananas today. Give the (P)regressives what they want and we will have bananas, a Banana Republic.

Too Much?

The ladies in our Senior Apartments seem to be competing decorating Christmas trees. This is on the 3rd floor where I live.

My contribution? I put it together, erected it, and hooked up the electricity. Then, coward that I am, I got the hell out of the way.

For my taste, the tree has too much on it, and the ladies aren't finished! 

So I look at and say, "Wow!" That is not a hill I'm ready to die on.

The No Brainer Masterpiece

For ten years Ford produced and sold the best no brainer car on the market, the Tempo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Tempo

There are many people who don’t like cars but need one. They want ease of use, cheap to buy, cheap to operate, and stove bolt reliability. That was the Tempo! Turn the key, put it in gear, and drive away. 

I sold scores of Tempos. Not a high profit item, they padded my monthly numbers to push into bonus country. Three or so Escorts, four Tempos, a couple of Taurus and several F-150/F2-50s would push a months earnings into the $7,500-$10,000 range. Loved that car!

What prompted this post was the following:

https://jalopnik.com/could-6-999-for-this-amazingly-clean-1988-ford-tempo-a-1840457266

Which brings me to my favorite Tempo memory. A customer walked in one day. A 4’6” totally androgynous human, she identified herself as “Angel”, a resident of Unalaska (Dutch Harbor) Alaska. She had exactly $10,000 to spend and her other, inflexible requirements, was 4wd and new, no used. She had been shopping for two days all along the Seattle corridor.

In a few hours she was the owner of a blue AWD Tempo. We were able to fit in Ziebart  rust protection and a decent undercoating while staying in her price envelope. Off it went to a barge destined for Dutch Harbor.

We never heard back from her but I’ve often wondered how the Tempo fared in Dutch Harbor.

The European Modendo, sold here as the Contour, replaced the Tempo. Whatever the qualities of the Contour, it was not a no brainer and was far more money. The Tempo buyer types soon looked elsewhere.

About that time the FCC started requiring dealers to disclose the capitalization costs of leases. My store, about 14-20 in nationwide volume, was the #1 Ford Red Carpet Lease store in the country for 14 straight years. Seeing the handwriting writ large, I took my happy ass off to the best used car operation in the area.

Many readers of this blog are smart, or think they are. Whatever, the one truism of the car biz that never changes is, “Bore and Stroke”.

Down payment and monthly payment.

The true cash buyer is extremely rare. The smarter ones have shopped for financing, bank or credit union, and have a loan commitment in their pocket. They call themselves, “cash buyers”. No Bubba, you are not but I can probably get you in and out in a couple of hours. That works for me so I will play your game, almost to the end.

Facebook Humor

Swiped this from a David Dye post.

Dave is an interesting man. Now in his mid seventies, he is a successful and, probably, wealthy used truck dealer.

https://www.dyeautos.com/

A tough juvenile semi literate delinquent, he joined the Marine Corps as a teenager and credits the Corps with turning his life around. Now suffering from COPD, he straps on oxygen and goes snowmobiling at 10,000’ ASL.

I’m proud he considers me a friend. We have done business over the years on a handshake or verbal commitment over the phone.   

Red Flag Law

Coming in the New Year is the (P)regressive passed and made into law the “Red Flag Law”. IMO,  part of their ongoing effort to disarm all of us Deplorables.

I found this article in our local rag informative.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/local-law-enforcement-agencies-brace-prepare-for-red-flag-law-as-new-year-approaches/

I am more comfortable with what will happen, at least in my immediate vicinity, by the well reasoned responses by the two who will be faced with enforcing it, our Chief of Police and our County Sheriff.

The nut cutting will happen when a judge’s order is not carried out.  The judges will not sit quietly if their power is challenged. While they, in theory, face the voters the reality is once they are in, they are in. Rarely has any judge been voted out in Colorado.

Since I’ve lost all my firearms in a tragic boating accident, I shouldn’t be affected. While it is true I’m bat shit crazy, I’m no threat to the physical safety of anyone.  Other’s tender feelings are a different matter.

Old Aphorisms

Bet a few will make you smile.

A short, pointed sentence that expresses a wise or clever observation: 

1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.

2 Money will buy a fine dog but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

3. If you don't have a sense of humour you probably don't have any sense at all.

4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs. 

5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.

6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?

7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company  can operate without.

8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?

9. Stroke a cat and you will have a permanent job.

10.  No one has more driving ambition than the teenage boy who wants to buy a car.

11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.

12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 a.m - for example, it could be the right number.

13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.

14. I've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap.

15. Be careful about reading the fine print - there's no way you're going to like it.

16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.

17. Do you realize that, in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?

18. Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Cadillac than in a Ford.

19. After 70, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you're probably dead.

20. Always be yourself because the people who matter don't mind and the ones who mind don't matter.

21. Life isn't tied with a bow but it's still a gift.

Hope

Our community is made better by volunteers and the programs they support. One is the Community Grief Center, the subject of a past blog.

https://www.communitygriefcenter.org/our-story.html

Last night was a third annual fundraiser, “Lights of Hope”.

https://www.communitygriefcenter.org/lights-of-hope.html

Cut out of the snow is the word “Hope”. The candles are being placed within the letters.

Around two hundred people came.

My sister is one of the board members so I was there in support of her along with being a donor and a beneficiary of the Center’s Programs after the death of my youngest son last March.

During a Veterans Day event I helped her man a booth.

How bleak would our communities be without volunteers supporting hundreds of programs and events?

My sister has been a board member of Salud for many years. From a clinic in a small Weld County town where migrant farm workers could receive basic care, it has grown into a dynamic organization.

https://www.saludclinic.org/

It should be pointed out my sister has never, ever, received monetary compensation, other than expenses, for any of her volunteer work.

My respect for volunteers of all types is off the charts.

A Dog Life

 Amazes me, it does, how this dog has altered my life. His needs have completely changed my routine, for the better.

He doesn’t bark, ignores the comings and goings outside my apartment door, hasn’t had an “accident” and hasn’t chewed on anything other than his dog toy. We have had a strong discussion regarding the trash can. Much to my surprise, he hasn’t touched it since.

Being a Lab, he is always interested in food and comes to the kitchen even if I am just getting a cup of coffee. The old cliché, “No five second rule when you have a two second dog”, certainly applies.

Riding in the back seat of the car is no problem and he seems to be content even after two or three hours. The seat in the Mighty Max is a little on the small side for the two of us but he copes. It is a challenge shifting with his head on my right thigh.

In this building there is a group of women, divorced or widowed, who gather in the common area each morning for coffee and gossip. They are middle school “mean girls” grown old. In the lobby area is another group who don’t get along with the “mean girls”. Both groups like the dog so we run a gauntlet going and coming.

In passing, I should mention the “mean girls” enjoy busting my balls at every opportunity. I enjoy giving it right back at them. Happily, I’m not married to any of them.

Life has a way of keeping you humble. I replaced my autistic son’s cell phone with a smart phone. I sent him the picture atop this post. His response, “Dad, you don’t have any hair”.

He likes his kennel and will retire to it at the end of the day. Companion  dog?

“You’re on your own Bubba. I’m done for the day”.

Financial Fantasy

Impeachment, elections, Donkeys or Elephants, will it really matter? When will all this debt overwhelm us?

Discussing a real estate boom in Steamboat springs, CO during the early 1970’s with my late father gave me some food for thought that has never faded. He explained mortgages were being exchanged but no “hard dollars” were involved. He said, and he was proven correct, there would be a collapse.

Old NFO’s blog, Nobody Asked Me ,  https://oldnfo.org/  has some interesting side bars. One I read today in particular struck a nerve, https://accordingtohoyt.com/ where she talks about aging and shrinking populations and the financial positions of our younger people.

Another blogger, http://www.kimdutoit.com/2019/12/02/it-aint-that/ had an observation I find relevant.

My opinion is that young people aren’t interested in cars for two reasons:

·         They all look the same.  (I’ve ranted and raved about this situation so many times, I’m starting to bore myself.)

·         New cars cost too much, and youngins don’t have the cash to buy them — hence the popularity of the “no-car” ownership and Uber.

Looking at the financial situation of younger people, I don’t see a bright future for them.

Under President Trump the economy has taken off, jobs have been created, and capital investments are being made. At the same time, debt has soared. So the question I ask myself is where the “hard dollars” are and who has them?

Please understand after the eight retched Lightbringer years, our situation is far better, IMO. Is it sustainable?

As a private citizen, President Trump has a long string of bankrupt business endeavors. Will he bankrupt the country? Who will get shafted? Does he have that mindset as President?

In my thirties I was hustled hard to buy Icelandic bonds that were paying 13% interest. The country defaulted, but still functions as a country. I declined the opportunity, yeah me, while at the same time I worked with a man whose father was the stockbroker for the first issue of Microsoft on the Spokane Stock Exchange. I declined that opportunity, boo me!

As a country we have defaulted, under the Lightbringer, so there is a precedent. I don’t claim to understand all of this but try to get some glimmer of what is coming. More boom, or a big bust?

The bright side is, Shillary wasn’t elected, or we would already have answers to some of my questions.

Not One Dime More

The National Rifle Association and I have a one sided on again/off again relationship.

Their range master programs and safety programs are admirable. If there was a way to support those, and nothing else I would be in.

When President Trump took office, the GOP controlled both the House and Senate. If ever a time existed to pass a National Reciprocity act that was the time. Didn’t happen.

What the NRA seems very good at is flooding my email inbox with fund raising appeals and dire warnings. Way too much “Chicken Little”.

Seems to me the people running the NRA day to day are part of the insular elite crowd infesting our National Capitol (and surrounding exurbs). Their greatest achievement is living well off the patriotic impulses of their countryman. They can do so without any contribution from me.

The Gun Owners of America do get a few bucks from me. While there is a lot of “Chicken Little” in their broadsides, they do actually get things done  while operating from a place that makes the Peoples Republic of Boulder look conservative.

As usual, YMMV.

Perfect Storm

Nasty weather the past few days with 50 mph winds yesterday afternoon. The adults dig out while the kids on Thanksgiving break enjoy themselves. A perfect storm with perfect timing for them.

For adults, not so much fun.

We should have a two to three day window of  decent weather until the next system rolls in.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?x=166&y=70&site=bou&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=166&map_y=70#.XeQYxNnN_bg


Wyoming was shut down for two days and is just now digging out. 

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/major-interstates-reopen-in-colorado-wyoming-on-sunday/

Nebraska didn't escape. See Prairie Adventure.

http://prairieadventure.blogspot.com/2019/11/thisll-be-quick.html

The shuttle bus route I quit at the end of October was closed yesterday (CO 292, CO14, CO77). So glad I'm not out driving in this weather. I've been a licensed driver now for 61 years. There isn't many road conditions I haven't seen. Maybe Musk Oxen migrations is still on the list.