Well, the last Friday in April, and we had close to a blizzard, here, dropping at least three inches of snow that is piled up on the railing outside my patio door.
Am I missing something here?
I thought we were in the period of spring.
I look out the patio door, and watch the little sparrows going crazy in the storm trying to find a place to hide.
They fly into the evergreen trees, and fly back out, apparently not finding protection there.
Is this weather directly attributable to global warmen? Shouldn't someone tell Algore it ain't nice to fool mother nature?
Wonder if this is hurting sales of speedos and baggies!
Oh, well, time and tide waits for no man.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Reminiscing...
I recall, back in the 50s there was a sharp line of demarcation between country and western music and rock and roll.
It stood out in my mind, because I was a teen-ager, who was interested in much of the rock music of the day, and my dad was a hard core subscriber to the country genre.
I well remember being told that kind of music would not be played in our house. So many times while doing dishes, I would change the radio station, and would almost immediately have my dad chewing me out and changing the station back.
Let me say, there was a great difference between Hank Williams and Tex Ritter, and Elvis Presley...Jerry Lee Lewis was completely out of phase with Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow and Hank Thompson.
It didn't take a discerning ear to be able to tell the difference; you didn't need Ed Sullivan to show you either.
Then in the 60s we found the sound of psychedellic rock, which eventually turned into hard rock. There was now a dividing line in rock music that was as sharp as the one between country and rock was in the 50s.
Now, today, I turn on the radio to the local country station, and I am treated to Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley! The same songs that my dad railed against as being not country, are today, touted as being country.
In all truthfulness, I can only listen to the local country station on Saturdays, because they dedicate the day to playing only classic country. Through the rest of the week, they play "progressive" country music.
And yet, I hear the psychedellic lead guitar interspersed within the country music.
I truly hate to admit it, but the raucous sounds of rock and roll in my youth, have become the bedrock easy listening sounds of my older age.
What a difference half a century can make!
It stood out in my mind, because I was a teen-ager, who was interested in much of the rock music of the day, and my dad was a hard core subscriber to the country genre.
I well remember being told that kind of music would not be played in our house. So many times while doing dishes, I would change the radio station, and would almost immediately have my dad chewing me out and changing the station back.
Let me say, there was a great difference between Hank Williams and Tex Ritter, and Elvis Presley...Jerry Lee Lewis was completely out of phase with Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow and Hank Thompson.
It didn't take a discerning ear to be able to tell the difference; you didn't need Ed Sullivan to show you either.
Then in the 60s we found the sound of psychedellic rock, which eventually turned into hard rock. There was now a dividing line in rock music that was as sharp as the one between country and rock was in the 50s.
Now, today, I turn on the radio to the local country station, and I am treated to Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley! The same songs that my dad railed against as being not country, are today, touted as being country.
In all truthfulness, I can only listen to the local country station on Saturdays, because they dedicate the day to playing only classic country. Through the rest of the week, they play "progressive" country music.
And yet, I hear the psychedellic lead guitar interspersed within the country music.
I truly hate to admit it, but the raucous sounds of rock and roll in my youth, have become the bedrock easy listening sounds of my older age.
What a difference half a century can make!
Friday, April 25, 2008
More on personal responsibility
Continuing on in the department of gummint kontrol, Kim of http://www.theothersideofkim.com/ has an interesting note titled: Premature Self-Congratulation
Go and read it, and do what you have to, or ignore it...
Go and read it, and do what you have to, or ignore it...
What me worry?
The Anchoress at http://theanchoressonline.com/ has a quote, in her header, attributed to Pope Benedict XVI: “Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility." --
What a thought!
So, here in this, the greatest country the world has ever known, we are being taught to trust the gummint for everything...
As I was cogitating on this quote, the thought came to me about some things we could do in this country to maybe encourage personal responsibility.
The federal gummint is paying out mucho dinero to farmers and ranchers to not farm their land... seems to me, the gummint would be better served, to claim all the land in the CRP program under eminent domain, and open it up to homesteading.
Is that not more advantageous, to have taxable income coming in from the land, rather than paying out tax money to the land?
Seems like a "no-brainer" to me.
But, that is just a part of what we are up against, these days, ain't it?
There are too many individuals in this country who wish to be king and queen...you know, have all the wealth, and hold sway over what the common people can and cannot do.
One of the easiest ways to bring about a monarchy, or dictatorship, is to make the people dependent on the gummint.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need."
That is a statement that defines gummint as the one who determines who gets what.
Every year we are finding more and more people on the roles of welfare; free, or reduced, meals at schools; food commodities.
And now we have a national discussion going on regarding the gummint controlling all health care.
Yeah, freedom is a summons to personal responsibility... why put forth the effort to take care of yourself, when someone else, who is more willing, can do it for you?
Beam me up Scotty, there ain't no intellugent life on this planet.
Maranatha!
What a thought!
So, here in this, the greatest country the world has ever known, we are being taught to trust the gummint for everything...
As I was cogitating on this quote, the thought came to me about some things we could do in this country to maybe encourage personal responsibility.
The federal gummint is paying out mucho dinero to farmers and ranchers to not farm their land... seems to me, the gummint would be better served, to claim all the land in the CRP program under eminent domain, and open it up to homesteading.
Is that not more advantageous, to have taxable income coming in from the land, rather than paying out tax money to the land?
Seems like a "no-brainer" to me.
But, that is just a part of what we are up against, these days, ain't it?
There are too many individuals in this country who wish to be king and queen...you know, have all the wealth, and hold sway over what the common people can and cannot do.
One of the easiest ways to bring about a monarchy, or dictatorship, is to make the people dependent on the gummint.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need."
That is a statement that defines gummint as the one who determines who gets what.
Every year we are finding more and more people on the roles of welfare; free, or reduced, meals at schools; food commodities.
And now we have a national discussion going on regarding the gummint controlling all health care.
Yeah, freedom is a summons to personal responsibility... why put forth the effort to take care of yourself, when someone else, who is more willing, can do it for you?
Beam me up Scotty, there ain't no intellugent life on this planet.
Maranatha!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
tired, again = retired
Woke up this morning to a gentle rain. I do appreciate the sound of a gentle rain.
As opposed to "raindrops keep fallin on my head" an occasional gentle rain, is soothing, and while it works to wash away the dirt of the days; it tends to wash away some of the cares of the days, too.
Now, the local paper indicates that cold weather is on its way also...
Gentle rain, with a moderate temperature is good; rain, with a cold temperature is not good... not good for all the "ritis" relatives.
Well, now the rain has turned into thunderstorm, and the radio weather-guessers are saying possible snow by tomorrow nite.
Is this still the effects of global warmen?
Sheeeeessss, am I ever tired...
As opposed to "raindrops keep fallin on my head" an occasional gentle rain, is soothing, and while it works to wash away the dirt of the days; it tends to wash away some of the cares of the days, too.
Now, the local paper indicates that cold weather is on its way also...
Gentle rain, with a moderate temperature is good; rain, with a cold temperature is not good... not good for all the "ritis" relatives.
Well, now the rain has turned into thunderstorm, and the radio weather-guessers are saying possible snow by tomorrow nite.
Is this still the effects of global warmen?
Sheeeeessss, am I ever tired...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
This is yore life...
I am sitting here reflecting on how environment affects a person.
In a way, kinda reminds me of that TV show, years ago, "This is your life". Kinda neat to go back and look around where ya been, now and then.
I was born in Denver, CO and spent my teen years in Thornton, CO.
Life was pretty idyllic in those days; but I couldn't wait to get out of school, and away from home.
I really thought school was a waste of time, and I felt like a square peg in a round hole. A lot of the stuff in the classes made no sense to me, and frustrated me.
After graduating from high school, I joined the Marine Corps, and was on an airplane to San Diego, CA.
After basic training, I was allowed to have regular liberty, and began exploring the territory.
Down at the marina, in Oceanside, I could go and get a dynamite order of fish n chips. Sprinkle on some malt vinegar, and you got a cool meal. Add a beer or two, and a professional football game, and I could spend a few hours.
That time frame being the 60s, and pay being quite low, I couldn't afford a car or motorcycle, so, I traveled around on the bus system.
Yeah, I took the bus and left the driving to that smiling cat on TV; as Ray Stevens would say.
Being dependent on the bus, meant spending a lot of time in bus stations and on bus trips. This was where I began my life long learning of Spanish.
In high school, I hated reading, I guess mostly because any reading done required a book report, and I hated outlining and writing book reports.
But hours spent on buses and in stations leaves lotsa room for boredom...so, I started working crossword puzzles and reading.
When I was out from under the stress of having to report on what I had read, I found out I could enjoy a book or two.
Years later, I was to spend a year in Japan. I was able to spend a portion of that time with a Japanese local girlfriend. She introduced me to many traditions and foods. I now loved to eat rice, and fish, and had even eaten octopus for the first time and liked it. mmmmmmmm oye shee! This became the start of my learning to speak Japanese. Beautiful language...
While stationed on an aircraft carrier, I was able to spend some time in the Philippines, and learned to love lumpia and pancet.
With a week spent in Perth, Australia, learned about Vegemite and the tradition of drinking iced coffee and hot tea. Directly opposite of my preference.
I eventually spent a couple of years on the Gulf Coast in southern Mississippi, and quickly learned to love gumbo, red beans n rice, fried catfish, fried okra and mississippi mud. Oh what a time!
During this time, I had the privilege of being a part of a Barbershop chorus. We had the privilege of singing at the World's Fair in New Orleans.
Where I learned about "white coffee". If you are in New Orleans and order coffee, and the person asks you if you want white or black, my opinion is you better orde white; that chicory is some strong stuff.
As time rolled on, I was stationed in Hawaii, and learned to eat raw fish, poi, and lotsa other foods, prolly only found there. broke da mout... Here, learned a little "pidgin" English.
Upon retiring from my military career, I was able to spend about a year in Quito, Ecuador. Opportunity to add to my knowledge of Spanish. I might say, that sometimes when I want to think in Japanese, I come up with Spanish and vice versa. Makes for some interesting conversations with myself.
Back again to riding the bus everywhere I went, and enjoying local customs.
I soon came to enjoy a daily almuerzo. Not to mention an occasional papas fritas. It was here, I was introduced to potato soup with a quarter of an avocado in it. mmmmmm mighty good!
Overall, my life has been good. I have had the privilege of enjoying the best of many cultures. I don't mean in the sense of sitting and dining with kings and queens, but the people I did dine with were pretty special people.
That's about all I'm gonna say about that, just reminiscing...
In a way, kinda reminds me of that TV show, years ago, "This is your life". Kinda neat to go back and look around where ya been, now and then.
I was born in Denver, CO and spent my teen years in Thornton, CO.
Life was pretty idyllic in those days; but I couldn't wait to get out of school, and away from home.
I really thought school was a waste of time, and I felt like a square peg in a round hole. A lot of the stuff in the classes made no sense to me, and frustrated me.
After graduating from high school, I joined the Marine Corps, and was on an airplane to San Diego, CA.
After basic training, I was allowed to have regular liberty, and began exploring the territory.
Down at the marina, in Oceanside, I could go and get a dynamite order of fish n chips. Sprinkle on some malt vinegar, and you got a cool meal. Add a beer or two, and a professional football game, and I could spend a few hours.
That time frame being the 60s, and pay being quite low, I couldn't afford a car or motorcycle, so, I traveled around on the bus system.
Yeah, I took the bus and left the driving to that smiling cat on TV; as Ray Stevens would say.
Being dependent on the bus, meant spending a lot of time in bus stations and on bus trips. This was where I began my life long learning of Spanish.
In high school, I hated reading, I guess mostly because any reading done required a book report, and I hated outlining and writing book reports.
But hours spent on buses and in stations leaves lotsa room for boredom...so, I started working crossword puzzles and reading.
When I was out from under the stress of having to report on what I had read, I found out I could enjoy a book or two.
Years later, I was to spend a year in Japan. I was able to spend a portion of that time with a Japanese local girlfriend. She introduced me to many traditions and foods. I now loved to eat rice, and fish, and had even eaten octopus for the first time and liked it. mmmmmmmm oye shee! This became the start of my learning to speak Japanese. Beautiful language...
While stationed on an aircraft carrier, I was able to spend some time in the Philippines, and learned to love lumpia and pancet.
With a week spent in Perth, Australia, learned about Vegemite and the tradition of drinking iced coffee and hot tea. Directly opposite of my preference.
I eventually spent a couple of years on the Gulf Coast in southern Mississippi, and quickly learned to love gumbo, red beans n rice, fried catfish, fried okra and mississippi mud. Oh what a time!
During this time, I had the privilege of being a part of a Barbershop chorus. We had the privilege of singing at the World's Fair in New Orleans.
Where I learned about "white coffee". If you are in New Orleans and order coffee, and the person asks you if you want white or black, my opinion is you better orde white; that chicory is some strong stuff.
As time rolled on, I was stationed in Hawaii, and learned to eat raw fish, poi, and lotsa other foods, prolly only found there. broke da mout... Here, learned a little "pidgin" English.
Upon retiring from my military career, I was able to spend about a year in Quito, Ecuador. Opportunity to add to my knowledge of Spanish. I might say, that sometimes when I want to think in Japanese, I come up with Spanish and vice versa. Makes for some interesting conversations with myself.
Back again to riding the bus everywhere I went, and enjoying local customs.
I soon came to enjoy a daily almuerzo. Not to mention an occasional papas fritas. It was here, I was introduced to potato soup with a quarter of an avocado in it. mmmmmm mighty good!
Overall, my life has been good. I have had the privilege of enjoying the best of many cultures. I don't mean in the sense of sitting and dining with kings and queens, but the people I did dine with were pretty special people.
That's about all I'm gonna say about that, just reminiscing...
Proverbs 31: 10-31
The Anchoress at http://theanchoressonline.com/ has got her groove going...
"My husband is a gem, a jewel!"
I love how she so adroitly takes to an issue and leaves no doubt where she stands and who is important in her life.
I never knew there were wives like her...
Maybe in my next life, if God Almighty is willing, I may find a wife like her.
I'll not be holding my breath...
"My husband is a gem, a jewel!"
I love how she so adroitly takes to an issue and leaves no doubt where she stands and who is important in her life.
I never knew there were wives like her...
Maybe in my next life, if God Almighty is willing, I may find a wife like her.
I'll not be holding my breath...
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