I Doubt They're Thinking

 At one time, the Democratic Party supposedly represented those that work. Trade unions looked to them to grease their palms with special considerations, and the same unions funneled money back into the party. The workers were in the dark, or refused to buck the system that kept them working with good wages. 

Now, the Democratic Party abandoned those they supposedly represented. To increase the injury, the unions that supposedly represented their craftsmen still funnel money to the Democrats, and the Democrats show their appreciation by destroying the jobs that pay the union craftsmen. Of course, the unions have had little regard to those that pay the dues, but now the money will dry up, and those that they betrayed will become even more angry.

Logic dictates you don't destroy the fields that feed you, but the analogy fits this situation. What do the Democrats hope to gain? Have the public sector, and teacher's union, reached a point where they will fill the gap of the lost trade union money? Do the Democrats feel they can control their destiny by sheer will, and those that allow their existence will simply fall into lockstep? 

That last election, as far as I'm concerned, was not legitimate. Too much evidence points to corruption, and the corrupt officials that preside are hiding their collusion in the process. If they had nothing to hide, they would have welcomed a review of the ballots, but they didn't. That only means dishonesty, and dishonesty in voting is a crime that should be punished by up to capital punishment. The results of an illegal election can lead to the death of some, so the punishment should be just as severe. 

Everything with current politics, and current officials, only points to a criminal enterprise that makes the Mafia look like children playing on the playground. It's unconscionable to allow this continue, and the best thing at this time is for the courts to refuse to allow the stonewalling of officials, and the severe punishments allowed by law to punish those that destroy records, or refuse to be audited. Will this happen? Maybe, but if this doesn't change, those that become desperate will not be destroyed without resistance.

Electric Bill

 I live on the East side of Texas, so my electric supplier is not part of ERCOT. Still, with the severe cold, I was wondering about my bill. I was relieved to see it only went up seventeen dollars higher than last month, which was average for this time of the year. 

Texans Can Blame The Feds

 The biggest problem with the loss of electricity in Texas during the big freeze was the EPA.  Texas asked to increase the energy output, but was refused. Otherwise, with the increased energy of running under full capacity, the lack of electricity would have been lessened, if not eliminated. To add insult to injury, after the failure of the feds to alleviate a foreseen problem, they compounded the problem by refusing to help Texas by declaring the result as a disaster. 

I don't know how many feel, but I consider this an act of war. The Biden administration is intentionally damaging Texas, and the Governor should tell them to pound sand, while closing off some pipeline going north. 

I'm Unwilling...

 ... to be a laboratory animal. Give it a year, or two, and the knowledge of whether this Covid thing is really something to worry about, and I might be willing to be vaccinated. Until then, leave me alone, and realize, if you're vaccinated, what do you have to worry about?

I Don't Believe This

 This story is circulating around the internet, and since it's the "news", people are believing it. It looks good to the liberals that want the government to take over everything, and reports something that most people that practice critical thinking would ignore. 

There's no way any utility would, or could, allow fuel prices to increase in a short period of time to that level. Even if it was possible, most would know they couldn't collect on bills that high, cut off the electricity, and go to the news with how they were getting screwed by their suppliers. 

I think the story is BS, and I'm irritated it was even published without anyone doing some research.

A Passing Thought

 I'm suspicious of a vaccine that is supposed to keep me from getting a virus made in a laboratory. Why? If they can engineer a virus that preys on old folks, they can easily engineer a  vaccine that completes the task of getting rid of those they consider a burden.

Almost to the End

 It's 26 outside. Tonight, it's supposed to be 28, and be the last night of freezing temperatures for awhile. That's good, and the thaw is supposed to ease to the north over the next few days.  I think everyone has had enough of this very unusual weather, and can now focus on the clowns that were instrumental in the power generation fubar over the last few days.

Imbeciles

 I'm a little amazed that my generation is becoming reviled by many that can't find their butts with both hands. "Boomer" has become a word to denigrate, instead of an honor to those that fought in Viet Nam, endured the crappy politicians called President, years of pork barrel politics, and were instrumental in building what those that insult us so ignorantly take for granted. Most only wanted to eventually retire, and hoped their children would have a better way. They've been honest citizens for decades, reached retirement age, and now are being told the Social Security they paid for decades is an entitlement.

I call them imbeciles, but like my friend's term better: "Fleshy headed mutants". Years of mediocracy, nanny state demands, the unsustainable belief that rights include free money, no discipline, and believing the lies from the media, have turned way too many young folks into lackeys for those wanting to destroy the United States. To make things worse, their laziness has manifested into glee for the misfortune of others, and an appetite for destruction.

My advice to younger folks is that they need to step up to the plate. Understand the government is run by the unqualified, the media constantly lies, the Constitution is not a living document, and mediocrity only leads to the inability to flourish. That inability leads to being unable to survive. When that point is reached, and they start loading them into the rail cars, they'll happily believe the lies, as they travel to the camps to starve.

When Are They Going to Pull the Switch?

 Harris is fielding Biden's important phone calls with world leaders. Why this is going on is strictly a guess, but my guess is Biden would sound like he was senile, and they know they couldn't hide that from the world media. 

When are they going to pull the switch? Only and imbecile ignored this during the election, and anyone that hasn't quite figured it out, will soon have their cartoons interrupted. A real media would never had let Biden get in office, but we don't have a real media, and the rest of the world laughs at our idiocy.

Ongoing But Better...For Now

 At 11:00 last night, the electricity went out. The supplier started at having it on at 5:30 am. As time went on, the time moved to 11:00 am this morning. That didn't happen. 

At 1:00 this afternoon, after waiting way too long, I uncovered the generator, pulled out some extension cords, and started heating part of the house with a space heater. I was kicking myself in the ass for waiting so long, since the house had reached 46 degrees, and it was just barely above freezing outside. I could have avoided some misery, if I hadn't had so much faith in the power coming on sooner. 

The power did come back on at about 2:00 pm. It blipped after a few minutes, and shut down again. After about 15 minutes, the power came back on, and has remained on for over 2 hours. The house is warming, no pipes froze, the hot water heater is full of hot water, and a hot shower is soon to be undertaken.

Tonight, the forecast is for a temperature of about 28 degrees, and freezing rain. Hopefully the power stays on, and I can get some sleep. The last three days allowed only cat naps, and it's starting to catch up with me.

Energy, and Stupidity

 Deep down here in Texas, one of the largest refineries can't stay running, due to the cold. Controls don't work, processes are affected, and the safety of all involved becomes an issue. Refineries are dangerous critters, and some problems lead to disaster. 

All refining operations will suffer over the next few days. Freezing weather leads to problems that don't go away, until the temperature rises - which it will. The workers will be faced with starting units again, and that itself is a dangerous operation. Pipes get cold, contract, might crack, or a flange may start leaking. With the high temperature of hydrocarbons being processed, all that's needed to start a fire is the atmosphere. Little leaks can turn into huge fires, and those on site have to take care of the problems as they occur. 

I read the wind farms are having problems. If I had to guess, the turbines down near the Texas coast weren't designed for the cold, and the result is gear box, and other lubrication problems. That guarantees a reduction in power capacity, and the overall effect is a strain on generating facilities that use hydrocarbons to create steam. Otherwise, the "green" energy isn't working, and I'm sure the tree-huggers are all complaining about the cold. They probably don't understand the heavy synthetic fibers they wear are the result of the oil they think is evil. They'll be busy complaining on social media, which they access through their computing devices made out of plastics, which are made from oil.

Another thing: Local electric generating plants anticipate a lightened load during the winter. This leads to maintenance, and a loss in capacity during the winter. With this outbreak, regardless of demand, there just isn't enough electricity to satisfy this demand. Roving blackouts are being used to prevent complete large losses of electricity, and many are finding long periods of time without electricity. 

The stupidity is soon to arise. Someone will demand a solution, politicians will form committees, and huge amounts of money will be spent talking about problems that can't be solved by those in power only because of "diversity". In the end, nothing will change, and taxes will go up to pay for the bureaucrats hired to "solve" the problem.

I'm Not Used To This

 It's around 20 degrees, and there's about an inch of snow on the ground. We're still having a few flurries, but the weather wizards said it should be over about thirty minutes ago. 

When I was five, we had a similar event. Temperatures reached single digits, snow stayed piled for days, and we had all the fun kids can have, even if we didn't understand the water pipe in the attic was frozen, and in the future, the ceiling would fall in. 

They're calling this a once in a lifetime event. Since I'm on the second one, that either means this is unique, or I've lived longer than they thought.

It Begins

The temperature finally reached freezing about two hours ago. The light rain left a thin coat of ice, and the heavier precipitation is arriving. So far, it looks like we'll see more snow than freezing rain. That's a relief. The light snow will not influence the power grid.

The Path Not Taken

 It's not surprising the Senate voted to not have witnesses, and decided to have a vote. The outcome was the usual outcome with all the Marxists voting to convict, and the others to not. It shows the majority of those wanting to convict knew that witnesses, and presented evidence, would show not only culpability in sedition, but some acts a rational jury would find as treason. They knew their precious media couldn't hide their actions, and when in aggregate, their actions could only be considered criminal conspiracy. 

It's business as usual in the capitol, but business is looking bad for those that pursued wealth, instead of representing their constituents. Regardless of what the alphabet networks report, there's more outlets of information, and they're digging into the rot we call national politics, and even states are starting to question the authority so long abused. With states deciding they will exercise their power, the federal government is faced with the fact it only has two decisions, and the decision to flex its muscles will only result in failure. Otherwise, the next two years will be a feckless clown circus. All the mandates will end up in court, and the path to the Supreme Court takes years to travel.

Thinking About the Cold Weather

 I've worked in all types of weather. Some of the work was heavy labor in different conditions, but none were as brutal as that in cold weather. I don't think we're really designed for it, and the worst of fatigue I ever experienced was after working a long day in cold weather. Summer can be exhausting, but the cold takes more, and the constant cold takes much more to endure. 

I'm glad I don't have to spend long days in the cold any longer. Truthfully, I don't think I have the stamina any more. 

The Weather We Rarely Receive

 It's in the mid thirties tonight. That is as far as it will fall, and tomorrow is forecast to stay in the upper thirties to low forties. This is the harbinger of what's to come over the next three days, which is rare for this far south. 

Tomorrow night, if the forecast holds true, will be in the low thirties, somewhere around freezing, and there's a fair chance of some freezing rain. That will lead to a rain free Sunday, but continued clouds and temperatures in the thirties. Sunday night is when the rare weather will begin. 

Sunday night is forecast to be in the twenties, with increasing chances of precipitation. Monday is forecast to be slightly below freezing, with a seventy percent chance of freezing precipitation. What type of precipitation? Weather folks thing most will be freezing rain, and by evening some snow flurries. That's what causes the biggest problems. 

We have lots of live oak trees, which are evergreen. That, and pine trees that grow large canopies over time. Both will have limbs that strain with the accumulated weight, and some of the local electrical providers don't trim their trees enough to prevent these trees from sagging into the wires. 

The last time this happened was in the late nineties. The result was disastrous for many, since the amount of repairs was way beyond the capabilities of the utility companies. To add insult to injury, the large swath of freezing weather caused damage that didn't allow for other companies to assist. Power took a long time to restore, and with me, it took a week. The first days were the worst, since my all-electric home didn't have any heat source but a small space heater run by a small generator. The well was down, and my biggest concern was for warmth. Until the temperature rose above freezing, there really wasn't any hope for water anyway. I did manage a spit-bath with water heated on a colander over a candle. After days without running water, I'd had enough. 

One good thing about this current episode is the foresight by my local electric co-op. Last summer, they spent huge amounts of money clearing their lines, cutting the right of way to the ground, and insuring trees that sag won't influence the power supply. That was good, since the large supplier where I used to live has obviously not been as diligent. Even with the damage from the last hurricane, problems still exist, and I can see where there will be many people without power on Monday night. With temperatures in the low teens some will find life very uncomfortable. After that, there's the possibility of more freezing rain later in the week. Regardless of the work force size, the line workers will be working in miserable conditions, and their efforts slowed by the cold. 

The is rare, and from what I've read, it weather will be extra cold for a large part of the country. I'm blessed, since it will be a short event. Others are already facing what is forecast for me, and have more days of this brutal cold.

The Paint Mare (Posted Again)

Politics, and the sorry crap abounding, is not good for healthy thoughts. Sooner, or later, you have to shift gears, think of how everyone has something unique about their life, and contemplate how good can still be found. 

I wrote the following years ago. Enjoy

                                                                ***

Lead gray skies hung over the small pasture lined with almost bare oak trees. The few brown leaves would be gone after the cold front that was soon to arrive.  

 Preston opened the door of the small barn and quickly stepped in to start his morning work of cleaning the stall and making sure it was ready for the approaching snow.

The small paint mare greeted him with a snort and pawed the ground as he opened the gates to let her into the pasture.

“Go run, girl. It won’t take me long and I’ll have you some feed when you get back.”

The mare trotted from the stall and was soon out running in the pasture that surrounded the small frame house. The pasture, enclosed by a wood fence, was surrounded by open land, which held the cattle of local ranchers that leased the land.

Preston gave up the cattle business a few years before. He’d made good money on the sale of his cattle, but realized his decision was the long wait for his eventual demise. Every day made the decision weigh more heavily. His life had become a memory and his only chore was to take care of the paint mare that was now running through the pasture.

As he worked, he remembered the day he bought her. It was at a livestock auction five years ago, when the mare was put up for auction before the cattle sale started. Poor, and with a limp, the bids started at fifty dollars. The slaughter buyers raised the bid to eighty dollars when Preston placed his own:

“I bid a hundred dollars.”

The auction was quiet for a few moments. The auctioneer made a half effort to raise the bid, but was unsuccessful.

“Sold for one hundred dollars to buyer number seven.”

Some of the buyers smirked; the others just shook their heads. Preston remembered the faces of the buyers, but he remembered the mare more. Scared, panicked and at the last crossroad, she was destined for the slaughter house, or salvation. Preston gave her salvation and still wondered what prompted him to make the decision.

He remembered when he brought her home. He’d placed her in the holding pen and slowly approached. Quietly shushing the mare and finally grabbing her halter, he petted her neck and finally looked at her teeth. She was only seven. Tying her to a gate post, he continued with his examination.

“Let’s have a look at that leg, girl.”

When he touched her leg, the mare raised her hoof, so Preston cradled her lower leg between his legs and started examining the bottom of her hoof.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” A broken bottle was stuck in her frog. Preston, now angry, wondered how this escaped the original owner. His anger soon turned to disgust. He’d seen many things during his life that shook his faith in people. This was one he placed at the top.

Preston walked to his barn, found his Kopertox, large pliers, and quickly returned to start his task of removing the glass.

“Steady girl. We don’t want a rodeo.”

Preston grabbed the glass and pulled hard. The mare never flinched.

“This should make it better.”

Preston placed a hefty dose of the Kopertox on the hoof and then examined the other three hoofs. Within a minute, he’d seen enough.

“I’ll trim your hooves tomorrow girl. You’ve had enough for today.”

Within days, he brought her to the vet to have her teeth floated, vaccinations and wormed. Over the next few months the mare put on weight, her shine returned and was soon running in the small pasture by the house. With the bottle removed from her hoof, she never limped again.

Preston wondered how she ended at the auction. He knew most of the sellers and buyers, but never found out who brought the mare he now called Petey. Her one black eye reminded him of the dog on the Little Rascals, so he didn’t care if the name didn’t match her gender.

Removing the last of the soiled shavings he placed new shavings in the stall, filled her water bowl and placed a scoop of feed in her food bowl. The sound of the food hitting the bowl brought the mare within seconds. As she ate, he watched and gently scratched her neck. All she needed was some hay.

“Good morning, Dad.”

Turning, Preston found his daughter, Janet, who appeared at the door. She was in for a visit, although they never seemed to last very long. She lived in New York City, was divorced and her daughter was in upstate New York at college.  

“I see you decided to finally get out of bed.”

“I’m not used to this early morning stuff. I work evenings and late into the night.”

Preston didn’t reply. He didn’t want to ruin the moment, although he never understood her decision to live in New York City and pursue acting as a career.

“You really like that horse.”

Preston thought about the comment and replied: “We’re the best of friends. I talk, she listens and we never argue.”

Janet let the comment pass. She knew the remark was a reaction to her relationship with her father. They had many disagreements, which led to her decision to move far away and pursue and acting career in New York after college. She never had an acting career, but she did become involved with the business end of Broadway. While her name was never in lights, she knew how much the lights cost and who to pay.

“Snow’s coming”

Preston only nodded. He was feeling the change in his joints and the pain was a constant reminder of his age.

“Do you need some help?”

Preston replied: “Her brush is in the cabinet. After I clean her hoofs, you can give her a good brushing.”

Janet retrieved the brush and watched as her father cleaned Petey’s feet. He was gentle and constantly comforted the horse as he worked.

“Our last performance was last week.”

Preston kept working and ignored the comment. He didn’t know what to say, although it seemed as though it was confirmation he would soon be alone again.

Preston asked: “When are you going back?”

“I need to talk to you about that.”

Preston felt a sadness he hadn’t felt since the last visit. Janet spent a week, had a telephone call and was gone. The “long” visit only lasted a week and it was two years until she returned.

“Things have changed, Dad.”

Preston didn’t respond and waited for Janet to continue.

“Broadway isn’t doing as well as it should.”

Preston nodded his head and looked at his daughter: “You’re good at your work. Only a fool wouldn’t keep you working, or hire you within a minute.”

Suddenly embarrassed, Janet realized her father hadn’t complimented her in years His words had pride and admiration, which he hadn’t shown in a long time.

Preston continued: “As much as I didn’t like your decisions, I never felt you’d be anything but the best at whatever you choose.”

Tears filled Janet’s eyes. She needed to continue, but found she couldn’t find the words.

“Be careful around her belly. She’s a little ticklish and she might jump.”

Janet started brushing the mare, while Preston went to the hay barn for more hay.

When he returned, he found Janet absentmindedly scratching the mare’s neck and staring across the pasture.

“Are you okay?”

“Not really.”

“Do you want to talk?”

Janet waited a few seconds before responding: “I’ve been thinking about a lot of things.”

Preston waited, while Janet gathered her thoughts.

“I used to feel sure about life. Every play was a new challenge and the future was bright.”

“So what’s changed?”

“Business isn’t good and my theater is really struggling. There’s rumors that if things aren’t better after the next production, the doors may close.”

Preston waited without speaking.

“I’ve even thought of coming home; if you would let me.”

Preston put his hand on her shoulder and replied: “Baby, you don’t have to ask to come home.”

Janet waited a moment, turned and found her father had tears in his eyes. She quickly hugged him and laid her head on his shoulder.

Preston was first to speak after a few long moments: “We need to hurry if we’re going to beat the weather.”

Continuing to brush Petey, Janet spoke: “I don’t know what I’d do if I came home.”

“You used to be pretty good with horses; a natural, as far as I was concerned.”

Janet replied: “I guess I was. I even had friends asking for my advice on training.”

“There you go; you can train horses.”

“It’s been a lot of years and I don’t know if I still can.”

“Well, you have Petey to help you. I doubt she’d mind having more attention. We could buy a few colts for a start”

“I don’t have that kind of money. It will cost a fortune to just move.”

Preston continued filling the hay bin for a few minutes before he replied: “I have the money and I’m willing to be partners with you, but with one condition.”

Janet waited for the “condition” she knew she couldn’t accept.”

“You have to keep the books and handle the hiring of helpers.”

Janet realized she was at a crossroad in her life. If she accepted the offer, she knew her life would change forever. New York City would become a memory; she would never return to Broadway.

A little fearful, Janet asked her father: “Can I think about this awhile?”

Preston laughed: “Of course you can, although I think I might have just found me a new business partner.”

Janet smiled, hugged his neck and replied: “Thanks, Dad.”

“You know we’d need more stalls.”

Preston smiled.

“That, and more pasture.”

“The leases come up in a month. I can change the boundaries.”

Janet placed the brush back in the cabinet and walked to the stall door.

“It’s snowing, Dad.”

“Sure enough, it is.”

“Should we close the stall door?”

“Nope; she’ll be fine until this evening.”

“C’mon old man, I’ll make you some breakfast.”

Preston smiled and memories flooded his thoughts. He remembered the summer before Janet’s last year in high school. She’d set up the barrels and was preparing for the 4-H rodeo. Knowing she was worrying too much, he’d made a bet he could beat her time – on her horse.

“That’s a sucker bet.” She replied “And you’re the sucker.”

She beat him, but only by a few seconds.

After the race, she’d commented: “Not bad for an old man.” After that “old man” became a term of endearment.

She won barrels at the rodeo. He remembered the moment and the pride he felt. Janet was on top of the world, until that winter, when her mother died from pneumonia. The loss left a gap between them that never seemed to close. At that time, neither could be consoled and neither could find a way to tell the other how they felt.

As he thought, Preston realized he was still feeling guilt. He just knew he could have done more, yet time made him realize there was nothing either could do.

Janet noticed the sadness on her father’s face.

“Are you okay, Dad?”

For a moment, Preston didn’t hear her. He was still wrapped in the past; and sadness.

“Just thinking of days gone by. They seem like yesterday.”

Suddenly apprehensive, Janet commented: “You know you can change your mind.”

Preston walked for a moment before he spoke: “I never felt I did enough. Your mother was so special, fought as hard as she could, but it wasn’t enough.”

Janet walked in silence, with the events of the past suddenly appearing once again.

“I felt as though I neglected her and took her for granted. She was always there for me and I realized when she needed me most, there was nothing I could do.”

Janet grabbed her father’s shoulder, turned him and said:” You never neglected her.”

Her eyes flooding with tears, she continued:”If anyone neglected Mom, it was me. She gave me so much, only asked little in return and was always there when I needed her.”

Not knowing what to say, Preston only hugged his daughter for a few moments.

Neither knew what to say, but they both had just admitted they felt guilty for something that was never their fault. Both realized the years of dealing with their own spare baggage had left neither with the ability to help each other.

Hooking her arm around her father’s, Janet led him towards the house.

“C’mon Dad; we have some business to discuss.”

“I thought you wanted to think about this.”

Janet smiled and replied: “I did.”

As they approached the house, the heavy flakes increased; graying the distant hills into obscurity. The wind was increasing and the storm would soon place drifts against the house. By morning, the brown trunks and branches of the trees would stand in stark contrast to the solid white of the snow covered fields and gray skies. Winter was arriving as the paint mare pranced through the falling snow.

They Don't Understand (And Don't Want To)

There's a huge disconnect between those in the nation's capitol, and the huge number of people that allow them to play games with their lives. Supposedly, the capitol is full of people diligently representing those that voted them into office, but reality shows they usually acquire office by promising those with money access to the money that flows like water from a well. The representatives are only exposed to those that can take the day off, buy an expensive plate of food at a fund raiser, and promote those that they feel will help them the most. Most soon forget they are supposed to represent everyone in their district, and after more than one term, lose touch completely with those that suffer the daily grind to survive. 

The Capitol doesn't understand the "common folk". Those that work there are far removed from the ordinary circumstances that make up the majority of American lives. They have armed security to protect them, many have limousine service to deliver them to their offices, and all are forever trying to find out how to increase their income from the public trough. Even the lowest civil service worker doesn't understand they have a job at the tolerance of someone that actually produces something. They only know to pay their dues, hope their union reps keep the raises coming, and eventually collect the pension the private sector doesn't have available.  

All in all, we are being controlled by people that don't understand. To make things worse, they don't want to, since any sign of working for those that elect them will lead to the big money leaving for greener pastures. You can't keep office, if you don't grease the palms of those that grease yours in return. Common folks only have enough to survive, and have little tolerance of those that are willing to sacrifice integrity for the opportunities offered by selling out your country. The constituents can only offer a vote, and that is so easily stolen with electronic manipulation. Why help them? We already control them.

I try to understand people, but have a hard time doing so, when they continue to ignore their contributions to the things that make their lives worse. Too much of the media pounds fiction into their thoughts, their sports teams allow the worse of criminals to represent their teams, their elected officials steal their votes, the social media they can't turn loose censors their thoughts, the entire mess is orchestrated by foreign powers, and those those that made billions on the suffering of millions. All this information is readily available, but too many turn their heads, when they feel inconvenienced. 

I Won't Watch

 The Super Bowl is this evening. I won't watch. Even if I was a big football fan, I still wouldn't watch. I have family members that will watch, and peruse their smartphones, with all the social media complaints about how the country is in dire straits, and never realize they are contributing to the downfall.