Getting Some Things Done

I've been putting it off for a week, but my car was reminding me the oil needs to be changed...so I did. My age tells me the cost is way too high. My observations tell me it's the same wherever you go. So it is, and I have around 7000 miles until I get bent over a barrel have it done again. I guess I could do it myself, but after the time I got a cramp in my leg under a car, couldn't get out from under it fast enough, and realized my shade tree methods are for younger folks, I'll probably not do that again.

The mower cut indicated the blades needed to be changed. As usual, the fine sand under the grass has sandblasted a substantial part of the blades. The difference in weight would have been a good reference for the damage, if the appearance was not known. 

I used my line trimmer to trim some grass around the pond I've neglected since right before my surgery. It took way longer than usual, but I did get to try some new string I bought, which has impressed me. Where the other brand was stout, the new string is just as stout and more durable. I bought it on Amazon, since the local hardware store didn't have the size I needed. They lost that part of my business, and in the real world, that doesn't make a difference.

The hurricane with the strange name is forecast to come ashore around Destin, Florida around sunset today. I feel for those that will have to deal with the aftermath, but know that area of the coast has substantially improved building codes to deal with winds and surge. The damage will happen, but will not be as substantial as in the past. Still, it's a hurricane, and even if someone only leaves for a day, they'll not have to endure the maddening howl, horizontal rain, high water, and fright. I'll say a prayer for those in its path. 

The madness of modern politics is in full swing. The mud slinging is constant, the outright lies deplorable, and the fact the hype will continue after the election doesn't help. I'd rather not watch, and sit on the porch with a cup of coffee instead. The cooler weather makes such things more pleasant, and the evenings are great for doing just about nothing.

I'm Guessing It Doesn't Have to Make Sense

I was reading a news report about a woman sentenced to death row, and a botched execution. Apparently, out of all the people that could administer the medication that stops the heart, they found a group that not only missed a vein, the did so twice. I have no comments. 

People are pushing Socialist candidates, while teachers don't teach about the politics of Adolph Hitler, the most reviled Socialist in history. Some might think this is a conspiracy. Others may say it's stupidity. I think it's both. 

Pollsters have turned their profession into something as respected as politicians, and used car salesmen. Still, the media slobbers as they publish the polls. It's a little sad to watch, but it's more saddening to think there are people that will publish the poll numbers, and there are also people that put the poll numbers on their social media. Pollsters are not experts anymore. They're grifters, and have destroyed their reputation.

Europe is turning into a third world conglomeration of countries with foreign invaders destroying their history. It's not what anyone would have expected twenty years ago, but it's now a reality. I doubt this would have happened if the citizens were armed. They're not, and even their own police forces are forcing the "immigration" with arrests and harassment. Even a comment on a website can leave those that disagree with the politics in prison. What happens next will more than likely be violent, and ugly. 

Locally, between the infrastructure decay, misuse of public funds, and outright dumbassery, taxes are being raised in some communities to keep the grift going, and protecting the retirements of all involved with the supposed public servitude. I'm glad I  moved from a city. All are cesspools and destined to fail.

The weather is nice today. It's forecast to be so for the next week. I'll enjoy what I can, and maybe do something more productive than sitting on the porch and drinking coffee.  

Summer Fading

On some years, we receive a strong cold front, which whisks away Summer, and leads to a morning where there is no doubt the crip, strong north wind heralded the start of Autumn. It's not looking like that will be the situation this year. The afternoon temperatures are still in the nineties, and the morning temperatures are in the low seventies, but they're creeping down. It appears Autumn will not arrive with a bang, but will slowly sneak in with some rain, cooler temperatures, heavy fog, and Winter will appear sometime in November with a cold front that will be surprise with a drastic drop in temperatures. We'll see, but I'll welcome some cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and the lack of the black flies we call "love bugs".

As Though This Just Started Happening

 Tamales are harder to find at many Mexican restaurants.  I've noticed that for a long time. I'm guessing without the cheap labor that was sent home, the cost, and effort, to mass produce tamales isn't something the restaurants want to absorb with the increasing cost of restaurant labor. It's a shame, but in Texas, there are locals that sell tamales by the dozen, and that's all they offer. They're not inexpensive (but what isn't these days?), but to those that know tamales, the cost for the good tamales is worth it. A half dozen, covered with cheese, salsa roja, and some finely chopped onions is what I consider a delicacy. 

Interesting Conversation With a Friend

 I have a friend who raises cattle. He's well aware of the market, how they're processed, and what most affects the price of beef. He told me the current high beef prices are due to a lack of cattle. Between the droughts, and wildfires, the number of cattle to be sold is substantially less, therefore the demand guarantees what is available will cost more. It's that simple, and to increase the supply is a long term event, since calves don't just pop out ready to butcher on demand. Of course, there is imported beef, but that beef requires assurance it meets USDA guidelines, and passes quarantine...if tariffs don't prevent there being any cost savings at the consumer level. 

Will beef supplies increase? Who knows. Range land has been decimated, many ranchers just don't have the money to keep trying, and their efforts will require years to build large herds for sale. We'll see, but the only thing I can do is to only buy what I can afford, and that is much less than in the past. I like beef, but not so much to spend too much of my income to have some.