Be Afraid... Be Very Afraid...

Being fearful seems to be the main message that American Media is spewing forth these days, isn't it? This enlightenment came to me (completely unbidden) when I was channel surfing the other day, just too see what was on. Mind you, I have about half a dozen channels that I routinely check on, and most of the time, our mighty tv just plays whatever music we happen to be in the mood for, at that moment. So, as I was listlessly hopping up and down thru the programs (or the Channel Channel as we call it), I started to notice some rather disturbing trends. I wondered what a foreign tourist traveling across the land would make of all this?

Namely that it would appear to her, or his, uneducated eye that we Americans spend a disproportionate amount of time, and money, on medicine, or medical procedures, and on lawyers to bring forth compensation from those very same medical companies that were formally saving our lives, and now had either killed us outright, or were causing us to suffer a horrible life. It's also highly suspect, to me at least, that the pharmaceutical corporations are the ones that set the "National Standards" by which the entire medical field has sworn allegiance!  And if said corporation isn't pocketing a few trillion in profit, why then they can simply change the National Standards to be a bit more strict, an "update" for the health of our mighty nation. Yeah... right... In a mere stroke of a pen, potentially millions of Americans who otherwise were just fine, thank you for asking, can now be included as having some disease that (oh thank gawd) this particular company just happens to have drugs for?! And have you noticed that nobody seems to be talking about actually *curing* a disease anymore? Oh no, why that will not do, no sir! No, there's no money in curing a disease, instead we need to be able to manage it. Just ask the Insurance Cartel that runs many billions of dollars of profit each and every year, while  giving less and less coverage at the same time.

Well supposing that your health is good, and you're not dead, then you should worry about your home. In fact, you probably should have a little camera in every corner of every room, so that your entire life at home can be monitored by someone. Hmmm... sounds like a professional voyeur to me? And of course, you can get that same type of "secure feeling" when you drop off the kid at Daycare, or the dog at Doggy Daycare! Ummm... ok... didn't we used to call this Big Brotherism? I mean, do I really need to be on camera for all of my waking, and sleeping moments? Maybe they can put a camera in my toilet, and then I won't need to go see a Proctologist?

Well then, if we continue on our magical mystery tour of tv, hopefully we can run across some idiots blathering on about the Economy, Politics, Religion, and/or how all three need to be fixed in some manner. It still amazes me that we supposedly live in The Information Age, and yet every two bit politician, or televangelist believes that the louder they yell, the "righter" they are? Speaking of Politics, which I am dread to do, neither party in this country that I dearly love, are showing any signs of intelligent life! The Republicans seem to have adopted their mascot, the Elephant, as a way of life. They continually blow and snort, and make it a point to trample any idea that is not from their own particular herd. Meanwhile, the Democrats appear to be acting much like their mascot, the Donkey! They dig in their heels at the thought of actually getting anything accomplished. Then they loudly bray and whine about how the elephant isn't being fair?! I can personally assure you that the infantile way that this Congress has been posturing and behaving, is NOT what I voted for! It's as if they all have been watching way too much tv drama, and never realized that there are millions of men, women and children that need for them to do a job! Is Congress afraid of working together and getting it right? Does whatever issues really have to be skewered and pillared and set into Old Testament overtones? How about we move ahead with the issues we all agree upon, and then agree to calmly, rationally, discuss the rest? 

Let's see then, you're not dead, not suffering, and not been home invaded by a squadron of terror mongering thieves, or run over by an enraged elephant nor kicked in the solar plexus by a donkey? What else can we be afraid of? Not sure? Don't worry, they'll tell you....

Spring... Sprang... Sprung...

I alluded, ever so briefly, in my last blog that Spring has sprung in The Hundred Acre Woods By The Inland Sea. This annual miracle of Nature is always a welcome, and much longed for, event. Up here, we have a (not particularly funny) joke that goes along the lines of having four full seasons. Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Deconstruction. (told ya it wasn't that funny) And that pretty much sums up our weather calendar.

But now that March is a memory, and we're past Fool's Day, we can consider the season to no longer be Still Winter, and officially Spring. Spring up here is usually mandated by longer days, and more snow. but now, we know that the cold, white stuff won't be around for ever, and the robins will eventually stop wondering just why they came back? But, as every college basketball fan knows, Spring is when March Madness happens.

I won't delve too deeply into the mechanics of basketball, and this really isn't a sports blog (we have ESPN for that). Suffice it to say that March Madness is the college basketball round robin style tournament that crowns a national champion. But to say that's all there is to March Madness is a walloping under statement! Most everybody gets a copy of the draw for round one, and then makes their own predictions to the winning spot. Often a small entry fee is included so that the winner gets most of the cash. But there's just as much excitement to be had for entering an online pool, with your buddies, for talking trash and bragging rights.

Every year I enter two or three of the "bragging rights" variety, and usually lose handsomely. When my late mom was around, she would beat me regularly by picking teams according to mascot, team colors, and other various and highly suspect reasoning. So she handily beat me year in and year out. Which meant that year in and year out, I would owe her dinner at a restaurant of her choosing, and happily she would choose a nice, medium priced place. I think I still her owe a couple dinners, come to think?

This year, March Madness did not really feature an "Upset Round" (when some underdogs beat what was supposed to be a much better team) as an entire tournament of them! At the end of the first weekend, my boards (also known as brackets) were suitable for use as toilet paper.... barely. But watch the games I did, (and this where the real magic happens) found myself cheering for a team that I had picked to lose, but they sure were playing a great game! Point of fact, just about everybody I know did the same thing. It may seem somewhat self defeating to not cheer on "your" team, but hey, that's why they play the games.

And so it went, this year, round after round of continuing upsets. By the time we got to the Final Four (these teams played against each other to go to the National Championship game), I was so certain of impending doom and disaster, that I just didn't look online to see how badly my brackets were suffering. I usually pick one or two of the Final Four, and on rare occasion even get three of them. This year I had none, nada, zip, nuthin. So I mentally shrugged and decided to just enjoy the sports spectacle for what it should be; a showcase of the best talent in college basketball in America. I was quite surprised to learn that I had actually *won* one of the  betting pools! What?! *utter facepalm* It's true! Even tho my boards were completely shredded, everyone else had even worse boards! Well, we all had a good laugh at that, and then turned our collective attention to the National Championship game.

Which turned out to be possibly the worst example of athleticism ever in a National Championship! At the end of the first half, the commentators wryly noted that both teams were shooting under 20% (a number that should be at least two or three times higher), and so it was "a defensive struggle", meaning that neither team could score a basket. Or that the kids certainly "played their hearts out", meaning that it was a very sloppy game, and that this game was an "intense competition" to see who could make more mistakes. In short it was appalling. Towards the end of the game, the sportscasters were no longer sugar coating the lackluster performance by each team, but still tried to put a positive spin on it. Not easily done, I assure you. And in the end, one of the teams just had to win, so it was University of Connecticut (UCONN Huskies).But as bad as that particular game may have been, they still reached for, and got, the brass ring. They kept all the marbles, and really are our National Champions of Men's College Basketball. And that's just the way all those student athletes should remember it too.

So now our snow is *almost* all the way gone, and the yards are starting to green up. We have a Ruffed Grouse that we named Evin (short for Evinrude, because when he flaps his wings against his chest, it sounds like a small motor boat), that proudly announces to any available female that he's here and ready for action. You can see buds at the ends of tree limbs, and the deer are patiently stalking day lilies and other garden delights. There is no more snow in our beach, and Ace the DufusDog has already been in for a swim. Good thing he takes his fur coat along! Sap buckets are sidled up to maple trees for their sugary sap, and the buzzards have returned to Hinckley Ohio.

And I have *finally* shed my articles of Winter Clothing. Namely I am sans my long johns which so ably kept me nice and cozy during those long, bleak, dismal, dark days. And, perhaps even more importantly, I am now sporting just one pair of socks. When I would venture out of doors, I would wear two pairs of socks, and a pair of toe warmers under Antarctic Survival Boots.  To say that my feet get cold would be an understatement comparable to the Titanic nudging a chip of ice. So, you see, it must be Spring, and now that I've shed those wintry woolies, I feel like a UCONN Husky!   

Once again I took the pictures, with the exception of the shot of me watching a game, which was snapped by the lovely Barb...

Sure It's Spring... Just Look At All The Snow!

Aye yup, it's Spring in the Hundred Acre Woods By The Inland Sea. This can only mean one thing... more snow?! No really, we can have snow on the ground for anywhere from four to six months here. This year, March actually came in like a Lamb, and left like Hyena, laughing all the way out!

I realize, after looking at the calendar, that it's been just about a month and a half since I've blogged last, so please forgive me. It's not that I haven't thought of you, and even missed you, but I somehow lost my Muse! No, really! It was late in February, and I had the germinations of two or three blogs that were percolating in my insides. Whatever inner region it is that such things ruminate and propagate in, was quite contentedly ruminating and propagating along very handsomely, thank you very much. I knew I was experiencing the rather typical middle of the Winter blahs, but still enjoying the season, and the beauty of Nature, and generally making the best of it. Until a certain afternoon. (cue dark music here) I still remember it very clearly. It was sunny (for a change) and the temperature was about 20F (or -7C if you are of that particular bent), and I was middling between sitting down and writing one of the aforementioned  blogs, or running to the store. Since food, and in particular this evening's dinner (or tea if you are of that bent as well) was my responsibility, I decided to make the supreme sacrifice, and go into town. (again, not easy being me)

So I was driving along merrily, listening to the classical music station, composing a blog in my mind, and generally enjoying the day. I make the six mile drive in the usual ten minutes, and proceed to the nearest, and only,  grocer. After rummaging around for what I wanted, I then proceeded to make stops thru town for various, mundane errands like the drugstore, and then finish by emptying my wallet by filling the gas tank. So it was, that on the way home that afternoon, I suddenly realized that I had nothing?! What?! It was gone. She was gone. My Muse had deserted me as if the Moon no longer followed the Sun! I felt an empty place inside, as if someone, or some thing, has taken away a dear friend, and with no notice. Confusion was left in it's wake, and then sadness.

It really took me some time to come to grips with this loss. I mean, I could still string words together and frame a good idea when I was talking. I could still Comment and Reply online, in emails and in social media. So why the frack couldn't I blog?! I would (literally) sit in front of the screen, hands on the keyboards, and nothing would come. I couldn't even get to the blogs I was in the middle of writing earlier? It just wasn't gonna happen. Period.

So... I finally had to admit to myself that I simply didn't have it, and so would "Stay Calm and Carry On". I never gave up on blogging, I just needed to wait till my Muse returned... and guess what kidz? She came back to me! I have absolutely no idea why she left (oh crapolla, did I piss her off?) nor why she returned (did she miss me?), but she is back... and so am I! Taaaa Daaaa!! Gawd I feel better now!

So now where were we? Oh yeah... Spring. We have a joke here in The Hundred Acre Woods By The Inland Sea. We enjoy four full seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Deconstruction. Last Sunday morning we saw diffuse lightening flashes, heard thunder grumbling, and had a squall of fat snow flakes pelting us! Oh sure it's Spring, I've even quit wearing my long johns, but the snow ain't gone yet kidz.

Oh, by the way, once again, the pics are all mine, and they were taken at the end of March, of this year.

Mucking About On Mars

They say that this planet is all about war. I would completely disagree. Mars is all about survival. Survival in the extreme, survival of not just your soft flesh, but your mind, and your sanity. Oh sure, were it not for the First Interplanetary War we wouldn't be here now, but that conflict was between the Chinese held Glorious Lunar Settlement, and everybody they could drop a few rocks on. Including my beloved US of A. But, we're not here to debate history nor politics, no sirree. This particular tour guide is just happy to be able to take you on a small journey thru my part of the planet.

I know you all have signed the If I Die I Won't Sue This Stupid Tour Group Form, which I really don't give a plug nickle for, but even here we just have to have lawyers, don't we? What's that you ask? Well, it's true enough that until what was left of the United Nations granted us our sovereignty, we didn't need any damn attorneys, if you'll pardon my saying so.

Well then, since it looks like everybody has arrived here in the Porch, I'll need each of you to find a booth with your name above the curtain. Inside, you will find what looks like a diaper, and a couple of pairs of long johns. There's an instructional video to show you how to clamber into all these, and when you're done just meet out here. When you get back into this area, we'll fit you into your ExoSuit, helmet, and go thru all the checks necessary before we depart.We also have some very nice Wardrobe Assimilation Service Personnel, or WASPs,  that will wander by and give ya a hand if need be. So don't be bashful folks, that's what they are here for, to make sure you get the maximum possible enjoyment from taking a stroll on Mars. And believe you me, there's nothing more irritating than a sore spot rubbed raw by an ill fitting EnviroSuit! Unless maybe it's having a Glorious Lunar Meteorite dropped on your hometown and killing your entire family and neighborhood. Oh, oops, better to not go there, huh?

Since there are still a few good souls struggling a bit with the hard suit and helmet, I'll invite the rest of you wander around in here a bit, take a look thru the various view ports, and if you have any questions, please feel free to pipe up! Now, if you take a gander thru the portal just behind me, that's the real Mars, in all it's wonderful glory. The temperature is a balmy well below what it would take to freeze dry your working parts, and the atmospheric pressure is far less than when my dog farts. In other words, you ain't on Earth anymore, and it really takes us an hour just to get ready to go check the mailbox. Hey, does anybody even have an actual mailbox anymore?

Right then, if you all will step this way, you've been cleared for your first walk on the Red Planet. Which you will see is not really red, but then what can you expect from a bunch of nincompoops a few million miles away? Oh, oops, I meant highly respected dead guys that were persecuted and tortured by the Church. Oh whatever, everybody into the Cargo Resultant Atmosphere Pressurization of Personnel Routine, or what we fondly refer to as the CRAPPeR. Just a little joke there folks, step right in and please have a seat in the buggy. Once the techs have secured your safety straps, the obligatory Safety Video will display on your individual monitors and the sound will come thru your helmet. If you're looking for a barf bag... well let's just say that I seriously doubt that you will really want to vomit in this comet, since you'll be wearing it for the next two hours or so inside your helmet. Ewwww.

Alright then, let's go! Your first sojourn on Mars! Takes me back a few decades to mine, except our buggies were only four seaters, and had a very limited range. Oh, and we didn't get any fancy TV's or rest stops. But you my friends, you get nothing but top of the line today. Course, for what you gladly paid for this trip, you deserve a bit of luxury. So anyways, we have us about one third the gravity that you had back on the home world, or about twice what you get on Luna. Seems just enough to keep our bones healthy, and with some dedication to working out, your muscles will be too. Believe me, playing baseball here is a real treat, unless you happen to play outfield, that is. And as for water, fuggedabouditt, we're really close to the Northern Ice Cap, so we got all we need. In fact, you will see actual snow and ice on the ground up here! Not so lucky all our settlements in the middle of the planet, you know the Valley Marineris and the Tharsis Bulge? They hafta work a whole lot harder to continually recycle each and every drop of this precious stuff. But up here, we actually get to shower in it! And yes, that is true and real luxury on this planet people.

Now that we've been toddling along for a good few miles, I think it's about time we all got out, and stretched our legs a bit. But before you even think about moving, I release the safety straps from up here in what passes for a cockpit, and then each of your seats will swivel to face outside, at which time you will notice a rather wide running board to step down upon. Our two techs will be there for anyone who needs a hand in getting your feet under you, so don't feel bashful. And yes, I have fallen quite a few times, and not all of them due to Brown Bottle Swallow, if ya know what I mean. but if you slip, don't worry, you really won't crack your helmet or tear your suit. Cause if you did why then you'd look like a fountain of watermelon jetting up thru the cracks, ha! Oh, um, never mind.

So yes everybody, there's a reason I brought you to these coords. We are going to approach, on foot, the very site that, well, actually that I discovered many decades past, where I found what is commonly referred to as The Skeleton. A billion, that's with a B not an M, years old, and just stuck out in the desert. Now, the real one is locked up in a lab somewhere, and no I don't where and I don't want to, that's way above my pay grade. But what we have here is a mold of the actual item, painted to match exactly. Anyways, you can imagine just what was running thru my mind when I quite literally stumbled over this thing! Let's face it, an old, ex mil type with too many years in, and basically put to pasture here, and what do I do? I fall on top of the as yet only proof that there really is some other sentient life in this galaxy! Yup, right over there it is, go ahead and slowly amble around it. Remember, any fast or sudden move usually means one thing, you get reintroduced to Mr. Ground again. As you can see, it looks like the head is pointed South, and made of bones of some type, and the legs and such are up above it, and appear to be a mesh of various fibrous wires? I was glad that Fido, that's my personal nickname for him, wasn't alive when I came around. I imagine that just one chomp from that ugly beat would seriously ruin your day! Gawd what I wouldn't give to see Fido's spaceship!

Alright, listen up folks, if we've all had a chance here to see the only specimen of life from Somewhere Not Home, we're gonna get back aboard the buggy, and go to our next destination, The Enclosed Sea Of Mars! Keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times, and here we go. Now, no matter what you've heard about The Enclosed Sea, it really lies in between two ginormous ice rifts here at the Northern Cap. What some of our bright boys discovered was that this here terrain actually sits on top of a volcano, that could provide enough heat to melt the water, if only we could keep it there. So then some other bright boys came along and figured out how to make genuine glass from the materials we have here, namely the aforementioned water, and all this sand, and so keep the sea from literally evaporating into the sky! Well sir, that worked quite well for a good long time, and then some really bright gals decided that we could actually extend the enclosed sea, and make it a tiny ocean. Now, don't ask me what the difference is, except that part is under glass, and part isn't. And why the part that isn't, is, well I just don't know. But I never pretended to be an egg head, so I just admire it for it's beauty.

Now if you look forward, at about the 1:00 position, you can see where the last Mars Rover, Desperado, yeah they were running out of names then, finally came to it's last resting spot. Our little friend there made a lot of important discoveries in it's day, and as we drive close to it, you can actually view on your monitors the last image it took. If you remember your history books, does anyone read books anymore? Anyways, that last image is what decided that we could build the Enclosed Sea, something to do with the particular silicates in this area.  Now, as I said, I'm just an ex mil type with a flat top haircut, and just enough nanotech to keep my gizzard running, but even I can see why we want an open sea on Mars. I just don't know how that picture told the nerds and geeks down in Marsdome is all. You can see right away it's a False Color Image, and I reckon that all those false colors musta meant something to somebody, cause our next stop is the sea itself folks. You are in for a very real treat, yes sirree, you good folks are going to watch the sun set over that same sea, and it is a sight you will never forget. So let's drive to our next set of coords, and then we can all get out and unkink our backs again, what say?

So yes ladies and gents, I decidedly did save the best for last! Sunset on Mars, over the Eternal Sea, which is what they're calling it now, stupid name if ya ask me, is a memory you will take with you to your grave. You know here on Planet Four, or just Four, our day or Sol, is just about forty minutes longer than on Planet Three. Yes young lady, that would be Earth, very good! We'll make Martians of all you folk before the day is done by golly. Oh yeah, we get an additional forty minutes here, and it's my decidedly unscientific opinion that those same forty minutes come at sunset. It just seems that the sun hangs above the horizon, which you notice is quite a bit closer than back home, and truly is magical. I'm no poet, gawd knows, but if I was, it would be for those incredible moments of beauty then. Now you might just have noticed that we miraculously have gone around the entire ring of Hab Modules, and are right back where we started. I assure that this was in fact our intended Flight Plan, and you goodly folk have kept me quite entertained on our tour. I do hope that you take full advantage of your time on this planet; whether you're here on holiday, as my Brit buddies would say, or business or even planning on becoming a neighbor of mine. Once Mars gets under your skin, you realize that this is a frontier, and hopefully not our last. Now, lets all go enjoy that sunset, then we can go in and have a barbecue that will knock you outta your boots... Martian style!

Joueaux Noelle... {meow}

It was a dark and stormy night. No, really it was! OK, how about this; twas the week before Christmas, and all thru the house, a new creature was stirring, and she is no mouse. No? Well, then lean back, get a cup of hot cocoa, and I'll relate how my beloved Barbara and I came to be found by a just too adorable kitten.

It all started the week before Christmas. Up here in The Hundred Acre Woods By The Inland Sea, it's *almost* guaranteed that we will enjoy a White Christmas. This year certainly lived up to The Weather Channel's considered opinion that we indeed would have snow. Not enough that they sent out Jim Cantore, or even Mike Bettis, but a good, old fashioned White Christmas to be sure. If you're across the pond, in Merry Olde England, or Scotland, you probably have some not so fond memories of that blizzard. I know of more than one dear friend that complained about bitter cold, stiff wind, and too much snow. Over here, in contrast, that's simply another wonderful day Up North. Yeah, we're used to it, and actually enjoy it. We even have a saying here, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices". Oh, and we mean it.

In fact, there are people that will blithely choose to don Arctic Survival Gear, and go traipse thru the woods to a blind, in hopes of stocking the freezer with fresh venison. Happily, your humble narrator already had his freezer stocked, and so didn't feel the "Call of the Wild" to go on such an aforementioned misadventure. But two of our hale and hearty (and young) nephews did feel that call, and so drove up to spend the weekend with us. Blizzard be damned, they are men, and deer will be bagged. Well, with a true Northern Michigan Blizzard (40+ mph winds, heavy snowfall, no end in sight, repeat daily as needed) they wisely chose to spend most of the time indoors.

To help ease their pain and frustration, that fateful evening, we bundled into Steve's pickup truck (hurray for 4 wheel drive) and snow plowed our way to Rosie's Place. Rosie's is known far and wide for having the best burritos and pizzas within an easy drive. We were just about the only crazies in the place as most sane folk stayed at home that evening. So we noshed on a great pie, and a pitcher of beer, and very much enjoyed each other's company. Both Steve, and his brother Edward are made of sterling stuff, and we enjoy them immensely.

Soon after warm, satisfying meal, we decide to brave the blizzard once more and more or less "snow plow" our way home. {cue music} We slowly proceed, and Barb decided that we should divert from the normal route, and take a back road as it might be less windy? You see, the wind was still whipping about 45mph, and the visibility was just barely beyond the hood of the truck. As we crawl down the road, thru the deep and deeper drifts, we spot some red flashing lights ahead in our path. {music intensifies} We inch along, and stop a couple of car lengths behind a small car, with it's Hazard Lights blinking. Whew... well the nephews decide that we should render aid if we can, and we trundle out. Turns out the car belongs to neighbors, and yes they were stuck. since they had a cell phone, they had called for a tow truck, and it's arrival was imminent. Well, we couldn't just leave them, and uh oh, our truck can't turn around either! So no real choice but to wait for the wrecker, which would pull out the car in front of us, and we'd follow in it's tracks.

Well that was a nice plan, wasn't it? Only problem was that the tow truck arrived *behind* us! But the driver smartly stopped quite a ways, and walked up to survey the situation. Which, as we had guessed, was impassable from our rear. Plan number two; he drives around the country block (getting semi stuck at least three times) and arrives in another 45 minutes or so, from the front. Now we'll get somewhere! Good thing as we all had to take turns warming up in the truck, in order to avoid frostbite and freezing appendages. Speaking of which, two of us really, really, really had to go (pitcher of beer?) and believe you me, I have never, ever been so concerned about freezing *that* appendage before!

Well, Mr Tow Truck Driver decides that no, he can't even get the car out from the front! In fact, there is no way for him to recover that vehicle with all the snow it's in (?!). Great. Hey, we're hearty folk, we can deal with this! So we pile the neighbors into the truck, and the rest of us walk along the truck to guide Steve in his quest to drive in Reverse to where he can't see. {ok forget the music, you get the idea} It takes a few running go's for him to clear the truck, but he still has a good quarter mile to backup before he can turn around. So we form an escort to guide Steve rearward along his snow covered way... inching backward, neck craning, eyebrows furrowed in consternation.

He finally gets to a nice wide spot, and starts the cautious Y turn procedure, and the escorts huddle for warmth. I was the last one of the walking warriors, and as I approached, I heard a very distinct, pitiful mewling! I called for the poor kitty to come to me, but could not see thru the dark, into the trees where I heard her plaintive calls. So, I hustle over to Barb, who has a flashlight, and she then scurries back to where I had stood. Soon enough, she comes waltzing over to the truck, with a precious bundle of black and white fur tucked in her jacket. The young kitten would either cry loudly, or purr even louder all the way home. This miserable creature had endured one of the worst blizzards we've seen, and appeared to be quite happy, healthy and very much at home with us. She greedily chowed on food, and guzzled water loudly that first night. when she wasn't busy endearing us to her oh so cute face and vibrato purr.

We put out the word to neighbors and nearby friends, in fear there was a child missing that special Christmas Kitten. No word made it back, and Noelle, stayed put in her new abode. The two other cats were appropriately put off by the new intruder, and Ace the DufusDog made friends quickly. It's amazing how quickly we all adapted, and how cunningly she stole our hearts! Each moment to be treasured, by turns either a black and white tornado, rampaging thru the house, or a completely limp noodle in our lap. She grew a bit and settled in.

And then last week it happened, something we never expected... our new kitty went into heat. No good deed goes unpunished my friends, and this was no exception. That, however, is another blog for a different day. Suffice it to say that even tho Noelle is clearly not broken, she has an appointment to get fixed.

Flogging The Christmas Dog Blog...

Oh my goodness, it's Christmas?! Oh sure, it happens every Winter, right about now, yet this year time has just become so compressed for me... and just why is this a surprise you ask? Yeah... it really shouldn't be, huh? I guess I just want to have the entire planet ratchet down, take a few breaths, and smile for a change. Not too much to ask is it? Oh, and it wouldn't hurt you to sing a few carols either. Why it just might put a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and some joy in your heart! Probably be good for your blood pressure and cholesterol as well.

Ever since I was a kid, Christmas has been my favorite holiday of them all. Truth be told, it still is. In other words, I am a big softy, and especially at Christmas! So, of course everyone else should be too, right? Sure, there's still lots of unresolved problems, big and small, across the planet, and even in your very own home.  Yes, we still have troops across the globe, in what seems to be a pointless exercise of never ending hostility. And I know that none of us have the money we had last year, much less the year before. Point of fact, there's a fewer with a job now, much less a career. Sure, we have lost some very good people as well, some close to us, some not. And the list could go and on, couldn't it?

Well, that list stops right here! Why? Because, quite simply put, I  believe in Christmas. Period. I love to decorate the house, and string up enuff lights to make the Power Meter think it's a Frisbee in flight. Barb and I team up and send out cards to our family. What's that? What about friends you ask? If you receive a card from me, then in my little pea picking brain, you are a part of my Family, don't ever doubt it! Yes, I believe in the Magic of Christmas! Yes, this is a special time of year, and it's up to all of us to make certain of it! We owe not just to ourselves, but (most especially) our children, and our planet. We make it so. Don't ever doubt your individual power to give love. And Love is the very showcase of Christmas. And yes, Hanukkah,  and Ramadan, and Ashura, and Bodhi Day, and especially Boxing Day! Go ahead, look them up, interesting reading there...

My all time most favorite Christmas memory comes from way back, when I was about 8 years old or so.  My family drove from Lincoln NE to a tiny town in Georgia where my folks were from. We stayed with my grand parents, in a small farmhouse, in a very rural community. There was so many family in from out of town, that I was bedded in the living room, on the couch. Back then, as a small fry, I could fit quite comfortably on the sofa for a good night's sleep. Well, Christmas morning comes, and I wake up, to see the lovingly decorated tree, with what had to be a gazillion presents underneath and all around. The adults that were up were loudly singing carols, and some wonderful breakfast aromas filled the house. Eating breakfast, unwrapping presents with all my extended family all around, singing all the while. Brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, grands and parents, all together to simply share love. Yes, there was joy in that little house in the corn field. Any wonder I'm a total sap for Christmas?

Flash forward to the present, and you'll find me at a couple of different locations being Santa Claus.  I think I was invited since I don't need additional padding? Or maybe it's cause I have a hearty belly laugh, and really do love children. Whatever the reason, it is indeed a privilege to take part in those activities. Just look at the pic up top and you'll see why. And each locale has some interesting differences as well. In Onekama, the children are usually quite well behaved, and would never think of being put on the Naughty List. In Thompsonville, the kids are generally well behaved, if a bit pushy, and some of them are quite proud to be on the Naughty List! Wha? Huh? I suppose that since quite a few of the parents probably grew up on the Naughty List, it's a comfortable fit for their children? But each child is such a unique treasure, and you can believe that Santa shows each one love. Santa may only have half a minute with each little gem, but every hug is a crown jewel!

No, you don't hafta be religious to celebrate this holiday, and yes there is far too much crass commercialism ongoing. I mean, when I see Christmas stuff on sale in a drug store in the middle of October, well I really grit my teeth! For Heaven's sake, it's not even Halloween yet?! Arrgg... Of course everyone knows that Christmas is a holiday rooted in Pagan Traditions, that was subverted by the Church. Wise move, if you ask me. Since the early Christians didn't have a fun Soltice party, they co-opted one. And the celebration of Christmas has not always been so welcomed, even in the short history of America. There was time when both the Church, and the Politicians tried to ban it outright, on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Well, happily, that never worked either. Guess you could say that the Spirit of Christmas outshone all of it's detractors.

Nowadays, we seem to have a movement afoot to trivialize Christmas. This is brought to you by the same fascist thinking groups that use Political Correctness s a means to negate the possibility that God exists, or that we should ever think about God, much less be permitted to speak about it. No, I'm not a Thumper, but I am concerned when some supposedly well intentioned group tells me that every opinion about our society, and culture, is to be valued. Every opinion, that is, except the one they don't like. So, I, for one, refuse to enjoy a "Mid Winter" School Break, and I don't send out "Happy Holiday" cards. And yes, I do cheerfully attend Christmas Eve Service, and enjoy it. Mid Winter? Really? At least they could have called it Beginning of Blizzard Season Break, and been honest about it?

And I certainly respect anyone with a differing opinion than mine, and a different set of beliefs. It's the quasi intellectual types that constantly have an axe to grind, and deliberately take away any, and every thing that could be special to us that I can't stomach. Christmas is more than just a religious holiday. It is a special time of year. A Season that brings the darkest day of the year, and so reaffirms our faith in many things. A time of year when people lighten up a bit, and do silly things and even wear silly clothes. But best of all, Christmas is a time when it's acceptable to show everyone around you, that yes, you do love them. And that, my friends, is why there will always be the Magic of Christmas!

As usual, all the photos are mine, except for the top one. That was snapped by Digitally Loco, she's a wonderful personal friend, and abso awesome photog. If you need any great pics, tell her I sent ya!

TuckSun AZ

When I made the flight reservations for my trip to Tucson AZ, the gal at the other end of the fone kept pronouncing it as "Tuck-Sun, Air-ee-zonia".  No matter, I got to where I need to go, and a rose by any other name and all that.

This trip came up a bit unexpectedly, and was not a vacation, nor a holiday. I have a wonderful cousin there, whose health is flagging, and so she decided to move back home to Michigan., and be closer to her family. So, after a one day layover at home (aye yup, just one day after returning from Charleston SC, really!) I was in the air and went Westward Ho!
So from a hot, wet climate, to a cool, comfy climate, to a warm, very dry climate, in the space of about three days. Yeah. Boy howdy did my body ever scream at me! I actually had laryngitis for the next four weeks! It was so dry in Tucson, that I drank over a gallon of water in two days, and hardly ever seemed to need to go to the bathroom. Every morning when I woke up, my throat was feeling burnt and parched!
Ah well, all in a week's worth of Life. My fave Aunt, Lynne had flown there separately, and she and I would pack up cousin Laurie's stuff into boxes. Then, Laurie's sis and hubby would fly out, we'd all pack up the rental truck, and Paul would drive that, as Laurie's sis , Kim, would drive Laurie and her car back.
So, you see, I don't have a lot of memories of wonderful touristy adventures during my time there. I do, however, have some fond memories of talking, and joking with Auntie Lynne, and Cousin Laurie. Laurie and I never really knew each other well at all, having only met one time prior. But hey, family is family, and you do what you can. Laurie is a woman of no indeterminate opinion, and has a very direct view of Life, and no problem sharing. So we all enjoyed the company quite well!
Nor was my trip all work and no play. for one lovely late afternoon, Auntie Lynne and I drove thru the Sagauro National Park. They have an amazing 7+ mile loop you can toddle thru, and get an idea of the landscape there. We were graced by not only a wild boar that walked across the road, but later a dramatic sunset over the mountains!
Tucson is on the floor of a valley, surrounded by five mountain ranges, at about 3,000 feet above sea level! This creates a rather unique environment, and a scene of stark beauty, and dramatic detail all around. One particular morning, as I was leaving my hotel, I saw, and HEARD two Stealth Fighters (from the nearby Air Force Base) scooting around the inside rim of the mountain ranges. It sounded like a rock concert when they make the sound go around in circles, and it was LOUD!!

I enjoyed the people of Tucson, everyone was quite friendly to me, and somehow could just tell that I was an "Out of Towner"? Especially in the Circkle K, where English was clearly not their Mother Tongue *chuckle* But I still received good, if a bit cool, service. Everyone at the hotel was very friendly and helpful, and also the restaurants seemed to have good help.
And speaking of eateries (you just knew I was gonna talk about food, didn't ya?) anytime you go to Tucson, I would highly recommend El Charro Cafe!  They have been awarded as "One of the Top 50 Plates in the Country", and I believe it! We were at the Broadway location, but heard many good things about the others, especially downtown. This, my friends is what authentic Mexican Cuisine (yes, you can put those two words together in the same sentence) is all about! Oh, and while you're either reading the link, or at the table, make sure to scan thru the history of the place! It's as amazing as the food. So our intrepid little party of Michiganders dined there on our last night together. A very enjoyable time with family that all got along (miracle) and a great eatery. The next day we all took off for the return to home trip. My aunt and I flew home to the arms of our waiting, and muchly missed spouses. And the rest of the gang toddled their way across the States, and also arrived safely.
Sometimes a trip is not really a holiday, but there's nothing that says you can't enjoy it anyways! We did some good for a family member, and in a real, physical way. Plus we all got to get to know each other a bit better, and enjoy the company as well. And so what if Tucson has no humidity? It's not like I'm ever gonna hafta live there *chuckle*