The other day I responded to one of the bloggers concerns and I really felt kind of bad. She had a concern and took offense at how a year book company included some pages in her daughter's year book. She did say that perhaps she was making a pretty big deal and asked how I felt. I answered her reply with a list of the concerns I have in this world and listed some of them. Here was that list:
Taxes
Government Spending
Bigger Government
H1N1
Cap and trade
Forced Health Care Bill
Nancy Pelosi in Charge
Harry Reid There
Jostens crap in the back of the year book
Gas Prices bouncing around
Food Quality
Wal*Mart Running out of crap to sell (Except for the fish, I don't buy it there)
Yesterday in the Mail, I got a questionnaire from the White House and now I wonder if we all do have a personal list we need to share with the world. I wonder if there is any common ground in our lives that brings our concerns together. Would it be a good list or 200 million lists all over the place.
One thing I am very aware of is that while the MG and I share a list of common things we are concerned about, our processes of fixing those problems is very diverse. She and the President feel that there just isn't any problem that Government can't fix if we want it fixed. I think they both view Government as the holder of truth and the American way.
Let me make you painfully aware that because they see things different doesn't mean that they are wrong and my different attitude doesn't make me right. A big, strong Government to ensure the rights of the minority isn't all bad. There is enough room in our system to accept all views and I think I am going to start being more understanding, and still disagree. In fact Barb and I have a saying that there are things where we will agree to disagree.
Part of this strange feeling is that today I am going over to the dark side. After working on General Motors cars and owning almost exclusively GM cars, working for Chevrolet and owning GM stock, today I am going to buy a Ford. We found a nice 2004 Crown Victoria with less than 20,000 miles for a good price. Should be the car we will travel with and enjoy the ride. Sure, it will only get something in the vicinity of 20 MPG but it is very nice. Even if it isn't the last car we will buy, it will be a great donor car if we ever decide to put a great motor in the 50 Ford.
Oh well, I'm going to be on the road for a couple of days. May even show up at the State fair on dollar day. Not sure why, but why not?
MUD
9/11/2009
9/10/2009
Auto Mation Story
As I have blogged about this past couple of weeks, we are looking for a low mileage high MPG auto and have set a somewhat flexible limit of about 10 grand. This morning a 2004 Ford Victoria with 18,270 miles was in the paper. The wife called the owner to see if we could come over to see it. The lady wouldn't tell us where the car was and told Barb that we would have to wait until after 7 PM when he gets home to talk to him.
First, Never share with anyone that your husband is at work and you are home alone. Second, your not telling us the address is a waste of time. next time you have your Internet Explorer, foxfire or whatever you use as a browser, type in your telephone number. It (on my computer anyway) will tell you who the person is and give you a map to their house.
Just thought you might want to know. Ain't automation wonderful?
MUD
First, Never share with anyone that your husband is at work and you are home alone. Second, your not telling us the address is a waste of time. next time you have your Internet Explorer, foxfire or whatever you use as a browser, type in your telephone number. It (on my computer anyway) will tell you who the person is and give you a map to their house.
Just thought you might want to know. Ain't automation wonderful?
MUD
9/08/2009
National Health Care Debate
What the Democrats don't understand is that I don't trust the current politicians any further than I can throw them. I listened to the debate when the Clinton's tried to change the medical care system and I didn't like it then. What makes them think I would like it better if Barack Obama brought it back up again.
I personally don't think that any system can be expanded enough to include everyone and not result in shortages for many. All the times I took mother to the Hospital is serious condition and could not get her a bed was proof that the system was about maxed out. How can a group of people be forced to accept anyone and it not cost that group more? Talk to people in the VA system and ask them if they don't have shortages at the end of the Fiscal year. Imagine that nation wide.
If the current system is bad, isn't one of the biggest users of the system those on Medicare? If there is so much fraud and abuse, clean that up and come talk to us about how much you have saved. I am scared as hell that an expansion by the government will be more of the same only bigger with a Federal Overhead that we have to pay for. Right now, our federal Government costs more than we can pay for. How can we in all good conscience expand the Government. At what level is more not better?
I remember a while back that I said Government needs to look at all the problems and solve the most important one first. I think our system needs to be re-engineered to encourage business owners to manufacture products here at home and put more people back to work. When will the people not have money to buy things from China? When will going to Wal*Mart not be in the ability of most people? Just because a job can be done in India for about half, doesn't mean the job should go there.
Finally, it is not a debate if one side is set on ramming a change down our throats and they won't listen to our side of the story.
MUD
I personally don't think that any system can be expanded enough to include everyone and not result in shortages for many. All the times I took mother to the Hospital is serious condition and could not get her a bed was proof that the system was about maxed out. How can a group of people be forced to accept anyone and it not cost that group more? Talk to people in the VA system and ask them if they don't have shortages at the end of the Fiscal year. Imagine that nation wide.
If the current system is bad, isn't one of the biggest users of the system those on Medicare? If there is so much fraud and abuse, clean that up and come talk to us about how much you have saved. I am scared as hell that an expansion by the government will be more of the same only bigger with a Federal Overhead that we have to pay for. Right now, our federal Government costs more than we can pay for. How can we in all good conscience expand the Government. At what level is more not better?
I remember a while back that I said Government needs to look at all the problems and solve the most important one first. I think our system needs to be re-engineered to encourage business owners to manufacture products here at home and put more people back to work. When will the people not have money to buy things from China? When will going to Wal*Mart not be in the ability of most people? Just because a job can be done in India for about half, doesn't mean the job should go there.
Finally, it is not a debate if one side is set on ramming a change down our throats and they won't listen to our side of the story.
MUD
Tuesday Morning Update
Barb's newest Butterfly additions to the world of pretty
The above butterflies were all raised by Barb and released. The top is of course a Monarch on her Clematis. The second is a Male Tiger Swallow Tail, and the third is a giant swallow tail. A while back I posted the picture of an ugly Caterpillar and this is what emerged after a couple of weeks in a cocoon.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - End of pretty- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This is a Tuesday Morning Update from one of those pesky anonymous bloggers that generate such ire in the Democratic Ranks. I am always glad to provide fodder to their cannons that hope to move your eyes away from the problems in Washington. I refuse to join the bandwagon of people that abuse the President, but will point out when I think what he says is not what he does. I think it is wrong when people say George Bush, John Kerry and Barack Obama are idiots or stupid. The office of the President is one complicated mother and as big as the staff needed to run that office is, there is just one or two dumb things that happen each day no matter who is at the helm. Remember that even Ronald Regan had a Marine LtCol trading weapons for money, hostages and or drugs. Our great "Centrist" Billary preyed on an intern. Who the heck knew what Jimma was up to. Hell, he was a Nuclear Physicist as well as a peanut grower. I just love LBJ's line when it is reported that he said, "I've stepped over more pussy than JFK has had".
I had hoped that when Barack said "change", it would fit my standard of when I hear someone say they are going to automate a process. It should cost less, work better, have the intended consequences outweigh the unintended and follow the guidelines established. So far, the biggest change is that the current Government has managed to drive up the national debt by 10% to somewhere above 10 Trillion dollars. I had hoped that we would have more jobs not more people getting the unemployment dole.
Murphy's Other Laws
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright
Until you hear them speak.
He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
A day without sunshine is like, well, night.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
Just remember ... If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting
Something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end,
Someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them.
If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.
The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by
Those who got there first.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and
He will sit in a boat all day drinking .
Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.
The shin bone is a device for finding furniture.
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of 12
People who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.
I had hoped that when Barack said "change", it would fit my standard of when I hear someone say they are going to automate a process. It should cost less, work better, have the intended consequences outweigh the unintended and follow the guidelines established. So far, the biggest change is that the current Government has managed to drive up the national debt by 10% to somewhere above 10 Trillion dollars. I had hoped that we would have more jobs not more people getting the unemployment dole.
Murphy's Other Laws
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright
Until you hear them speak.
He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
A day without sunshine is like, well, night.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
Just remember ... If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting
Something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end,
Someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them.
If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.
The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by
Those who got there first.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and
He will sit in a boat all day drinking .
Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.
The shin bone is a device for finding furniture.
A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of 12
People who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.
MUD
9/07/2009
Glenda Overstreet Pt. 2
I think I missed the point of Ms Overstreet's tirade about the un-named and anonymous bloggers in the paper yesterday. As I have read more of what is written on the blogs, I realize that the subject of her attack was those of us that oppose Van Jones and his whole saga.
Remember when we were promised by the Candidate Obama that he would "Change the way Washington does business". Surely no one thought that he would appoint an avowed Communist to the position of green Czar. We thought Mr Obama was serious about elevating vetting of candidates beyond what was expected.
I will use one quotes of Mr, Jones to make the next point. "Sharp outcroppings of revolutionary values and organization" are OK by his description. (This was a reply to his arrest after participating in a riot in San Francisco) "Flash points of rage can never substitute for radical social vision or grass roots coordination". When the point to be made is different than yours, you may not call it too radical. I have said all along that the voice of the people must be heard to avoid flash points of rage. If you want to call it grass roots organization, that's OK with me. To call us an anonymous mob of bloggers isn't.
Many of us out here in the blogosphere don't agree with you and the business that our congress and the President are conducting in Washington. We expected that when promised higher standards, we would get something other than a cabinet full of people with tax problems.When the President appoints a Czar, he would not be so radical that even the White house had to turn away his appointment when they read the resume.
So Glenda, it is my humble opinion that Mr. Van Jones appointment was a mistake and one that rests in the White House. Don't blame us out here in Bloggerland for doing the right thing to vet appointees when they don't meet the standards.
MUD
PS you can read the last blog and know who I am.
Remember when we were promised by the Candidate Obama that he would "Change the way Washington does business". Surely no one thought that he would appoint an avowed Communist to the position of green Czar. We thought Mr Obama was serious about elevating vetting of candidates beyond what was expected.
I will use one quotes of Mr, Jones to make the next point. "Sharp outcroppings of revolutionary values and organization" are OK by his description. (This was a reply to his arrest after participating in a riot in San Francisco) "Flash points of rage can never substitute for radical social vision or grass roots coordination". When the point to be made is different than yours, you may not call it too radical. I have said all along that the voice of the people must be heard to avoid flash points of rage. If you want to call it grass roots organization, that's OK with me. To call us an anonymous mob of bloggers isn't.
Many of us out here in the blogosphere don't agree with you and the business that our congress and the President are conducting in Washington. We expected that when promised higher standards, we would get something other than a cabinet full of people with tax problems.When the President appoints a Czar, he would not be so radical that even the White house had to turn away his appointment when they read the resume.
So Glenda, it is my humble opinion that Mr. Van Jones appointment was a mistake and one that rests in the White House. Don't blame us out here in Bloggerland for doing the right thing to vet appointees when they don't meet the standards.
MUD
PS you can read the last blog and know who I am.
9/06/2009
Pow Wow Pictures
These pictures of the 2009 Labor Day Pow Wow are taken to show a flavor of the wonderful people that dance at the Pow Wow and are not for commercial use. The photographer did not ask for release from the dancers. They are intended for a one time use on this blog. Do not copy them for other purposes.
Serious Dancer
Little Warrior Spirit
Best Dancer
The Future of the Pow Wow
MUD
Oldest Dancer
Drum Singer
Serious Dancer
Little Warrior Spirit
Best Dancer
The Future of the Pow Wow
MUD
Why I Went To Morocco
Who wouldn't travel around the world to see such smiles. This was actually taken in Kansas at Grandma's house. I edited out the cop car in the background. Kendra and Katrina are as sweet as they look.MUD
Feed Back
To Glenda Overstreet, the local NAACP president and columnist for the Topeka Capitol Journal.
Dear Glenda,
I really resent being lumped into the pack of anonymous bloggers that don't like what our Government is doing. If you want to send me a message, you can click on the e-mail link and send me anything you desire off my Profile Page. I think I have also given enough hints to identify who I am in my blogs that it should be no big challenge to tell who I am and reply to anything I write.
What I really hate is that you have done to me the very thing that you and the NAACP was founded for. I do not lump you and other Blacks into any one category because of who you are or what you look like. I do not hate you because your opinions are different than mine. If you feel hate coming from the other side, have you asked why you feel so picked on? Is some of that feeling from the fact you stand up and be counted for the cause you chose to support? I didn't hold your hand and make you do anything.
As for the fact that I am a lot of others have real misgivings about the Health Care Initiative, let me share with you why many of us are at odds. First of all, the Congress of the United States has taken the initiative to change our Health Care and reform it. The language as I understand it is to take effect in 2010 or later. If that is the case, why are we being asked to accept the over a thousand pages of legislation overnight when by everyone's account, Lynn Jenkins didn't read the 700 word Great White Hope Legislation. Tell us what you want to change a little at a time and let us decide if it is what we want. My mother had a saying that big changes cause "The baby to be thrown out with the bathwater" and to me the law of unintended consequences often hits us harder than what we wanted to fix. I have damn good health insurance and don't want Medicare, Tri-Care or Medicade. I damn sure don't want my hospitals to run out of money at years end like the VA. As good as they try to be, what they do is subject to the Fiscal Cycle and you damn sure don't want to have a heart attack in the last 30 days of the fiscal year.
Second, Right now we are in the middle of one of the worst recessions we have ever been in. Doesn't it scare the pants off you that we spent over a Trillion dollars and the economy is still in shambles. It was the lack of a good Governmental oversight that got us here? If the government isn't able to see the big things, how do we know this isn't another Madoff Ponzi scheme that will take our money and give us nothing in return? Or as in my worse fears, just give health Care to those who are unwilling to pay for it themselves.
Thirdly, when the people voted in the last national Election, we were promised hope and Change. You have been watching, did you hope that change would build up the forces in Afghanistan, Take a 300 Billion dollar Bill and inflate it with Pork until it was a Trillion dollars and select cabinet members that didn't pay their taxes correctly?
So, You see Glenda, that I, Dennis Petty of 4921 SE 42nd, Tecumseh, KS am not afraid of people saying I am a part of the unknown legion of bloggers. I am afraid that people will say that my opinion doesn't count because I do blog. Does your opinion not count because you are just another columnist in the paper. Do I discount you because you are black, a woman or a member of the NAACP? No, I disagree with changing our government into one where we no longer encourage hard work, an education and self reliance. Build a floor to support those who are in a hole now and then but don't expect me to build a ramp out of those in self imposed holes.
One of those old sayings I love is, "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."
Your Pal, MUD
Dear Glenda,
I really resent being lumped into the pack of anonymous bloggers that don't like what our Government is doing. If you want to send me a message, you can click on the e-mail link and send me anything you desire off my Profile Page. I think I have also given enough hints to identify who I am in my blogs that it should be no big challenge to tell who I am and reply to anything I write.
What I really hate is that you have done to me the very thing that you and the NAACP was founded for. I do not lump you and other Blacks into any one category because of who you are or what you look like. I do not hate you because your opinions are different than mine. If you feel hate coming from the other side, have you asked why you feel so picked on? Is some of that feeling from the fact you stand up and be counted for the cause you chose to support? I didn't hold your hand and make you do anything.
As for the fact that I am a lot of others have real misgivings about the Health Care Initiative, let me share with you why many of us are at odds. First of all, the Congress of the United States has taken the initiative to change our Health Care and reform it. The language as I understand it is to take effect in 2010 or later. If that is the case, why are we being asked to accept the over a thousand pages of legislation overnight when by everyone's account, Lynn Jenkins didn't read the 700 word Great White Hope Legislation. Tell us what you want to change a little at a time and let us decide if it is what we want. My mother had a saying that big changes cause "The baby to be thrown out with the bathwater" and to me the law of unintended consequences often hits us harder than what we wanted to fix. I have damn good health insurance and don't want Medicare, Tri-Care or Medicade. I damn sure don't want my hospitals to run out of money at years end like the VA. As good as they try to be, what they do is subject to the Fiscal Cycle and you damn sure don't want to have a heart attack in the last 30 days of the fiscal year.
Second, Right now we are in the middle of one of the worst recessions we have ever been in. Doesn't it scare the pants off you that we spent over a Trillion dollars and the economy is still in shambles. It was the lack of a good Governmental oversight that got us here? If the government isn't able to see the big things, how do we know this isn't another Madoff Ponzi scheme that will take our money and give us nothing in return? Or as in my worse fears, just give health Care to those who are unwilling to pay for it themselves.
Thirdly, when the people voted in the last national Election, we were promised hope and Change. You have been watching, did you hope that change would build up the forces in Afghanistan, Take a 300 Billion dollar Bill and inflate it with Pork until it was a Trillion dollars and select cabinet members that didn't pay their taxes correctly?
So, You see Glenda, that I, Dennis Petty of 4921 SE 42nd, Tecumseh, KS am not afraid of people saying I am a part of the unknown legion of bloggers. I am afraid that people will say that my opinion doesn't count because I do blog. Does your opinion not count because you are just another columnist in the paper. Do I discount you because you are black, a woman or a member of the NAACP? No, I disagree with changing our government into one where we no longer encourage hard work, an education and self reliance. Build a floor to support those who are in a hole now and then but don't expect me to build a ramp out of those in self imposed holes.
One of those old sayings I love is, "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."
Your Pal, MUD
Wild Life at Rabbit Run
Blue Tailed Skink
Blue Winged Wasp
Swallow tail Caterpillar
If you expected pictures of the wild things life here at Rabbit Run, this is as wild as it gets.
MUD
9/05/2009
Cooking Question
Bierocks, beeroaks, beerrocks or german Cabbage rolls. Call 'em what you want to call 'em but get there while they are hot.
Tired of Eating, Taking a Nap
Hamburger, Onions, cabbage and frozen bread dough make up into what Petty family feast?
Bierocks. It isn't fast, and it is a lot of work but the results are a great roll filled with a German flavor. because we had some, I cooked some grated zucchini into the filling.
Pictures will follow when they are fresh out of the oven. They are sitting on the kitchen cabinet raising.
MUD
Afghanistan
Someone 'splain to me how the current losses in Afghanistan is any different than the losses under George Bush? Oh, you mean Hopey Change has actually ramped up the war and now we are losing a record number of soldiers? Thought that would be your answer. Over the last couple of hundred years, more than one country has tried to go in there and clean up the mess. Is it finally time that we just call it a win and leave? Who would notice besides the people we send there to fight, and their families.
We are up to 84 failed banks so far this year. It is like reading the obits to see if I am in there. I read the paper to see who is the next failed bank. So far I haven't lost a dime in any of the closings. I do keep my deposits spread out so no one bank will take me with them.
I spoke with my neighbor this morning and he runs a sign company. He has had to lay off all of his part time employees. He is down to a core of full timers and is not sure how long that can continue. The unfortunate part about all of his part timers is they are the old guys supplementing their retirement income and that has to be a challenge to them to get by on their fixed income. If Social Security doesn't come in for a raise next year, the term FIXED will be a reality.
Speaking of Reality, isn't it the job of the President to give messages to different groups. Isn't keeping kids in school a good thing? While I don't agree with the President and the Congress as they indebted us to the new tune of 11 Trillion dollars, I do agree that we should give our kids the message to go to school, work hard, save a little money when you can and obey the laws. At least lets give him the chance to say his message before we crap in his mess kit.
I think this is the year we will attend the Kansas State Fair. Looks like we are going to combine a road trip with a fair visit. Barb has never been to the fair in Hutchinson and I haven't been in over 40 years. Oh well, not much else new here at Rabbit Run. Write if you get a chance.
MUD
We are up to 84 failed banks so far this year. It is like reading the obits to see if I am in there. I read the paper to see who is the next failed bank. So far I haven't lost a dime in any of the closings. I do keep my deposits spread out so no one bank will take me with them.
I spoke with my neighbor this morning and he runs a sign company. He has had to lay off all of his part time employees. He is down to a core of full timers and is not sure how long that can continue. The unfortunate part about all of his part timers is they are the old guys supplementing their retirement income and that has to be a challenge to them to get by on their fixed income. If Social Security doesn't come in for a raise next year, the term FIXED will be a reality.
Speaking of Reality, isn't it the job of the President to give messages to different groups. Isn't keeping kids in school a good thing? While I don't agree with the President and the Congress as they indebted us to the new tune of 11 Trillion dollars, I do agree that we should give our kids the message to go to school, work hard, save a little money when you can and obey the laws. At least lets give him the chance to say his message before we crap in his mess kit.
I think this is the year we will attend the Kansas State Fair. Looks like we are going to combine a road trip with a fair visit. Barb has never been to the fair in Hutchinson and I haven't been in over 40 years. Oh well, not much else new here at Rabbit Run. Write if you get a chance.
MUD
9/04/2009
MONEY
Gee Ain't it funny how MONEY keeps slipping away? Seems like this is a topic that keeps popping (or pooping) it way to the top of the news list almost hourly. Heck, the local talk radio channel brings Dave Ramsey's program into reruns for almost three hours daily. Over and over, people that are paying what he calls the stupid tax call in wanting an instant answer to their money woes.
A lady called in yesterday (or sometime, with reruns you never are sure of the date someone called) and said that with an income of about $5,000 a month they can't seem to make ends meet. She said that she never buys anything that is not on sale or reduced in price. Dave asked her what she was buying? Hello, lesson number one income must exceed or be equal to outgo. She didn't think she could keep a budget for a month or two to see what she was doing. He tried to explain the simple envelope program to break down the money and she was almost clueless. Yep, sounds like a person headed for no where fast.
If there was a simple way to keep track of what you spend, perhaps people might be better able to get it together. Is there a pocket sized scanner out there that can read cash register tapes? I am almost afraid to say use a debit card because the experts show that time and time again people using debit or credit cards spent 10 to 20% more because it isn't the same as CASH.
One extreme example today was the couple that bought a lake front lot for $135,000 as a speculation. Want to speculate who can't pay what is owed on it today? After three years of paying on it, it is valued at 75% of what they bought it for and they owe almost 100% of the purchase value. No, that was a bare lot with no house and they signed up for the entire loan with 100% financing, nothing down and thought they could make money on the deal. With taxes and a maintenance fee they have to fork over almost $2,000 a month. Want to guess who is about to be laid off? Even in good times that sounds like a stupid deal to me.
Money isn't rocket science. Work hard, spend as little as you have to, save and find some good investments. There is also a good rule that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
MUD
A lady called in yesterday (or sometime, with reruns you never are sure of the date someone called) and said that with an income of about $5,000 a month they can't seem to make ends meet. She said that she never buys anything that is not on sale or reduced in price. Dave asked her what she was buying? Hello, lesson number one income must exceed or be equal to outgo. She didn't think she could keep a budget for a month or two to see what she was doing. He tried to explain the simple envelope program to break down the money and she was almost clueless. Yep, sounds like a person headed for no where fast.
If there was a simple way to keep track of what you spend, perhaps people might be better able to get it together. Is there a pocket sized scanner out there that can read cash register tapes? I am almost afraid to say use a debit card because the experts show that time and time again people using debit or credit cards spent 10 to 20% more because it isn't the same as CASH.
One extreme example today was the couple that bought a lake front lot for $135,000 as a speculation. Want to speculate who can't pay what is owed on it today? After three years of paying on it, it is valued at 75% of what they bought it for and they owe almost 100% of the purchase value. No, that was a bare lot with no house and they signed up for the entire loan with 100% financing, nothing down and thought they could make money on the deal. With taxes and a maintenance fee they have to fork over almost $2,000 a month. Want to guess who is about to be laid off? Even in good times that sounds like a stupid deal to me.
Money isn't rocket science. Work hard, spend as little as you have to, save and find some good investments. There is also a good rule that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
MUD
9/02/2009
FOOD!
WARNING! If you are on a diet or want to lose weight, do not read this blog. Skip merrily along to somewhere else. This blog will discuss food today in preparation for the Labor day cooking fest. (or Feast if you so want to call it so)
The paper this morning had an article to help people decide that Chicken wings are the food of labor Day. I completely disagree with that concept. Labor Day is two fisted food day and not finger food day. Here is my list of Labor day foods: Burgers, Brats, Ribs, Corn on the cob, Cole slaw (or a salad could be potato), Watermelon, garlic bread and appropriate beverages. My son, Dave would include an aluminum foil packet of veggies.
Lets discuss this rationally. First Burgers and Brats are one meal and Ribs are another. I might cook some of each but they would be "Planned Overs" for a meal later on. Not everyone in the family is as crazy over ribs as I am. Vote, probably Burgers and Brats.
If I were to do ribs, I would first rub them with all sorts of good things. Onion and garlic powder, salt and pepper, Chili powder, cumin and well, nothing else. Some people will oil the ribs to get the dry rub to stick. What ever works! I would cook them over indirect heat on a smoky grill for a couple of hours. To me, I love the Texas Road house taste but I want some bite left in my ribs. I want to work the meat off the bones not have it fall off. If the bones come out clean, what fun is that. I saw one of the BBQ cook off programs and they did not want the meat to fall off the bones and neither do I. If you want your ribs glazed, bring them back inside and cover them with KC Masterpiece and bake in the oven until the glaze gets more solid. 30 minutes at 350 is probably good enough. (Uncovered)
The Burgers would be almost a mini meatloaf when I got done with them. Grated onion, some zucchini, green peppers, some bread crumbs and an egg to hold it all together. Yes, I would always add some cumin and salt & pepper. I would start them over the flame to seal the outside and finish them with smoke and a hot indirect heat. I don't use BBQ sauce on them or cheese. I will have both on the condiment table if you choose. I don't.
I saw someone cook brats once and they were crispy critters on the outside and raw in the middle. Not for me. I like to boil brats in onions and water. (Beer if you choose but it is a waste of good beer in my opinion) then I grill them indirectly in a smoky Webber grill. If they don't have a nice pink smoke ring for about an 1/8th of an inch just inside the casing they aren't smoky enough.
My family doesn't particularly like Cole slaw and Dave doesn't like Potato salad. I am still looking for a good substitute. If I make a Cole Slaw, it will have carrots and cabbage. I don't like to use purple cabbage as it makes the dressing purple the second day and that just takes the edge off of left overs for me.
Boil the damn corn and put out a good butter. None of that wimpy whipped margarine. A shaker for salt is all that is needed. I have been known to add just a little sugar and salt to the cooking liquid.
Ideally I have been able to get the bread grilled to a "T" on the grill once or twice in my history. Take a good multi grain bread and slather it with butter and garlic granules. Wrap it in aluminum foil and put it in the oven while you are firming up the glaze on the ribs.
Lately my wife has started to cut the watermelon up into smaller pieces because I have filled the damned Fridge full of other planned overs. A whole watermelon just takes up too much space. Dang, I hate it when that happens. She has been known to make a fruit salad with grapes and cantaloupe but whatever she puts together it always is good. That reminds me, we have some Asian pears that are ready to pick.
The beverage of choice (mine of course) is iced tea without sugar. If you want sugar in yours, put some in and leave me the hell alone. I always sweetened mine as a kid but now it is to refresh my mouth not to rot my damned teeth. That reminds me I need to call the Dentist about this one tooth that is bothered by cold.
This is my version of a Labor Day cook out. You can do chicken, steaks or whatever but I like Burgers and Brats as my choice.
MUD
The paper this morning had an article to help people decide that Chicken wings are the food of labor Day. I completely disagree with that concept. Labor Day is two fisted food day and not finger food day. Here is my list of Labor day foods: Burgers, Brats, Ribs, Corn on the cob, Cole slaw (or a salad could be potato), Watermelon, garlic bread and appropriate beverages. My son, Dave would include an aluminum foil packet of veggies.
Lets discuss this rationally. First Burgers and Brats are one meal and Ribs are another. I might cook some of each but they would be "Planned Overs" for a meal later on. Not everyone in the family is as crazy over ribs as I am. Vote, probably Burgers and Brats.
If I were to do ribs, I would first rub them with all sorts of good things. Onion and garlic powder, salt and pepper, Chili powder, cumin and well, nothing else. Some people will oil the ribs to get the dry rub to stick. What ever works! I would cook them over indirect heat on a smoky grill for a couple of hours. To me, I love the Texas Road house taste but I want some bite left in my ribs. I want to work the meat off the bones not have it fall off. If the bones come out clean, what fun is that. I saw one of the BBQ cook off programs and they did not want the meat to fall off the bones and neither do I. If you want your ribs glazed, bring them back inside and cover them with KC Masterpiece and bake in the oven until the glaze gets more solid. 30 minutes at 350 is probably good enough. (Uncovered)
The Burgers would be almost a mini meatloaf when I got done with them. Grated onion, some zucchini, green peppers, some bread crumbs and an egg to hold it all together. Yes, I would always add some cumin and salt & pepper. I would start them over the flame to seal the outside and finish them with smoke and a hot indirect heat. I don't use BBQ sauce on them or cheese. I will have both on the condiment table if you choose. I don't.
I saw someone cook brats once and they were crispy critters on the outside and raw in the middle. Not for me. I like to boil brats in onions and water. (Beer if you choose but it is a waste of good beer in my opinion) then I grill them indirectly in a smoky Webber grill. If they don't have a nice pink smoke ring for about an 1/8th of an inch just inside the casing they aren't smoky enough.
My family doesn't particularly like Cole slaw and Dave doesn't like Potato salad. I am still looking for a good substitute. If I make a Cole Slaw, it will have carrots and cabbage. I don't like to use purple cabbage as it makes the dressing purple the second day and that just takes the edge off of left overs for me.
Boil the damn corn and put out a good butter. None of that wimpy whipped margarine. A shaker for salt is all that is needed. I have been known to add just a little sugar and salt to the cooking liquid.
Ideally I have been able to get the bread grilled to a "T" on the grill once or twice in my history. Take a good multi grain bread and slather it with butter and garlic granules. Wrap it in aluminum foil and put it in the oven while you are firming up the glaze on the ribs.
Lately my wife has started to cut the watermelon up into smaller pieces because I have filled the damned Fridge full of other planned overs. A whole watermelon just takes up too much space. Dang, I hate it when that happens. She has been known to make a fruit salad with grapes and cantaloupe but whatever she puts together it always is good. That reminds me, we have some Asian pears that are ready to pick.
The beverage of choice (mine of course) is iced tea without sugar. If you want sugar in yours, put some in and leave me the hell alone. I always sweetened mine as a kid but now it is to refresh my mouth not to rot my damned teeth. That reminds me I need to call the Dentist about this one tooth that is bothered by cold.
This is my version of a Labor Day cook out. You can do chicken, steaks or whatever but I like Burgers and Brats as my choice.
MUD
9/01/2009
Large Problems, Some Simple Solutions
Sitting here at Rabbit Run, it appears to me that we have a lot of large problems in the good old US of A. There appears to be no end of smart people out there that profess complex answers and even more complex legislation to fix what ails us. I'm pretty certain that most of the Legislators went home this summer break with good intentions about explaining some of it to us , but we all know "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". A whole lot of good people wanted to tell them that until everyone understand what the hell we are doing, don't do it.
Our Representative Lynn Jenkins was again in the paper today for passing a measure to expunge or forgive a black prize fighter and it was a voice vote because they only had about three minutes to pass it and go home. To expunge the record of a fighter long dead is not much of a big hairy deal but I wonder how many of these small actions build up into the unintended consequences that face us today. She later on used the term "Great White Hope" and further stirred the feces pot and now no one knows what to say.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but I will say again, slow down and do some problem solving up there in Washington. The first step is to figure out what the heck the real problems are. Would you like to know what I think some of the most important are? Try this:
Our Representative Lynn Jenkins was again in the paper today for passing a measure to expunge or forgive a black prize fighter and it was a voice vote because they only had about three minutes to pass it and go home. To expunge the record of a fighter long dead is not much of a big hairy deal but I wonder how many of these small actions build up into the unintended consequences that face us today. She later on used the term "Great White Hope" and further stirred the feces pot and now no one knows what to say.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but I will say again, slow down and do some problem solving up there in Washington. The first step is to figure out what the heck the real problems are. Would you like to know what I think some of the most important are? Try this:
- We need some honest to god jobs right here in the USA. Lets solve some of that by starting energy saving measures supported by Government loans and benefits that actually save energy. How can we do a Rural Electric Cooperative that finds ways to put energy back into the grid? Wind Turbines, solar panels, solar heating fields, Trash burning generators and looking at something as simple leaf litter each fall. Heck, right here at Rabbit Run there has to be enough wood on the ground to heat a couple of homes.
- My Military buddies will hate this but I say again we need to simplify the Military. I contend we need a Naval Force, a Ground Force and an Air force. I would cut the Coast Guard or absorb it in to the Navy. If it floats or has boats, it belongs to the Navy. The Marines would be "in the Army now" and wear the same uniform and have the same equipment as the rest of the ground forces. If it has wings, yep, Air force. I would have an ARMY National Guard and an Air Force Reserve. Figure out what you need and make it happen. I would bore you to tears with the different levels of funding and readiness but that is its self a major paper not a blog.
- Each level of Government needs to redefine their role and what it is they should do, I'll bet the overlap and funding for people doing the same job at each level is killing us. No Unfunded mandates from higher to lower levels. Sunset laws on all legislation and clearer definition of what law is local, State and Federal.
Let me share with you a part of the problem. last year, because of overlapping retirement payments because my wife and I both worked all of our adult lives, not enough money was withheld from our pay when we filed our taxes, we had to pay. In addition to the amount we had to pay, we also paid a penalty because we didn't withhold enough. This year to stimulate the economy, the withholding tables were changed to give me more of my money to spend to help stimulate the people out there working. Did it change the amount I would owe? Hell no! What do you want to bet they will again put a penalty on what I do have to pay? Do I pay, Yes! Why a penalty for paying what I owe? I would have them take a percentage for each level and leave me the hell alone. How about the local taking 5% The State taking 10% and the feds 15%. No complicated sales tax, property tax, income tax, pass through tax and damn sure no tax on utilities or food.
If a simple guy like me can see the answers, how come the big guys that get paid can't.
MUD
Cool Ride
Biker Dude lookin' for 'nakes
One of the quotes my brother attributed to his grandson Ethan was, "Lets get some sticks and go down to the c'eek and look for 'nakes" If he lived nearer to Lawrence, he wouldn't have to look hard or long. Yesterday Barb asked to go to Lawrence again to ride our bikes. Either I'm getting slower or she is getting faster. Oh well, back to the snake story. A couple of weeks ago we parked in the Arboretum parking lot by the South West By-Pass. There is a lovely rocked area with a stream passing right through the middle. There was a group of kids annoying a copperhead and we had to chase them away. I swear one kid had a small net on a one foot stick and that's close enough to get bit not catch one.
Well, yesterday we parked in the same area but this time headed east on the bike path. I won't tell you about all the kids on the sidewalk near the school. They don't have a good sense of self let alone the concept of sharing the sidewalk. However, I rode well east and as I returned to the truck, a kid was sitting on his bike and announced that I needed to careful of the snake. Right where the bridge on the path crossed a small creek there was a very ugly copperhead sunning himself. To me, it looked like his eyes were cloudy and his skin was very discolored. I think he was about to shed his skin but I really didn't ask him. He was about an inch and a half in diameter and two to three feet long. He was a nasty booger and it wasn't until I stomped my feet on the bridge that he decided to get off the bridge, I knew Barb was a couple of hundred yards behind me and I wanted the path to be clear when she rode by.
Now, I know that the path travels along a swampy area in Lawrence all the way out to Clinton Lake. I know that snakes live in swampy areas where there are rocks and places to hide. I just wonder if anyone has really sat down and counted the number of snakes in that area. Each day many students pass that way to and from school. Might be worth a look by the Biology students at KU. If I have seen two, just how many are there?
No, I haven't changed my political views, I have only changed my focus from ranting globally to looking at the path locally. "'Nakes in the keek" will do that to you.
MUD
8/31/2009
Free Speech on the Blog Sites?
I read a wide array of blogs from "Mean O'l meany" to "Prairie Air". Heck, I even read, "I can has Hotdogs" for comic relief. Darned if even my niece Amy hasn't taken kind a hard tone lately. I have read that we out here in the blog"O"sphere might be facing some increased scrutiny and darned sure there is liability attached. One lady called a model a "skank" and did it often enough to get a lawsuit slapped on her. I hear rumblings about a new CZAR for the Internet being considered. Will there be some infringement or curtailing of our free speech on the blog far behind. What ever happened to that move to have really critical blogs turned into the Government. Hell, we can't even interrogate foreign fighters without harming their civil rights. Where does it start and where does it end?
Not very long ago, our President was fair game to all sorts of criticism for what rights he was given after 9/11. Now our rights are trampled on in front of a voting place and the other side doesn't seem to notice. Carry a sign with Obama's face colored like the Joker and you are threatened to be hauled off to Jail. Their Thugs paint swastikas and we are called the rabble.
Nancy and Harry don't get it when we hold TEA parties. If 11 trillion in national Debt isn't bad enough, we hear a projection of 20 Trillion in the next 10 years. Hell, we want Social Security Fixed so it doesn't run out of money in 2037 not a new medical policy fixed with out dollars today. How can they look us in the face and tell us that medical care will be delivered at a lower cost and at the same rate or amount as today. They are going to cut the costs out of the fat in the system? They are going to eliminate Fraud waste and Abuse? AARP better not darken my door now that they have joined hands with Nancy and Harry to pass the Kennedy Health Bill.
I think we need to have free speech so that the leaders of our country can hear the frustration of people like me before we get really angry. On the other hand, we need to make sure that threats are somewhat moderated. Tell then how you feel but be a little careful when you threaten to get your gun out and do something about it. Civil Disobedience can tip over the edge when guns are involved.
Nuff Said.
MUD
Not very long ago, our President was fair game to all sorts of criticism for what rights he was given after 9/11. Now our rights are trampled on in front of a voting place and the other side doesn't seem to notice. Carry a sign with Obama's face colored like the Joker and you are threatened to be hauled off to Jail. Their Thugs paint swastikas and we are called the rabble.
Nancy and Harry don't get it when we hold TEA parties. If 11 trillion in national Debt isn't bad enough, we hear a projection of 20 Trillion in the next 10 years. Hell, we want Social Security Fixed so it doesn't run out of money in 2037 not a new medical policy fixed with out dollars today. How can they look us in the face and tell us that medical care will be delivered at a lower cost and at the same rate or amount as today. They are going to cut the costs out of the fat in the system? They are going to eliminate Fraud waste and Abuse? AARP better not darken my door now that they have joined hands with Nancy and Harry to pass the Kennedy Health Bill.
I think we need to have free speech so that the leaders of our country can hear the frustration of people like me before we get really angry. On the other hand, we need to make sure that threats are somewhat moderated. Tell then how you feel but be a little careful when you threaten to get your gun out and do something about it. Civil Disobedience can tip over the edge when guns are involved.
Nuff Said.
MUD
8/30/2009
Why?
WHY I LIVE IN KANSAS
I live in Kansas because I love it here. We have four seasons, great people and interesting places. Most of the time you can look up and see the sky and it is seldom boring. It is the scenery that most of the people out west have except ours changes.
I don't want anyone to feel bad about where they live. In fact, I hope you love the place you are as much as I love it here. If you aren't in love with your place in life, why do you live there? Look out at your scenery and truly see what is there. I'll bet you really are fond of it and enjoy what you see.
MUD
8/29/2009
Saturday Things
Saturday here at the Ranch. No, we didn't move Rabbit Run or import animals, I just have been reading about the Mustangs for sale here in Topeka this weekend. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sale of mustangs is ongoing here in the Capital City. They are offering a stipend of about $4,500 if you adopt a wild adult animal. There is no additional money if the horse has been broke or is young. I have no love for horses nor an actual desire to buy one. I had a bad meeting engagement in the Garden of the Gods, near Colorado Springs, years ago and after being kicked and thrown I have little desire to bring one of those wild horses here.
We have been looking in the paper each day to see what is out there in the car market. The ads make little or no sense to me. One dealer has a 2006 Mustang for $18,995 and on the same page advertises a 2009 for the same price. Our ideal car will have less than 30,000 miles and get at least 25 MPG with 30 being the ideal.
My plans for today include finishing the mowing at Dave's and doing some mowing here at RR. The weeds are getting out of hand. I will probably do some tree trimming soon. I notice there are branches in several places where the trees are touching the roof. I need to also get up on the roof and clean the debris off the gutter guards.
We went up to the local school and visited some of teachers that are raising Monarch Caterpillars. We take a supply of milk weed leaves so the little one's have something to eat. Most are either in the chrysalis or nearing that point. We expect the butterfly migration to come through Kansas soon. With the really cool days we are having I expect it to be a little earlier this year.
Oh well, better get moving and get some things done.
MUD
We have been looking in the paper each day to see what is out there in the car market. The ads make little or no sense to me. One dealer has a 2006 Mustang for $18,995 and on the same page advertises a 2009 for the same price. Our ideal car will have less than 30,000 miles and get at least 25 MPG with 30 being the ideal.
My plans for today include finishing the mowing at Dave's and doing some mowing here at RR. The weeds are getting out of hand. I will probably do some tree trimming soon. I notice there are branches in several places where the trees are touching the roof. I need to also get up on the roof and clean the debris off the gutter guards.
We went up to the local school and visited some of teachers that are raising Monarch Caterpillars. We take a supply of milk weed leaves so the little one's have something to eat. Most are either in the chrysalis or nearing that point. We expect the butterfly migration to come through Kansas soon. With the really cool days we are having I expect it to be a little earlier this year.
Oh well, better get moving and get some things done.
MUD
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