I just took what will be the last load to Habitat for Humanity for a while. I've been on a cleanup and pare down campaign for two weeks now. Today, I learned something about my contributions which made me very happy.
Years ago now, I put together a luggage carrier and a five gallon bucket to enable me to wheel my heavy tools around rather than suspending them from an aching arm. I had dreams of making it a money maker but that never panned out. But, I did manufacture several of them from luggage carriers I bought at sales.
Except for the one I carry in my van with my flooring tools and a delux unit I'm hanging onto, I donated them all to Habitat the last two days. Today I was told they are going to bundle those all up and send them off to their construction crew so their workmen will have an easier way to tote their tools around! That made me very happy as I've always wished I could join in with Jimmy Carter and help build a few houses.
In a way, I'm now doing so.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
COMPUTERS JOIN THE GENERATIONS
(From Facebook.)
My daughter, Jaime, keeps mentioning how much she enjoys hearing about my days. That's something I fully understand and appreciate. It also causes me to appreciate modern communications even more. I think Facebook and blogs are great!
I learned a lot from being around my own mother and father all those years on that Dakota ranch. I fall back on those experiences and the wisdom they imparted constantly. Sadly, I had little opportunity to continue the process after leaving home at age 21. I still profited from the times we were together but those were very limited. They'd still be limited where my own children and grandchildren's contact with me is concerned, without the miracle of modern technological communication.
Through the magic of computing, I've been able to put an autobiography out there for whoever wants to read it, and those thoughts that come to me, usually on a daily basis, can be magically put up here on my Facebook page and maybe on my blog. Miles separate us, but I can be right with them every day if it works out that way, and it usually does.
Li'l sweetie just brought me a fresh piece of whipped cream topped german chocolate cake we whipped up earlier. I'm signing off to pig out!
My daughter, Jaime, keeps mentioning how much she enjoys hearing about my days. That's something I fully understand and appreciate. It also causes me to appreciate modern communications even more. I think Facebook and blogs are great!
I learned a lot from being around my own mother and father all those years on that Dakota ranch. I fall back on those experiences and the wisdom they imparted constantly. Sadly, I had little opportunity to continue the process after leaving home at age 21. I still profited from the times we were together but those were very limited. They'd still be limited where my own children and grandchildren's contact with me is concerned, without the miracle of modern technological communication.
Through the magic of computing, I've been able to put an autobiography out there for whoever wants to read it, and those thoughts that come to me, usually on a daily basis, can be magically put up here on my Facebook page and maybe on my blog. Miles separate us, but I can be right with them every day if it works out that way, and it usually does.
Li'l sweetie just brought me a fresh piece of whipped cream topped german chocolate cake we whipped up earlier. I'm signing off to pig out!
Friday, October 18, 2013
JUST A DAY IN MY LIFE
(From Facebook.)
We're all set up with our medicare plus policy for next year. We had been with United Health Care through AARP but they're going crazy with new costs. A couple years ago, we saw an advertisement from an expert in Camp Verde who got us into AARP, which was the best at that time. However, that has all changed and he came by today and got us signed up with Phoenix Health Care for next year. Will save us a bundle. Coverage is just as good and we keep our primary doctor, a very important factor to us. Co-pay goes down to $5 from $10. Specialist stayed the same at $40. Plus, we were going to be charged nearly $30 a month just to have the plan. Not a cent with this one.
Shop is still coming along. I'm very pleased but amazed at how time consuming it all is. It's sort of like trying to staighten out the obamacare website. I feel for those IT geeks. They must be pulling their hair out.
Tomorrow, one of our favorite community sales is on, so we'll be out early to cover Pine Shadows from one end to the other. We usually find something there. I'm especially looking for scrap lumber to build doggie stairs for my step-daughter. New lumber is prohibitive. The last set came from tearing down an old cabinet we no longer needed. I built them as a gift to Phyllis' hair dresser so her dog could get up on the bed alone. I carpet them, and they're quite nice.
Time for bed. I've already pontificated enough on my shares. Good night, all.
We're all set up with our medicare plus policy for next year. We had been with United Health Care through AARP but they're going crazy with new costs. A couple years ago, we saw an advertisement from an expert in Camp Verde who got us into AARP, which was the best at that time. However, that has all changed and he came by today and got us signed up with Phoenix Health Care for next year. Will save us a bundle. Coverage is just as good and we keep our primary doctor, a very important factor to us. Co-pay goes down to $5 from $10. Specialist stayed the same at $40. Plus, we were going to be charged nearly $30 a month just to have the plan. Not a cent with this one.
Shop is still coming along. I'm very pleased but amazed at how time consuming it all is. It's sort of like trying to staighten out the obamacare website. I feel for those IT geeks. They must be pulling their hair out.
Tomorrow, one of our favorite community sales is on, so we'll be out early to cover Pine Shadows from one end to the other. We usually find something there. I'm especially looking for scrap lumber to build doggie stairs for my step-daughter. New lumber is prohibitive. The last set came from tearing down an old cabinet we no longer needed. I built them as a gift to Phyllis' hair dresser so her dog could get up on the bed alone. I carpet them, and they're quite nice.
Time for bed. I've already pontificated enough on my shares. Good night, all.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
THE AMERICAN TALIBAN
“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.”
~Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater was a true prophet, but he never aspired to any such position. He just thought clearly and honestly and expressed his thoughts the same way.
Religion is about to destroy the USA and threatens to destroy the whole world. Religion messed up my life for decades. It messes up the lives of billions of desperately confused people the world over, turning them from friends and neighbors into hateful enemies and monsters. It's been messing up my nation for decades now and even has its insidious hooks into the Supreme Court!
What's happening in Washington, D.C is the direct result of Americans being caught up in fanatical religion. The bible belt has no superiority over any taliban area of Afghanistan! The tea party is a christian-american taliban! Give them the opportunity, and some of them would be rabid enough to shoot a little girl in the head if she dared speak out against their insanities.
When a human being is convinced he or she is god's emissary, frightening things happen. Hate becomes love. Circular thinking becomes reason. Everything is reversed.
It's always been so. Find out what religion teaches and conclude the opposite and you will be right on most of the time. Gods don't create humans. Humans create gods -- untold thousands of them throughout history. Knowledge brings progress, the solving of problems. Religion teaches knowledge led to that fictitious fall and damnation. Religions try to keep true knowledge out of the schools so as to warp young minds into compliance with their lies!
~Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater was a true prophet, but he never aspired to any such position. He just thought clearly and honestly and expressed his thoughts the same way.
Religion is about to destroy the USA and threatens to destroy the whole world. Religion messed up my life for decades. It messes up the lives of billions of desperately confused people the world over, turning them from friends and neighbors into hateful enemies and monsters. It's been messing up my nation for decades now and even has its insidious hooks into the Supreme Court!
What's happening in Washington, D.C is the direct result of Americans being caught up in fanatical religion. The bible belt has no superiority over any taliban area of Afghanistan! The tea party is a christian-american taliban! Give them the opportunity, and some of them would be rabid enough to shoot a little girl in the head if she dared speak out against their insanities.
When a human being is convinced he or she is god's emissary, frightening things happen. Hate becomes love. Circular thinking becomes reason. Everything is reversed.
It's always been so. Find out what religion teaches and conclude the opposite and you will be right on most of the time. Gods don't create humans. Humans create gods -- untold thousands of them throughout history. Knowledge brings progress, the solving of problems. Religion teaches knowledge led to that fictitious fall and damnation. Religions try to keep true knowledge out of the schools so as to warp young minds into compliance with their lies!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
SEVEN DECADES OF LIFE
It's finally here!
In the wee hours of the night, I turned 79 and entered into my eigthieth year. It's been a great day so far. We went to estate sales this morning and it was quite a jackpot -- the best in several weeks now. Then, off to our doctor for flu shots and a birthday grand slam from Denny's and a brief shopping stop. It's now almost news time and I'm tired from all that running around.
I have mixed emotions about where I am right now. I despise that cane I carry around, but I need it for stability. I dropped my ads for carpet work from Craig's List and the Ad King. That chapter of my life is now pretty well closed. It comes to everybody, but I still don't like being a shadow of my former self, working long, hard days and then square dancing into the night and so full of dynamic energy that I chewed my fingernails to a nub.
I like being free to do pretty much as I please, but hate getting so tired out before I'm anywhere near done with it. I cope with not knowing when or how my end will come by not thinking about it as much as possible. Based on family history, I should have over ten years left, but what will those years be like? Based on how I'm moving around, more like shuffling than moving, it's kind of disquieting. At least, I can write just as well as ever.
They say that time stands still for no one. I think it speeds up instead! Seems to, anyway. It seems such a short time ago that I sat at that same table in Denny's and took advantage of my last free birthday meal.
In the wee hours of the night, I turned 79 and entered into my eigthieth year. It's been a great day so far. We went to estate sales this morning and it was quite a jackpot -- the best in several weeks now. Then, off to our doctor for flu shots and a birthday grand slam from Denny's and a brief shopping stop. It's now almost news time and I'm tired from all that running around.
I have mixed emotions about where I am right now. I despise that cane I carry around, but I need it for stability. I dropped my ads for carpet work from Craig's List and the Ad King. That chapter of my life is now pretty well closed. It comes to everybody, but I still don't like being a shadow of my former self, working long, hard days and then square dancing into the night and so full of dynamic energy that I chewed my fingernails to a nub.
I like being free to do pretty much as I please, but hate getting so tired out before I'm anywhere near done with it. I cope with not knowing when or how my end will come by not thinking about it as much as possible. Based on family history, I should have over ten years left, but what will those years be like? Based on how I'm moving around, more like shuffling than moving, it's kind of disquieting. At least, I can write just as well as ever.
They say that time stands still for no one. I think it speeds up instead! Seems to, anyway. It seems such a short time ago that I sat at that same table in Denny's and took advantage of my last free birthday meal.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
IT'S A NAZI-FASCIST COUP!
Two competing forms of nazism have been at each others throats for decades now. Hitler's form was much too draconian and it was wiped out. But, nazism never died.
That system was fostered by the wealthy of Rome when they created christianity. That system has been, in varying degrees, in control ever since. (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11201273.htm)
The Catholic church championed it for centuries. The protestants managed to weaken its power and the enlightenment brought about american representative democracy. That democracy has to be destroyed for the original fascist system to seize ultimate contol.
What we're experiencing right now is a fascist-nazi coup designed to finally wipe out the America we once knew. We're headed into a new dark age if they succeed, and I personally see no way they can lose. They have the wealth and power. They will suvive no matter how many sink into gross poverty and starvation. The squalor, ignorance and oppression of the Middle Ages is returning, and the catholic church is right in there as one of the prime movers.
Frankly, I'm glad my life will soon be over, but I ache for my progeny. I'm finally thankful I have no more grandchildren than I do.
That system was fostered by the wealthy of Rome when they created christianity. That system has been, in varying degrees, in control ever since. (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11201273.htm)
The Catholic church championed it for centuries. The protestants managed to weaken its power and the enlightenment brought about american representative democracy. That democracy has to be destroyed for the original fascist system to seize ultimate contol.
What we're experiencing right now is a fascist-nazi coup designed to finally wipe out the America we once knew. We're headed into a new dark age if they succeed, and I personally see no way they can lose. They have the wealth and power. They will suvive no matter how many sink into gross poverty and starvation. The squalor, ignorance and oppression of the Middle Ages is returning, and the catholic church is right in there as one of the prime movers.
Frankly, I'm glad my life will soon be over, but I ache for my progeny. I'm finally thankful I have no more grandchildren than I do.
Monday, October 7, 2013
DEJA VU!
Deja Vu!
The past warns us about the future.
I like history. Always have. My wife likes to chide me about spending so much time watching stuff about the nazis and world war II. There's a reason why I do.
I learn from the parallels and examples. That's why I can clearly see the similarities between what happened in Germany in the 1930s and what's going on in the USA right now.
We have a religio-fascist group called the "tea party" that is determined to flaunt every vestige of democratic government to impose it's will on the populace. In effect, they are symbolically "burning the Reichstag" right now in an attempt to seize absolute dictatorial power. They are criminals and traitors and they should be arrested and imprisoned.
I Know that isn't going to happen, but if we can somehow avoid complete disaster, maybe the american citizenry will awaken and make sure they no longer are in a position to carry on their terrorism. In the final analysis, maybe what's happening will finally awaken people to the monster that resides in their midst.
I certainly hope so, but I no longer have great faith in the intelligence of the average american. Pardon me for not being sure this is going to turn out well.
The past warns us about the future.
I like history. Always have. My wife likes to chide me about spending so much time watching stuff about the nazis and world war II. There's a reason why I do.
I learn from the parallels and examples. That's why I can clearly see the similarities between what happened in Germany in the 1930s and what's going on in the USA right now.
We have a religio-fascist group called the "tea party" that is determined to flaunt every vestige of democratic government to impose it's will on the populace. In effect, they are symbolically "burning the Reichstag" right now in an attempt to seize absolute dictatorial power. They are criminals and traitors and they should be arrested and imprisoned.
I Know that isn't going to happen, but if we can somehow avoid complete disaster, maybe the american citizenry will awaken and make sure they no longer are in a position to carry on their terrorism. In the final analysis, maybe what's happening will finally awaken people to the monster that resides in their midst.
I certainly hope so, but I no longer have great faith in the intelligence of the average american. Pardon me for not being sure this is going to turn out well.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
IT'S SO TIRING!
The week has just begun and I'm already weary. Not physically. Mentally and emotionally.
I'm tired of hearing lies from adults throwing tantrums like spoiled brats. I'm exhausted from the impossible task being laid on me to accept the need to "compromise" on established law and the blatant attempt to nullify an election!
Traitors are traitors. Sedition is sedition. Liars are liars. Self-serving criminals are criminals. I refuse to let someone tell me black is really white or the reverse.
I recognize fully that my country is in deep trouble and I know who is precipitating that trouble in spite of their self-righteous look of incredulousness and their protestation, "Who, me? No, he's the problem. He won't lie down and let us fuck him!"
I know. I'm being coarse and plain spoken. I'm an old farm boy and a long time blue collar workman. We aren't long on the niceties.
Deal with it!
I'm tired of hearing lies from adults throwing tantrums like spoiled brats. I'm exhausted from the impossible task being laid on me to accept the need to "compromise" on established law and the blatant attempt to nullify an election!
Traitors are traitors. Sedition is sedition. Liars are liars. Self-serving criminals are criminals. I refuse to let someone tell me black is really white or the reverse.
I recognize fully that my country is in deep trouble and I know who is precipitating that trouble in spite of their self-righteous look of incredulousness and their protestation, "Who, me? No, he's the problem. He won't lie down and let us fuck him!"
I know. I'm being coarse and plain spoken. I'm an old farm boy and a long time blue collar workman. We aren't long on the niceties.
Deal with it!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
THE DEAD ARE DEAD!
This whole idea that the dead live on and are aware of what's going on here and now, strikes me as a horrible fate. Can you imagine George Wahington, Thomas Jeffereson or any other founding father being sentenced to observing the present madness going on in the nation they worked so hard to found. That would be a fate close to being cast into mythological hell!
Can you imagine the anguish of watching loved ones being killed, raped, tortured, etc. while you were powerless to intervene because you were in another dimension with no body to use in coming to their aid?
I know, people like to believe that they will be all-powerful, all-knowing, etc. once they reach the after-death state and that they will be akin to guardian angels, but I didn't see legions of dead Jews marching into Buchenwald and whipping nazi ass. No departed loved ones show up to shield grandchildren in scholl shootings or other outrages. I could go on, but I think you get the point.
Yes, it's comforting to believe that kind of garbage, but let's get real here! We all know it doesn't happen. History would read a whole lot differently if it did!
Can you imagine the anguish of watching loved ones being killed, raped, tortured, etc. while you were powerless to intervene because you were in another dimension with no body to use in coming to their aid?
I know, people like to believe that they will be all-powerful, all-knowing, etc. once they reach the after-death state and that they will be akin to guardian angels, but I didn't see legions of dead Jews marching into Buchenwald and whipping nazi ass. No departed loved ones show up to shield grandchildren in scholl shootings or other outrages. I could go on, but I think you get the point.
Yes, it's comforting to believe that kind of garbage, but let's get real here! We all know it doesn't happen. History would read a whole lot differently if it did!
Friday, October 4, 2013
(From Facebook.)
It was a beautiful wedding in the pines north of Flagstaff. A young canadian couple were vacationing and decided they wanted to get married while here. It was just them, me and two witnesses, which means we weren't delayed by guests who got lost or had car trouble, etc. Wedding at noon and we were eating lunch in Flagstaff by 1 pm. They had plenty of time to get the license back to the court and certified yet this afternoon.
Phyllis is napping. I'm doing what I enjoy most and in about three hours we get to listen to Bill Maher, one of our favorite news analysts. I can only imagine what he'll have to say tonight.
In the meantime, I'll fill in -- not with the same humor, however. Some of us have that talent, and I don't. I don't have the humorous ability of a Bill Maher or the patience of a Barack Obama. I admire others for the qualities they exemplify and don't mind admitting when I couldn't begin to measure up.
The longer I live, the more I realize that mankind's problems and the evils that beset society are grounded in fanaticism of both the political and the religious variety. Our nation's founders realized that and took great pains to try to keep the two evils separated. Through the tea party, we see the results of attempts to unite the two. What's going on in Washington right now is nothing more that a religio-fascist attempt to circumvent constitutional democracy and impose the edictis of a fanatic minority on the nation as a whole. Only the ilk of a Pat Robertson would cheer such a thing!
We're wasting time and treasure trying to fight al queda and the taliban on foreign ground while a christian fascist political organization tries to take over our own country from the inside and impose their will by decree!
Call me whatever you like, but I lived under a dictatorial religious system for over twenty years. I know it when I see it. The tea party hates american constitutional government and are doing their utmost to subvert it! They are convinced they are right and that they have a duty to make you and me -- and the president -- submit!
It was a beautiful wedding in the pines north of Flagstaff. A young canadian couple were vacationing and decided they wanted to get married while here. It was just them, me and two witnesses, which means we weren't delayed by guests who got lost or had car trouble, etc. Wedding at noon and we were eating lunch in Flagstaff by 1 pm. They had plenty of time to get the license back to the court and certified yet this afternoon.
Phyllis is napping. I'm doing what I enjoy most and in about three hours we get to listen to Bill Maher, one of our favorite news analysts. I can only imagine what he'll have to say tonight.
In the meantime, I'll fill in -- not with the same humor, however. Some of us have that talent, and I don't. I don't have the humorous ability of a Bill Maher or the patience of a Barack Obama. I admire others for the qualities they exemplify and don't mind admitting when I couldn't begin to measure up.
The longer I live, the more I realize that mankind's problems and the evils that beset society are grounded in fanaticism of both the political and the religious variety. Our nation's founders realized that and took great pains to try to keep the two evils separated. Through the tea party, we see the results of attempts to unite the two. What's going on in Washington right now is nothing more that a religio-fascist attempt to circumvent constitutional democracy and impose the edictis of a fanatic minority on the nation as a whole. Only the ilk of a Pat Robertson would cheer such a thing!
We're wasting time and treasure trying to fight al queda and the taliban on foreign ground while a christian fascist political organization tries to take over our own country from the inside and impose their will by decree!
Call me whatever you like, but I lived under a dictatorial religious system for over twenty years. I know it when I see it. The tea party hates american constitutional government and are doing their utmost to subvert it! They are convinced they are right and that they have a duty to make you and me -- and the president -- submit!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
HOW FAR WILL THIS COUP GO?
I don't feel sorry for the rethugs. They, especially that intellectual abortion called the tea party, have boxed themselves into a corner where they have to stay half drunk in congress all the time to deal with the doom they have brought upon themselves. They seem willing to take their country into the depths of depression, maybe even civil war, in their vain attempt to thwart the march of history.
They know the affordable care act is going to be a tremendous success just like the social security and medicare they also fought tooth and nail. Once people see how wonderful life becomes when they no longer have to fear the "grim reaper" every time they get sick, the rethug lies will be all too apparent.
That's why they are so insanely desperate! They know their power is just about to come to a screaching halt. They will be out for at least a generation -- unless they do the unthinkable and precipitate a coup! If you think that's impossible, you're delusional beyond all comprehension!
They know the affordable care act is going to be a tremendous success just like the social security and medicare they also fought tooth and nail. Once people see how wonderful life becomes when they no longer have to fear the "grim reaper" every time they get sick, the rethug lies will be all too apparent.
That's why they are so insanely desperate! They know their power is just about to come to a screaching halt. They will be out for at least a generation -- unless they do the unthinkable and precipitate a coup! If you think that's impossible, you're delusional beyond all comprehension!
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