tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910260525551343002024-03-18T17:08:24.018-05:00Scratching to EscapeJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.comBlogger2745125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-34540102880010714192024-03-17T20:37:00.001-05:002024-03-17T20:37:33.044-05:00My Wife's Work<p> My wife is passionate about her quilts. That, and regardless of how impressive they are, she finds fault in every one she does. Still, I like to brag about them, so I'll brag about her current lap quilt she just finished. </p><p>The picture below is after she sews the 2 inch squares together on the board she uses for the layout. This one had 625 squares. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Lqe-7mbFBFG_N1GUP-f4NgcQXx1iENffRNlTeVx4fBRKvc2jS_Z2pMJXDTSuaQs7NCu85cI9fp5qVn1wNxLYzIhKQRoC9Tlmf9Vy3hgVcHfVKk_UvqoadeU9JEsAthleTEFUdeLqb3ikQE0YYh7PIhB7Glt1oiXFuGaqF9b_1HqhyB8nWCWEuSBVN5XD/s720/Resized_Resized_20240130_135356.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Lqe-7mbFBFG_N1GUP-f4NgcQXx1iENffRNlTeVx4fBRKvc2jS_Z2pMJXDTSuaQs7NCu85cI9fp5qVn1wNxLYzIhKQRoC9Tlmf9Vy3hgVcHfVKk_UvqoadeU9JEsAthleTEFUdeLqb3ikQE0YYh7PIhB7Glt1oiXFuGaqF9b_1HqhyB8nWCWEuSBVN5XD/w374-h320/Resized_Resized_20240130_135356.jpeg" width="374" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The finished product is below. After all the sewing of the backing and quilting, the edges were added to add to the final quilt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymyldzeNo5HnZmEV3dwaLN5dhKLiJJjEdWMlphIjUcKTBG3TFR-QjuTx4v2BfltP5ZY2CLwbZO5nbywOGQUCcCRIpQQASXBjw2o28djdbL_g0Xda5eHF_7dAwLcJMaMT6uSB1z_azBifjT8xTRsd0UEyGgnnSWDleqE1pZAP-jwOnK2WctpIpPRkvH5L1/s720/Resized_Resized_20240310_143700.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="575" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymyldzeNo5HnZmEV3dwaLN5dhKLiJJjEdWMlphIjUcKTBG3TFR-QjuTx4v2BfltP5ZY2CLwbZO5nbywOGQUCcCRIpQQASXBjw2o28djdbL_g0Xda5eHF_7dAwLcJMaMT6uSB1z_azBifjT8xTRsd0UEyGgnnSWDleqE1pZAP-jwOnK2WctpIpPRkvH5L1/w357-h328/Resized_Resized_20240310_143700.jpeg" width="357" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The finished quilt measures 46 inches by 46 inches. While it is a lap quilt, this one was placed on the wall to be treasured.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-84192635249868953552024-03-17T10:10:00.000-05:002024-03-17T10:10:05.817-05:00Thinking About My Ancestors<p>Like most people, there is little known about my ancestors. While I can find names from a few generations back, I know nothing about the people, except what few conversations I had with my father. Other than a few photos, documents, and postcards, there is nothing to fill the vast blank pages documenting their lives. I know this is normal for most people, but it's still tragic in my mind. I would like to know more, but there is no more to find. In a way, time has erased their time on this planet, and the rich experiences of their lives are gone forever.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-11034485738870246082024-03-14T15:52:00.001-05:002024-03-14T15:52:31.724-05:00Shuttling Them Around Doesn't Make Them Go Away<p>In my opinion, the illegal aliens are being shuttled around, and while draining municipal funds, the real problem isn't going away. They were promised many things, and some have taken advantage of the free stuff, but the truth is there isn't enough money to pay their way, and citizens that operate within the boundaries of regulations are pushed to the side. To make things worse, veterans are treated with less concern than illegal aliens that thumb their noses at our laws. </p><p>Shuttling them around won't make them go away. If I had to guess the near future outcome, the current administration will crack down on them before the Federal election to place feathers in their cap. Of course, this will involve more shuttling of the illegals, and to anyone with more sense than a garden vegetable, will appear as political sleight of hand. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-78310793618192357132024-03-12T16:21:00.000-05:002024-03-12T16:21:02.966-05:00Sounds and Scents of Spring<p>March usually brings the drastic changes of Spring. Bare trees sprout buds, flowers appear, winds from the Gulf bring a damp, cool breeze to our area, and the grass starts growing. The chances of a freeze are very low, and gardens are planted. </p><p>The air is full of the scent of fresh cut grass; enjoyed with the low drone of lawnmowers in the background. Migrating birds appear, and disappear. Clear days show brilliant greens against the deep blue sky, as the trees start to fill with new leaves. Evenings on the porch are enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee, pleasant conversation, a few mosquitoes, and the eventual chill of the night approaching. The night sky shows the Winter constellations will soon be gone, and in the early hours, the Spring constellations fill the eastern sky. </p><p>It's a grand time of year. I know it will soon be almost unbearably hot, but for now, I'll enjoy one of the best seasons of the year.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-2586707575021081552024-03-09T11:42:00.002-06:002024-03-09T11:42:31.536-06:00Separation of Powers?<p>The Constitution breaks down the powers of the government to help preserve the liberty envisioned by the founders. In theory, it's great, but in practice, all branches of the U.S. government are feckless. Congress is so full of idiots, there is no responsible legislation that protects the citizens. The Supreme Court is a cumbersome body with a few justices that wouldn't understand their task if it bit them on the leg. The President is a blithering imbecile, with an out of control administration. It is what it is, and the only real separation of powers is between the government and the citizens. The last time there was a big set-to for redress of grievances was a mess, and it's looking like that's the path that will be taken in the future. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-66844372155816968712024-03-07T06:26:00.002-06:002024-03-07T06:26:52.725-06:00Really Not Super<p> Another "Super Tuesday" has passed. The necessary hoopla announced the arrival; and the politicians basked in their glory. Meanwhile, in spite of all the hype, we go on with all the damage done to satisfy egos, acquire wealth, and to use power for control. My cynical mind tells me it's all the same thing all over again; and some people that need severe punishment will either have access to their avenue for crime, or fade away without punishment.</p><p>Bleh!</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-88542297848216633832024-03-05T18:55:00.001-06:002024-03-05T18:55:16.919-06:00Dry Line Thunderstorms<p>I was looking to the West this evening and spotted the top of a thunderstorm in the distance. Looking at the radar showed an isolated storm about 100 miles away. To the North, there were a few more about 200 miles away. The weather map shows a dry line, which to those that live in Tornado Alley it's the start of the sometimes severe thunderstorms that appear on the boundary between dry and moist air masses. Locally, we're not affected, but those in Central Texas can find an afternoon shattered by large hail, and maybe a tornado. That, and if it's dry, the lightning can spark grass fires in the areas that don't receive any rain. </p><p>Usually, the dry line storms are more prevalent in the northern plains during the Summer. But right now, they can appear all the way to the Mexican border during the right conditions. At night, they're spectacular to watch from a distance. Underneath one of those storms isn't so pleasant, unless you like being petrified by severe weather.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-86461658689499527312024-02-29T13:44:00.001-06:002024-02-29T13:44:29.845-06:00Their Comfortable Lives Explain Their Actions<p>High ranking elected, or public, officials live a life more comfortable than those that generate the taxes they consume and waste. They'll never muddy the water and jeopardize their positions by their own actions. It's the nature of humans and all experiments in government ever tried. The United States Constitution was written to control the damages of these people, but the slow degeneration of the laws demanded have eroded the authority to where it hardly exists.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-12350700551435357482024-02-26T04:52:00.002-06:002024-02-26T04:52:23.621-06:00Handwriting on the Wall<p>Nikki Haley has lost the backing of the Kochs. Otherwise, what has been an abysmal, long term waste of money is ending. Why they backed her is beyond me. She's all smoke and mirrors and a career politician that will do anything (including changing her name for political gain) for another chance to stand at a podium to try to convince people she's on their side. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-5116641694161671352024-02-25T13:34:00.001-06:002024-02-25T13:34:37.250-06:00First of Spring<p> I noticed some trees covered with some small clusters of red flowers interspersed with the trees in the local woods. I didn't know what they were, and had never really noticed them before. My niece told me they're maples, and they were native to the area. I'd seen redbuds, which are just now starting to bloom. They're the harbinger of Spring, and appear when the first of the buds appear on the oaks. If we don't receive another hard freeze, the woods will soon be full of the bright, early green leaves, which bring a sharp contrast to the azure skies that appear after a mild cold front. </p><p>Spring is arriving, and in this area, this is one of the most pleasant times of year. Early mornings bring temperatures in the low fifties, and afternoons are usually breezy days with temperatures in the mid-seventies. I'll enjoy the days and mentally prepare for the hot, humid days of Summer. They're not far away. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-10454540842156697852024-02-23T12:01:00.001-06:002024-02-23T12:01:36.465-06:00The Reality<p> In 2021, the 30 year fixed rate mortgage interest rate was 3.15% to those with good credit. Today, the fixed interest on a 30 year mortgage is 6.9%. Here is the difference for a $350,000 home:</p><p>3.15% interest loan - $191,468.47 total interest with a $1504.08 monthly note.</p><p>6.9% interest loan - $479,836.17 total interest with a $2305.10 monthly note. </p><p>That's the reality of the current difference facing home buyers just now being exposed to the home market. Even those that can afford the cost will hesitate before buying, and those in real estate may find their annual revenue will decrease dramatically this year. For those that are willing to finance, and are not beholding to large banking interests, offering a lower rate can yield a long term profit for their investment...as long as it all doesn't hit the fan.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-24705690240287239562024-02-20T12:17:00.002-06:002024-02-20T12:17:13.932-06:00I Doubt It Has Anything Do Do With Morals<p>I've read that some Democrats are voicing their disagreement with the actions of the judge that used his kangaroo court to cause Trump a financial burden. My opinion is they know the tide can turn, and revenge will be served. They have no morals and their only motivation is fear of reprisal. May their fears be realized and their punishments long lasting.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-43035045040929616102024-02-17T16:58:00.000-06:002024-02-17T16:58:02.204-06:00A Great Man Has Passed<p> <a href="https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/02/16/marine-corps-deadliest-sniper-charles-chuck-mawhinney-dies-at-75/"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chuck Mawhinney has passed.</span></a> Those that served with him, or read about his life, know a great man is now gone.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-8036765648900546432024-02-16T12:45:00.001-06:002024-02-16T12:45:20.334-06:00It's All In The Context<p>Texas, and I assume most states, have laws against elderly abuse. Basically, when an elderly person is exploited, or abused, whether physically, or mentally, there are criminal charges applied to the actions of the abuser. Otherwise, if you use an elderly purpose for power, or gain, such as presenting them as sound of mind when they aren't, and knowingly know your actions may not reflect their whims, it's illegal...unless they're President and you have the media helping with the criminal activities.</p><p>**spit**</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-48220998063565237722024-02-15T18:34:00.004-06:002024-02-15T18:34:29.642-06:00An Old Adage<p>Fani Willis, who is attempting to prosecute Donald Trump by methods beyond what is allowed by jurisprudence, has now been showed to have lied about her romantic relationship with a hired attorney. It's a fine example of the old adage "You don't screw the help" and at the rate she's going, she not only faces contempt charges, she might have her law license removed, which will end her legal career. Maybe she can learn to code.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-45249728134980279052024-02-10T22:00:00.003-06:002024-02-10T22:00:29.117-06:00Chuckleheads<p> We have too many chuckleheads. We have them sitting in the White House, Congress, all the agencies, teaching at all levels of education, pontificating on the alphabet networks, publishing periodicals, playing professional sports, in entertainment, sitting in judge benches....the list goes on. How that many people can be that stupid is beyond my comprehension, but when you consider how many have college degrees, good family backgrounds, never really had to work with their hands, and haven't a clue about what most people have to do to survive, it's makes more sense. The U.S. has been a land of plenty, and it appears too much plenty allows the formation of more chuckleheads.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-81472589073174730762024-02-10T18:35:00.004-06:002024-02-10T18:38:13.245-06:00Skills By Observing<p>I've never built stairs. In theory, I knew how the risers are cut, but never had to cut any. For porches, I'd buy the pre-cuts and make them work. However, my wife doesn't care for the 7 1/2 inch step height, which I understand. The less you have to step up, the more comfortable is walking up the steps. I'd seen risers cut, so I decided to build them myself.</p><p>The problem with pre-cuts is the standard height of the steps. To take care of my wife, I decided on a 6 inch tread height for some steps I added on the side of the porch. With our new dog, she wanted a small yard for him to be safe if we can't watch him. So placing new steps, adding some fence, and placing a small gate at the front steps will give him and area for outside, without worrying if he decides to chase the UPS truck. </p><p>I found a site on the web with a calculator for the steps. I knew the rise, and the run didn't matter, since that was a flexible distance. Placing my figures, seeing what was necessary, buying the materials and careful measuring with a framing square, soon yielded the risers. Placing two deck boards beside each other gave me the tread width I needed. The fence is started, and I hung the gate on the two 4 by 4's I concreted in the other day. </p><p>So, the steps are in, without the handrails. That's tomorrows task, if it doesn't rain. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind if it did. Not working like I once did revealed some muscles I forgot. A little Acetaminophen helps, but rest is probably best. I have some more post holes to dig for the fence, and that's not my favorite task.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-43111485076509213522024-02-06T09:19:00.005-06:002024-02-06T09:32:13.645-06:00What Won't Happen<p>As bizarre as it may seem, and with the backing of those that obfuscate for hire, we won't see a debate between Trump and Biden. To a society that is intuitive, focused on what's right, and suspicious of those that become politicians, it would be more than necessary to decide on who receives their vote. Politicians usually only promise what they can't deliver, and know their time in office will be short if they can't show they have the leadership skills to do what's right; even if it requires cutting the waste of government spending. </p><p>Biden is demented. Medically, that's "loss of cognitive functioning", and it's apparent. In a debate, the event would be a tragic, cruel event, showing the deceit of his acquiring the office of President of the United States. He didn't win the office legally, and regardless of his past, it's now obvious those so willing to sell their country out are using an old, feeble man to continue their criminal activities. While Biden should be punished for his past, his handlers should be punished for his present position. He isn't in charge, and those that are have spit on every U.S. citizen with impunity. </p><p>So, we won't see a debate, and the efforts of those that handle Biden will be a macabre show of deceit. They don't care of the damage they caused. Those at the top will hope to escape prosecution (and probably will), and those at the bottom will become collateral damage. May justice be swift for those involved, and may the United States return to the constitution directed country as designed.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-54324949117871688512024-02-04T12:09:00.001-06:002024-02-04T12:09:06.585-06:00It's Not What It Seems<p>Anyone paying attention realizes there are tons of medication commercials on television. They show how "helpful" they can be, the importance of discussing your possible need for the medication with your doctor, and the professional commercials are obviously expensive. I've been suspicious for years; especially after the illegal, and immoral, actions of big pharmacy were allowed by government officials during the Covid debacle. This <a href="https://revolver.news/2024/02/tucker-whistleblower-reveals-dark-real-reason-big-pharma-advertises-pills-on-tv-and-not-what-you-thought/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">article</span></a> gives insight into how the only best interests are the monetary gain, power, and continuation of both by those we are supposed to trust. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-5300621057102599272024-02-03T05:27:00.001-06:002024-02-03T05:27:30.618-06:00When the Bad Weather Isn't<p> During the year (especially when cold fronts threaten) we can get what I call "dicey" weather. When the storms are really bad, the thump when the first gust of wind hits the house, it leaves a few moments of panic. That, and when you can read a book by the lightning, or the rumble of thunder is like a twenty mile long string of loaded dump trucks passing by, there's no doubt the weather will be "dicey". The worst can bring power outages, and depending on how many trees fall on the lines, how long that lasts can be a crap shoot.</p><p>The weather folks (bless their hearts) predicted we had the possibility of some severe thunderstorms overnight. They weren't really really sure if they would reach our area (in fact they were betting they wouldn't) but wanted to keep the possibility open for their general CYA protocol requirements. This, to me, guarantees light sleeping, and a general feeling of anxiety. </p><p>So, with my radar link handy on my phone, I watched television until late, watched a line of really strong storms develop, and decided to go to bed, since it would be hours before the storms arrived. The storms looked like they were losing their punch, and maybe the weather folks were right. </p><p>I didn't sleep long. A low rumble of thunder woke me, and I knew I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. Within a few moments, I could hear heavy rain falling, which indicated to me the weather was about to get dicey. A quick glance at my phone showed a line of storms with heavy rain, and the white in the middle of the storms made it clear there was either very heavy rain, or some severe weather about to arrive. </p><p>I got up, fixed a cup of coffee, and went out on the porch. The heavy rain had stopped, and there was only an occasional bolt of lightning in the distance. Looking at the weather map, there was some severe weather about twenty miles to the south, and it was looking as though the line of storms in my area weren't severe, although we were about to get some really heavy rain. It soon arrived, passed in a few minutes and only left some steady rain. That was good, but according to the original forecast, there would be two rounds of storms, and the second would happen when the wind shift arrived. </p><p>Now, it's still raining, and the radar is showing round two will arrive sometime in the next few hours. It looks like it will be either bad, really heavy rain, or both. I won't know until arrives. Hopefully the severe stuff will stay away, but I'm not counting on it. I'll go make another cup of coffee, cook some sausage, and make breakfast. If the power goes out, at least I had a good breakfast. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-10065284158260266292024-02-01T22:34:00.002-06:002024-02-01T22:34:19.362-06:00The Point Where It Is Obvious<p>My years in construction supervision gave me the knowledge to immediately discern if an employee, or subcontractor, were competent. I had to know such things, or those I worked for would immediately know they made a mistake in hiring me, or allowing me to supervise a project beyond my capabilities. In the honest world, which only judges on skills, it determines who survives, or not, and in many situations, guarantees a critical structure is safe.</p><p>After thinking about the news I read daily, I realized the "experts" and "tenured professors" have reached the point they're so incompetent, they have no idea how incompetent they are. To make things worse, governments have hired what should be culls, and they are in positions that allow them to arbitrarily ignore all laws, or legal precedence. Meanwhile, a huge amount of the "journalists" turned out by these ivory towers of ignorance not only have no idea of their real purpose, they have no clue how their pandering, and repeating of the narratives now being ignored, made them useless. </p><p>So, here we are. Those that should be have the most knowledge, and wisdom, are showing daily they not only can't be trusted, their sacred halls of education are becoming as important the dew claws on dogs. The country is full of people with degrees and no education. It's a sad situation, and with the removal of important knowledge for critical responsibilities, we've reached the point where the blind are leading the blind.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-34408241657194683842024-01-27T14:58:00.002-06:002024-01-27T14:58:18.950-06:00What Are Your Experiences?<p>I've seen doctors, and I've seen nurse practitioners over the years. I have a guarded opinion about both. Some doctors are woefully uninformed of the nature of their patients, and some nurse practitioners don't seem to have a grasp of the responsibility of their autonomy. I can see why undesirable aspects of both happen, but can't see any cut and dried method to prevent conditions unfavorable to a patient. Reviews of either can be misleading during internet searches, and opinions of other patients may not have any bearing on your own condition. Both are limited by regulations, lack of quality time to spend with patients, and due to shortages, some culls shouldn't be in the medical profession. </p><p>Personally, I've been blessed with primary doctors. Whether it was by sheer luck, or careful consideration, isn't really important without a sure-fire method of determining their qualifications. All have taken time for my questions and concerns. That, and willing to send me to specialists for things such as skin cancer and internal medicine concerns. </p><p>I've had some bad experiences with nurse-practitioners. Their qualifications weren't the problem. The problem was their "jumping ship" where they were working, not leaving specific instructions for future doctor visits, and basically having me slip through the cracks. To the office personnel, I didn't exist, until I called to ask why prescription weren't refilled, or when my next appointment was scheduled. Even that led to some frustrating attempts to play the "listen to the following list" menu and finding the correct person to handle my problem. </p><p>I wish I had a good answer, but from my research, doctors have a tougher role to fill when it comes to accountability. Nurse practitioners will leave for multiple reasons, go to another doctor, or clinic, and their concern for patients seems to only be transitory. I can't fault them for wanting a better environment, or more money, but somewhere is a balance that demands more obligation to their patients. </p><p>I have no solutions, but I do have questions. My experience is mine alone, may be totally irrelevant to most other situations, and not reflect the experiences of anyone else. That's why I'm asking for other opinions. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-7510233944871974142024-01-25T04:48:00.002-06:002024-01-25T05:00:51.422-06:00Drainage and Ignorance<p> We've now had more than enough rain. It's as usual. The demand for rain usually leads to more than enough, and the drainage issues reappear. Some are easily solved, since they only involve removing some debris from drains, or digging a small swale to eliminate a low spot. Others can't be solved, unless you can accept the solution of bulldozing large areas of developed land that impedes drainage from areas that were developed later in unfavorable areas. It's part of development, and regardless of opinions, no taxing entity can bear the cost of building the needed drainage structures for a 100 year flood; if that's even possible. To make things worse, the cleaning of drainage structures, profiling of ditches, and other drainage maintenance requirements are never considered that important, until there is an unusual amount of rain. Even then, the taxing entities act surprised, look for a federal handout, and make promises they know they can't keep.</p><p>So, here we go again. The taxing entities will hope the water goes down soon, those that live in areas that have poor drainage will deal with water, the sun will shine again, and it will all be pushed onto the back burner...until we get another rain event. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>So, I went out to check the rain gauge. Last night, before I went to bed, it had about 2 inches of water. It overflowed, so we had over four inches of rain overnight. Weather folks say it's mostly over, which is good. It will take days for the water to recede in the worst of areas.</i></b></p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-76580974902988702812024-01-21T11:26:00.003-06:002024-01-21T11:26:29.846-06:00Extremes<p> According to the experts, we're still in a drought. "Abnormally dry" is the description, and looking at the local ponds, it's an accurate description. The feet of water lost during the long dry spell is still apparent, and only a few inches has been added over the last few month. That's supposed to change over the next few days. </p><p>We're forecast to have between four and ten inches of rain, with higher amounts in certain areas. With the ground finally reaching a point of near saturation, that much water will overwhelm outfalls. How much depends on how often the heaviest of rain falls. If there is sufficient time between the heaviest of showers, the runoff might have time to subside. If not, the water will inundate the surrounding areas and flooding will occur. Due to the timing, much of that may impact rush hour, and certain schools may find they need to close early to keep students from being stranded. </p><p>We'll see how this turns out, but it's necessary to make a Sunday trip to the grocery store. Too much rain will flood the road to my house, and it can take days for it to subside. That, and it's looking like we'll have rain for at least five days. Shopping in the rain sucks, and just going to the store is guaranteed to expose the most ignorant of drivers. </p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-391026052555134300.post-89975066637981135552024-01-16T19:33:00.002-06:002024-01-16T19:33:33.335-06:00Criminals May Think Twice<p>Most people don't like criminals. I'm the same, since I like my things, despise deceit, don't care for feeling threatened during my daily activities, and carrying a gun is uncomfortable. Criminals should probably stop and think about their actions. With law enforcement finding their hands increasingly tied, people finding their resources are more precious due to the economy, and the frustration of people in watching the courts let too many dangerous criminals go back on the street, even petty crime become more threatening. Capital punishment by citizens becomes more common, and the officers that have been watching the crap show become less willing to bother with those that make their job seem to have a point. That, and people that feel justice will not be served have memory problems, or are unwilling to wait for a criminal investigation to reach a dead end. </p><p>Criminals that only receive a severe beat-down may be the lucky ones. It won't take many bleeding-heart-do-gooders to shift criminal victims into embracing the creed of "dead men don't tell tales". Even if someone is turned loose, retribution will be more common and the witnesses increasingly harder to find. It's the way of anarchy. When the government doesn't allow peace, peace will be reached by other methods. Power will be achieved by brutal violence, and the small minority of law enforcement officials will not intervene if the sidewalk justice ends the career of criminals that they've arrested more times than they can remember. </p><p>Another thing: Regardless of how many illegals they allow in, many will want to return home where it's safer and the "crazy" gringos are not mad all the time. They came as criminals, they threaten the survival of citizens, and are unwelcome by the majority. They group together, but never realize they are outsiders and all are considered the same. Apathy soon fades for those that feel threatened, and even the most peaceful will find it's easier to ignore the plights of the invaders than to ignore their shrinking resources.</p>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.com2