Sunday Wandering

This morning the “eating plan” went South as I had Sunday brunch with my sister and one of her ‘adopted’ daughters at a local family owned American-Greek-Mexican restaurant.  Chicken fried steak, hash browns, eggs, and sourdough toast tasted wonderful. Sitting down and having hot prepared food brought to us made me realize how much I loathe my government assuming responsibility for my health.

Bringing our entrees was a girl child who is growing up in her family business. Watching her, maybe 14, maybe 5’, maybe 85 lbs with a large round tray loaded with plates balanced on one shoulder made us smile in appreciation.

Tomorrow is back to the plan. It works, slowly, but in 20 months I’m down 74 pounds. Will I soon go from “the Tank” to the “APC”? Will I avoid knee replacement? Will the damned belly bulge, now belly sag, ever go away? Will it take another 20 months to get to the weight I want? Is this an interesting subject, to anyone other than myself?

The plan isn’t complicated. I simply avoid lectin-containing foods. Exercise? Two one mile walks with the dog daily and a session on a rowing type machine I’ve owned, and used, for years.

Since I’m skeptical of any reported news, I’m wondering just how accurate reports are of attempted suicides during this Chinese flu panic. The headline that drew my attention was, “One year’s worth in four months”. Always unanticipated results are our human condition.

I’ve avoided blogging about George Floyd. Other do it better, especially Virtual Mirage. If you are not already reading him, do yourself a favor and wander over there.

https://www.virtualmirage.org/the-story-2/

Since, once again, I didn’t win the lottery this coming week will hopefully bring some work my way.

Wise Pilots

Why Front Range pilots in smaller planes depart westbound over the Continental Divide at 0600.

This snap was taken at 1045 today.

Contribution

They sent a request for a contribution. Since they included a postage paid envelope, I sent them one.

I want them to know just what they are subverting.

I'm a kind, giving person sometimes.

Memory Lane

Circa 1969, my soon to be wife had a top floor apartment on South Logan Street next to Interstate 25 (Valley Highway) in Denver. Valley Highway passed under Logan.

We had just arrived back at her apartment when a mega thunderstorm hit. Just the short distance from her carport to the rear door left us sopping wet. The hail and rain continued for over an hour.

Evidently the drains under Logan were plugged and the roadway became a lake. Several vehicles were trapped. At one point a cab over semi’s chrome exhaust pipes was all that was above water.

A Volkswagen was floating around. Finally, after the rain stopped, the Fire Department arrived. They had a small inflatable raft and paddled out to the VW. As soon as they attached a rope to the rear bumper and started to pull it to the dry roadway, the VW sank.

We had a perfect ringside seat from her apartment to watch the circus.

If memory serves, it wasn’t until the next morning the highway was opened.

Water Everywhere but None to Drink

The Colorado River flow keeps shrinking. This man has an answer.

Complete Colorado

· 1 hr · 

HOLIDAY UPDATE: "Unquestionably, there is less water in the river now, but why?" #copolitics https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2020/05/25/walcher-colorado-river-water-dropping-but-its-not-climate-change/

Tamarisk, an invasive non native plant, is part of the cause, and one that can be eliminated. It just takes money, and the willingness to do so.

As we end the Chinese flu debacle, we probably will face massive unemployment. Imagine, if you will, a modern version of the Depression era Civil Conservation Corps.

https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/civilian-conservation-corps

Two states that would benefit the most are Nevada and California. Arizona would get some benefit. Mexico (Baja) might get some of the water promised by treaty but never received.

I had uncles that were in the CCC. They said when they went into the military in WWII the CCC experience was helpful.

There you go again, WSF, tilting windmills by making sensible proposals.

Memorial Day

Something I posted on Facebook.

This day let us remember those who served and became disabled from their service injuries. Many had their lives shorten. In other words, not all died on the battlefield, but they died none the less serving their country.

Who I had in mind.

Rest in peace my son.

A Fortunate Life

Walking two miles a day gives you time to think. Walking with a companion allows exchange of ideas. Living in a 90+ resident senior apartment building with a minimum age of 65 lets you see a lot of wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen concentrators in use.

My walking companion is 73, I’m 75, and we both have some health issues. We both agree we are very fortunate our problems don’t keep us from living a full life. Down the road is an assisted living building that reminds us others our age cannot live a full life.

My mother lived for years in a near vegetative state in such a place.

Between watching what I eat and an exercise plan, I’m down 40+ pounds from a year ago. The dog helps; he has his needs. That means more exercise on my part.

Hopefully I have many more active years ahead of me. Family history on both sides had many individuals active into the 80’s and early 90’s.

I rarely dwell on this. Rather, I just keep on keeping on.

For those with inquiring minds, my walking companion is just that, someone to walk with. A gracious lady, intelligent, with a positive outlook who has her own life and interests.

Was It The Car?

This past Monday the job required a trip to Ogallala, NE, about a 380 mile round trip. Decided to do it in a rental. When I picked it up at Enterprise (the only game in my town – Hertz is a joke) they gave me a free upgrade to a Hyundai Sonata.

Tuesday my back and hips were hurting so bad I made an appointment with the back quack and got adjusted. It took him awhile and I yelped a time or two.

The seat felt fine during the trip and the car, while boring, was ok, if not for noticeable road noise. Mileage was in the upper 30 mpg.

I’m puzzled as to why my back got so out of adjustment. Was it the car? I don’t know. Other than the trip, my mundane life continued with no unusual (no moving furniture or breaking horses) activities.

Not much to blog about recently. I’m active on Facebook as a way to keep up with my 50 or so cousins among others. A regular posting is, “Stirring the pot”, items that will stir up liberal readers. Just to keep them on their toes, put up this.

As always, YMMV.

Life Goes On

Youngest grand-daughter taking her first driving lesson.

Corruption: The New Normal

There was a time corrupt government employees breaking the law stood trial in a court of law. Seems to be those days are long gone.

Example: The individuals involved in the coup against President Trump. Worse thing for them is getting fired or quitting, if anything.

We have a minor example in Colorado with lying about COVID-19 to get more Federal funds. Think our governor will do anything? I don’t. Maybe she will get transferred, or go to a “private sector” political funding organization.

Speaking of our Governor, he has a pen and he is not afraid to use it (echo, anyone?).

  

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/organizers-can-now-collect-signatures-for-ballot-measures-via-email-mail/

Money quote.

“Only we, the voters of Colorado, can amend our state’s constitution and no individual elected official or office can change what we as citizens decide, even during challenging times,” Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.

We already have mail in voting with all the risks involved.

Recently I vented on Facebook.

Political Rant - You have been warned!

Democrats in the House propose a $3 Trillion "COVID-19 bill that, when it reaches the Senate won't pass. They damn well know it; it is an election stunt pointed to the 2020 elections. "Look how heartless the Republicans are, they will shout". Let's call it what it is; extortion.

Millions of our citizens face losing their homes, their vehicles, and even being able to buy groceries. Winter heating bills? Costs to get their kids ready for school in the fall?

As a long time Blue Dog Democrat, now registered Independent, I cannot see voting for any Democrat at the National level. Not this election. At age 75, it may be the last election I will vote in.

For the record, I've voted in every single election since reaching my majority.

If the voters don’t  give the Republicans control of the House this fall, all this crap will continue. Should President Trump lose, we, as a Constitutional Republic, are doomed. Wait, I hear. President Trump has been able to have many Judges appointed who believe in the Constitution. Yeah, like that will stop the (P)regressives. The new normal.

So, WSF, what is your solution? Thank you for asking. Start prosecuting the bad actors and then putting them in prison.

What keeps me grounded.

After all this venting, time to get grounded again.

War Stories

Imagine the war stories the children born to the Class of 2020 will endure.

Up Yours, Comcast and Management

Danny, the retired truck driver's response, to the Comcast monopoly in our building and the management rule that we can't mount our own antennas.

Haven't had a chance to ask him how well it works.

Interesting Times

Never, ever, did I imagine walking into my bank wearing a mask and wanting cash.

Please Read

On my sidebar is Lessons From My Exes. This is my great niece who is as decent and hard working woman as you will ever meet.

She has earned most of her college education playing soccer, and her body has paid the price.

She has put up a post I believe we all can learn from.

Adapt and Improvise

A neighbor. He isn't wrapped real tight.

More

Banner, the not so brave dog.

In his seven years, he has lived in apartments and suburban homes with a fenced yard. He is very timid about many things and I’ve been working on changing that. For instance, he is skittish about different floors including my deck. As you can see, he has decided the deck is OK.

Wide open spaces scared him. As you will see in some of the pictures he has overcome that fear. At the water tank, he didn’t know how to drink. I got his water bowl from the truck, filled it, and then he drank. He is a lab, but I haven’t taken him swimming. That is on tap for this summer.

There is a trail to the buttes that I have hiked in the past. This time of year you can’t get on the Buttes as it is the beginning of nesting season for many species of birds that make their home in and around the buttes.

It is a nice place to come for a picnic. In the roads leading into the visitor center, many turnouts are used by campers/RVs.

Future Energy

The area is blighted by hundreds of wind turbines with more being built all the time. When, in twenty years or so, they are rusted and abandoned, the electric grid may still be useful. The picture is a place where water, separated from oil, is pumped deep underground. Logically, if it is pumped into the ground it can be pumped back.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191017101229.htm 

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

Water source, abundant sunlight, and an existing power grid. Just might save our asses.

High Plains Fix

Severe clear weather and the need to break the tedium was my excuse to find the place where Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado meet.

Follow Directions

At the risk of losing my man card, I started the trip with instructions.

A retired Weld County policewoman sent me specific instructions. That was the key, as I’ve driven by the location twice and not found it. It appears to be on private property. For you Texans, purple paint means nothing in these parts.

From the cattle guard it is about ½ mile past a functioning windmill and water tank. I parked at the windmill as a lot of mud was present just past it and I didn’t want to get stuck.

Banner, the not so brave dog.

In his seven years, he has lived in apartments and suburban homes with a fenced yard. He is very timid about many things and I’ve been working on changing that. For instance, he is skittish about different floors including my deck.

Wide open spaces scared him. As you will see in some of the pictures he has overcome that fear. . At the water tank, he didn’t know how to drink. I got his water bowl from the truck, filled it, and then he drank. He is a lab, but I haven’t taken him swimming. That is on tap for this summer.

Pawnee Buttes

A favorite place. In James Mitchner’s book. Centennial, he called them Rattlesnake Buttes.

There is a trail to the buttes that I have hiked in the past. This time of year you can’t get on the Buttes as it is the beginning of nesting season for many species of birds that make their home in and around the buttes.

It is a nice place to come for a picnic. In the roads leading into the visitor center, many turnouts are used by campers/RVs.

This site is fighting me so a second post follow.