It Will Require Some Work

Yesterday, after I awoke, my wife told me the microwave stopped working. A quick glance showed it had no power, since the clock was dark. My first though was to check the breaker. It was tripped, I reset it, and went to check the microwave. The clock was working. The light was working. The exhaust fan was working. I pushed the start button, and was rewarded with a low pop, and the clock went dark. 

I went back to check the breaker. It was thrown, so I reset it, and went back to survey the task now needing to be done. Examining the cabinet above the microwave showed some basic information on replacing the microwave. A little internet searching revealed how they're mounted above a stove, how much a new one would cost, and me thinking about the future. 

A new microwave that mounts above a range, and has an exhaust fan, isn't inexpensive, and considering the fact they don't last more than 10 years, I decided to remove the microwave, replace it with a range hood, and buy a microwave to place on the counter. Two things determined my decision: the cost of the new microwave, and the fact I didn't want to wrestle with the same problem in a few years, when I'll be older, weaker, and definitely have less patience, or strength. My wife agreed. 

So, we went and found a range hood, and a new smaller microwave for the counter. The range hood will probably last longer than we will, and the smaller microwave fits our use much better. We only thaw, or warm small items, and never cook anything large in a microwave. The range hood will move more air, which will be better than the low volume of the microwave/range hood soon to be in the trash. 

I'll soon tackle this task, and pray the duct work won't be challenging. That, and wrestling the heavy microwave from under the cabinet won't lead to smashed fingers, or dropping it on my foot. It shouldn't take too long, but I'm thinking there will be at least one trip for some hardware. 

Taking Down Some Trees

 A neighbor had a huge pine tree struck by lightning last Summer. Concerned by its proximity to power lines, he contacted the co-op, and they agreed it was something they needed to address. They arrived this morning to take down the tree. 

The crew knew what they were doing. Using a large rope, and a snatch block, the feller climbed the the adjacent tree (which was within the easement), attached a rope, used a truck to pull the tree from the power cables, and took it down first. The dead tree was next. Both are now down, and we don't have to wonder if we would lose power if the tree fell. 

The tree will be cut into manageable sections, and taken to a burn area. It's a neighbor thing. One neighbor will have his yard spared from rutting from a tractor, and the other neighbor will have a huge fire for an evening barbeque. I call it a win-win.

Some Honesty Would Help

Dishonesty is rampant. Politicians proclaim they want to help, and then make millions on inside trading, gifts from just about everyone that can bribe them, and do so for decades. To make things worse, so many of them are corrupt, their supposed ethics watchdogs ignore the corruption. 

Many of those taking public assistance do so by lying. To make things worse, they drive expensive vehicles, which can be found at Section 8 housing, and in grocery store parking lots, where they use ill-gotten money to buy groceries working people can't afford. 

People hire illegals, their churches assist in helping them to survive in the United States, and when those that enforce the law try to perform their job, people riot, assault the officers, and the local government helps in the insurrection by promoting the violence. 

Many in the media choose to fabricate stories, outright lie, and think their subversive activities should be protected because of their distorted opinion of the First Amendment. 

Those that count the votes may be the worse. Not only are illegal votes counted, and any efforts to audit the ballots are met with law suits to prevent access. This destroys the integrity demanded by our Constitutional Republic. 

The only solution to these problems can never be legislated, or demanded. Integrity is a form of self-discipline that only comes from those raised in an environment that demands a refusal too use deception to achieve gain. That environment has been polluted by those that use any method - including criminal activities - to achieve wealth and power. 

How this disregard for honesty can be changed is something that won't happen without a conscious effort by people to make the change. I don't have much faith this will happen. Too many are part of the grift, too many are apathetic, and the slide downhill accelerates.

Constitutional Mumbo Jumbo

 I read where Don Lemon was arrested. He's posturing about his actions were within his rights, and his supporters are jumping on the band wagon without jumper cables, or a spare tire. From what evidence I've seen, reporting your participation in a forced entry into a structure doesn't give you any special privilege. Nor does reporting participation in preventing free movement of people. How it's presented to a judge, and whether the judge is another thug in a robe, is to be seen. 

Things That Make Me Wonder

A licensed nurse, with an attitude, decided to help a woman that was disturbing ICE agents, pushed too much, and was thrown to the ground. Sir Galahad went to her rescue, pulled a gun, and was shot by agents that were not only keyed up, their instincts kicked in, when they realized he might shoot one of them, or another bystander. Some are understanding how dangerous the situation became, but some have severe inter-anal cranial impaction, and think the actions of the agents was an intolerable affront to law. It makes me wonder what goes through the minds of such people.

In California, people are foraging, and eating, toxic mushrooms. Such things happen, but it makes me wonder where these people were, when the constant warnings of such things always state there are deadly consequences when doing so. 

A strong winter storm swept through the United States over the last few days. With media help, people panicked, bought enough supplies to clear retail shelves, and forgot that even if they had bare pantries, nobody would starve in the short period of time before snow melted. A few days of extra supplies would have been sufficient, but some will be throwing away moldy bread, sour milk, stale pastries, and have enough toilet paper to last until the middle of Summer. Some will have enough Vienna sausage to last until the middle of the next decade. 

I wonder about people in general. Logic seems to escape way too many, and society is filled with those that are not only ignorant, they seem to relish their condition.