Did he step over the line? Take it from an old warrior, yes General McChrystal did so indeed. But was he right, I think so. It cost him dearly to point out that Barry does not give a damn about the military in general (no pun intended) or any foreign involvement at all. He does not really have a foreign policy except to bash the Israeli's. To Barry, the military is just a nuisance and a toy. He is too regal to admit his limitations. That all begs the responses and side comments in staff meetings. Believe me, I have seen some lulus in my time, but then the boss said, enough, let us get on with what we are about. Criticism does not go out of the room!
Barry's gonna talk some sense into the Iranian's, yeah, right? He has made no such progress and probably never will. Even the Saudi Arabians, who have no love lost on the Iranians, fellow Muslims, are not opposed to the Israelis from flying over them to get at the Iranians. The reason we sold the most modern F-16s ever made to the United Arab Emirants was because they wanted a capability to strike at the heart of the Iranian Empire. Remember, Saudis, UAE, Bahran, Qatar are all Arabs as are Jordanians and Iraqis, but Iranians are not Arabs. They share a common belief in Allah but even there have severe disagreements within their common religion.
We are sitting back and letting Iran develop nuclear weapons. We are luke warm on taking care of business in Afghanistan. Pakistan is about to blow up. And we really do need India on our side; a great market that China will take if we do not do something about it.
Yes, under Barry we have become a paper tiger (note lower case), and have little respect around the world today. Couple that with his socialist agenda, and we have a colossal loser in the White House. He meant well, he thought his was the righteous path. He has turned into a wastrel squandering our wealth on suspect schemes. And he is going to raise our taxes, he promised he wouldn't. But his Democratic Congress said they don't care what he said and are going to raise them anyway.
Hold on to your pocket book. The tax man cometh . . . And his name is Barry.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Hot and . . .
Hot and getting hotter. Over a 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the heat index makes it even more uncomfortable. Judie talks about renting an apartment in Madison for the summer. That does not thrill me. What would I do in Madison?
Yes, I adore Anne, Will and Jake but that's about it. Nothing for me to do there. Hope she gets over it.
Yes, I adore Anne, Will and Jake but that's about it. Nothing for me to do there. Hope she gets over it.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Fritzinna . . .
Fritzinna is back. She showed up on the patio a couple of days ago. Probably ensconced in her wood pile. Judie saw her under the chaise lounge by the wood pile.
I guess this is her home. She just roams around getting enough to eat. Lot of competition out there. The Blue Birds and Mocking Birds are scarfing up all the insects in the yard to feed their youngsters. And dear old Fritz is still out back by the hill also eating his share of the insects.
Since Amy has not been to swift cutting her lot, I am sure Fritzinna and Fritz for that matter, make sojourns over to her lot. Tall grass provides a haven for insects.
Jude saw the deer late yesterday night. They just come in an lay down on the lawn. Nice comfortable grass, green too which makes it edible, and seed from the bird feeders attract them. The compost pile seems to attract the deer, especially the goat and the foxes. We know the foxes also eat the peaches. They work hard for their food. We know some animal is eating up all the old watermelon rinds tossed out to compost.
The foxes are very non-chalant. Any small noise seems to send the deer away, but the foxes simply look back at you and go about their business. Judie thinks the foxes rather like the deer being scared away. Lets them forage like the want we no interference from larger animals.
At any rate animal life goes on.
I guess this is her home. She just roams around getting enough to eat. Lot of competition out there. The Blue Birds and Mocking Birds are scarfing up all the insects in the yard to feed their youngsters. And dear old Fritz is still out back by the hill also eating his share of the insects.
Since Amy has not been to swift cutting her lot, I am sure Fritzinna and Fritz for that matter, make sojourns over to her lot. Tall grass provides a haven for insects.
Jude saw the deer late yesterday night. They just come in an lay down on the lawn. Nice comfortable grass, green too which makes it edible, and seed from the bird feeders attract them. The compost pile seems to attract the deer, especially the goat and the foxes. We know the foxes also eat the peaches. They work hard for their food. We know some animal is eating up all the old watermelon rinds tossed out to compost.
The foxes are very non-chalant. Any small noise seems to send the deer away, but the foxes simply look back at you and go about their business. Judie thinks the foxes rather like the deer being scared away. Lets them forage like the want we no interference from larger animals.
At any rate animal life goes on.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Baird
Baird, Texas bills itself as the antiques capital of West Texas. The small town, and county seat, is about 15 East of Abeline a bustling metropolis. Baird is about 1,600 or so souls and it looks it. It is a dying town.
Well it ain't an antiques capital at all. Main Street was mostly closed, that is not open for business because we were there to early (about 9:45 or so) or the businesses had failed. We found one place open but the folks were stacking stuff up for auction come Saturday. We looked around but not much. We found three places and a real old time hardware store open, a bank, and eating establishment. We wandered around for about an hour then elected to drive to Abeline and Dyess Air Force Base.
On the way out of Weatherford we at at Cracker Barrel and Judie bought Will a T shirt with a Farmall Tractor on it. But she had to buy a larger size, it was a discontinued line and there were no others to be had close to his size. On the way into Abeline we saw a Cracker Barrel so we doubled back and Judie managed to swap a size down at that outlet.
We pressed on to Dyess, it has an excellent display of aircraft including a B-1 (it is the home of one of the two B-1 wings in the US). There is a new commissary and BX. The BX has a very modern set up, with clothing sales store (where Judie bought me some socks), a large food court and of course a new BX. We found the BX to be well stocked, spacious and obviously new. I ate a piece of pizza and Judie had a sandwich. Saw lots of young people enlisted as well as officers in the food court. It was a very vibrant place.
We then drove off base and through Abeline. Nice size town, maybe 100,000 to 120,000thousand folks. Home to Abeline Chrisian and Hardin Simmons Universities. The big ecomonic engine is petrolium industry and the Air Force base.
On the way home we decided to stop in Eastland and look for antiques. We found one place on the square. Eastland is also a county seat. Nice old homes and appears to be in pretty good shape. Judie got a couple of things there; an LSU placard and an old fashioned hand held fan as found in churches before air conditioning.
Not being much else we got back on the Interstate and headed toward Weatherford. Next stop was Ranger. Ranger is about 15 or so miles East of Eastland and is reputed to be about the size of New Roads. The local attraction is Lake DeLeon. Ranger had one large antique place, probably had as much stuff in that business as all of Baird put together. But Ranger is dying. The oil has played out and the gas drilling as not reached there yet (and may not do so). Several large buildings, like five stories are empty. Bank looks lonely by itself on the main drag. We stopped at the Dairy Queen on the way out to use the restrooms and grab a coke. The restrooms were marginal, the price of the cokes was reasonable - happy hour for them. The place reflected Ranger, while relatively new, it to was dying. I would say in a few years, maybe ten or so years, Ranger will be a ghost town. Mineral Wells will not be far behind. People in Ranger either go to Abeline or Fort Worth for serious services. Even Graham is more vibrant than Ranger.
From there we returned to civilization and a vibrant city - Weatherford. The change was dramatic. The people are moving from towns like Eastland and Ranger to Abeline and Fort Worth (and surrounding communities).
Next tour will be Stephenville and Doublin. Tour Dr Pepper and see if there are any antiques in Stephenville. Stephenville has Tarlton State University to keep it going. We may drive through Lipan to get there. Or we may go West on I-20 to Santo and turn south. Better see those towns before they are gone.
Well it ain't an antiques capital at all. Main Street was mostly closed, that is not open for business because we were there to early (about 9:45 or so) or the businesses had failed. We found one place open but the folks were stacking stuff up for auction come Saturday. We looked around but not much. We found three places and a real old time hardware store open, a bank, and eating establishment. We wandered around for about an hour then elected to drive to Abeline and Dyess Air Force Base.
On the way out of Weatherford we at at Cracker Barrel and Judie bought Will a T shirt with a Farmall Tractor on it. But she had to buy a larger size, it was a discontinued line and there were no others to be had close to his size. On the way into Abeline we saw a Cracker Barrel so we doubled back and Judie managed to swap a size down at that outlet.
We pressed on to Dyess, it has an excellent display of aircraft including a B-1 (it is the home of one of the two B-1 wings in the US). There is a new commissary and BX. The BX has a very modern set up, with clothing sales store (where Judie bought me some socks), a large food court and of course a new BX. We found the BX to be well stocked, spacious and obviously new. I ate a piece of pizza and Judie had a sandwich. Saw lots of young people enlisted as well as officers in the food court. It was a very vibrant place.
We then drove off base and through Abeline. Nice size town, maybe 100,000 to 120,000thousand folks. Home to Abeline Chrisian and Hardin Simmons Universities. The big ecomonic engine is petrolium industry and the Air Force base.
On the way home we decided to stop in Eastland and look for antiques. We found one place on the square. Eastland is also a county seat. Nice old homes and appears to be in pretty good shape. Judie got a couple of things there; an LSU placard and an old fashioned hand held fan as found in churches before air conditioning.
Not being much else we got back on the Interstate and headed toward Weatherford. Next stop was Ranger. Ranger is about 15 or so miles East of Eastland and is reputed to be about the size of New Roads. The local attraction is Lake DeLeon. Ranger had one large antique place, probably had as much stuff in that business as all of Baird put together. But Ranger is dying. The oil has played out and the gas drilling as not reached there yet (and may not do so). Several large buildings, like five stories are empty. Bank looks lonely by itself on the main drag. We stopped at the Dairy Queen on the way out to use the restrooms and grab a coke. The restrooms were marginal, the price of the cokes was reasonable - happy hour for them. The place reflected Ranger, while relatively new, it to was dying. I would say in a few years, maybe ten or so years, Ranger will be a ghost town. Mineral Wells will not be far behind. People in Ranger either go to Abeline or Fort Worth for serious services. Even Graham is more vibrant than Ranger.
From there we returned to civilization and a vibrant city - Weatherford. The change was dramatic. The people are moving from towns like Eastland and Ranger to Abeline and Fort Worth (and surrounding communities).
Next tour will be Stephenville and Doublin. Tour Dr Pepper and see if there are any antiques in Stephenville. Stephenville has Tarlton State University to keep it going. We may drive through Lipan to get there. Or we may go West on I-20 to Santo and turn south. Better see those towns before they are gone.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Blue Birds
The Blue birds are hanging tough. The Sparrows have come by and try to out stare the Blue birds but it is a no go. The Blue birds are feeding their new young and fly in and out irregardless of the Sparrows.
We quit using bird feed that had millet in it. Millet is the favorite food of Sparrows and encourages them to stick around the area. But with the absence of the millet, the Sparrows are few and far between. Good ridance.
Judie hung a Wren house in one of the Hackberry trees. We have had them poking around the patio like they did out in Arizona. We watched a Cactus Wren wall up a House Finch house. The House Finches like open nesting facilities, Cactus Wrens like closed houses. This little Wren worked her butt off closing off the extra entrances leaving but one to go in and out on. Having done all that work, she moved off, I guess she was not satisfied with her new abode. Instinct working full bore, gotta build that nest.
I watched the Blue birds fly in, sit a few minutes in the Oak tree or Hackberry tree observing the nesting box. One female did not do that, she flew right to the box and fed the youngsters. They operate as a family, all take care of the young.
We have lots of Blue Jays (peanuts bring them in), Morning Doves, Woodpeckers, Nut Hatches feeding off the peanut feeder (different from whole peanuts that Blue Jays and Squirrels like). They all like the water in the bird baths. If you have water it will bring in the birds.
We quit using bird feed that had millet in it. Millet is the favorite food of Sparrows and encourages them to stick around the area. But with the absence of the millet, the Sparrows are few and far between. Good ridance.
Judie hung a Wren house in one of the Hackberry trees. We have had them poking around the patio like they did out in Arizona. We watched a Cactus Wren wall up a House Finch house. The House Finches like open nesting facilities, Cactus Wrens like closed houses. This little Wren worked her butt off closing off the extra entrances leaving but one to go in and out on. Having done all that work, she moved off, I guess she was not satisfied with her new abode. Instinct working full bore, gotta build that nest.
I watched the Blue birds fly in, sit a few minutes in the Oak tree or Hackberry tree observing the nesting box. One female did not do that, she flew right to the box and fed the youngsters. They operate as a family, all take care of the young.
We have lots of Blue Jays (peanuts bring them in), Morning Doves, Woodpeckers, Nut Hatches feeding off the peanut feeder (different from whole peanuts that Blue Jays and Squirrels like). They all like the water in the bird baths. If you have water it will bring in the birds.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Ah, Nature . . .
We were quite pleased to note the Blue birds have moved back into their house this spring. We learned that if you quit providing Millet seed in the bird seed mix, the Sparrows will not come to the feeder and thus leave the Blue bird house empty for the Blue birds. Well, we tried it and sure enough, no Sparrows around us anymore and the Blue birds no longer have to defend the home. We rarely see Sparrows anymore, good riddance!
We are pretty sure that the Blue birds are on their second brood. We can see them going in and out of the house providing food for the youngsters. They are very family oriented birds, the fledglings stick around and help with the new brood. They stay together as a family, often seen taking turns in the birdbath, each taking his or her own baths while others watch.
We were surprised yesterday to observe something we had not ever seen before. There was a Blue Jay on the ground, not far from the Blue bird abode. Mr. Blue bird did not like that at all. He began dive bombing the Blue Jay. Now the Jay Bird is about twice the size of a mature Blue bird, but no matter, Mr. Blue bird was on a mission. He must have made about three passes at the Blue Jay. And I must admit the Blue Jay seemed to care less, he did not even look up. I think he was fooling around with a peanut and the Blue bird thought he was hunting in his turf.
The Blue Jay flew up to the bird feeder and got another peanut and took off for parts unknown. They never stay around and can detect peanuts in the feeder within 10minutes of their installation. Don't fathom how they know this but they do. And it does not matter what time of day, the Blue Jays are on those peanuts.
The Blue birds are secure, the Blue Jays are no threat to them. And they seem fully capable of defending their abode if they want to or have to.
Nature at its best!
We are pretty sure that the Blue birds are on their second brood. We can see them going in and out of the house providing food for the youngsters. They are very family oriented birds, the fledglings stick around and help with the new brood. They stay together as a family, often seen taking turns in the birdbath, each taking his or her own baths while others watch.
We were surprised yesterday to observe something we had not ever seen before. There was a Blue Jay on the ground, not far from the Blue bird abode. Mr. Blue bird did not like that at all. He began dive bombing the Blue Jay. Now the Jay Bird is about twice the size of a mature Blue bird, but no matter, Mr. Blue bird was on a mission. He must have made about three passes at the Blue Jay. And I must admit the Blue Jay seemed to care less, he did not even look up. I think he was fooling around with a peanut and the Blue bird thought he was hunting in his turf.
The Blue Jay flew up to the bird feeder and got another peanut and took off for parts unknown. They never stay around and can detect peanuts in the feeder within 10minutes of their installation. Don't fathom how they know this but they do. And it does not matter what time of day, the Blue Jays are on those peanuts.
The Blue birds are secure, the Blue Jays are no threat to them. And they seem fully capable of defending their abode if they want to or have to.
Nature at its best!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Fritz . . .
Fritz or Fritzinna has booked it. He/she ate all the desirable bugs, that being principally crickets, has moved on. I have not seen him/her for a week. Last time I saw him/her was when it was skedaddling across the patio North to South. My thinking was that was the last trip before moving on.
Now, there is a Fritz out back at the hose winder box. He lives around the "mound" and I have seen him several times head under the hose pipe storage area. So I figure that is his turf and he roams about the mound so to speak.
Saw the fox while Judie was in Madison, he was checking things out. I think he eats the dropped peaches. Always a few falling off and the next day they are gone. So something is doing the clean up and it is not me.
With the fox around, we do not see the raccoons anymore, nor the possum. My thinking is the fox is a threat to them, though I doubt the fox will take them on full grown. But you never know, the fox is a very clever and sly animal. And they are ferocious hunters.
Got Blue birds nesting in the bird house. Ever since we stopped using bird seed that had Millet in it the Sparrows have moved on. No food source close enough to satisfy them. So the Blue birds moved back in and raising family after family of young ones.
Turning hot, things ought to slow down except for the grass growing. Pepper season is a upon us. We have pepper plants all over the yard now. I'm thinking we are gonna have a bumper crop this year. Watermelons are progressing too.
Time to move on . . .
Now, there is a Fritz out back at the hose winder box. He lives around the "mound" and I have seen him several times head under the hose pipe storage area. So I figure that is his turf and he roams about the mound so to speak.
Saw the fox while Judie was in Madison, he was checking things out. I think he eats the dropped peaches. Always a few falling off and the next day they are gone. So something is doing the clean up and it is not me.
With the fox around, we do not see the raccoons anymore, nor the possum. My thinking is the fox is a threat to them, though I doubt the fox will take them on full grown. But you never know, the fox is a very clever and sly animal. And they are ferocious hunters.
Got Blue birds nesting in the bird house. Ever since we stopped using bird seed that had Millet in it the Sparrows have moved on. No food source close enough to satisfy them. So the Blue birds moved back in and raising family after family of young ones.
Turning hot, things ought to slow down except for the grass growing. Pepper season is a upon us. We have pepper plants all over the yard now. I'm thinking we are gonna have a bumper crop this year. Watermelons are progressing too.
Time to move on . . .
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