Okay, it is official, we made world news!!!!

ABC covered us (Western Washington State & SEATTLE) and our HEAT WAVE, we that have been denying Global Warming as we slid around on excess snowfall all Winter, we have hit new records of triple digit Fahrenheit degrees (really bad if Canada hits triple digit temps).

Okay, so you turned in to find out what I am wearing when riding the Trusty Triumph, yes? Well, I wore my breathable jacket this morning, but packed it in the backpack and just loosened my tie and rode with my pocket protector and flapping tie as fast as those silly cars ahead of me would allow on the afternoon return trip. It is HOT!

Now this area has had Major Media Coverage before, CBS Sunday Morning covered our great looking baristas in little more that nothing serious blinding the imagination. So today as I rode my Trusty Triumph along Steilacoom Blvd, going to work, I glanced at the Bikini Bottomed Latte Stand and was pleasantly surprised to see the entire Barista standing outside her door being so much cooler while waiting for the next customer. I have to confess to not remembering her face, nor the color of hair (more than shoulder length!) - but I do know, she was wearing a bikini well, her tan was from a salon but smooth and nice, and her belly curved well. And I did look straight at her, and then back to keeping Gravity from affecting my ride and good health. She was definitely the center of conversation at the Depot, for the males reporting in after going by her.

I will have to admit, that there are some benefits of the Heat Wave - but I still am glad I am working in an air conditioned library. The picture above is from Lance, y'all take care out there and drink lots of liquid and don't exert yourself excessively...

All about connections, none here...

I can't sleep, so its up to post and play...

I have a wife that loves to close the house against the outside demons, monsters and her worries. So all the windows are shut, all the blinds pulled tight against all light, and then she can sleep. While I would rather be on the porch as warmer Washington State cools off until the arrival of the Sun again tomorrow. It is hot for many reasons and I was so glad I worked in an air-conditioned library yesterday.

Why did we elect a President that can't believe he is capable of carrying a pistol in Washington, DC, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and some other strange almost American towns --- isn't that man in the position of controlling the nuclear weapons release of the United States of America? You know, the one he doesn't have to ask Congress for permission to launch. Okay, maybe he does believe he could be trusted to carry a pistol if he had proper training, but he doesn't believe that the PEOPLE do. If he knew me he wouldn't have that problem, would he?

Telling you and him (yeah, like he or his staff read my blog - NEVER HAPPEN) how wonderful I am right now: I sent my check off to support free enterprise and American Art at DayByDayCartoon, which I keep up with by visiting Captain of a Crew of One who must also be a nice guy (I have met him) since he shoots, rides a motorcycle and thinks that we can all carry and get along. He also does nice work on firearms and our freedoms.

I also am a supporter of good causes, like the Soldier's Angels - Valour-IT Fund, you see I don't gamble (which is to bet more than you can afford to lose) but I will buy Lotto and Raffle tickets when I think appropriate - I will buy two, not expecting to win the fine pistol but knowing that the money will be well used. I also, although I don't consider myself a Gun Blogger do think that getting together of those who are is a great idea, support the Gun Blogger Rendezvous. I won't be able to be there, and I had thought about riding the Trusty Triumph to Reno for a couple of the days but I have an opportunity to work an Appleseed Shoot in Idaho in the beginning of Fall season. Well, I can't be everything to all people, but sometimes it is fun to try, why didn't Heinlein leave me that wonderful ship when he passed on?

Speaking of Science Fiction, we were talking about the President and the Rights of the American People weren't we? Anyway, David Drake, killed off Ringo in When The Tide Rises, now that is just my take on who Captain Ringo was before he was taken out by especially well aimed missiles as he gallantly defended the wrong side. But I like it, actually there are several books of Ringo's that I really like but a literary death between authors is better than gossip columns in newspapers no one reads anymore.

Hmm, almost five, so I can pay some more bills, post my financial update on Quicken, and have another large coffee and a bowl of gruel before it is light enough to go jogging for my heart and health. I caught the news from the San Juan Islands yesterday, I am very sorry for the jogger and the others hurt and injured. I have always held that I was going to be very healthy because I jog along the road, until the day that a fourteen year old in a stolen car was going to hit me and kill me. It is sad that it happened to someone else, I thought of it as a joke on my preparation for a better life and Murphy's Law. Too sad when it isn't.

Traveling Man... oh, I'm just a traveling man...

Seems Expedia wants to help me move from point A (here) to point B (Pittsburgh and beyond) - since they routed me into Enemy territory (New York State - not counting the very nice people {almost all of them not in office nor in crime}) to change planes to fly to Greater Pitt... anyway my niece asked if I knew when I was getting to Florida - had to confess that I had no idea when that would be, so I gave my best guess. I do know when I am supposed to fly away from Florida.

The Gideons came to pray and speak at our little church today and spread the Good News about how far those Bibles have gotten and how many lives are changed because of that, they are all volunteers like the RWVA instructors are. Different missions and very different messages but so much American value - and that is two of the three things our President doesn't like about me - gun clinging, Bible thumping -- now what was that other one? Bitter, law abiding, motorcycle riding? It was a third thing that isn't found in San Francisco that they are terrified of --- there must be something I represented.

My friend Hal has been going around saying he can be bought (although he isn't in office, he is just advertising) but no one has reached his price. I told him that I can't be bought, but you could pay me to do some real silly stuff. I am being replaced as Head Usher next week at church by John, I thanked him for it, and just because I was trying to be a nice guy I gave him the twenty dollar card for dinner at Stanley & Seafort's Restaurant in Tacoma. They have fine food and a wonderful view of the City from their heights. I will never go there again, they didn't treat my wife and I very well, and I didn't want to make a scene so I just don't ever return - I think it was our wedding anniversary and making a fool of myself over food and SERVICE wouldn't have made our day like it should be remembered. Perhaps the waitress didn't hate us, but after she found the tip she could have... Anyway, the place is very nice for normal folks with a little money and class. They don't want me in San Fransisco either.

I came home and it is as hot as promised, I go for a ride on the Trusty Triumph, back roads, black baked asphalt roads, in the cool of the tall trees sometimes. They have cut too many trees, built up too many developments and there isn't enough of that wonderful shade, but I have speed of wind whipping me to cool by. Doing the twisty almost coastal road around Dash Point is nice, the Puget Sound isn't going to heat up too soon, too many GIANT OCTOPI to nurture. I always think of why we never invite Breda up this way, she might want to shoot one... Mostly it is a great afternoon to ride, for going to Mount Rainier one should start in the early morning, which makes it a Saturday run not a Sunday one. I find my favorite turn around place lap it twice and head on back. Noting the number of for sale signs for homes and land, did we run out of people to buy? Back home safe, emails to send out, bills to pay, accounts to settle and a walk with wife in the park after the Sun is almost down.

Have you lost your parks after dark? Law abiding people can't use the parks at night here - only those on the Darkside can run around shooting at each other and dealing stolen cars and drugs... that is where our elected officials have left us. They fear the terrors of the night. They should get a Concealed Carry License and learn how to shoot zombies and vampire-like criminal blood suckers.

Rights not exercised are like rites not exorcized?

So I take my uncased rifle out to the Caravan and put it on the mid seat and go off to the range. When did I start worrying about casing a rifle? Yes, the action was open, the chamber empty, and the muzzle pointed at the floor or ground until I put it in the automobile. All the STUFF I need to shoot is already in the vehicle and only the rifle and I were missing. It is going to be a hot day in the Great Northwest, but I see a fool military jogger miles from anywhere jogging along the road, go get'm, tiger!

At the range I ask to buy .22 LR (they don't have any), 9mm (I buy a box), 30-06 (they don't have any), 30-30 (I buy a box), .45 APC (they don't have any). I thought about asking for other cartridges that I don't have just for in case one day, but I don't. I already have a box of everything in the Caravan, but not having ammunition the last time I dropped in has made me a nervous rabbit about where will I get the next supply. Remember the Government doesn't love me.

I take my stuff to the line, lay out my shooting mat, set up my spotting scope watch the others shooting until the target break. Put my target up and get ready to shoot. I am very relaxed, know what I am doing and what I want to achieve, know it won't break me if I don't. What is important is that I am exercising my rights having exercised my body earlier. I take pictures the one above is the first set I fired, I would add targets and try to improve the remainder of the time. Trying to make every shot count and mostly I have, practice and proper paper perforation makes me certain I can afford this kind of shooting. I am so cheap. Everything I did was in the prone, with sling and proper position, focus on the front sight and adjusting Natural Point of Aim for the targets positioned. Single shot rifle and I get faster.

Still, I must add more dry fire to my workout routine at home, being strong isn't enough, the proper positions to fire from must be ingrained, one never knows where he will have to take a shot from, and practice will also make the body flexible and limber - us ancients need the flexible and limber, we are way too set in our ways.

Watching fool people driving with a cellphone in their face makes me believe that the roads won't be safer until manual transmissions and un-powered steering come back. That won't happen. Anyway, I keep falling behind in technology, another shooter is working out his bullpup and his AR, both have different tech sights, and I don't know if I will ever go there, but I should get familiar with the equipment. He was doing fine, new purchases for the benefit of the economy, and I talk to him about how he likes it. He likes it. Lots of young people shooting with elder guidance, but I wonder about the basic standing position of one young lady, but I am not her elder guider so I refrain from interfering... another day perhaps. I am trying to be nice.

Hope y'all got some shooting in, even if it was only dry fire or dreaming, take aim for that perfect shot.

I have the right to keep and bear arms...

One way to start all conversations, but normally it is "Hello, is there something I can help you with?" I was thinking of the requirement to address law officers with the knowledge that you could be carrying as they seek dialog with you. Truly, it seems to me that if every firearms owner started the conversation that way the point about the lack of truth from the anti-gun crowd would be made. Of course, the gun owners that start the conversation that way may not get laid, make any money in sales and might make a lot of bad politicians upset. But they will have made a stand with the founding fathers, somebody should.

It won't happen, the world according to Earl is no more real than Garp's was. I jogged gently today, wondering at the heart rate monitor belt slipping down my sweaty chest (hoping the fat was melting away that quickly - wasn't). I had a quick sharp pain in the upper chest, but decided it was punishment for sitting in the recliner, not a heart problem. Since I jogged an hour and twelve minutes and found nine cents. Time for finishing the ironing, clean up, go shoot and then come back and laze the afternoon heat away.

Tonight Baptist Men's Bible Study in the boondocks, only for my wife's peace of mind, I already have mine but you know I love her more than the social life she thinks I need. The Bible study won't hurt me as much as what the fools in Washington DC will, I know that, I am a Vietnam Vet, says it all, says it all.

Sister's cat, by John Dolan, is the picture - cats and I agree, people work too hard going around in circles but someone needs to empty the litter box.

Motorcycling Madman.... or some such fool...

Okay, I am almost at sixteen thousand miles of riding since February of 2007, and only one major mishap, thank you Lord. And the weather and my motorcycle are in complete agreement so I have been riding all week and don't need to bore y'all with how much fun I have been having. When I woke and left early this morning for work I had to fill up my tank and stopped at the local 76.

Rolled smoothly up to the pump, put the Trusty Triumph in neutral, kicked the stand down and leaned the bike, turning the key off. I opened my helmet, took off a glove and removed the gas cap. Put the Debit card in the pump and punched in my Zip Code, selected mid-grade and filled up. Put the cap back on, rolled the odometer to all zeroes (how else will I know when it will be looking for more? 150 miles). Pulled the gloves back on, got my receipt and put it into the wallet, with the three dollars for my winning Lotto tickets, and the three tickets that didn't get checked yet and could be winnners.

I closed the face shield, leveled the bike, kicked the stand back up and turned on the key, hit the ignition and rolled the throttle up, put the bike in gear and let up on the clutch lever. I was rolling, shift up, look at traffic, meld and roar on down the highway! Yeah, I am so cool. I pass Frank's Doughnuts and wish I could stop but know that is a real No-No, they are so good and fattening. Into the left turn lane at the stoplight, I wait and think about the beautiful S-curve I am about to slide through so cool. Light changes because only I am here, and I so smoothly pop my clutch lever, really roll on that throttle and start forward and STALL!!!!!

Seems the fool forgot to turn on his fuel valve back at the gas station, he got eight tenths of a mile and dreaming in before lack of petrol peaked.

Thor'sDay, grabbed a rest day...

Good intentions went astray, I had stepped out on the meander to the dock, and I had worked diligently at the little piles of stuff at the library, got excited about recommending reading practice for a patron that came looking for speed reading when he confessed to wanting comprehension. The crew and I are a day ahead on what we needed to accomplish in the library, and I am a week behind on ordering supplies, best do that while I can today.

I rode home to find wife just pulling into the garage, they are asking her to pull more hours and for the children she does. She makes me the best clam chowder for dinner and we share a tossed salad, ever notice sharing food tastes better? I watched the world wonder of Obama on ABC World News - no suspension of my disbelief. I go off to check some forums on the RWVA and leave my opinion and tracks, a cool 10/22 made into an almost M1 Garand. Then prepare to go jog into the evening and collapse into a melon munching reader instead... declaring it a rest day from the exercises. Once in a while it is okay, and I could blame it on a cool day, but it was me just lazy me.

I am reading "When the Tide Rise" by David Drake, he got out of Vietnam and periodically I think I never will, but I have loved his stories and combat action and characters forever. He was also kind enough to correspond with me while I was waiting in the desert for the Storm, he and G. B. Trudeau. Still since I haven't gone and done my best I decided to go to sleep an hour early. That throws my mind and body off a bit. I get dreams, lots of military dreams and in the same places as always (Fort Bragg, on the roads and in the latrines - don't ask). The last of the sleep is restless, open you eye, look at the clock, remember when the alarm is going off, go back to sleep for some more minutes, open your eyes, look at the clock, figure out how many minutes have passed, go back to sleep, until you open your eyes again. Finally decide that twenty minutes early isn't too early and get up and shut the alarm off so the wife may sleep. She always sleeps deeper in the morning.

It is Friday and now I can get started on my normal close the workweek down day. Y'all be good and do stuff that amazes the powers that think they be.

You ready for Earl's Health Care for everyone?

Okay, America, it is time for real health care, and your only investment is thirty minutes a day. I tell you that walking briskly (as you can) for thirty minutes is the base for your improved health. Those of you doing more are not needing my health plan, go play and be beautiful. But all those looking at televisions and computer monitors and screens and spending most of their life sitting some where - give yourself thirty minutes of vigorous walking every day. And eat fruits, vegetables and nuts without cooking them too much. Have at it, notice it isn't costing anything except your attention and time on the trail. Later.... in thirty days tell me how you feel.

Michael Collins interview, he knows how to live...

Q. So, how do you spend your time?

A. Running, biking, swimming, fishing, painting, cooking, reading, worrying about the stock market, searching for a really good bottle of cabernet under ten dollars. Moderately busy.

Q. No TV?

A. A few nature programs, and the Washington Redskins, that's about it.

Just when you think you are past that point...

I was mentioning that I had four and a half years left to my almost total retirement, and I jokingly thought I would get a four day five hour part time job to keep me busy. I knew that I wasn't going to violate most of the Ten Commandments although number seven seemed to taunt me as I watched the rest of the world have their fun. Sure enough, my wife decided she wants something (all in the period of a few hours this afternoon) and it isn't me nor anything I can provide. That silly Tenth Commandment comes sneaking in and ruins my day, the joy of my wife and the stability of the Economic Crisis and President Obama's promise to make it all better.

And I write about it on a blog like that will make the hurt go away... silly me, why am I here. Time to get real and find a life that I must have misplaced.

Sunday is for...

Practicing with the longbow if you were in England once upon a time, militia drill in early America after church (seeing as all the men were present and had their arms) and always for worship services to remember why of everything.

I rode to church this morning, and caught a Triumph Scrambler waiting at a stoplight I had green through, I waved, and rode on, he followed me right to the parking lot and as I wanted to hear what he said I shut down. He was going to Ocean Shores with his son, they both worked in the business of motorcycles. I hope they have a great ride, the day is made for it.

Saturday sings the blues...

I got up a bit earlier than I had planned but sleep was over. Weigh, make coffee, dress, take medication, measure blood pressure and open home to the cool morning breeze. Start the sprinkler for the grass. Help awoken wife make the bed, she scrambles some eggs for me and makes toast, she eats rice and stuff. I get the ironing board out, and iron my shirts and trousers while watching Ghost Rider. After that I go jog for fifty-five minutes and rescue one penny when thinking about morality as I jogged.

There is a Ladies' Bible Study at our home today, when I get back I start on the yard, edging and then mowing. While I was edging with clippers, I was in the seated position, tight or cross feet or open, stretching the back - no, I didn't have the rifle but that doesn't mean I can't replicate the low crawl, high crawl, kneeling and squatting position for my better preparation for the end of the world. Once upon a time I thought I would sit outside Heaven's walls (my wife would toss food to me) and I would help Saint Michael fight the ungodly Evil hosts. Well, I never believed I will ever be good enough to walk the streets of gold.

But with the current rush to destroy the United States by the elected and selected leadership in power (include the clueless Republicans in the mess) I may have to fight here on Earth first (been there and done that and still have OD and Brown t-shirts). I can hear the cry as the house of cards starts to tumble "The government is too big and important to allow to fail!" wasn't that what they hollered when the Investment Banks started to shake and moan. Too big and too important. They don't study History, they do think they make History. And they could be the first generation to tear apart my country. How do they spell Rhodesia? Zimbabwe? and look at the direction of South Africa. I just know that more taxes will force emigration of the talented and more wealthy than I.

Since I will be living inside of the meltdown I don't think I will notice, oh, the price of gasoline will go up, sales taxes in King County will rise, services will start to breakdown or be deferred until later (budget and manpower). There will be more anger, more depression and more calls for volunteering your time and talents, giving more to charity and listening to the leaders, who might still be trying to sell you on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Global Warming, Universal Health Care and the Teddy Bear.... government never knowingly lies to me, they just can't recall.

I do know, the Ladies had a wonderful session, they sang, prayed and then feasted - the part I get to participate in. KPLU has the Blues and I am going into clean up and restore the home mode, my wife has been working too long to ignore. Later...

Just when I think I don't like modern America...

I get Skyped and see my son and grandson, and my wife comes to share. The weekend is already the best, don't you know?

HOT, it is so hot today...

As I woke from my nap on the ferry going to work, I saw Mount Rainier shining with snow covered slopes reflecting the bright sunlight. So I thought about you, wanted to call you, send you an email, knock on your door and take you up on my motorcycle for a run up the mountain. This day was made for such lovely foolishness.

I didn't get your attention, you didn't ride with me, and I was one of the hard working, law abiding, responsible tax paying citizens - I went to work, finished the addition of the new purchases, got the crew organized for the changes in their jobs for next week, started on the list of recommended purchases for the new budget, and helped some people find information they had to have - I was visited by one Corrections Lieutenant, and then the weekly Friday staff visitor/inspector team - which I hold is a very good way for the lone staff working only with inmates to feel a part of the institution is around and in contact.

Finally, it was time to head back to real life, where I don't have to watch the clock, check email for requests and answer a telephone or two. Home where I will be safe. And I get to ride the Trusty Triumph to get there, one stop at Office Depot for some photopaper for the printer, my wife wants better pictures to send to her family of Keegan and his parents, okay. It is a good day for the motorcycles, one chopper is waiting beside me at a light and he comments on my bike (so much lighter than his) but it is my ride so he doesn't dis it because it isn't a Harley...

After picking up the photopaper, into the backpack, and back on the road being so cool as I ride. I notice at one light a silver CTS behind me, looks kind of like my wife's, but the license plate number isn't right, but the lady does have silver white hair. It couldn't be my wife, unless she stopped at her friend's for a haircut, or the market for Korean food. The light changes and I roar off, okay it is a meeker meow not a real roar, but I am across the intersection and switching into the next turn lane, and the lady is keeping up with me. For a couple more miles that car is stalking me, too much traffic for a real getaway, but I finally take one turn she doesn't and I am looking forward to the smooth S-curve that I would pay for to do twice (and you know how cheap I am). Finally, I am home, and put the motorcycle away in the garage. It was my wife, and she only recognized me because of my bent right turn signal and the airborne wings. I must have really looked cool, so not Earl.

only Thursday? and so much done already...

I uploaded records, linked books and the crew processed and only a little is left for tomorrow. Good crew almost working together can do it all, but they don't really work together, yet. I ride home on the motorcycle, and the day is good and hot, the Sun bright and the Interstate clogged and going so slowly no where. I do know that my better intentions melt away at dinner and after, I watch the grass get watered about all my energy level is good for, watching the sprinkler's slow water dispersion... the grass will grow and I will have to cut it, but that would be my job.

Ever feel the government is out of touch with you? I haven't liked James Carville since he made some stupid remark about dragging a hundred dollar bill through a trailer park, and I lived in one for some of the happiest part of my life, but it seems that he has produced a truth for all to read. I processed it into my prison library today, he does know trash.

40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule the Next Generation

Yep, that doesn't sit well with me, but he likes the idea of RULING, and I thought we fixed King George the Third about that concept. Americans aren't ruled, they do get riled. Now before you start thinking I think the Republicans are an answer - I don't. Seems everyone in Washington D. C. thinks they are in charge. They don't believe in serving the Public, nor really Representing their voters. There have been calls to broaden the bases of both parties, by labeling everyone something and pretending you are going to send something special their way soon. I don't like my doctor putting me in a box I will never accept political parties trying that with me.

About these Health Care plans circulating the Congress, why don't they post them so we can read them and decide? That wonderful bill they passed on without reading, we could have read that for them, honest there are some real speed readers out here in America. Hiding behind the words, the wonderful, excessive verbiage.

I have lost a blogger, it has happened a couple times before in my life, I need to get a lot more links and then not visit them daily. What is very nice is that sometimes they come back better and even stronger and always amazing. If it is time to go on, go gently, and remember the good times.

Well, since my coffee is gone, the evening cooling off and I am still short of sleep for the week, I will slide off the Internet and into the place where dreams dominate and maintenance of body and mind happen best. G'nite y'all...

Another day for the MOTORCYCLE!

And I rode it to work, and I danced it and flew it back home after - one shouldn't have a love affair with artwork built of metal and plastic fueled by mid-grade gasoline - but I have fallen from my ideal so I laugh and smile and get second looks from hot young women in SUVs with cellphones (wondering what she is looking at). Lots of real motorcycles out today, and we roar (or they do, I am going gently) but I am happy, yes I am, and just think --- the government did nothing to stimulate me, how does that happen?

Blood Pressure Alert...

Mine is really where it ought to be, thank you Doctor Jin, just hope my liver survives those three pills. Discussion at work about a brother (not mine) that had tried to hurry across America and was stuck in Michigan - and how Americans seem to push themselves to get it all done. Maybe I am not pushing so much any longer and that would be a good thing. I like to think I am accepting what is and fixing what I can when it is possible and not worrying about what I can't, there are a few billion folks out there and so many more capable then I.

Reading pieces of Paul Revere's Ride, and both books from writers that ought to know about Crazy Horse. Next trip to South Dakota and I will go see the mountain and the carving of his image. All I have to do is schedule the time to break free, after I get some new tires on the Triumph. Actually planning on motorcycling to the Idaho Appleseeds since a sleeping bag and possibles fit well if packed properly. Have you noticed, Summer is fleeing? Best catch some of it before it is gone again. My program manager is going to be on the beach for two weeks, and has one shopping bag of books to read and expects her sister to have another of recommended reading. I will continue to add more books to the McNeil Island collection, talk information resources and entertainment with the fallen (ever wonder where Fallen Angels go? Purdy is where).

Yeah, acceptance is important and being in love is excellent, and being loved is really good for that blood pressure... okay, I will still take the pills and watch Doctor Oz on Oprah... yeah, right.

I have to help reorganize this home...

My wife bought a new refrigerator/freezer for her stuff in the garage and that shifted this stuff and this other stuff and now we can bring the Korean Cabinet out to the garage and get more space for a chair in the guest room. And we don't need to do it now but soon, so I moved it this morning, I have enough that I should have done that I haven't done.

Among the things in the cabinet that we haven't looked at forever are the games, boxed games, cards and such. I come from a Canasta playing family that hasn't passed on to the next generation but in the Army I learned Spades, Hearts and Bridge (before Bill Gates was introduced to it). I also learned not to play poker nor Blackjack for money (Vietnam flashbacks).

Anyway the Stratego game, Uno, Global Pursuit and many others have been exposed to the air again. And the really important, RISK games - I had all three versions, have been known to play multiple boards and universes. I had a birthday in Germany and my wife invited my crew and friends and their girl friends and wives - lots of food, drink and fine looking ladies - and the men got the Risk boards out and we played the night away. There were some upset women, but what can I say? These were the days before electric gaming in one's pocket, we had to carry playthings in the tracks and back packs.

Just when you think you are hot, some game comes along and shows that you're not.

Okay, Government Health Care...

My wife is qualified for Medicare - she and I and all of my working relations and most of the remainder of the United States of America pay a tax based on our income for this service, every paycheck, and have ever since Medicare was passed into law in the 1960's under President Johnson. It was to become a single payer health insurance for the aged (65+).

But her doctor's office has trouble getting Medicare to pay for my wife's treatment, they say there are other insurers that aren't paying FIRST! So they (the single payer government agency) doesn't pay. And for some reason the patient is the one that must make everything correct - not the doctor's office (do you have any idea of how large his staff is?), not the Medicare Agency (do you know how much they cost daily?). So the patient, who must be sick, must correct all the stuff because there isn't enough tax money and insurance premium around to push paperwork properly.

So, you call the 1-800-633-4227 number to get help and assistance - and receive a computer answering device of umpteen million dollars of stupidity. It's second sentence tells one to push two if you want to speak in Spanish (Chinese, French, Hindi and some others have greater population of speakers but not under Medicare?) of course it spoke that in Spanish. Why are they female voices, discriminating or thinking I won't swear at a female machine? Go through the selections and then choose to wait for a hovering in the background human being (doesn't the government know there is an employment crisis out there, hire some help!). No, I don't swear and especially against really stupid computers, but my blood pressure rises and that will kill me and cause more problems.

I did get help, human, female, and she is sending more paperwork my way since my wife expects me to be up on the front against the evil overlords, gangsters and rampant mice, moles and rat populations. The government wants me to be an unpaid agent for my wife in her Medicare issues. What is the world going to do when I am gone?

We did agree that my Health Insurance with my Employer (the State of Washington - still solvent here, California) is a primary payer and for some reason (subcontracting?) what it is called on my cards, Uniform Medical Plan, is known to Medicare as Harrington (the things I don't know), and I was to make sure (like I am an agent for making Medicare's billing properly) that the Doctor's office listed all payments made before asking Medicare for their payment.

Now, I am getting old, and ugly as it seems I will have to participate in a couple of years as my own agent and my wife's --- there is no chance that Universal Medical from the federal government will get my support - they will probably have to ENSLAVE me somehow. Or is that what they have already done, we's working for d'Man!

went to see Public Enemies...

which was interesting, loud, violent and very close to history of the time that I have read. I was told to stop whispering to my date, so I did. we went out to dinner after, trying to save the restaurant business one place at a time. I did have trouble identifying the Public Enemy some times, if there had been some water boarding I would have known which were the bad guys, but then maybe almost everyone one was, look at the number of people protecting us now and how safe life is... or do something more interesting like art or literature with the time you save.

Consent of the ________?

Seems I couldn't find my State of Washington License to carry concealed pistol, not since removing it from my wallet for the trip to Hawai'i. So yesterday and this morning I went without the paperwork showing the world my State government's approval for carrying my pistol concealed.

I am sure there is a rule about it. But when you enter the Army post, Fort Lewis, or the Air Force Base, McChord Air Force Base, there are signs saying that Concealed Carry Licenses are not honored. The Constitution of the United States of America is, but the Commander selectively reads the portions he will honor and the 2nd Amendment is never noticed. So if I were to carry concealed on military posts there are signs that I am doing something wrong, if I thought the piece of paper protected me, I am not sure that carrying a concealed weapon is wrong only that believing I was authorized by my state which has no control of the current commander.

So, since there doesn't seem to be a United Methodist Men's breakfast today, and I had time after watching an Opinion piece on CBS SUNDAY MORNING, a very highly recommended by EARL opinion piece, VIDEO I started the search for the missing documentation. And I have found it, so I am okay to be carrying concealed again. Although I have always believed if it was properly concealed that it isn't an issue, if I am a responsible adult (and I get to vote and sit as a juror) then I can carry arms. There is a book title that caught my eye "Privilege of the Sword" doesn't that sound cool? I guess I again have (born with it in America of my era) the Privilege of the Arms, and the Responsibility to Bear them in our defense.

Remember that government has to have my consent, not I have to have the government's. Boy, am I ever wrong when I think I am important...

You do remember not to trust the Government...

I am getting old and I keep forgetting that the Government is not on my side - that is important, I only have two friends because I trust them, everyone else is suspect and below them is the government which I KNOW is trying to take all my extra for themselves.

I bring this up since I went to shoot at Fort Lewis Range 15 today. Having spent lots of time with my rifles over the past few months I thought it was time to shoot my carry pistol. I grabbed the case and away I went, passing all the bicyclists on their way to Portland from Seattle. When I got to the range I asked for a box of 9mm, and they didn't have any. So your government (of the people, by the people and for the people) doesn't have what it takes to run a good range. They do own sixty percent of General Motors Company, and that could be where all the 9mm is hiding.

Well, it is my fault, not the government's, so I shot what I brought and hit the target with every bullet, fifty percent of them in the black. It has been a bit since I was shooting double action short barreled firearms at twenty yards. I do have rounds in the pistol case: .22 LR, .45 APC, 9mm Luger. I am now placing forty-five and nine millimeter in the ammo box in the Caravan.

Why I ever trusted the government, they have done this to me before but I think they will get better the next time, and it doesn't happen.

Aren't they working on Universal Medical and the Economic Stimulus? Yeah, sure they are.

Just wanted you to know, they were paying attention

I check what is written, and blog posts, and I watch for real people I would have loved. Got to be happy in life, there are so many Great Ones. Yeah, and he knew about shooting, well and for cause. Hope Heaven is happy, another good one to man the walls, watch from the towers and hold back the darkness.

Do read the story about the M1.

Plans, look he has plans....

Seattle to Pittsburgh end of this month, by way of New York City or at least JFK. Orlando to Seattle early in August. That is going to age me a bit faster than normal, I am doing FLY OVER the Country! Let me sleep... grouchy old man.


The picture is from August 2005, when I was a good looking brand new Revolutionary War Veteran Association member, and they didn't have any Appleseed shoots that I could find in this fine state. Well, I have decided to work harder for my Instructor Red Hat and status. Just think, in another four years I could be closing in on retirement from the Library, and maybe becoming a Shoot Boss, or a Congressman - since ours voted for that last bill no one read.. and then again maybe I shouldn't go into politics -- folks still like me the way I am...

Linking Books and they circulate...

First batch of books finished and moving out in circulation today, another book cart full going through processing, another cart unboxed and preparing to move into processing and four still to be opened boxes of books to go. Maybe, if everything works well I can get everything done by next Friday. Turned in my Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Kit Report for the month, now I have the library reports to email to the Gang of Three (Go3). Our special Interlibrary loan system for the Camps came back up on line today, so I know there are others out there as I see their replies to the requests. Looking forward to the book budget figures, since it was cut by fifty percent I will have to be tighter than I really am, more paperbacks and less latest of favorite authors, which always come out in hardback first.

As we start processing the materials the favored few show up to see what they HAVE TO HAVE FIRST, don't play well with others and you want to know why some of these patrons should stay here? Because they don't play well with others.

I switched from weekly letters to a blog...

I had these long weekly letters, that my friends (all two of them) and my family didn't want nor need, so I switched to a blog. I get to do my writing about whatever I think is worth noting, and promote my wonderfoolself. I get to see the world my way, and I have met in binary code and sometimes over dinner or at a range people that are visiting my blog and doing things I can watch and join in. But you know, I do wish my family and friends (all two of them) would read me more often - so much about me and never enough about thee. Be good out there and go gently.

Thinking about the end of my civilization...

It doesn't come in a big traumatic event, invasion, natural disaster nor wild virus. It comes when what I think isn't the norm for everyone else. When I become quaint, antique or out of fashion - that is when my civilization is done and gasping its last. Because I am busy I don't notice it and then suddenly I am lost and very alone for the darkness surrounds me and my eyes are dim.

It is a Library, so of course it is quiet, kind of...

Had to tell an inmate not to bring his coffee into the library, no food nor drink allowed. He thought if he told me I should have a sign that he could stay with his coffee. Nope, I am a cranky old man and I want the rules obeyed. He put the coffee in the hall outside, then worried that someone would steal it.

I have been training the clerks in their new jobs, getting books processed and keeping things moving, not as fast as normal but trying to stomp out the little fires before they get to be big ones. This morning, because some inmates may have been outside the fence in civilian clothing, there was a total RECALL, Lock up, and Picture Card Count. That was a three hour exercise in making sure no one is missing, no one was missing but I was about three hours behind. I have some real workers so they came in as soon as they could and we caught back up.

On the work email was more of almost total silence. I had mentioned a couple days ago (Monday?) that it didn't seem like any of the other branches were open - not true, they piped up when they caught up enough to check the email. I had over nine hundred circs on Monday, 730 on Tuesday, and about 330 today - only open a few hours today. I need those books processed and linked before I go ordering new book carts for this month - not that they have a budget amount for me yet, but I can build the cart if I know what I have already.

Finish the June reports tomorrow, order supplies and try to get more done since I have only four and a half years left before I retire on Social Security and go find another job to keep me solvent.

Yes, still feeling Independent!

I posted my pictures from the Appleseed Shoot at Castle Rock, Washington. That is Wade's Designated Appleseed Range and a fine time was had by all, I certainly did. Happy Fourth!

We are speaking English aren't we?

I have been busy so I watch Good Morning America, to catch up. And Michael Jackson is still dead and sucking the money out of LA. Then there are five people shot to death by a man in South Carolina, and third ranking story is the current sitting President of the United States of America is in Moscow to sell ICBMs to the Russians as part of the Economic Stimulus Package, the money going to California to pay for Michael Jackson Memorial services forever.

Now the point about the English language was when I watched Diane Sawyer ask the Sheriff of that South Carolina county with the sick shooter, was he worried about everyone arming themselves. That was her question, was the Sheriff worried about ALL those people arming themselves against that threat, the sick shooter.

The word choice here is mine, but she was fishing for an answer that the Sheriff wasn't giving - because he was focused on catching and stopping the shooter - he was not concerned with his neighbors arming themselves (and likely if more of the victims had been armed maybe the shooting spree would have been over earlier, we don't know). She dipped into that well twice, and never caught the answer she wanted but I have an idea that I trust the Sheriff to catch the criminal more than I do the National News Journalist. Now where are my concealed carry permits? I have the pistols at hand, yes, I do have ammunition for them, too.

How was your holiday, the 4th of July?

Not that it matters, but mine was fine but very tiring. I was working at an Appleseed Shoot about ninety miles from my house, and it took a little more than an hour and a half to drive both ways on Saturday, and in the morning back down on Sunday - but because EVERYONE in the world wanted to be on the road going home when I did Sunday evening and it took over three hours.

Still, aside from reading the Declaration of Independence for content to contrast and compare with today, what could be a better way to celebrate the holiday than helping people learn how to shoot straight, and re-telling the American side of April 19, 1775. I was the Line Boss, and kept a safe range, told some of the stories, gave some of the instruction and encouraged everyone to have a good time and shoot better than they had before coming.

We had four young (too young for making trouble) boys with family to shoot and learn the skills. They sharpened right up, now if they will just grow into those rifles. Lots of ladies that had only a little experience with shooting, they all did well, when they relaxed and paid attention. One's final score was 209, with one shot missing (ran out of time, I heard). Only one point from a Rifleman. Still good shooting. Thanks for participating! In the American tradition of marksmanship and Freedom.

Oh, the lady mentioned above and her man are English, and although they didn't come to America so they could shoot on a nice weekend, they did enjoy the shooting and the right that they don't have in England any longer. Think about that, a lost right...

She said I needed a haircut, twice... I can take the

hint, get out of the house and do something while she attacks her procrastination piles (the whole works - laundry, windows, plants, rugs, garage cleaning, etc.). So I leave to drop off my prescriptions for later pickup, go shopping for Bonnie and Clyde and The Getaway (McQueen and McGraw) DVDs (no joy, only current stuff on Base Exchange shelves). I am reading The Dillnger Days by John Toland (required reading before watching Johnnie Depp?).

from page 30 and a Lamm bank robbery:
"As the robbers were getting into the car, the driver, an ex-rumrunner with a hawklike nose, saw a man carrying a shotgun walk toward the bank. It was the local barber, one of the thousands of Indiana vigilantes organized to help local police combat the increasing bank holdups, who had been sitting in one of his chairs watching a friend follow the robbers into the bank. When this friend, a very methodical man, didn't reappear and continue as usual to the post office for his morning mail, the barber became puzzled, then suspicious."

Lovely, now I know why Indiana gunnies rock - precedent! shotgun armed barbers! Okay, it was in 1930 before the government started snipping manly body parts away.

I did buy three DVDs, one a Sexy Road trip (on motorcycles, a B minus movie?), one Jodie Foster proves guns are bad "The Brave One"?, and one for my war collection "Taking Chance" I don't get HBO for lots of reasons, but this one is a keeper.

I ran into a couple from my church at the Exchange, I ran into one of the McNeil Island post office workers in the Commissary and the bagger at the Commissary was from Orofino, Idaho, where I stayed while watching the Boomershoot (says he hasn't been back in years - another retired service person - enlist and see the world and have no home to go back to, the towns all shrink too tightly).

Now to get the medication, find some rat traps (although I said I would shoot it if she wanted me to - I have a pellet gun, a good pellet pistol). Then prepare for the rest of my life... or some such foolishness.

The work week is done... fast!

I was watching some ants scurrying around in the heat and thought about how fast they get as it gets hotter, and it is getting hotter here. I seem to have dropped into that faster is better pace, walking to the dock today, longer strides more of them per minute and my trek over sooner. Maybe the doldrums from lolling in Hawai'i are in my past and the hamster wheel is spinning.

A short four day week, and we finished overdue notices today, added books to the collection, began to open and process books from the purchase orders, started training the clerks in new tasks and established a rotation of two weeks per station and job skills until everyone can do all the tasks. No more territorial rights, seniority dibs and been here longest. Our biggest circulation days were Monday and Tuesday, but we are open more hours then and were well used. I did inmate payroll and end of month reports, still waiting for a few missing numbers. I gave warning about my vacation (working out East) at the end of July first part of August - it will be fast, too. One of my older workers came back from court - he will leave when his address is approved, so I will lose two of the current workers in a couple of weeks or months and have to hire and train more, but that is a constant. I finished updating the Branch Manual, if you ever come to my library and want to know how to make it work, just look in the Branch Manual, everything except MY secret password is there to help you. Of course, I don't have time to read how anything is supposed to be done, I am too busy - which may be why they make me close and go off to learn, discuss and review how the library could be working if I read all the paper and plans that pass or plaster against me...

I was inspected this week by two fine men from Department of Corrections at McNeil Island, it was just a quick look around and talk to staff and inmate workers - giving the inspectors an impression that the library is fine and functioning, and the comment about needing one more worker was even in the report, I found out today that the Job Center lady is on vacation and who to contact if I had an emergency, I don't have one - we are full up again for a little bit.

For those that can't visit, we have two kinds of stands up along the roads in Washington now, one dollar for a basket of cherries (bumper crop and get them now!) and the fireworks stands everywhere - yes, you could buy totally noisy bangs for your bucks. Now I did catch World News tonight and know that the Stimulus Package isn't doing enough for the economy -- well, the President should take a lesson from a salesman in Puyallup, and he has Nearly Naked Fireworks stands, manned (or is it womanned?) by bikini clad babes. And those fireworks and the babes are moving, as opposed to America's economy. Although, I did catch that Ford is doing fine without the Washington leadership and oversight... The not so beautiful people are miffed about the babes, but they have been moving Latte for a long time in that costume, and the owner of the stands says next year there will be more of them.

I know that the world now thinks everything is new, but I have evidence that some things are forever, what was Eve clothed in before the Serpent ruined it all?




Those Greeks and Romans knew a lot about tile.

What if all my passions were shared by...

I ride the Trusty Triumph and enjoy it, and since the SUN has returned blazingly to the Great Northwest all the other motorcyclists are out and enjoying the ride. Yes, all the other motorcyclists and the scooter folks, too. Now what if...

we had good public ranges everywhere and all the shooters would come out in the Sunshine and shoot? Wow, that would be awesome! One wouldn't feel he had to carry concealed, cause everyone would have one, and we would all be showing off the latest grips, stances and sighting equipment...

but that would be like long ago and far away, where the citizen was the soldier and had to train to the task of fighting and winning to protect all that was good in his life. Well, it was just a little thought straying from the mainstream... dear, would you turn the television on?

Posting will be light....

I am working on getting a sexy hard body, and that takes time away from the monitor and back on the road work and heavy bag (sure, like I have a heavy bag some where). Tam mentions a book I should find and read to figure out why I might not make it through the next gun fight -- -Jim Cirillo; Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights, and Frank James spoke highly of him so two recommendations from those fine folks is enough, I am so far behind. Well, got to go - breakfast gruel and silly exercises call, what one does for love, sigh.