So Much For The Flu Vaccine

My wife has Influenza A. She had the flu shot, so the symptoms are not terrible, but it's still the flu.

So far, after a feeling of malaise on Thursday evening, some Nyquil, and 13 hours of sleep that night, I've been good. Maybe I was starting to suffer, my home remedies were effective, and I'll continue with no flu.

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

It's Time for Soup

After all the rich foods, heavy desserts, and exposure to whatever ailment found family members after Thanksgiving Day, my wife suggested a vegetable beef soup. I agreed, so that's on the to-do list for this afternoon. I think it will be good, and necessary.

You Can't Get there From Here

I live about a mile from the interstate on a county road. The road connects to other roads, which lead to other roads, which eventually lead back to the interstate....if you know the route.

An accident on the interstate leads many to abandon the highway - even if it means crossing the ditch - in the hope of avoiding the stopped traffic. That's where the problem develops.

If they leave the interstate, travel about a half mile, and take a left, they will soon find they are back on the service road, which goes for about 20 miles. That usually bypasses the traffic, and the accident.

If they go straight, they find a dead end road, or a right turn that requires knowledge of local roads to eventually lead to a county road that leads to a farm to market road, which leads back to the interstate.

It's crap shoot on decisions, but many wander down the wrong path, and either turn around, or get lost on the county roads.

There's a wreck on the interstate tonight. I heard the sirens, watched the wandering cars, and know it will be a few hours before it all calms down again. For Thanksgiving travelers, this will add frustration, and memories.

Composites

We had a cold front yesterday evening. This morning revealed a perfect fall morning, with the temperature in the forties.

As I walked to my truck, Thanksgiving crossed my mind. We're planning on having it at the relatives, with the usual feast. We've had it there before, so I know it will be a special day.

My thoughts wandered to Thanksgiving over the years. The memories are many: chilly days, azure skies with mare's tail clouds, the aromas of Thanksgiving meals, and the people I shared the days with.

Things are different, yet the same. So many in the family are now gone, but there are always new relatives to share the day. That's what makes Thanksgiving special, and leads to the excitement while waiting for the day.

For all that read here, I hope your Thanksgiving Day is one of your best.

When Academia Stumbles

Universities, from Ivy League, to local community universities, peddled unrealistic dreams, overcharged, allowed poor performance, and ignored those that turn the wheels for so long, they finally reached the point of possible insignificance. Many not only don't want to recruit from university candidates, they make it a policy to avoid such practices.

Academia has stumbled, corrupted the goal of higher education, and released hordes of inept, unprepared people into society, with enormous debts.

Things That Don't Exist

Many things don't exists, with the most common as a "gun free zone". Criminals will carry weapons in a gun free zone, so will police, and citizens that realize the danger of not having protection. So, why is this mythical place continued to be promoted?

It's Part of the Job

Trump was elected President to stop the inflow of thousands of unvetted aliens. Meanwhile, those that think it's a good idea to let anyone into the United States, without any restrictions, are successful in keeping the President from doing his job.

I think the only solution, at this time, is to close the door completely. It's within the power of Trump, and it's time he exercised the power. While many will complain, or attempt to stop it in court, they're efforts will be stopped, when those working under Trump are forced to either resign, be fired, or follow the order.

Some will be harmed by the action, but I've reached the point that's less of a problem than allowing people into the United States that have crime, murder, or mayhem as their goal. No new aliens, no new problems.

Nobody Owns Anything

Think about it. everything you think you own is owned by bureaucrats, and taxing entities.

Refuse to pay taxes to a local corrupt government? They'll file papers, send people with guns, and take your home. Then, they'll sell it for pennies on the dollar to satisfy their bureaucratic necessities, and ignore the foolishness of their actions.

Refuse to pay taxes on your income, in protest of wasteful expenditures? They'll take your bank account, garnish your wages, and demand penalties, with interest, on your effort to control out of control government officials.

You can't expect any bureaucrat to refuse their job to take what is only allowed by a polite society. They can't conceive a society that reached the point they will say "enough is enough", and take out their anger on those that follow legislative guidelines that ignore personal liberty.

Still, the past reveals all societies eventually reach a breaking point, and the result is never pretty. Whether our society ever reaches that point will only be revealed in the future. I can only hope it doesn't involve violence.

Cornbread Stuffing

I've had many different cornbread stuffings, but one is what I consider the standard for taste. Unfortunately, I'll never have it again, so only the memory remains.

My grandmother, would prepare a huge Thanksgiving feast with the help of my mother and cousins. There was turkey, ham, homemade mashed potatoes, home grown Kentucky Wonder green beans, sweet potato casserole, an assortment of deserts, and my grandmother's cornbread dressing.

I asked her how she prepared it one year. It was simple. She prepared her cornbread, onions, spices, and stuffed it in the huge turkey. As the turkey cooked, the juices saturated the dressing, and made a flavor only she could create. Her amount of sage was perfect.

I liked it best with the brown gravy made from the turkey drippings. I'd pick out the giblets, and place  a healthy spoonful on top of the dressing. I'd eat too much, but gladly return for more, when we enjoyed the food again at supper.

I miss that treat, and sometimes wonder if I'll ever enjoy the best dressing again. I'm thinking it will be my experimentation that will eventually yield a close second to my grandmother's dressing. I can only hope. The flavor is fantastic, and I miss it.

Veterans

I've known, and know a few veterans. They served from everything to clerks in Saigon, to crew members of a nuclear submarine. All were not home with their families, many were shot at daily, and all served those that live in security provided by the armed forces.

We owe our veterans a thanks at least. They gave more than most understand in service to those that don't have a clue.

While Thinking About Breakfast

I was thinking about what to make for breakfast. I thought of bacon and eggs....maybe with some hash brown potatoes....when I thought of how good a cold slice of apple pie tastes, with some bacon as a side.

I don't have any cold apple pie.....Oh well

Another Week

It was a good week at work. Things went as planned, what little rain we had didn't affect the progress, and the last of the work week was more than beautiful. There might be some scheduling issues on delivery times of materials, but like all things I can't....it was supposed to be a draft at this point....but I hit the wrong button, so.....control, I'll adapt to the scheduling problem and continue with the project.

I Think It's Funny

According to the former DNC HWIC, Hillary was not only ill, she basically stole millions from the party. That's funny, and a clear indication Liberals are not only insane, they're willing to pay for continuing their insanity. May they enjoy their bankruptcy, while the Clinton clan lives a live of luxury.

Parties: Two, Integrity: 0

Two political parties control the United States, and neither has integrity. Both are only concerned with perpetuation of power over citizens, accumulation of wealth, using public funds to buy favors, and ignoring the damage both have done to the nation. Those in charge may feel they're secured in trading opportunities to continue their agenda, but they need to realize they've passed the point of decency, and the anger of the citizens is headed to reactions beyond polite discourse.

If They Don't Report It, Did It Really Happen?

Yesterday evening, going home was a series of long waits in traffic, back road diversions, and dealing with traffic filled with impatient, angry people. It was obvious the interstate had a wreck, but considering the amount of side road traffic, I could only consider it a major wreck. Local radio was silent about the wreck.

When I finally crossed the overpass on the road to my house, I could see the wreck. Large wreckers were ready to haul away the wreckage, tractor trailers were scattered, and the remainder of one truck was smoldering in the median.

People were wandering around the rural back roads near my house for hours after sunset. This is a normal occurrence after a wreck, and I've given directions many times to people trying to find another route.

The internet sites for the local televisions outlets didn't reveal anything. I did find a small article in the local newspaper site that stated the local sheriff reported a truck fire at 2:40 yesterday afternoon, and traffic would be affected.

By my calculations, the interstate was almost shut down for over five hours yesterday afternoon, and evening. Otherwise, tens of thousands spent hours creeping through traffic, or completely stopped in areas that have few, if any exits. Much of this area doesn't even have a service road.

I might be nitpicking, but that's what the entire idea of news reporting revolves around. Major events that affect thousands require an effort to make people aware, and the possibility of offering solutions, such as alternate routes. It didn't happen this time, and it shows a laziness, or incompetence by local media outlets.

I did learn they had a parade for the Houston Astros yesterday. I really didn't care, except I know those that work in the downtown area had their Friday evening turned into a traffic nightmare. I'm sure few really cared about the Astros, when they spent an extra hour during their usual hour drive to cover a few dozen miles. 

Full of It

I don't have much faith in what people say. I might be wrong, but all the talk about not watching professional sporting events with players disrespecting the flag - in my opinion - is just that: talk. Considering how the alphabet networks are still in business, people are generally full of crap, and unwilling to sacrifice their viewing choices for integrity.