A Trip Around the Sun Doesn't Change Things

 Nice Kitty

A solo female hiker apparently was killed and partially eaten by a mountain lion near Glen Haven, CO New Years Day. Two lions in the area were promptly hunted down and killed. There are many news report for those interested in the details.

 Glen Haven is a spot on the road, Highway 14, in a slot canyon NNW of Fort Collins. DRJIM has family that live in the area.

 LL (Virtual Mirage) has explained how mountain lion devour their prey and it is not a pleasant way to die.

 Political Fallout – Colorado Edition

PDJT vetoed the bipartisan Arkansas Valley Conduit bill. Why? His explanation.

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This puts two of Colorado’s four Congress critters in a hard spot. They are not happy. Our Senior Senator, who wants to be Governor, is pissed because it was “his” bill. A co-sponsorer.

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This project started life in 1962. Lots of money has been spent over the years with little to show for it. Long story here.

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There is much speculation that PDJT took this action because of his loathing Emperor Polis. Maybe, but just maybe, the business man side of him thinks this dog won’t hunt.

 Here is a thought. After 63 years of not making this plan work, perhaps it is time to come up with a plan that will work?

 Unhinged Conspiracy Theory

Why Cackles, excuse me, Kamala’s handlers wanted Waltz as her running mate didn’t make sense to me. Now that the massive fraud uncovered in Minnesota suggests a pipeline of tax dollars flowing into various (P)regressive accounts was the motivation.

 Boo, Fucking Hoo

ICE arrests in Colorado. An article, from a left leaning “independent and non partisan; they claim” online newspaper.

Note the emphasis on “human cost” and the number who “had no convictions”, etc.

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Let us be clear. If you are in this country illegally, you are a law breaker, period, full stop. Law enforcement is often messy, innocent bystanders are impacted, and mistakes are made.

 One more law enforcement push is needed, IMO, and that is going after those who employ these illegals. Further, those who facilitated illegal immigration need to be taken to task.

 So, WSF, you heartless bastard, you don’t care the people here illegally are human beings? Answer: they are not my problem. They had homes and didn’t want to pay the high personal costs of cleaning their own foul nests. They come here for what they can get, not what they can contribute. They keep their way of doing things with little or no regard; disdain even, for our norms. Yes, there will always be exceptions. Not enough, IMO.

 Banner Report

He is living his best life at Sisty’s house as age takes a toll. He can’t get into the back seat of a car without assistance and his rear legs are weak. With other people in the house, another dog, and cats he isn’t lonely and he has unfettered access to a fenced back yard. I miss him but know I made the best decision for him.

 Car Story

If anyone now reading this blog was reading it 15 years ago, many of these car stories are reruns.

Among the groups I worked with a practical joke was known as “spinning”.  One Saturday morning Dirty Al spun a complete sales force. I was sitting with my hand an inch from the phone to grab sales calls when he came up and handed me a newspaper open to yesterdays winning lottery numbers plus his lottery ticket. “Check my numbers”, he said. “Check your own fucking numbers”, was my response. He then started whining about not having his glasses. Finally, to shut him up, I checked. Damn! For a moment I thought about running out the door with the ticket, but instead said, “Congratulations Al. Looks like you won $7,000, 000”.

What he did was buy a ticket for the next drawing with the winning numbers from this drawing.

 Chaos erupted. Al milked it for every moment. 

A future story will explain how revenge is a dish best eaten cold, just saying.

As always, YMMV

We're from the Government, and we're here to help you

 

You Dirt People Don’t Know What is Good for You

Since you can’t be trusted to vote for the proper candidates, we need to insure your vote doesn’t matter. Really, it is for your own good! We know better.

Grass Greener Elsewhere?

The Mary Jane sellers in Colorado are hurting. Lots of reasons as detailed in this article. Burdensome regulation and high taxes hurts all business endeavors.

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No Fool Like an Old Fool

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Probable Search and Rescue Call Out

Office of Emergency Management, San Juan County Colorado

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Issued:
Jun 5, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Special Avalanche Advisory
A Special Avalanche Advisory is in effect for Colorado’s high country through Sunday, June 9. Several large and destructive wet avalanches occurred on Wednesday. With near-record temperatures on Thursday, June 6, and Friday, June 7, more large wet avalanches are expected. Change your travel plans to avoid steep slopes if surface crusts become unsupportable and you sink into wet, unconsolidated snow or you hear collapsing sounds. These are not normal conditions for early June. Adjust your objectives accordingly. Via Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC 

Adventures in Taste

One personal change with age is less enjoyment of taste. When reading of LL’s descriptions of burritos and tacos, or K de T’s discussing drinks, the interest is there but relating isn’t. Never a gourmet, today food is more like fuel. Add missing teeth to add to the problem.

 Circa 1965, we G.I.s drank 4 DM a liter cognac. Someone once gave me a taste of 5 star cognac. Shrug. Peasant.

Each night I wash down 1500mg Acetaminophen with a gin and tonic plus a splash of generic lime juice. My gin comes off the bottom shelf, usually around $14-16 a large bottle. On the top shelf the same size runs $45-60 a bottle.

Do I suffer any angst being cheap? Hell no!

Water Walking

One City facility offers a “lazy river” feature.  Hourglass shaped and 3’ deep, the current is fairly strong. Since the first of the month I’ve been using it most days and the results are encouraging. I’m walking better and my knee pain has lessened.

Poor Banner hates being alone in the apartment and it is now too hot for him to stay in the car (where he is quite content). Two neighbor ladies take turns hosting him for an hour or so. He cowboys up and manfully tolerate staying with them.  The ladies assure me they don’t spoil him.

War on Coal – Wyoming Focus

I like this lady and appreciate her suggestion Boulder, CO show the way to a carbon free world.

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 Abused Dog

My oldest son needed a good ass chewing. I used the cell phone. Banner was lying on his day bed nearby. When I went to feed him breakfast he was afraid to come to his bowl. It took several minutes of petting, a short walk, and treats before he realized he wasn’t the one in trouble and became his normal happy state.

Back story. My oldest, 51, has always been autistic. He is fairly high functioning. For several years he has had a cell phone I pay for with unlimited minutes (which he uses, and uses, and uses). May 12^th, due to a change of credit cards used to pay the account, his phone was off for six whole hours. Since then he has sent me one to three emails a day about the %#%$%^&* phone.  During this time I have explained, over and over, the problem is solved and is not likely to reoccur. So he starts off my Sunday morning with a email saving he is worried about June 12^th and his phone not working.

I called him and ripped him a new asshole. Autistic or not, when his behavior becomes disrespectful, he relishes pissing and moaning, and using Dad as a punching bag, he needs reminding just who he is communicating with. Poor Banner got caught in the blast.

Hail Hell

This is becoming one of the worst Springs in recent years for destructive storms along the Front Range and the High Plains. Last week DIA got hit. Sunday the hail repair specialists had their tents set up in the rental car lots. Sisty tells me Manheim Auto Auction, about eight miles SSE of FIA, has some 4,200 vehicles with hail damage.

Car dealers have two basic choices. Pay through the nose for hail insurance, or gamble. Vehicles with hail damage claims get “salvage” titles. The others? Think many nefarious ways to fix them and sell them without disclosing the damage.

One dealer I know bought them cheap and sold them cheap. All sales, cash. The buyers went to their own financial institutions, got loans, and came back with the cash. AS IS……

Pro Tip: When shopping wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Invest in a cheap mirror with a handle. Bring a flashlight. Always, always wiggle under the dash and use the flashlight and mirror to look for mud and/or water marks. I’ve seen “flood cars” so detailed all traces were gone. The inside of the dash can only be cleaned by removing it. Then, since you are already dirty, look under the vehicle for intact exhaust systems and rust.

Truck frames should be looked at closely. Some have C frame and some have boxed frames. Toyotas with box frames are especially prone to rusting from the inside out. Frames nicely coated are, to me, a red flag. Any sign of rust or fresh undercoating is a signal to have an independent mechanic put the truck on a lift and closely examine it, at your expense. If the seller refuses, walk away.

Veterans Administration

Sorry about these. Maybe someday I'll learn how to remove pictures posted in the wrong place.

6/10 had my annual VA physician visit. I think it is mainly to prove I’m still alive. It must have gone well as I now have an appointment next year.

BP 120/80 Oxygen 92%. Is that too shabby for someone who will turn 80 next month? What is satisfying is I’ve outlived most of my enemies.

Some prescription medicines are all I rely on from the VA. That saves me about $800 a year.

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.

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 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

Colorado Weather - Beware

 Springtime in the Rockies

My maternal grandfather would always say, “I don’t care if you go naked, bring all the clothes you got”. Toponas, CO circa 1956 an April blizzard shut down both the highway and railroad for four days.

For today, Banner is enjoying his sunbath on the balcony.

A Colorado government program that actually works as intended?

Works more or less as intended. It hasn’t been hijacked (yet) by (P)regressives.

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Volunteer funding by people who are bad at math is a great idea, IMO, and I am one of the volunteers.

Faster than a speeding train

Banner hearing the refrigerator door open

Drones

My sister in an independent insurance adjuster who is often called to investigate truck wrecks in Wyoming and Nebraska. Most are on I-80 and she must contend with traffic speeding by. She is exploring using drones but is hampered by Wyoming winds. More experience will lead to better results. I’m all in favor of anything that lowers her risks.

My criminality thwarted

Recently I parked across the street from the barber shop and jaywalked. Haircut complete, walked up to the curb with car keys in hand and waited for traffic to clear. A Greeley police car pulled up behind my car and sat there until I walked up to the corner and pressed the crosswalk button before moving on. Oh well, exercise is good.

Francis Scott Key Bridge failure

Disclaimer. I’ve no knowledge or experience in ship handling. What surprised me was the damage to one structural support could bring down so much of the bridge. Was that because of faulty engineering? From available pictures it appears the structural steel portion collapsed.

 Some sixty years ago the Army spent several weeks teaching a few of us the rudiments of destroying structures. We were taught bridges have built in shear points. Failure of one portion would be isolated from the rest of the bridge. We were taught to look for these shear points and exploit them.  An example used in our instruction was the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen.

Just to be clear, only enough of the bridge remained intact enough to get troops across to secure a defensible bridge head. Soon a float bridge was across that could support heavy vehicle.

Californication guide

TABOR

Colorado is unique in having passed a Constitution amendment called the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. Two important points are all tax increases must be subject to a vote by the taxpayers and excess taxes collected be returned to the taxpayer. ($800 this year).

IMO, this is the only thing preventing total Californication by (P)regressives. Recently a water district got a TABOR smack down. 

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By national standards home taxes in Colorado are among the lowest in the country. Without TABOR Portland, OR will happen. Portland? Median home value is taxed at $14,000+ annually.

Spendthrift politicians are always seeking ways to get around TABOR. Fees are popular.  For those interested, here is a long and somewhat arcane explanation.

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 As always, YMMV

Half Baked Ideas on Civil Insurrection and F**k the Government

 

Drones 

Like any technology, there are good outcomes and bad outcomes.

Here we have a good outcome and potentially a life saved.

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The negative? Any outdoor personal privacy we may have enjoyed is now gone. Wars are now being fought in ways that challenge long held tactics and philosophies. Civil insurrection? SloJo doesn’t need F-16s.

What electronic counter measures can civilians use? Jammers? What thermal shielding is readily available? Since most drones will have an electronic link to an operator, can that link be traced back to the operator? Neutralize the operator?

The Weld County, CO Sheriff’s department is investing in drones and conduct frequent training days. They publicize these training days on Falsebook, among other places.

Why take action?  Full throttle!

If it doesn’t fix the problem, it’ll end the suspense. h/t Rory Irish, Moab, UT

Whiskey Rebellion tradition lives on?

The Whiskey Rebellion (also known as the Whiskey Insurrection) was a violent tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791 and ending in 1794 during the presidency of George Washington. The so-called "whiskey tax" was the first tax imposed on a domestic product by the newly formed federal government.

Smugglers

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Law breakers or entrepreneurs? 

Wamsetter, WY

IMO, one of the bleakest places I know. Live there? No amount of money would make me live there. That said, mega amounts of natural gas money is invested there and more is coming.

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Does anyone else see the irony of the wealthy betting on a big California market for natural gas when the state legislators seem hell bent on their “green” agenda.

(P)regressive Barf

If you can stomach reading this, here is leftist Trump hate spew about keeping Trump off the Colorado Ballot.

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Do these people live in an alternate universe, or do I? What real problem solutions were left unfunded with this waste of taxpayer's money?

Tough Call

Lick the bacon grease from the saucer or the eggs and cheese residual from the bowl first?

 As always, YMMV

Something Light

Just for fun

Banner gets a ‘spa day’. Nails trimmed and a bath. The groomer has a sense of humor – makes me smile.

Gaia Keeps Turning

 

Several bloggers on the sidebar have a much better insight about the world and current events. I urge you to read them. As for myself, I’m hunkering down and focusing on local stuff.

Economy

Your opinion on who has benefited by ‘Build Back Better’ may differ from mine but at the local, micro economic level, I can say with certainty the car biz sucks. The reason these vehicles are in this storage lot instead of the company retail lots is the retail lots are full of vehicles that are not being sold.

 Friends still in the biz tell me the auction houses are severely limiting the number of vehicles they will accept because they are full and what is there are not getting sold.

 Banner

Enjoying the new cover on ‘his’ futon. The last one lasted about six months. This one is waterproof and seems to be of more durable material.

Ho, Ho, Ho

The management provides an artificial Christmas tree for each floor. The residents then decorate the tree. My one and only contribution is to un-box and erect the tree. After the season is over and the decorations put away, I take the tree apart and re-box it.

Interact with several senior ladies deciding how to decorate? I would rather have a full time job herding cats.

Some residents add their own decorations around their doors.

Mine isn’t as elaborate.

We had a nice breakfast this morning with friends and family at the Evans, CO VFW. Larger crowd than usual. Lots of carbs and saturated fats.  Ymm!

As always, YMMV