tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4154117742124210722024-03-18T21:13:59.339-07:00The Gentleman PensionerAccounts and photos featuring <b>Goldilocks and The Silver Fox</b> as they journey through <b><i>Life</i></b>, the Colonies, and select parts of the Old World.Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-60694590781253414872016-10-22T14:13:00.002-07:002016-10-25T16:34:45.463-07:00A Matanza for Patricia<div class="hpadding" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; padding: 0px 10px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0StFH6ZRRJu1pcWOPQYSh7YKJn-2ELCXG77_pui1Ahvde_y0DNWpf9MmBVapf34g89DMNI8GXgp11w4YvGNekzEa7av00Up6r55q2y658PF9ep7g6QzGHNhvRhyLyJvchjpOKmqp23JY/s1600/Matanza01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0StFH6ZRRJu1pcWOPQYSh7YKJn-2ELCXG77_pui1Ahvde_y0DNWpf9MmBVapf34g89DMNI8GXgp11w4YvGNekzEa7av00Up6r55q2y658PF9ep7g6QzGHNhvRhyLyJvchjpOKmqp23JY/s200/Matanza01.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SR5Jfynfn2-ZcxSw8KQZelQZLwe0u5vbuFvsljSrDOCEIAm_UA8z-UkCRHyl2_wAX6yRgbX2U9jEQwhyMprQvgureQ5UX3GhTtxXcdTMly-QPLkn6-sLFEfQwFi5gx_0aQLNdE7DYzI/s1600/Matanza00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SR5Jfynfn2-ZcxSw8KQZelQZLwe0u5vbuFvsljSrDOCEIAm_UA8z-UkCRHyl2_wAX6yRgbX2U9jEQwhyMprQvgureQ5UX3GhTtxXcdTMly-QPLkn6-sLFEfQwFi5gx_0aQLNdE7DYzI/s320/Matanza00.JPG" width="320" /></a>"Hey, Bonnie! Ya gotta come to the Mantanza for Patricia tomorrow! It's out Isleta Blvd - bring Mike! He'll like it!" says Ron Paiz at Grandparents Day at St. Mary's School in Albuquerque.</div>
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Ron's daughter Patricia Paiz is running for Bernalillo County Commissioner (District 2) in the General Election coming up November 8th. Patricia is outside of our District in the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque - but, hey, we gotta find out what a Matanza is!</div>
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In this country there is no better place to find the preservation of the old Spanish ways than New Mexico, as this state is well known for having been isolated hundreds of years by vast rugged distances and warring Indians. In this case, the matanza was more of a political celebration event for Patricia - she also invited some of her fellow candidates on the ballot for Supreme Court (Nakamura), Secretary of State (Nora Espinosa), Judges.</div>
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So well preserved are the origins of the American West that even the 15th century "foundation" livestock scarcely available in other parts of the world thrive in New Mexico. You can still find descendants of the rugged, enduring, power house-in-a-small-package Spanish Barb horses, Churra sheep, and Corriente cattle. You can hear cowboy history in the old, spoken Spanish. Although these old vaqueros are increasingly hard to find, there remain a few smaller than average, more rugged than average Onate colony decendents who will speak to you in the 15th century Spanish of the conquistadores preserved through fifteen generations of oral tradition.</div>
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Happily, to this day, the romance of wide open western spaces lives on in New Mexico. The Spanish caballero, already sporting a legacy of proud horsemanship even before Columbus' arrival in North America, saw the first rodeos whenever young vaqueros had some free time, an opportunity to turn work into play, and to show off their skills.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIvOkQ4v-eFz66ZSWkEkxSc5lj-C1tnXpyz0jHbIHahV_lH2XBEShYuAnzzcY26jyA0WavTcWC38WrmmmyM8q0cj6jKilUHu71vCavg-Gv09CJdbtfXITqnQUVTyEQ4aa0h-bId5dgA8/s1600/Matanza09-cooking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIvOkQ4v-eFz66ZSWkEkxSc5lj-C1tnXpyz0jHbIHahV_lH2XBEShYuAnzzcY26jyA0WavTcWC38WrmmmyM8q0cj6jKilUHu71vCavg-Gv09CJdbtfXITqnQUVTyEQ4aa0h-bId5dgA8/s320/Matanza09-cooking.JPG" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cooking is part of the fun ... isn't it?</b></span></td></tr>
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During the time of these first rodeos standardized rules and point systems were developed to determine who would win the vaquero competitions. "Jueces de campo," or rodeo judges presided over the rodeos to settle ownership disputes and assure that stock were branded correctly. Generally the vaqueros tended the stock on the open range until it was time to sell, brand, or butcher the animals. Anyone of these events required a rounding up of the animals - "al rodear." This was called a rodeo.</div>
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The killing (butchering) of an animal which frequently accompanied a rodeo was called a "matanza." The first recorded references to a Rodeo in the official republic of the United States are made in old New Mexico family journals.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Garrett lassoes his Dad, Ron Jr.</b></span></td></tr>
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As matanza researcher Cynthia Martin explains “A traditional Matanza is a family and community-gathering event, with friends and neighbors helping in the labor-intensive job of processing a large pig, goat or sheep”.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0Xdo74sSmW7KOzPYGT0CYJhw7Ma3UB9qhp0FJp52hvUjOOu2r2JMSJC3YeGADUlODjIij2WkJbIJ9yvwz5hohwNTw4cylCvkE4k3VJ9VPEX7FtOxt_ertvRNS7o7wm1V_uvAYSceRcQ/s1600/Matanza04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0Xdo74sSmW7KOzPYGT0CYJhw7Ma3UB9qhp0FJp52hvUjOOu2r2JMSJC3YeGADUlODjIij2WkJbIJ9yvwz5hohwNTw4cylCvkE4k3VJ9VPEX7FtOxt_ertvRNS7o7wm1V_uvAYSceRcQ/s320/Matanza04.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So Bonnie and I had to help - see the photo, yes, we're cooking! ? .. Sorta ...</div>
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“Taking at least an entire day, the process goes from the slaughtering the animal and butchering the meat to cooking the various meat products and preparing what is left for distribution and storage. Of course all those helpers also need to be fed, so the women in the family plan and prepare large amounts of food for the event.”</div>
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Today some Matanza celebrations are coming back. They are more in the tradition of Home cooking, Family and friends in the 21st century.</div>
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A special thanks to Patricia's donors and to all who participated in this Matanza, which we now realize is an ancestral legacy, left from the espanos. Historically the celebration was done in the winter to prevent spoilage and so the tradition is carried on in the winter today too. But this one had to occur on a weekend prior to Nov 8th. Don't forget to vote!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1OmW6SxQm36ejM8ZmZe37AOgEZK3hdYjtiU_1fDr-5UwFFhzY6N67_jqKneWdk952H3BewJbXgF7somOeExAB9exLqfqXcKovp9iCWgCA2M7gzRvl0732cqbvhXfPLCG7U-34CecmOM/s1600/matanza11-BillReed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1OmW6SxQm36ejM8ZmZe37AOgEZK3hdYjtiU_1fDr-5UwFFhzY6N67_jqKneWdk952H3BewJbXgF7somOeExAB9exLqfqXcKovp9iCWgCA2M7gzRvl0732cqbvhXfPLCG7U-34CecmOM/s320/matanza11-BillReed.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bill Reed: photographer and spouse of the Candidate</b>!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YJvKzQz2m2jCEu1DHKO7xpKc-A_kpktOg23EBwp-RbxEicNYbMqxwqHF2Gj6gq93U6WA0Y3DKRxFgHdB9D8Bmw-m3kADWXsM_FqqRMLE07Pk610hbi7YY53YXG0BIrAwVhn4dEE7uUs/s1600/matanza13-RonBernadine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YJvKzQz2m2jCEu1DHKO7xpKc-A_kpktOg23EBwp-RbxEicNYbMqxwqHF2Gj6gq93U6WA0Y3DKRxFgHdB9D8Bmw-m3kADWXsM_FqqRMLE07Pk610hbi7YY53YXG0BIrAwVhn4dEE7uUs/s400/matanza13-RonBernadine.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ron Paiz Sr, Rafael Padilla, Bernadine Paiz - our hosts!</b></span></td></tr>
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Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-61317463998227736712016-10-11T14:17:00.000-07:002016-10-26T10:42:48.013-07:00Hirsch Cousins Reunion: Nebraska - Sept 2016<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
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What an absolutely fabulous reunion! Jim and Jan Webster, Patti Sue and Mike Gulley, Myrna and Ron Osborn, put so much into this, that I'm sure all the attendees will be talking about these great times for years!</div>
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A major portion of Reunions is memories, and so many new ones were created over 23-25 Sept 2016. A few of my favorites:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsfjMk-OVjfQ75OtiYGN-AntQZnv-OM5kdbzlbG-MY7qrhCJxkwCXzhV0OadEHov0lmVtKni0mP6lN9itp58qiSDxWHC0ATZIK3a3kG6F_1H-WrG-RjuKG6PJwReCj0euJZumARl0DHA/s1600/2016SeptHirschReunion-CountryClubTable-left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsfjMk-OVjfQ75OtiYGN-AntQZnv-OM5kdbzlbG-MY7qrhCJxkwCXzhV0OadEHov0lmVtKni0mP6lN9itp58qiSDxWHC0ATZIK3a3kG6F_1H-WrG-RjuKG6PJwReCj0euJZumARl0DHA/s320/2016SeptHirschReunion-CountryClubTable-left.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><b style="color: #000099; font-size: large;">Friday dinner</b><span style="color: #000099; font-size: medium;"> at the Albion Country Club, at the big rectangular table where Jim invited everyone to introduce themselves - that was quite interactive, and great fun! Bethyne Hirsch Noble of Albion, the granddaughter of Jacob Friedrich "Uncle Jake" Hirsch (b. 11-17-1881), was a great addition and brought more clippings, family genealogy trees, and memories.</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>The <b style="color: #000099; font-size: large;">Mystery Bus Tour</b><span style="color: #000099; font-size: medium;"> - dang, that was an adventure! and I was so impressed that even Aunt Pat hiked over to the old school house. What is more perfect than a cemetery in the rain. I enjoyed very mile on the Mystery Bus - </span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrjfAGJq3CD9__T956HNUsugzJWSD_L6ta2lQZOxyjMD5m0fl07bhZq6XzJ2eZyTK1FD2g0VWBFP4LSdaJhgwVzSLIF4xrp1Wh6q6dgl0rXWX-yRWBTCudZwQkIVPXoWUVFxw36PPqdk/s1600/2016SeptHirschReunion-BethPig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrjfAGJq3CD9__T956HNUsugzJWSD_L6ta2lQZOxyjMD5m0fl07bhZq6XzJ2eZyTK1FD2g0VWBFP4LSdaJhgwVzSLIF4xrp1Wh6q6dgl0rXWX-yRWBTCudZwQkIVPXoWUVFxw36PPqdk/s200/2016SeptHirschReunion-BethPig.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<li style="color: #000099; font-size: large;"><b>Harry Heinie Hirsch</b> - I had no idea he was even in the family, but Harry and his pet pig were a huge hit. Or should I say lightning strike # 4.</li>
</ul>
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<ul style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Tmyx5vyKEVFtmEz06NbHGPgJigm94mYpwvTEGCUDfeD1WdJqbo4_h2XIxKXZ17H-19aXgaM0JlATdJ-IY2i5VxmdDBP2rTuyAFsbrmUV57eH809BUTCvnHWb4kk91NRm6ZXazns-yY/s1600/2016SeptHirschReunion-CousinsAtMyrnas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-Tmyx5vyKEVFtmEz06NbHGPgJigm94mYpwvTEGCUDfeD1WdJqbo4_h2XIxKXZ17H-19aXgaM0JlATdJ-IY2i5VxmdDBP2rTuyAFsbrmUV57eH809BUTCvnHWb4kk91NRm6ZXazns-yY/s320/2016SeptHirschReunion-CousinsAtMyrnas.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li style="color: #000099; font-size: large;"><b>Myrna and Ron Osborn's Sunday BarBQue</b> - here we also saw Judy Dorau, who was going to be there no matter what! And a group photo of 'blood cousins' with Aunt Pat featuring Ron Osborn's 1948 International, complete with corn dispenser!</li>
</ul>
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<li><b style="color: #000099; font-size: large;">Name Tags</b><span style="color: #000099; font-size: medium;"> - thanks for doing this! By Sunday I was the only one still loyally wearing my name tag!</span></li>
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<div style="color: #000099; font-size: large;">
This reunion of the Hirsch Cousins (and Harry and Pork Chop) was an absolutely delightful experience. Please contact any of the attendees for additional photos and information.</div>
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<i>here is bit of the bio of Harold Heinrich (aka "Harry Heinie") Hirsch - for more details, contact Patti Sue:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpephEPjCUV5XOSGx4gcnGfdQ0kQMPQ-X7iiQDiSdXEkKuthprdCTdRgB6-8G8UXV4e1Cg3XakMt3WVT_XSFM-_j5kgwxnPiDkfWqPTU6lRIwbrt6_-XQgJhB_T3k0xYdkHzqUerCSZSs/s1600/2016SeptHirschReunion-HarryHeinie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpephEPjCUV5XOSGx4gcnGfdQ0kQMPQ-X7iiQDiSdXEkKuthprdCTdRgB6-8G8UXV4e1Cg3XakMt3WVT_XSFM-_j5kgwxnPiDkfWqPTU6lRIwbrt6_-XQgJhB_T3k0xYdkHzqUerCSZSs/s320/2016SeptHirschReunion-HarryHeinie.jpg" width="312" /></a><span style="color: #000099; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry was born in 1945 in Germany and first struck by lightning when
he was 8 yrs. old. He lost his hearing
and was sent to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Internat für taube Kinder (</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;">a boarding school for deaf children). A year later he was struck again while
playing on the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Klettergerüst</i> (</span><span style="font-size: medium;">Monkey Bars) at the school.
He regained his hearing and was returned to his home. The following summer
he was struck a 3</span><sup style="font-size: large;">rd</sup><span style="font-size: medium;"> time while crossing an open field. His parents were very concerned for his
safety and for his mental state. He was
becoming increasingly nervous and anxious.
When ever storm clouds appeared he would barricade himself in the root
cellar. They decided to send him to the
United States to live with Jake Hirsch in Boone County NE. He adjusted to life on the Hirsch farm and
was very happy and a hard working boy.
His hearing was not good and his ears had a constant ringing and
buzzing. That is probably why he did not hear an approaching storm one year after his arrival in Nebraska. He was sitting on a stool out by the horse
tank and focused on whittling a toy fiddle.
The bolt that struck this time threw him across the tank and into the
cow pasture. He jumped up and began
running down the county road. He <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>didn’t stop running until he reached Beaver Creek, which was
flooding out of its banks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #000099; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #000099;"> </span>After several happy years Harry one day strayed away from
the cabin while searching for one of his porkers that was missing. Too late he
noticed the gathering storm and high tailed back to the cabin as fast as he
could go. Unfortunately, he was struck by lightening again, however; this time it
brought back his memory. On a clear day
he returned to the Hirsch farm to tell them where he had been the past 3 years.
They wanted him to move back to the farm but he felt compelled to dig a bigger
and better subterranean dwelling about half way between the Hirsch farm and the
McSwine cabin. This new home was called
“Harry’s Porker Palace,” and at the Porker Palace only the pigs live a<span style="color: #000099;">bove
ground.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAljARu_QfDkIvQ6XOHUuyrgBxGpsK7XCTN0etTRGp1Necny5OpDnjV989LNaj5t6RB5hFiIV7iC4JB8w09cL-4J0NvMCo3c87v-hrGYfSoV_pxOFMzDvls5P43SL6kCvGnk65IMqflpU/s1600/2016SeptHirschReunion-BankSignBonnie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAljARu_QfDkIvQ6XOHUuyrgBxGpsK7XCTN0etTRGp1Necny5OpDnjV989LNaj5t6RB5hFiIV7iC4JB8w09cL-4J0NvMCo3c87v-hrGYfSoV_pxOFMzDvls5P43SL6kCvGnk65IMqflpU/s320/2016SeptHirschReunion-BankSignBonnie.jpg" width="320" /></a> <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Harry carries a jug of Kickapoo
Joy Juice with him at all times. And, he takes his pet pig “Pork Chop” with him
wherever he goes. He thinks Pork Chop is a good luck charm that prevents
lightning strikes. However it is a known scientific fact that when you have 6
contact points with the ground you are grounded and will not be struck by
lightning. Harry plus Pork Chop, connected by the leash, equals six contact
points. Voila!</span></div>
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Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-45964001976813603722016-08-06T13:17:00.000-07:002016-08-06T13:43:39.223-07:00An Evening with Fred Harvey<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When circumstances forced Rob and Susie Easterling to relinquish their tickets, Bonnie and I were able to partake of "An Evening with Fred Harvey" in Las Vegas, NM on Friday, 5 pm on 5 August 2016. It began with a self-guided tour of the once fabulous <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CastanedaHotel/">Castaneda</a> Hotel with each room highlighted by Harvey Girls in full costume. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YCgeAzCQOLLYKSFO0OsEnjJkFH7B5RJdyqlrjGho35fQ47AqVU9OzA4WtoYQqDiQM-xtaNIyziEUpKpM_YA_t9y6x2fc6tY58mPzxV9z2CbPQFd1OOCKyla0MDL3rDuI7PIo_Sb9YQs/s1600/IMG_1424+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YCgeAzCQOLLYKSFO0OsEnjJkFH7B5RJdyqlrjGho35fQ47AqVU9OzA4WtoYQqDiQM-xtaNIyziEUpKpM_YA_t9y6x2fc6tY58mPzxV9z2CbPQFd1OOCKyla0MDL3rDuI7PIo_Sb9YQs/s640/IMG_1424+-+Copy.JPG" width="480" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bonnie and the dapper Fred Harvey (or a replica thereof, since Fred passed from this world in 1901)</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9L9UUZCYg7ZTzS_srYR4F7rP6Dlsb2LuC-qPOecinB9VogaGxEU1kfidCj5q1VUneDok89GjZQLTZLrbNwKtAoJ8_nbUqdLHxiK8Y2jyVinsQec-lxZrU5bgTfVgxQ92b-jInuVA5E8/s1600/IMG_1433+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9L9UUZCYg7ZTzS_srYR4F7rP6Dlsb2LuC-qPOecinB9VogaGxEU1kfidCj5q1VUneDok89GjZQLTZLrbNwKtAoJ8_nbUqdLHxiK8Y2jyVinsQec-lxZrU5bgTfVgxQ92b-jInuVA5E8/s640/IMG_1433+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A Harvey Girl outlines the kitchen techniques </b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bakery of the Castaneda would provide fresh baked goods (delivered by train, of course - sometimes in refrigerated cars). The kitchen of the Castaneda would receive the orders for lunch by telegram by passengers on the train, and have them ready to serve by the time the train reached the station.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once we completed the tour of the Castaneda, we headed over to the other end of Allan Affeldt's bookends in Las Vegas: the Plaza Hotel where we enjoyed artichoke heart dip and duck quesadillas while we listened to a presentation by Dr. Nick Gerlich of West Texas A&M University, based on the book "<i>Appetite for America</i>" by Stephen Fried. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prof.Gerlich taught us two new words: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraeth">hiraeth</a> (Welsh: yearning to go back to a place or time you once experienced; similar to nostalgia); and <a href="http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/post/105778238455/anemoia-n-nostalgia-for-a-time-youve-never">anemoia</a> (yearning to go back to a place that you never actually experienced). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why can't the restoration of the Castaneda proceed? Turns out that all the finance pieces, including the elusive tax credits, must be in place before work can commence. Here's a recent response from the Executive Director of the New Mexico Tax Credit Authority:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you for letter regarding the Castaneda Hotel. We fully understand your excitement for the project and have great regard for Mr. Affeldt and his experience with historic hotels.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The New Mexico Finance Authority operates a company called Finance New Mexico, which is <u>one of many</u> federal New Markets Tax Credit providers in the nation. Our program utilizes established criteria to rank applications seeking financing. To date, the applications filed on behalf of the Castaneda/Plaza Hotels have not reached the required points necessary to move on. Given the way our program operates and the way in which Mr. Affeldt is developing these projects, it’s possible that there may not be a fit. However, it’s possible that the project can move forward with another NMTC provider. The New Mexico Finance Authority expects to open another round of applications in September and all projects located in qualified, rural communities are encouraged to apply.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you again for your letter.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-47137755980510189132015-12-25T02:53:00.000-08:002015-12-25T02:53:11.289-08:00Goalball TournamentGoalball is a recognized sport, and has a good write-up in Wikipedia.org.<br />
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We traveled to Tucson to see our granddaughter in the goalball tournament.<br />
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Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-44875695196356905812015-12-25T01:58:00.004-08:002015-12-26T08:10:10.543-08:00Success! Standing Rib Roast for Christmas Eve Dinner<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">First time ever:</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bonnie is going to cook a Standing Rib Roast
for Christmas Eve Dinner.</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We go to Whole
Foods on brother-in-law Dick Blide’s advice, and order two weeks before pick-up
date, 23 Dec.</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">On that day, I go to pick
up roast, and guess what?</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">They can’t
find our order!</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So the kid grabs another
one out of the display counter and chops it down to 12.25 lbs.</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And this comes with no rub, but with Whole
Foods sticker shock:</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">$171 price
tag.</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">My Christmas Spirit is going fast.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Around 10 am on Christmas Eve morning, we start
to work on the roast, which we want to serve for 4 pm. OK, now Bonnie's concerned, because she was
serrating the fat and cut two of the six strings that were binding the roast -
and you cook the roast with the strings on, yes? Amazingly, Bonnie finds similar string in a kitchen drawer and splices the cut strings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time to go to the
phones. We contact my USNA ’63 classmate
in Florida, Steve Coester. Steve is the
expert, and comes back with detailed instructions: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Take roast out
of fridge two to four hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 450. Cook twenty
minutes and reduce heat to 325. Cook another two or so hours. Use a meat
thermometer and don't believe this 140 crap. If you like it pink, remove at
110-120. It will continue to cook after removal. Let sit twenty minutes before
carving. There's a zillion different ways to spice/coat the roast. This year
I'm just using salt, pepper and mashed garlic.</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For your
altitude [5600 ft], all I could find is it will take longer. Trust
the thermometer!!!!!!!!!!!!! Total time at sea level should be 2 1/4 to 2
3/4 hours for your size roast plus additional time for altitude. I'd
start checking the internal temperature at about two hours. Also don't keep
opening the oven door to check how pretty it looks. You'd just lose the heat.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">In my
fifty years of cooking these things I've found out it is pretty hard to screw
one up. One year I used bay leaves on it and my son in law Bodie (now deceased)
ate one and had a terrible allergic reaction. No bay leaves since!</span></span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our kid at the butcher
shop said to cook it for approx. 6 hours! Big difference from Steve, who
is saying in the range of 2 1/2 hours. OK, we'll look at the thermometer
- Bonnie has one old one that is of type 'stick in the roast' thermometer, but
unfortunately she doesn't trust it - I don't know why. She also has a
candy thermometer that you apparently wave at the roast. And she has one
of her kid's thermometer that may be a rectal one. Don't go there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Trust the temp, Steve
says. But why is the 140 degrees crap? 110 to 120 degrees is OK, so
we'll start with that. I understand that a roast will keep cooking for awhile
after removal from the oven, but ... is 140 just too much? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And: do you cook
it bone side down? Bonnie thinks yes.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Since Bonnie doesn’t trust
her meat thermometer, we take up Dick Blide on his offer to loan us his fancy
wire thermometer – but his daughter Leslie used it last year, and he doesn’t
know how to operate it. Neither do we,
and it lists no brand name. It consists of a probe and an LED monitor connected by about 36" of uncoated wire. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">What? </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">We search the Internet and come up with a
similar model by Taylor.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our first challenge is
to convert the screen from degrees Centigrade to degrees Fahrenheit, as we don’t
want to be doing conversions throughout the process. The users guide on-line says “press the Menu
button” but we have no menu button.
Finally, Bonnie thinks to turn the thing over and on the back we find a
tiny button that turns out to be labeled C˚ - F˚. I try to move the button from left to right. That don't work. Bonnie pushes it and ... it works!
But what about this wire? On-line
we find some reassurance: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #212121; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q: “Just got a new meat thermometer and have a
question. It has a coated wire from the probe to the thermostat. Can I leave
the probe in the meat and close the door on the wire or do I have to just spot
check the meat. The thermostat has an alarm and can be set to go off at a certain
temp. I've always used the old fashioned analog thermometers, so not sure if
the wire will burn.</span>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #212121; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Answer: “You
can close the door on it, they're made to work that way. The wire is tough.
Close the door on it, tie it in knots, run over it with the family car.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I finally figured mine out,
after having it for three years in the drawer, and they're wonderful! Meet your
new best friend.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now we’re in
business. Bonnie adds a rub of salt, pepper, garlic salt, and places roast in oven at
noon, at the higher temp of 450˚ F. After
about 20 minutes, she drops temp to 350˚ F.
It’s entertaining to see the temp rise on the monitor on our thermometer
– we don’t have to peer into the oven, we just read this easy LED screen! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The LED screen reads 98</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">˚</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">, then
106</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">˚</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">, still rising. At two hours, it reaches 130˚ F. We take it out to consider where we are, but Bonnie says don’t
cut into it, we don’t want the juices to escape. It looks not bad, but Bonnie decides another
30 minutes is good for her family, which is not into rare meat. Back in it goes and the temp climbs on the monitor
quickly again. After about 30 minutes,
the monitor is at 139˚ F and we take it out, let it sit for 30 minutes and declare
victory. Bonnie works on making au jus. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Family arrive and are hungry; I start carving at 4
pm, eschewing the electric carving knife in favor of just a good sharp manual
knife. Oh boy, the end cut slices off
nicely, and looks great! I keep slicing,
and adding the slices to Bonnie's large serving platter. Beautiful! Goes from well done
end cut to medium rare in the middle cuts. </span></span></span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Plus we get a couple of ribs. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bonnie has produced mashed potatoes, </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">broccoli</span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">, salad. Everyone raves! Great dinner! We have a new
talent! And Dick Blide says, "Keep the meat thermometer. I'll know where it is if I ever need it." Hurray for Christmas! </span></span></div>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Summary: At Albuquerque altitude, after the 20 minutes at 450, go to 350 degrees and maintain until about 140 to 145 on the temp gauge.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-4192149506968165402015-04-14T06:28:00.003-07:002015-04-14T06:28:54.415-07:00Fashion and Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; line-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">Job's Daughters International is an organization of young women with members in the United States, Canada, Australia, the Philippines and Brazil. Charlene's mother is a Past Honored Queen and was instrumental in starting Bethel 2 in Albuquerque. The Bethel is open to young ladies from age 10 to 20.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">One of the activities of Jobs Daughters is Fund Raisers, and on Saturday 11 April 2015, the group teamed with Chico's and Silk Road Connection to do just that. "Spring Into Fashion" featured six girls and one mother as the corps of models, and Bonnie and I learned quite a bit about Spring Fashions for 2015, and how to accessorize them. Buddha bags are in!</span></span></div>
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Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-83403726840615865872013-10-29T06:36:00.001-07:002013-10-29T07:34:02.242-07:0050 Years Out and Sailing Home<b>Goldilocks and the Silver Fox</b> headed for <b>Annapolis, Maryland</b> (is there any other?) in late October, and once again I received two validations: 1) USNA Classmates are close forever, and 2) Bonnie is a trooper and a great partner in <i>Life, 4th Quarter</i>.<br />
Non-stop flight ABQ-BWI on Tuesday brought us to the Country Inn and Suites that evening. After unpacking, we headed out in the dark to parts unknown, and neon lights drew us in to <b>Buddy's Crabs and Ribs</b>, a second story seafood place in downtown Annapolis that had ribs for the non-seafood Bonnie - and yes, it was named for his best friend Buddy.<br />
Wednesday was ours to spend as we wished, heading toward dinner that night with brother Pete and friend Little Bear at <b>The Chart House </b>in Alexandria. I thought it best to locate the Chart House first, in the harsh light of morning. We headed for Alexandria, unfortunately I programmed in One Commerce Street when Chart House is at One Cameron Street - so we undertook a nice walking tour of Old Town Alexandria. On our return long walk to One Commerce Street, we stopped at <b>La Madeleine's</b>, one of a chain started in Texas by a Frenchman who befriended either Neimann or Marcus. Set up as a French Bistro, once you figure out the routine it is a great place! I had a bowl of hot soup, and we split a hot pasta and turkey sandwich plus a tart or two, relaxed and used the facilities.<br />
Back in our rented Toyota Camry, we headed for Pete's Place, which is at the far end of the Metro, Yellow Line - but we had to call him to find out that although you can walk to it from his condo, to drive to it takes a little more doing: more on Huntington than South 1st. Very nice Metro folks helped re-familiarize me with buying two passes, $8.45 each, for round-trip to WWII memorial on the Mall near Smithsonian stop.<br />
Switched to Blue Line at L'Enfant Plaza, and got off at Smithsonian, to realize just how big the Mall is - so how did they close this place to the Vets? Long walk to WW II, and the volunteers at the Info booth confirmed that there are no shuttle buses for the Mall area. We started walking to the Martin Luther King memorial to catch a cab, but ended up back on the Metro, near the Dept of Agriculture (nice display of real corn and squash growing outside! Farmer's Market every Friday morning!). <br />
Meanwhile, Pete had asked to move up our dinner date from 6 pm to 5 pm - but hey, it was only 4 pm now, so why not stop by <b>Arlington Cemetery</b> and visit my parents' graves? Not a well-thought out plan ... turns out Arlington is closed to vehicles now, and Section 23, Bonnie finds out, means it is ~23 miles from the entry point. Turns out the Paris Boots Bonnie has been wearing for this day are not great after all for long walks - we had already walked all over Old Town Alexandria, the Mall, and now Arlington ... Bonnie had to take her socks off, then her boots, and traipsed barefoot across soldiers and sailors all the way to Section 23. Even worse, I had not asked for a map of where <i>Blackledge, Allan D</i> was buried because, of course, I should be able to find it again, right? Wrong! Bonnie actually was a tad upset that I had pushed her on this Death March to Section 23, and had no idea where the marker was. If I had a smart phone ... I could have called up this photo by David McInturrf on <a href="http://findagrave.com/">FindAGrave.com</a> - see the marker for Dorothy in the background? Allan is on the obverse! And just 3 rows back from Sigbees Road! See the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maine_(ACR-1)">Maine Mast</a> peeking through the tree? See the dang tree? Easy to find! However, at least we had a fun Korean family accompany us out, and (even though Bonnie hid in a large bunch of kids) re-found us on the way back.<br />
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I had to call Pete to tell him we were wandering through Section 23, it was already 5 pm, and we were an hour out from Chart House. However, wandering back to the entry and towards the Metro, and ducking Koreans, I had the thought, why not take a cab? But then we had to walk from the last cab in the line up to the first - it's protocol - to get our cab. The cabbie was living the real American dream, old school - he was from Ghana and had three sons, two daughters, was helping his younger daughter with her homework, this was the second of two jobs, and he showed us the text book he was studying in the cab for his next test as a bus mechanic. Wow! And Pete and Little Bear were surprised that we made it by 5:30 pm! Pete even bought dinner for us! Great day!<br />
Oh yeah, the Reunion? See next Blog!<br />
- Silver FoxMike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-10347032162975332122012-04-08T08:54:00.001-07:002012-04-08T09:13:43.101-07:00Easter at Bonnie's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC2tXwNahyphenhyphen_HYmDw8u0Vt3LHwXUc3qU41-5scsi8DOWZ4oSoyrJz-kJzd9h0A9B2UJIfNuvFIO_ySztTZmJTyqlwR1r6_50SGAYbXAbmusXoJDvRPTsC2cWt1Rn4z-mhPapYyI8u1b_8/s1600/SnowyWisteria3Apr12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC2tXwNahyphenhyphen_HYmDw8u0Vt3LHwXUc3qU41-5scsi8DOWZ4oSoyrJz-kJzd9h0A9B2UJIfNuvFIO_ySztTZmJTyqlwR1r6_50SGAYbXAbmusXoJDvRPTsC2cWt1Rn4z-mhPapYyI8u1b_8/s640/SnowyWisteria3Apr12.JPG" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDhE7jFwURVhYJKAkaRNYtV2yMQA074QVMJ-GHi_Y64S2KDtvYbFWUoHy_N85WCnZN4Icmdq_g-01sjTwE-E1Gx9sMeM8SkHIuYjyczU7S-9EgYNeUsCSspn9mCakpmwQ8901N7f1Xkc/s1600/WisteriaPostSnow7Apr12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDhE7jFwURVhYJKAkaRNYtV2yMQA074QVMJ-GHi_Y64S2KDtvYbFWUoHy_N85WCnZN4Icmdq_g-01sjTwE-E1Gx9sMeM8SkHIuYjyczU7S-9EgYNeUsCSspn9mCakpmwQ8901N7f1Xkc/s640/WisteriaPostSnow7Apr12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4fi08pTI1uACCXqDdTWsS-6LjBgGaWqc32XUxCG08BYzk5MD2JoM4HRHC1LSld1W2HFJlZQk6uJFNyqaIaYBSjvkqGp5kg6O6MxPFpDQV9Pe543VOTzsSCFMU1hQ0fm0cm6W6dCoX6I/s1600/EasterVisitors7Apr12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4fi08pTI1uACCXqDdTWsS-6LjBgGaWqc32XUxCG08BYzk5MD2JoM4HRHC1LSld1W2HFJlZQk6uJFNyqaIaYBSjvkqGp5kg6O6MxPFpDQV9Pe543VOTzsSCFMU1hQ0fm0cm6W6dCoX6I/s400/EasterVisitors7Apr12.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRY0h3TXhJGkfW4PAZMBUEaDLWwAmQvZIyZDFfS_Ug_A9lScjAYL86JiIPp4_j6rPQK7G2jcxXzSFQKpHSxL4I4RFtsC3VOrEJtphlVGfyTLDtXLU4nl8vtoNaTn3GY-e4i4BxM_V5Bg/s1600/EasterDinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRY0h3TXhJGkfW4PAZMBUEaDLWwAmQvZIyZDFfS_Ug_A9lScjAYL86JiIPp4_j6rPQK7G2jcxXzSFQKpHSxL4I4RFtsC3VOrEJtphlVGfyTLDtXLU4nl8vtoNaTn3GY-e4i4BxM_V5Bg/s400/EasterDinner.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogfSJU5k8Vxyud8bMHrIRuSkhfz1_UlHDd-Fu5-KsHeKr2XLWunFZfBrM-aUqpatNVjuj9jeykCL8_Bko5Yxt-ezS5VgSbzKqwBLY7ENDlKeOegs0JAbsn7FHZsoj1qK9PInF4zB0zOI/s1600/EasterTable1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogfSJU5k8Vxyud8bMHrIRuSkhfz1_UlHDd-Fu5-KsHeKr2XLWunFZfBrM-aUqpatNVjuj9jeykCL8_Bko5Yxt-ezS5VgSbzKqwBLY7ENDlKeOegs0JAbsn7FHZsoj1qK9PInF4zB0zOI/s200/EasterTable1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOU1X0LCgocMul7IIhUTxpTnNPJ4rovJe6HrztDAeMSKP5xiXes3VKQwqsC6Xp1gNEMbLwumtkCCv9uIyYJpCKDXMymch3OW8zRgBCpTUjH9e5yKH8kFYRteeGNfpXUQfkjHXHjnn0VY/s1600/EasterOrchids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOU1X0LCgocMul7IIhUTxpTnNPJ4rovJe6HrztDAeMSKP5xiXes3VKQwqsC6Xp1gNEMbLwumtkCCv9uIyYJpCKDXMymch3OW8zRgBCpTUjH9e5yKH8kFYRteeGNfpXUQfkjHXHjnn0VY/s200/EasterOrchids.JPG" width="185" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can a snow storm disrupt Easter festivities? No, snow comes a few days early, then the visitors, and the table is ready for all. </span>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-8952982075565235702012-04-03T11:45:00.024-07:002012-04-03T12:47:21.293-07:00Florida Escapades<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Bonnie and Mike’s 2012 trip to Florida</b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lonely Bachelor On The Beach with Loyal Dog Tyson: Patrick AFB, FL</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCANu7ggsNffjiGEdzyZvtfQeIWxV1FrnAUj33AJsmu5KI9Hd5fUeuE7ZLeFIPFZVJTk5t_G4AbE_CMnDK7Sg6apzZZZ_UOBIxMjXspUTEWS0lBG9_Bp6WXbWAtq9TeJ0cVqNClSehzDA/s1600/2012Naples-DebBarbBob40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCANu7ggsNffjiGEdzyZvtfQeIWxV1FrnAUj33AJsmu5KI9Hd5fUeuE7ZLeFIPFZVJTk5t_G4AbE_CMnDK7Sg6apzZZZ_UOBIxMjXspUTEWS0lBG9_Bp6WXbWAtq9TeJ0cVqNClSehzDA/s320/2012Naples-DebBarbBob40.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sz6bkiCb-Yvd5zDrN461DLtlXN9VQsmEyNKyRYIHboyi50q4rTrVZI-KDCDZzXeEM1Q0gp-SLIwe2HOlv8QevjTSwch9VM6gmDghKmQdvfnhTzhVCsWKCQ3WeuIDG6fg-LLPDlTsFRo/s1600/2012DougsAfrican.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Bonnie and I are still basking in memories of our </span>enjoyable, informative, and productive trip to Florida for one week near the end of March 2012</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span> </span>Both our visit with my sister Barbara and her new husband Bob and my niece Debbie, and our journey across the state to visit my son Doug, worked out great.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">We flew into Fort Myers on Tuesday evening, and flew out of Orlando on the following Monday afternoon. </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We started on the Gulf Coast to visit Barbara and Bob Andersen, and Debbie, all in Tower Pointe in Naples. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Tuesday night we arrived, I was especially pleased that the three of them stayed up to welcome us to Florida. The first evening, where we sat around talking for awhile, set the tone for our entire visit – which was capped by our dinner at <b>Anthony’s Trattoria</b> in Bonita Springs on our final night, Thursday. Good choice! Our waiter was right out of type-casting as an Italian waiter – he felt he had to keep moving quickly, and only near the end of our meal could we talk with him a little.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxVDe1N7BZ5BK7JzKtmSa4eGSWxYbrnbobtnj1nd6PC4ozq0W-HBVASL_nKCoq-OBrTcUSBUOSuxaJsPXUot3pJZK0C-C3RV68tqWFXfXO6FCwnmMTT5BzOIPSv4HvyHKj2xQmY8jc5Q/s1600/2012Naples-DebOrchid46JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxVDe1N7BZ5BK7JzKtmSa4eGSWxYbrnbobtnj1nd6PC4ozq0W-HBVASL_nKCoq-OBrTcUSBUOSuxaJsPXUot3pJZK0C-C3RV68tqWFXfXO6FCwnmMTT5BzOIPSv4HvyHKj2xQmY8jc5Q/s200/2012Naples-DebOrchid46JPG.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Debbie allowed us the use of her condo – complete with breakfast sweetrolls, cookies, lake and orchids! We have a photo of the orchid that was growing on a tree right outside Debbie’s patio area. Quite a pleasant surprise for us desert dwellers! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wednesday we had lunch in Naples at <b>Brio’s</b> with Mike’s elementary school and high school classmate, Tom and wife Carmen – similar restaurant to Bravo’s in ABQ Uptown. Then that evening, we dined at <b>The Colonnades</b> at Arbor Trace as the guests of Barbara, Bob, and Debbie. The following day, Barbara and Bonnie went to a Fashion Show at The Colonnades and Mike was allowed to use the Wi-Fi in the Library. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The use of Bob Andersen’s trusty<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Florida map worked well for us, as it got us across <b>Alligator Alley</b> without a single alligator snipping at Bonnie’s ankles. Continuing North got us to my son Doug’s new home on Merritt Island, FL. That drive across the Sunshine State took a little less than five hours, and could probably be done in four. Bonnie had us up and on the road by 6:30 am, and we stopped in Boca Raton for a fun breakfast, arriving at Doug's around 12:30 pm (Bonnie had actually planned for us to leave by 6 am and arrive by noon! Pretty close!).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK1SubVtbR4l6SfqxSuIdtTd1WMIx66QYPWSkPML9NCRD9JdSVL1vnAM7cgPesHgtfzh8wBbwKuiVDDo0P3E11FRzfDhDSl19n-K5W-vxvrx5MjW-TAcTyuWN42_wW9GdrBzR6YEF5uQ/s1600/2012Mar-DougsPool6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK1SubVtbR4l6SfqxSuIdtTd1WMIx66QYPWSkPML9NCRD9JdSVL1vnAM7cgPesHgtfzh8wBbwKuiVDDo0P3E11FRzfDhDSl19n-K5W-vxvrx5MjW-TAcTyuWN42_wW9GdrBzR6YEF5uQ/s400/2012Mar-DougsPool6.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Now that Doug is again living in the States, I’m hoping we will all see a great deal more of him. We found his new home in Merritt Island (close to Patrick Air Force Base) to be quite inviting – especially after Bonnie did her magic for the 2 ½ days we were out there! His salt water swimming pool is quite inviting, and Bonnie made sure we at least had one dip in it during our stay – see photo for proof. Salt water pools are lower maintenance than the 'standard' chlorine-chemicalled pools, according to HGTV and Doug's Pool Boy "Oscar." For the next couple of weeks, it will be quite filled with Doug's salty friends from Germany.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Bonnie really ‘turned to’ at Doug’s house to prepare at least five of his rooms for his visitors who were expected to arrive shortly after we left. </span><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) we did not take any 'before' photos of Doug's place, so you cannot determine the starting point, only the result of Bonnie's applying the lessons of HGTV to a bachelor pad. You will just have to visit Florida to take a look at Debbie's orchids and Doug's digs! </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We took several of the 'after' photos so you can get an idea of Doug’s house – you can see his ‘pool room’ through the window from his living room and kitchen area. I always thought a ‘pool room’ was a billiards hall, but I have learned in Florida it is a screen-in outside area for the swimming pool – very nice. One thing that surprised me during this trip to Doug’s newly adopted state is that there were no bugs around – I thought we would be attacked by bugs, but perhaps the geckos keep the population down.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOMSpXuZihCjcnpiugd0QdVv7OiImDiqJg5tAkfrpuWahhTrnRFyv-UtEQwlZTjgpJtTAOa1W-KMWw0rj1W4VlQAZb8XHAyjeTH91OJ38USb52r5mXiLYAV7lQYqpFKGGdCIHq1oq3GU/s1600/2012DougsTyson.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOMSpXuZihCjcnpiugd0QdVv7OiImDiqJg5tAkfrpuWahhTrnRFyv-UtEQwlZTjgpJtTAOa1W-KMWw0rj1W4VlQAZb8XHAyjeTH91OJ38USb52r5mXiLYAV7lQYqpFKGGdCIHq1oq3GU/s200/2012DougsTyson.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Doug’s dog Tyson turned out to be quite friendly as well – still a puppy at almost two years of age. Doug has set up cameras throughout the house so while Doug is at work, he can keep some tabs on Tyson, make sure he is not destroying the furniture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0xJWFxoUMX7ujWSJxWcNpqbJ1ubpeKi8bCQj2uPw_8he6WeeJPGC99ly_HUoj8GpNq-kAyOLJ8O6Eqaf2hELBz1ySbCNoA5sn8Uq0ova_Zxyqhwl4jKdkJL1nQ2KSMnNiYofjARm75c/s1600/2012DougsPowder.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0xJWFxoUMX7ujWSJxWcNpqbJ1ubpeKi8bCQj2uPw_8he6WeeJPGC99ly_HUoj8GpNq-kAyOLJ8O6Eqaf2hELBz1ySbCNoA5sn8Uq0ova_Zxyqhwl4jKdkJL1nQ2KSMnNiYofjARm75c/s320/2012DougsPowder.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug's Powder Room (1/2 bath)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Also shown here are some photos of the "after Bonnie" views of Doug's sitting room (aka "The African Room") and the small powder room off the kitchen. Bonnie wanted us to show some photos of the kitchen itself, but those will have to wait. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sz6bkiCb-Yvd5zDrN461DLtlXN9VQsmEyNKyRYIHboyi50q4rTrVZI-KDCDZzXeEM1Q0gp-SLIwe2HOlv8QevjTSwch9VM6gmDghKmQdvfnhTzhVCsWKCQ3WeuIDG6fg-LLPDlTsFRo/s1600/2012DougsAfrican.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sz6bkiCb-Yvd5zDrN461DLtlXN9VQsmEyNKyRYIHboyi50q4rTrVZI-KDCDZzXeEM1Q0gp-SLIwe2HOlv8QevjTSwch9VM6gmDghKmQdvfnhTzhVCsWKCQ3WeuIDG6fg-LLPDlTsFRo/s400/2012DougsAfrican.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug's African Room (aka sitting room)</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Thanks to all our family for all their assistance </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and hospitality – we really had a fun time and are looking forward to </span>our next visit (whenever that might be!).<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-86984292789984159692010-11-07T11:06:00.000-08:002010-11-07T11:13:07.272-08:00Adventure in Albuquerque<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2XAN5gkCMxLniNxXBK_YFKw1Ccj8mFeKxA7IB1jVW4ARMZFtPVh4lFIFGtEH5eKBi0mHdv0KBT4n0oMSJOhlhwfK_8sfKiNl6E7mfFL5u-6A5P7YvZvzg9gLpk1h4XJgWZjR3US3_AA/s1600/2010ABQBethVan75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2XAN5gkCMxLniNxXBK_YFKw1Ccj8mFeKxA7IB1jVW4ARMZFtPVh4lFIFGtEH5eKBi0mHdv0KBT4n0oMSJOhlhwfK_8sfKiNl6E7mfFL5u-6A5P7YvZvzg9gLpk1h4XJgWZjR3US3_AA/s320/2010ABQBethVan75.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSyNgFMhKX_X1Lk6o2237pkjiIH4HVo3suz1Szs1GTDYGFYjXw9loLh_qaJTwmyNWJ0fTS2Om96lfRKzqlBuvifQcYbC9hI_z_bkAgSM2YqU_b5L066rT-G0yRdXtpwXCQwu1vyT35es/s1600/2010AlanMagAqa39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSyNgFMhKX_X1Lk6o2237pkjiIH4HVo3suz1Szs1GTDYGFYjXw9loLh_qaJTwmyNWJ0fTS2Om96lfRKzqlBuvifQcYbC9hI_z_bkAgSM2YqU_b5L066rT-G0yRdXtpwXCQwu1vyT35es/s320/2010AlanMagAqa39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKWFg56kuI8PyorzDH55BIjeIO3gFlWGFeuf9F-Kx3YIErCB1XlviSgVm1VMWbclonp1_7oDI31-1sDYfxrYIILjfIivNSkvxPZYf4EQJu9SMYGblYtJiCTWdPszRMhRa6rH1YMqj4u0/s1600/2010BioPark44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKWFg56kuI8PyorzDH55BIjeIO3gFlWGFeuf9F-Kx3YIErCB1XlviSgVm1VMWbclonp1_7oDI31-1sDYfxrYIILjfIivNSkvxPZYf4EQJu9SMYGblYtJiCTWdPszRMhRa6rH1YMqj4u0/s320/2010BioPark44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_L6jD_CciWxO7M5J2vn_QMLqaZ2Jpp6wC_JJypuPKPUsKeigFrS-xvZ-ApHjiX9U4JJ-VzqyeWzlsIe5JGW9oIkQexjIMeowv9nLhZbOrMF1BzmAsx_eIS7PF4_I77xryU5RxlWQr4Ho/s1600/2010BioPark56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_L6jD_CciWxO7M5J2vn_QMLqaZ2Jpp6wC_JJypuPKPUsKeigFrS-xvZ-ApHjiX9U4JJ-VzqyeWzlsIe5JGW9oIkQexjIMeowv9nLhZbOrMF1BzmAsx_eIS7PF4_I77xryU5RxlWQr4Ho/s320/2010BioPark56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVrwNBWU2PKyOcWhPUubgzMfPP5RZihc3oJj-Aqaxr6qswRgF8A_RUsNZPBO7xWlssBftaYAauo9DCUH1Lr9MqX787-4-gP6uX0DumVQHafqCC-lX7ms45ax6fgou0hU_xO3b6HKgl1w/s1600/2010BioPark59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVrwNBWU2PKyOcWhPUubgzMfPP5RZihc3oJj-Aqaxr6qswRgF8A_RUsNZPBO7xWlssBftaYAauo9DCUH1Lr9MqX787-4-gP6uX0DumVQHafqCC-lX7ms45ax6fgou0hU_xO3b6HKgl1w/s320/2010BioPark59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRfP2-mcvXx00YpD9ssi3J3ZodVg3rRDL-PU3KVNSh7fFGRzuI6Ud7FaihlDo8emFvmRfyio2V65NQ42BneIH49MUPJT_jWDtLk-G6OvlzBTXR2Z5y_h3mYH0riaEWMDeOWZ5NmAouBo/s1600/2010BioPark62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRfP2-mcvXx00YpD9ssi3J3ZodVg3rRDL-PU3KVNSh7fFGRzuI6Ud7FaihlDo8emFvmRfyio2V65NQ42BneIH49MUPJT_jWDtLk-G6OvlzBTXR2Z5y_h3mYH0riaEWMDeOWZ5NmAouBo/s320/2010BioPark62.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje15ZK8A6o9xq6V2xer3NrVNtlUzpiqrc7G-X-p9bn2R0kaxUWtvS57P26Pr4hGdvhT1V-ABeaf8OZlkVC4PTFyivSOgAkbn474vbvU5I4TamfnSxcwrCXczOscDwzp_Jx4T8z8iEYrHE/s1600/2010WishWell41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje15ZK8A6o9xq6V2xer3NrVNtlUzpiqrc7G-X-p9bn2R0kaxUWtvS57P26Pr4hGdvhT1V-ABeaf8OZlkVC4PTFyivSOgAkbn474vbvU5I4TamfnSxcwrCXczOscDwzp_Jx4T8z8iEYrHE/s320/2010WishWell41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I3y4Uvlap7E03bki2-d6XUl_PPt6kj2WJN37gAhkiahyzTAgLhK_NUmspKCBtl8hyphenhyphenT7rNOnGYa0RmlA-12HEpWCRqG7isigz7yqlKRhPRbQjO69dbp-Tw-dvrVt5FaIu2DcGT_sbNNU/s1600/2010Creepy52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I3y4Uvlap7E03bki2-d6XUl_PPt6kj2WJN37gAhkiahyzTAgLhK_NUmspKCBtl8hyphenhyphenT7rNOnGYa0RmlA-12HEpWCRqG7isigz7yqlKRhPRbQjO69dbp-Tw-dvrVt5FaIu2DcGT_sbNNU/s200/2010Creepy52.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adventure in Albuquerque</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is not everyday that kids from Pennsylvania travel to Albuquerque in the middle of the school fall semester. Is there anything educational to do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>French Horn Lesson</b></u>: Marcey arranged for Mr. Heeter to provide a half-hour French Horn lesson for Maggie - and Mr. Heeter had even arranged for Maggie to borrow an instrument for the visit. Maggie showed us a couple of things she had learned, like how to change from high notes to low notes, just with the way you blow into the mouthpiece. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Auntie Beth and the Transport Unit:</b></u> It’s not every kid that has an Aunt working in the Police Department. Beth’s office is great, however of more interest was a quick tour through the Prisoner Transport Unit. (in a typical month, the PTU handles 1500 prisoners, most of which are soon transported to the Metro Detention Center - the Sgt explained, when the van fills up, it goes - no one stays over 2 hours here, as no eating/feeding facilities, medicine, etc.) Prisoners were being brought in while we were there, and the kids saw the holding cells. Since the stay time is expected to be less than two hours, these cells are minimal in their furnishings: a wrap-around aluminum bench is about it. The ICE people also share some of this facility.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>BioPark</b></u>: Beautiful day for a walk in the park - and the aquarium. The BioPark had a Creepy Crawly Critters special exhibit still set up, through Nov 7 - did you know that Madagascar roaches are good eating? That the West African black scorpion is not that aggressive? Did you want to know that?</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>PageOne:</b></u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This is perhaps the largest book store in New Mexico. Everyone was allowed to pick out one book to take home. Alan took an extra one for his Dad.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVxY9U9s1yoQqcQmgnyP8uxIp43PlIhazMe1bijt9JxTCDiinHqNpoFpqTyxqbZuev6NWc4h_xXtkn9s1MPxB2TZpFKvWJkFHgJ-wh7BYeUUjh1xlZzmb6s3kYjmBwbTyo_V5y8XrUxk/s1600/2010Humane82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVxY9U9s1yoQqcQmgnyP8uxIp43PlIhazMe1bijt9JxTCDiinHqNpoFpqTyxqbZuev6NWc4h_xXtkn9s1MPxB2TZpFKvWJkFHgJ-wh7BYeUUjh1xlZzmb6s3kYjmBwbTyo_V5y8XrUxk/s320/2010Humane82.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Animal Humane Society</b></u>: On Virginia SE, one can find clean facilities manned by caring volunteers for the Kittery and for the Doggie area. This was a side trip requested by Maggie, who is thinking someday she may get into the Animal Rescue business. Many of the cats seemed to like her, and one dog licked Alan. All were requested to wash their hands after handling/petting the kitten in the separate "get acquainted" room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Summary</b></u>: Yes, this was an educational trip, and one enjoyed by all. </span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" />Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-5368704213433071182010-10-28T09:55:00.000-07:002010-10-28T09:55:43.486-07:00Shipmates Stand Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shipmates Stand Together<br />
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As long-time readers of this column know, after a long and not-so-arduous courtship, Mike and Bonnie were finally united in marriage. To validate the event, an Open House was held at Bonnie's, and all were delighted that Lou and Jo Ann drove down for the event.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdDKoiT-Jgy3hkBz17yfgOcZni8SOvXYwIjzOjOXo7RVJ2zWqUch1dD92GEDxd-BqUVhi6WgUo2OUdhyphenhyphenznIWRV0dqICDtQUcIIbr_4bGAGyHr_vf7a7iFdGbEXqcyyb2OZEh9lNdwsJo/s1600/2010CO-BabesCut02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdDKoiT-Jgy3hkBz17yfgOcZni8SOvXYwIjzOjOXo7RVJ2zWqUch1dD92GEDxd-BqUVhi6WgUo2OUdhyphenhyphenznIWRV0dqICDtQUcIIbr_4bGAGyHr_vf7a7iFdGbEXqcyyb2OZEh9lNdwsJo/s320/2010CO-BabesCut02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Although the Open House announcement specifically stated, "No Gifts," apparently jarheads have difficulty either reading or following instructions. Thus it was that Lou and Jo Ann graciously invited Mike and Bonnie up for a glorious 3-day weekend in God's (or perhaps Air Force's) country. Excitement started on Thursday evening in Trinidad with dinner at Rino's Restaurant, where the food is not only the best Italian cooking around (except perhaps for Jo Ann's), but also the waiters and waitresses all sing opera or better. On Friday, the foursome headed up to the Simpleman's mountain "cabin" (see photo above with flag) outside Aguilar and nestled within the Spanish Peaks, where we were treated to a great meal by Jo Ann, plus a tour of the wildlife nearby - turkeys and deer specifically.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunLlMdJEs4SeG5yUAwfQv7RqjPReti6Gm4AoPMJ5nUNTZ4QjXb12CAQReUlKvJurhC507i8YMF9D_dgERosFIaVEqvPBrWqRxnttIGIWuBJyQ_VPEkXdCIUZgq_H5D3g_f7jfns7GmTU/s1600/2010CO-Outback05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunLlMdJEs4SeG5yUAwfQv7RqjPReti6Gm4AoPMJ5nUNTZ4QjXb12CAQReUlKvJurhC507i8YMF9D_dgERosFIaVEqvPBrWqRxnttIGIWuBJyQ_VPEkXdCIUZgq_H5D3g_f7jfns7GmTU/s320/2010CO-Outback05.jpg" width="320" /></a>Saturday was off to the Air Force - Navy game at Colorado Springs. Not one of Navy's best football showings, however it was not for lack of proper attire and cheering by our group. That evening our lodging was at the Distinguished Visitors quarters at Ft Carson, which Lou had wangled through a close working relationship with the Base Commander. We went out to Outback that evening (see photo), and the next day ended the festivities at Patti's Restaurant in Pueblo (next photo).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0quioVlzYrQPsl4HvlVz_cRnfKPYaM26GDo-yNLUxgoXRm_siFOnKPe9x8QtiEGcdhQgsePC4n3ljIjw1SsE3mXBrauu_IRmPGbVdYqSRSKxDLLPbW2WgOedjjvnleK_iRu5zo5ZZ9Y/s1600/2010CO-PattisRest12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0quioVlzYrQPsl4HvlVz_cRnfKPYaM26GDo-yNLUxgoXRm_siFOnKPe9x8QtiEGcdhQgsePC4n3ljIjw1SsE3mXBrauu_IRmPGbVdYqSRSKxDLLPbW2WgOedjjvnleK_iRu5zo5ZZ9Y/s320/2010CO-PattisRest12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcg6MNsa-V7ZVe3gaOIp-yUNUloO_BE5fQxlaTdhvUnAIzfamAKGrPXcadn8G6aLvX1SYpL91TFiyI8Jp3DochinCTitBblSmf7M8v6jqfjnShoV80e-2RwH93tPTxJ1oJEtmMhJYg9U/s1600/2010CO-PattisSign16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcg6MNsa-V7ZVe3gaOIp-yUNUloO_BE5fQxlaTdhvUnAIzfamAKGrPXcadn8G6aLvX1SYpL91TFiyI8Jp3DochinCTitBblSmf7M8v6jqfjnShoV80e-2RwH93tPTxJ1oJEtmMhJYg9U/s320/2010CO-PattisSign16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A great time was had by all - even though we never saw all the elk copulating which apparently entertained Harry and Doris after the Mini-Reunion back in October 2005. Thanks, Jo Ann and Lou! True friends, shipmates, and companymates. Our marriage is well launched.Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-10064987291164444602010-02-12T05:12:00.000-08:002010-02-12T05:19:52.973-08:00Guide for Forwarding Political E-mail<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Recently, a friend of mine was berated for forwarding an email criticizing the President for his apparently lack of respect to the flag. The berater cited <a href="http://www.TruthOrFiction.com">TruthOrFiction.com</a> to delineate the falsehood. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">My friend was chagrined. He stated:</span></span> "<strong>Sorry!</strong> I realize I'm often too gullible, and I'm not prone to check authenticity. Best I just stop forwarding anything derogatory about anyone, or even praising anyone, unless I know first hand it is true."<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This a problem we all face: what to do with all the e-mail we receive, some of which resonates so strongly that we want to send it on RIGHT NOW!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-size: medium; font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Here's an easy guide that I try to follow re forwarding politically oriented e-mail:<br /><br /> If the message is about me, and it's laudatory, I forward it to everyone I know.<br /><br /> If it is about Joe Biden, and it seems ridiculous, I always forward to Sarah Palin so she will be cheered. E.g.: Did you hear that Iraq will be considered one of the great achievements of this Administration?<br /><br /> If it is about Nancy Pelosi, I forward it to Harry Reid and Joe Biden so they will feel better about themselves.<br /><br /> If it is about President Obama, I weep quietly for a few minutes, then check the calendar to gauge the time until the next national election cycle. <br /><br /> I find that I am beginning to understand the hard-over positions of the "Bush-haters" from just a year or two ago. Immediately following the election, I was hopeful for the country. Now when I hear Obama say, "I am not an Ideologue" it resonates in my head with Nixon saying "I am not a Crook." <br /><br /> Now I find myself grateful that the Democrats hold a strong majority in both Houses plus hold the Presidency to clarify the source of the actual achievements - i.e., the abject failures and deficits of this administration. I am so grateful that this President inherited Pelosi and Reid - I shudder to consider how much farther down this path we would be if Obama had competent leaders in the House and Senate, e.g., a Steny Hoyer and a Tom Daschle. <br /><br /> If not grateful for, I am at least amazed at the cold partisanship of Pelosi ("We won, we write the bill") and the divisiveness of someone elected to be President of all the people ("...waving their little teabags..."). <br /><br /> Excuse me, I'm going to go check my calendar again. Every day it looks better.</span>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-57502275001721113682009-12-16T15:51:00.000-08:002009-12-16T15:56:45.059-08:00The Sixth Candle Is Lit ....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UMo_7VWLak_em5BX0dMMXV95XdlHoKXVve0VkwvXC7vvJsAxYX2VRjYHH0KRxYFP_2DJ4OBTVrbgvNVaNMCM4bPE0A0gxxYes1x25ZKCyDnbJi0FRgn6rn20y6Idfj4kzG6NjtkYMnA/s1600-h/2009Channukah06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UMo_7VWLak_em5BX0dMMXV95XdlHoKXVve0VkwvXC7vvJsAxYX2VRjYHH0KRxYFP_2DJ4OBTVrbgvNVaNMCM4bPE0A0gxxYes1x25ZKCyDnbJi0FRgn6rn20y6Idfj4kzG6NjtkYMnA/s400/2009Channukah06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415986392961243602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Sixth Candle Is Lit ....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">David and Tricia</span> invited <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bonnie and Mike </span>over to participate in the Family Chanukah celebration on Tuesday, 15 December 2009, which included the lighting of<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Candle #6</span> on the menorah. We found Tricia cooking the traditional fare of <span style="font-weight: bold;">latkes</span>, which are potato pancakes, eaten to symbolize the central theme of the holiday, the miracle of oil. Tricia told me that many of the foods are cooked with oil to carry on this theme - Tricia used Omega Light Oil made with Canola oil, soybean (vegetable) oil, and olive oil. There is a custom of eating foods fried or baked in oil (preferably olive oil), as the original miracle of the Hanukkah menorah involved the discovery of a small flask of pure olive oil used by the Jewish High Priest, the Kohen Gadol. This small batch of olive oil was only supposed to last one day, and instead it lasted eight.<br /><br />Accordingly, potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah, as they are prepared by frying in oil. Latkes are an incredibly versatile food because, depending on the recipe, they can be an appetizer, side dish, entree, vegetable, dessert or snack. Tricia served hers with applesauce, or alternatively, with horseradish.<br /><br />Similarly, many Israeli families have the custom of eating all kinds of jam-filled dough<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5Zag4TacjzI8LtJWIStT5FAEyi4W46scH1RSadYMBx2Z_TUu0LHAYsZpO-Zz4EE6mUez_dfbRsqFCX_NrX-NT71Es3J3dllWUYwBgVe72BdH6B0tIG5MGcYIF9o89cx9mhIJPLJ9rto/s1600-h/Sufganiyah.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5Zag4TacjzI8LtJWIStT5FAEyi4W46scH1RSadYMBx2Z_TUu0LHAYsZpO-Zz4EE6mUez_dfbRsqFCX_NrX-NT71Es3J3dllWUYwBgVe72BdH6B0tIG5MGcYIF9o89cx9mhIJPLJ9rto/s320/Sufganiyah.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415986726760685858" border="0" /></a>nuts (Yiddish: פאנטשקעס pontshkes), (sufganiyot) which are deep-fried in oil. Ours were the quick-fry type of sufganiyot, and thus were more like donut holes. The kids are shown in the picture shaking the still hot sufganiyot in either powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Yummy!<br /><br />Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights ce<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1t961ILXvmaBk-AiVvolna23FklOJKmsjWvMGCvKQTdNIB6hkau6W2ddR6ibkJaRhLBniweQUWuWB66gVjKH7HJHdWYchD2r5MAJQdeVOSbkYMPaDtkj3x9KtNincMhfqpP2jtmuLrk/s1600-h/2009Channukah04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1t961ILXvmaBk-AiVvolna23FklOJKmsjWvMGCvKQTdNIB6hkau6W2ddR6ibkJaRhLBniweQUWuWB66gVjKH7HJHdWYchD2r5MAJQdeVOSbkYMPaDtkj3x9KtNincMhfqpP2jtmuLrk/s400/2009Channukah04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415986380604936418" border="0" /></a>lebrated in countries all over the world. In 165 B.C. there was a great battle between the Maccabees and the Syrians. The Jews won the battle and when they went to their temple, they found that the Syrians had allowed their sacred light to go out. They only had oil for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil lasted 8 days until a messenger could return with more. There are nine candles in the menorah. One of the candles is used to light the other candles and the other eight stand for the eight days that the oil kept burning. You put the candles in the menorah right to left, and light them left to right so the oldest candle is put in first, and the newest candle is lit first. The last night, nine candles, counting the server candle, will glow. Hanukkah lights should burn for at least one half hour after it gets dark.<br /><br />David reminded me that there are many spellings of this Hebrew holiday, because the English is transliterated from Hebrew. You'll see H-a-n-u-k-k-a-h a lot because that is the Associated Press spelling.<br /><br />Christmas is always on 25 December however Chanukah falls on a different date each year in relationship to the common calendar, because it's a lunar calendar that loses time yearly. To compensate, a leap year adds a 13th month every few years. That leap month is called Adar II. In truth, Chanukah falls on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which was Dec. 12 this year and will be Dec. 2 in 2010.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N-TZdYcpf1qT9m_3IVbNKSGRnPSKxVpewoAgzBLINBcfIBUTTIGMNuBFDca4ojGAJTGzfQRn-oL_tLxRfmCzMmPPF9SPIyxMufOwO1hIie1I5Zfq__2u9a8XqA31UWdrc3B92vkh1-4/s1600-h/180px-Dreidel_001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N-TZdYcpf1qT9m_3IVbNKSGRnPSKxVpewoAgzBLINBcfIBUTTIGMNuBFDca4ojGAJTGzfQRn-oL_tLxRfmCzMmPPF9SPIyxMufOwO1hIie1I5Zfq__2u9a8XqA31UWdrc3B92vkh1-4/s320/180px-Dreidel_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415986729985594386" border="0" /></a><br />Parents give their kids Chanukah gelt (gold-wrapped chocolate coins) and other trinkets for eight nights to enhance their enjoyment of the holiday. On this 6th night, Bonnie and Mike, and Ian and Charlene, were instructed to close our eyes, and when we opened them, we each found before us Hanukkah cookies and both gold and silver-wrapped coins. A miracle indeed! Bonnie and Mike fought over theirs. The kids were pretty good.Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-86634271387168159452009-11-17T20:05:00.000-08:002009-11-17T20:40:37.995-08:00Texas and Nephews<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgVQ0EXwypfgBR8KlF0q_cbmLy31nTq9DEHCPArwF3JDYof5g19YBzNplNO_PHZJacLBPP2ncyuoua7DxrtgbATjlxYy0ufujJh4EK3Udfj9CtkEKOTlNpJ23DatxWMNm-XG8NbEQZMc/s1600/HoustonMike02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgVQ0EXwypfgBR8KlF0q_cbmLy31nTq9DEHCPArwF3JDYof5g19YBzNplNO_PHZJacLBPP2ncyuoua7DxrtgbATjlxYy0ufujJh4EK3Udfj9CtkEKOTlNpJ23DatxWMNm-XG8NbEQZMc/s400/HoustonMike02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405298819034522434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Texas and Nephews</span><br /><br />Bonnie and Mike traveled to Houston during 13-15 November 2009 for Mike’s 50th High School Reunion (see <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://lamar59.org/">Lamar59.org</a> for the details and photos on this gala gathering). During two events of the Reunion, we went by the old 2307 Gramercy homestead to ensure it was still in existence, and not looming as large in life as in memory.<br /><br />Post-reunion we made two family related visits. On Sunday afternoon we went to the Nottingham area, Kellywood Lane in Houston, to visit with Eric and Kristen and 3-year old David. This is a beautiful residence in a beautiful residential area, and we enjoyed meeting David: he’s cute and bright-eyed, and actually behaved better in the restaurant than we did! (see photos). We went to Escalante’s for Mexican food – next time we may try Nirvana for Indian food… well, maybe not Bonnie!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nUk3C4DnE2KhXF-ucg1DnaUal0WYYgE5OK8H7S-k9Mwjzu7aF6USiC9OKJgssp5G6Vs_er5dzYj3mPL93uTyupqwHbhuqohcqN3StJ3lCJi5wIUBcsFt8719KIfne0TdEqoHK5yYilQ/s1600/HoustonEric13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nUk3C4DnE2KhXF-ucg1DnaUal0WYYgE5OK8H7S-k9Mwjzu7aF6USiC9OKJgssp5G6Vs_er5dzYj3mPL93uTyupqwHbhuqohcqN3StJ3lCJi5wIUBcsFt8719KIfne0TdEqoHK5yYilQ/s400/HoustonEric13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405298814731657538" border="0" /></a><br />Eric’s job with <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.decisionstrategies.com/">Decision Strategies Inc</a> keeps him busy as he is ‘farmed out’ to Energy companies for his decision analysis skills – he is a methodologist in this area, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FgM13X0y-02EuBLSBQ2QRku609O2wD8DDK_g-h6LCcyNoIfQfIMpIbvrkjvxw1tAKyPOxNpNlTCmE7nzF1yrTnL45xN4Es_Fzq-7yNyxqxjJf8ihXyq_O2Apn3wLgYM_WCN-530BpX0/s1600/HoustonEric11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FgM13X0y-02EuBLSBQ2QRku609O2wD8DDK_g-h6LCcyNoIfQfIMpIbvrkjvxw1tAKyPOxNpNlTCmE7nzF1yrTnL45xN4Es_Fzq-7yNyxqxjJf8ihXyq_O2Apn3wLgYM_WCN-530BpX0/s400/HoustonEric11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405297563602767106" border="0" /></a>as opposed to an oil and gas specialist, so his role is special. Kristen has begun working again, part time – not the job she wants or is challenged by, but conveniently located right across the street from David’s pre-school, and it gives her 20 hours a week.<br /><br />On Monday morning, we checked out of our Hilton Garden Inn Galleria (Reunion hotel) and headed Southwest on 59 to Sugar Land. There we received a good/not so good surprise: Sarah Grace was there with Anne and Andy – great as we had expected that she would be in school/not so great as she was home because she was feeling punk. Sarah Grace <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPJImY4Ao6awwpdSZxiWiwis9p2k1rhUiDpBLJYgooPatWqCn0CVSeHLp3p9RU71-2lITWueJwVFNG3i0biGKsT20zu2XNNq1wP818wHTepDZNKL7B3wKVf086fybxKiMgMTN-4cYWrY/s1600/HoustonAndy21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPJImY4Ao6awwpdSZxiWiwis9p2k1rhUiDpBLJYgooPatWqCn0CVSeHLp3p9RU71-2lITWueJwVFNG3i0biGKsT20zu2XNNq1wP818wHTepDZNKL7B3wKVf086fybxKiMgMTN-4cYWrY/s400/HoustonAndy21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405297558095144818" border="0" /></a>was still gracious however, so we did get a few photos of her, before we took Andy out to lunch at Salt Grass Steakhouse (and send home a cheeseburger for Anne who had stayed home with her 3-year old patient.)<br /><br />Andy commutes about 15-20 minutes each Tuesday and Thursday to teach his 15 hours (5 three-hour classes!) in biblical studies at the<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://cbshouston.edu/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1"> College of Biblical Studies</a>. (Note: one of the reasons CBS was so eager to hire Andy was to strengthen their accreditation efforts - this has recently been successful! Yea, Andy!) Andy also travels to different locales for churches that want him to come talk at their venue. For several years, Andy and Anne have talked about creating <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHJy60YR0xCS6jHc11Hz7hAfEgPkFTr_JFICIAJ17QeqRP3AwM2rAd_MGL2d__LnFz__BXVfUyJ2D-u-Y_4BjaDSFyO5dt09Ezv0VzYZJhObGY4m_t4dIxOTGF3z0QFAasDvUg8243iM/s1600/HoustonAndy17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHJy60YR0xCS6jHc11Hz7hAfEgPkFTr_JFICIAJ17QeqRP3AwM2rAd_MGL2d__LnFz__BXVfUyJ2D-u-Y_4BjaDSFyO5dt09Ezv0VzYZJhObGY4m_t4dIxOTGF3z0QFAasDvUg8243iM/s400/HoustonAndy17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405297557694877826" border="0" /></a>a text book for Andy. We also talked about creating a web site for a non-profit that the team is building. So much to do!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Summary</span>: much energy in Houston! Great visits! We need to return before our next 50th Reunion!Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-71422099863964768312009-07-19T21:52:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:29:16.031-07:00Ranch Roundup<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Ranch Roundup</span><br /><br />Every decade or so, the family gets together for a Reunion of sorts. This July we had a great visit to Alma New Mex<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17W0n7uxJXzsnYsd3Y1WLYS4XwMmfC7Co0Cfwa6LJsCNAELqAEDNqpyf31-dq1VisXo_CU0xLiTXYU8WsT4SBo-aQuoABYoe7TQ9f4aD2kBtZ4JFtTbraFlZ5EWRqr-XxBnQfi-Nti28/s1600-h/2009AlmaRoundup24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17W0n7uxJXzsnYsd3Y1WLYS4XwMmfC7Co0Cfwa6LJsCNAELqAEDNqpyf31-dq1VisXo_CU0xLiTXYU8WsT4SBo-aQuoABYoe7TQ9f4aD2kBtZ4JFtTbraFlZ5EWRqr-XxBnQfi-Nti28/s400/2009AlmaRoundup24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360402596630117266" border="0" /></a>ico.<br /><br />Billy loaned us his Polaris Ranger – plenty good for running around between ranches however not for long distance or high speeds. We made it down to Hugh B’s (about 2 miles) fairly easily on Friday night for the hot dogs and hamburger cook-out. Hugh B and the grandkids were already in swimming. What a place for a reunion for all ages: swimming, horse shoes, tennis court, horses, and they even had El Fuego for a photo op – who is willing to climb up on El Fuego?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP-TeYnDqo2soUulUpuukt9r5QVYjA8NF-gJ1JpDkLrHY0X9ESW00DBQu8idlWF5UOY0iy1uWzgj7QxXYMF2Z3lBPMZ-JcEEyN-Gf76NthrAzY6Y4Z4tGSCeziUIclve0A-sonreWprc/s1600-h/2009AlmaIanRaft33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP-TeYnDqo2soUulUpuukt9r5QVYjA8NF-gJ1JpDkLrHY0X9ESW00DBQu8idlWF5UOY0iy1uWzgj7QxXYMF2Z3lBPMZ-JcEEyN-Gf76NthrAzY6Y4Z4tGSCeziUIclve0A-sonreWprc/s320/2009AlmaIanRaft33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360403599759221250" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of the evening, there were fireworks – Bonnie kept saying, “We don’t want to ride home on the highway after dark, do we?” Well, there is a back route – don’t have to go on the highway, just follow the old County road around the back between the two Alma areas. So off we went – there was actually a little light when we started – Rusty had said “stay to the left” and apparently I took that way too seriously – I took the first left, ended up on the levee, and after about a mile we were thoroughly lost … no r<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeSUhDXfbh0yitEWU9hchXrSgyzixxzDe6IL9KvC5wCKluDOZahVyABqooH3VXip5NL_G1VJDss0zBMNmszyEXA5Owtnud-OZTpZ_Ytbzb7Zp7OKf0olhAwLT5CayqC5-b0fK0Xjv_QQ/s1600-h/2009AlmaDavidSwim18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeSUhDXfbh0yitEWU9hchXrSgyzixxzDe6IL9KvC5wCKluDOZahVyABqooH3VXip5NL_G1VJDss0zBMNmszyEXA5Owtnud-OZTpZ_Ytbzb7Zp7OKf0olhAwLT5CayqC5-b0fK0Xjv_QQ/s320/2009AlmaDavidSwim18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360406986122739394" border="0" /></a>oad, no way out, headlights tht showed about 10 feet ahead – and Bonnie worred about snakes. I had to get out and walk around looking for the road and while I was gone, Bonnie started looking for what we had to save us – all she found was two lollipops and a flashlight with no batteries. Bonnie was wondering if she could make it through to daylight by eating just one of the lollipops – but then was worried that one of the bears would smell the candy and we'd be goners ...<br /><br />Well, Rusty saw our headlights in the wrong area - we weren't supposed to be along the levee - and came out and rescued us. Bonnie said, "I've got a new boyfriend!" However, she kept calling him "Dusty" so I think that won't last.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtth7CL_F7RlMq-fRW9a6Jfr3UEsb8zcFuSR_jPLfJDtPJ-zTsX5L5dbgWWIlxCsHSnTTRJT3VZar3c4mkgw3TuYlDnUkRoO-rnipYjfCHDdRmA1bqVqRENws5currWSOu_hs_7Rl-TnA/s1600-h/2009AlmaHugh65.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtth7CL_F7RlMq-fRW9a6Jfr3UEsb8zcFuSR_jPLfJDtPJ-zTsX5L5dbgWWIlxCsHSnTTRJT3VZar3c4mkgw3TuYlDnUkRoO-rnipYjfCHDdRmA1bqVqRENws5currWSOu_hs_7Rl-TnA/s320/2009AlmaHugh65.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360403592492368562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NozTQpvliEzPhNRgWVnNHt8yf5l5JX9c7syRrK_BagCu38uwGT7BoMcyzB8IbBluJbkitgNs76EOckvzMuasnMPuxN_MHQvuWPgk2ASwn2UEhzoFHyLk6DXbNYLJs6b5PXyA_3Z_nic/s1600-h/2009AlmaPull96.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NozTQpvliEzPhNRgWVnNHt8yf5l5JX9c7syRrK_BagCu38uwGT7BoMcyzB8IbBluJbkitgNs76EOckvzMuasnMPuxN_MHQvuWPgk2ASwn2UEhzoFHyLk6DXbNYLJs6b5PXyA_3Z_nic/s320/2009AlmaPull96.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360406989099703650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then the next day was the Tractor Pull. If you haven't attended a Tractor Pull, you haven't lived! Well ... maybe you've lived, but you haven't seen it all. Now we have.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLSwuX4DzzC0bTk907UL6dWS6wr3W0ThpTciJ-gn4SmO7zPyGSBKfJdI8kSePKFZB-YRQdmSI_YLDEBJ7Fi5tfdu8i1meW2GZTbPNNtN0LNOYUJX92AIYh8eXRuFVOcGyKvrgf04mrh8/s1600-h/2009AlmaTractor91.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLSwuX4DzzC0bTk907UL6dWS6wr3W0ThpTciJ-gn4SmO7zPyGSBKfJdI8kSePKFZB-YRQdmSI_YLDEBJ7Fi5tfdu8i1meW2GZTbPNNtN0LNOYUJX92AIYh8eXRuFVOcGyKvrgf04mrh8/s400/2009AlmaTractor91.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360410999723018354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What a great Ranch Roundup! We need to do this more often!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">More Photos</span><br /><br />See my Facebook page <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mike.blackledge#/album.php?aid=26205&id=1457319171&ref=mf">here</a></span> for more photos of the Ranch Roundup as selected from Suzanne's collection on Picasa.comMike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-26729520457799864912009-06-10T07:18:00.000-07:002009-06-11T10:07:45.343-07:00Doo Doo Doo Lookin' Out My Back Door<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Just got home from Illinois - Lock the front door oh boy!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Got to sit down take a rest on the porch.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Imagination sets in pretty soon I'm singin'</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" >[CHORUS:]</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HvsQRhAIG8F2Ifrp82kkPWZe0MPLVgG19bTPyXhLr3E7XsMn1uKorPoh7XAgZzW-w8X9irS9jindCtWSBAjNVO6UW8-wz2cmVFc4X0aMta-vPx9UgW0Kkl6HFUoSXwLx-MjE9vH8Y-4/s1600-h/2009RainyDay01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HvsQRhAIG8F2Ifrp82kkPWZe0MPLVgG19bTPyXhLr3E7XsMn1uKorPoh7XAgZzW-w8X9irS9jindCtWSBAjNVO6UW8-wz2cmVFc4X0aMta-vPx9UgW0Kkl6HFUoSXwLx-MjE9vH8Y-4/s400/2009RainyDay01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345704041918136290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Doo doo doo Lookin' out my back door.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">There's a giant doing cartwheels a statue wearin' high heels.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">A dinosaur Victrola list'ning to Buck Owens.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">CHORUS</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Tambourines and elephants are playing in the band.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Won't you take a ride on the flyin' spoon?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Doo, doo doo.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Wond'rous apparition provided by magician.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CHORUS</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZadkEg8cfPvlRK7kY9BdGvzCJUMWwbkMHe8fNPpZmM8xb0nPfSlL9kdPjGOsWmwI2KCGqLOdBW9BtpbsEawjTr9viul4zHVV4XISWyZmjSykz6JDs_0Whkh-uGIj4By9acSxpGXi05J8/s1600-h/2009RainyDay04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZadkEg8cfPvlRK7kY9BdGvzCJUMWwbkMHe8fNPpZmM8xb0nPfSlL9kdPjGOsWmwI2KCGqLOdBW9BtpbsEawjTr9viul4zHVV4XISWyZmjSykz6JDs_0Whkh-uGIj4By9acSxpGXi05J8/s400/2009RainyDay04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345704044104797586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Tambourines and elephants are playing in the band.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Won't you take a ride on the flyin' spoon?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Doo, doo doo.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Bother me tomorrow, today, I'll buy no sorrows.<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">CHORUS</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /></span>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-61575544683770157382009-05-10T06:03:00.000-07:002009-05-10T07:07:59.248-07:00A Day At The Races<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEN7FYIks7Xs_VttnofHIbp7977aq5aHqlYmdrWP7P36NH3WJe6491fH1yGcFQBFgMVcv2cd4s1bJ5K-wClN7eH4sIxPkQwiDmVyhQLprJzudN_6fupXuBGNgHIKe9ZRa9VHV6Io-IWg/s1600-h/LegendsRace59.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEN7FYIks7Xs_VttnofHIbp7977aq5aHqlYmdrWP7P36NH3WJe6491fH1yGcFQBFgMVcv2cd4s1bJ5K-wClN7eH4sIxPkQwiDmVyhQLprJzudN_6fupXuBGNgHIKe9ZRa9VHV6Io-IWg/s400/LegendsRace59.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334182122635191346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />"<span style="font-weight: bold;">Legends</span>" are 80 mph, precisely-responding, sophisticated racing machines. Conceived about 10 years ago, they are designed from the gro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxj85mqf9WeVXoCs9Dz_8yo7UeTU2yGfommDPeZYoXyuoFr3Z3QCEtSlj44sANWiCfTgMVAFQHKEaLAz07PMtwZ2uWTCk26rNvdrd7_9SD8HiFoS0AnKuqO-pmEEiXQQVyIgEmvI2LZw/s1600-h/TonySrJr26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxj85mqf9WeVXoCs9Dz_8yo7UeTU2yGfommDPeZYoXyuoFr3Z3QCEtSlj44sANWiCfTgMVAFQHKEaLAz07PMtwZ2uWTCk26rNvdrd7_9SD8HiFoS0AnKuqO-pmEEiXQQVyIgEmvI2LZw/s320/TonySrJr26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334190069458939554" border="0" /></a>und up like a NASCAR Cup car, with coil-over shocks, weightjackers and tube-frame steel construction covere<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJQfy-j7BlYuYuS2Fbb0AatZeccbRKemAvMsYZYAQQvKymBSmjH0oeVl_rWQ47zIRfONq5h0r-vx0j3uStBTjzhqggMohV64Ak_gUm6HFCsxn9L2lm3G5_uVXo3frr88trITdMacLp6w/s1600-h/KatyMatthewBonTony27.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJQfy-j7BlYuYuS2Fbb0AatZeccbRKemAvMsYZYAQQvKymBSmjH0oeVl_rWQ47zIRfONq5h0r-vx0j3uStBTjzhqggMohV64Ak_gUm6HFCsxn9L2lm3G5_uVXo3frr88trITdMacLp6w/s400/KatyMatthewBonTony27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334182110752840834" border="0" /></a>d with fiberglass bodies resembling the original "legendary" NASCAR stock cars of the 30s and 40s. They are powered by four-cylinder, 1250 cc, 125 hp Yamaha air-cooled engines with 5-speed sequential transmissions. And personalized with slick-looking professio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Eq-ZghYpm1oXJbXYCS47O42jkECLMsIsxalABd1SmNmS5GfmUhS4ZxjgHuz7fEi8Q4LBootrkH5ssaPXMPCpe_q2BtbWGGLx2c-IE3vbI1ENd2_UjWgqgkH9bZ6fxoMpZz7dQs3yOTI/s1600-h/Matthew57.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Eq-ZghYpm1oXJbXYCS47O42jkECLMsIsxalABd1SmNmS5GfmUhS4ZxjgHuz7fEi8Q4LBootrkH5ssaPXMPCpe_q2BtbWGGLx2c-IE3vbI1ENd2_UjWgqgkH9bZ6fxoMpZz7dQs3yOTI/s320/Matthew57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334190072407093730" border="0" /></a>nal paint jobs.<br /><br />The 2009 Oval Schedule is in full swing at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/">Sandia Motor Speedway</a>, New Mexico's premier racing facility. Bonnie and Mike were provided a Pit Pass by Katy on Saturday 9 May and were witness to "The Miracle of Duct Tape." The 10-lap heat started well for the Legends however in the back stretch it was Cardenas on Cardenas as Car #7 (Matthew) spun out while trying to pass a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQcJTKafdqQGXSXCt6YyikaItJUUYCOK-xcqOugdizbhLNT1nA9QSkC65LiyQLZ22o4X4c2VcCubJ_mgUmgUL_RAjEbcZmxj2E5QIkDQjC2htiS32J0FxRHz582tuGywSFlrJOKslvKA/s1600-h/MiracleOfDuctTape44.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQcJTKafdqQGXSXCt6YyikaItJUUYCOK-xcqOugdizbhLNT1nA9QSkC65LiyQLZ22o4X4c2VcCubJ_mgUmgUL_RAjEbcZmxj2E5QIkDQjC2htiS32J0FxRHz582tuGywSFlrJOKslvKA/s400/MiracleOfDuctTape44.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334182114829444290" border="0" /></a>nd Car #23 (Tony Jr.) ran up over him.<br /><br />Then it was truly a race against time as Tony Sr. and crew attempted to put Car #7 back into racing condition in time for the 25-lap main event. Many hands working with many tools (and significant duct tape) helping made it happen and Matthew was out racing again - and spun out again - but finished in good shape. An excellent adventure all around!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXDo34PLNNXmTwDwQE1I4scItnGCxDgdKJdA1i6PaCJPQhs2IyhQvkuXTQy_xxvG-O8964Lco65-LZM0m5V7BJnGUM4o7M81ajUP2MS4sjmeUOMoG3iB-DesmHzcWCiTCDcDzavJfcyc/s1600-h/MemoryGrandpaGeorge48.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXDo34PLNNXmTwDwQE1I4scItnGCxDgdKJdA1i6PaCJPQhs2IyhQvkuXTQy_xxvG-O8964Lco65-LZM0m5V7BJnGUM4o7M81ajUP2MS4sjmeUOMoG3iB-DesmHzcWCiTCDcDzavJfcyc/s400/MemoryGrandpaGeorge48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334186813440000194" border="0" /></a>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-72508697407655160772009-02-16T17:07:00.000-08:002009-02-16T17:17:49.086-08:00Jiking the Jemez<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-zKaQYIdE96gj8uXREe2OEK9g2P8UycK1wf3vEuWflCrMGzEBx45Sxobp49RtFh6gIFILQgM4yLcszyylzUxhQW3QRIeaUe6-7mEt0QN5RaeDuf1evZzHDEtPuOQLf7G6HCAWnHfLSQ/s1600-h/2009JemezRecAreaHouse84.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-zKaQYIdE96gj8uXREe2OEK9g2P8UycK1wf3vEuWflCrMGzEBx45Sxobp49RtFh6gIFILQgM4yLcszyylzUxhQW3QRIeaUe6-7mEt0QN5RaeDuf1evZzHDEtPuOQLf7G6HCAWnHfLSQ/s400/2009JemezRecAreaHouse84.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303569009513401154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinBvNJo1bb2wCn0SSgZyTjO9lTY9sQKKfAQ8yO_asRG_8MVScfNdrlbBBX6XEuwOPbch0etc_C0coAit6to6LMlZjT-kEpcjy4ML69RE2cvzrLjjpQGSw9qR4Dk6IgHhbppF_5I2K4sI/s1600-h/2009JemezRecAreaHouse71.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinBvNJo1bb2wCn0SSgZyTjO9lTY9sQKKfAQ8yO_asRG_8MVScfNdrlbBBX6XEuwOPbch0etc_C0coAit6to6LMlZjT-kEpcjy4ML69RE2cvzrLjjpQGSw9qR4Dk6IgHhbppF_5I2K4sI/s400/2009JemezRecAreaHouse71.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303569005012252722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lBWwlt5LD3pwxi_2DSqlmdvY_CWUM0qbqxw7V_zKuim6z9DrW-DUtgsC75q6aWk91PXj8Je7H-xgezSAGsaQUXKn93VToyHjrYHTkd44hQjn3dCwMVVj5LoRRrsE4Ao1W3F39bH1pho/s1600-h/2009JemezRecAreaAdobe85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lBWwlt5LD3pwxi_2DSqlmdvY_CWUM0qbqxw7V_zKuim6z9DrW-DUtgsC75q6aWk91PXj8Je7H-xgezSAGsaQUXKn93VToyHjrYHTkd44hQjn3dCwMVVj5LoRRrsE4Ao1W3F39bH1pho/s400/2009JemezRecAreaAdobe85.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303569007340894258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMzJ9mru3H5mI9P9O-Yn8W4bdgWiq50yo8i0QTn3CBFZ-FYZvRiFtUnvauVCaaarhSBTpQrtPFxj_cNmEcBOCGI-GB8Hf-6nhkYWutxyrhJ_n_54BnAshLhsc9wpTEh7qfqcdRMJLQJ8/s1600-h/2009JemezRecAreaAdobe82.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMzJ9mru3H5mI9P9O-Yn8W4bdgWiq50yo8i0QTn3CBFZ-FYZvRiFtUnvauVCaaarhSBTpQrtPFxj_cNmEcBOCGI-GB8Hf-6nhkYWutxyrhJ_n_54BnAshLhsc9wpTEh7qfqcdRMJLQJ8/s400/2009JemezRecAreaAdobe82.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303568617282388754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R8QXLJLGjnkQIPct1l2AlGbAkRHLjQ2FQp2GKU3KYT7Ek9ZhWxCS0wghA8SICuRSCeoXmZHedbxio-7M268AhQy12loJ3odmlutCxA09eF2qIivVup6sYmZSnOHAb2-8DT_AalyKN4U/s1600-h/2009JemezRecArea67.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R8QXLJLGjnkQIPct1l2AlGbAkRHLjQ2FQp2GKU3KYT7Ek9ZhWxCS0wghA8SICuRSCeoXmZHedbxio-7M268AhQy12loJ3odmlutCxA09eF2qIivVup6sYmZSnOHAb2-8DT_AalyKN4U/s400/2009JemezRecArea67.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303568602317183218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49bqkJWpPKs7gK8Vo9WQMw40Cv1IiDW149cWlw81LQxV2h2Avoy__ojJP0sEBwbSV1noM8n07CpQ373a9Enk3Vah285Oz-W72JjPct8Ga4JoTfRi0hrFYXRASoZvuA18_K-T3WvIEBAA/s1600-h/2009JemezRecArea57.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49bqkJWpPKs7gK8Vo9WQMw40Cv1IiDW149cWlw81LQxV2h2Avoy__ojJP0sEBwbSV1noM8n07CpQ373a9Enk3Vah285Oz-W72JjPct8Ga4JoTfRi0hrFYXRASoZvuA18_K-T3WvIEBAA/s400/2009JemezRecArea57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303568546756828210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGUP74TqgpwPe1-MjsnXgn8NTr03-rxwU7JIcxwYN9UtiNXJZZJQzVyJaNNaYI0U0ZOohXtVkv8ZLiMJJKPA1U0rf94hoRin_62GQHmBn2DrToSIlNzkoqDlDYhno8tgG4XUHnFcr2IU/s1600-h/2009JemezRecArea54.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGUP74TqgpwPe1-MjsnXgn8NTr03-rxwU7JIcxwYN9UtiNXJZZJQzVyJaNNaYI0U0ZOohXtVkv8ZLiMJJKPA1U0rf94hoRin_62GQHmBn2DrToSIlNzkoqDlDYhno8tgG4XUHnFcr2IU/s400/2009JemezRecArea54.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303568181633326306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCf0q68MLkiB9h9tLXO_Dnc65TDF_RJTyNzJxfhs4d1CRlj4fkVpZKPKIJRcyXKfM6EtwYpmjkvily9gBSqc2TNUTknOcm9fOMbsUj7pQdkqKVlR1YMZxBbHl69myRJbnYQCevhUJiUg/s1600-h/2009JemezRecArea47.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCf0q68MLkiB9h9tLXO_Dnc65TDF_RJTyNzJxfhs4d1CRlj4fkVpZKPKIJRcyXKfM6EtwYpmjkvily9gBSqc2TNUTknOcm9fOMbsUj7pQdkqKVlR1YMZxBbHl69myRJbnYQCevhUJiUg/s400/2009JemezRecArea47.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303568179964566434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2bKnWYHBoux3pxLy6kzgx0n7Cs3asznSp1lF-UUtjfIv7T0ID3I0DmjJhRSxVPVBCPacUfiSX454BFuBpwzgoSQn1RxeTiy8hQCtP6UpzEiPy9lqtuKMW21aZiVibNtM9D9g4NJz9b4/s1600-h/2009JemezRecArea45.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2bKnWYHBoux3pxLy6kzgx0n7Cs3asznSp1lF-UUtjfIv7T0ID3I0DmjJhRSxVPVBCPacUfiSX454BFuBpwzgoSQn1RxeTiy8hQCtP6UpzEiPy9lqtuKMW21aZiVibNtM9D9g4NJz9b4/s400/2009JemezRecArea45.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303568178112805058" border="0" /></a><br />Bonnie planned a wonderful Valentine's surprise for me - a ride into the country to parts unknown (to me). Unfortunately, or rather, as it happened, we had an early Valentine's Dinner at Cervantes where we split a Silver Margarita. We were both wiped out after that, so the trip was postponed until Sunday 15 February.<br /><br />Wonderful adventure, any of you readers can repeat it: Head toward Bernalillo and take Route 4 West. Then look for 485, and take it about two miles into the Jemez Recreational Area of the Santa Fe National Forest. The last three miles (through the tunnels) are on 367.<br /><br />What great photos! The originals are of course larger and thus more spectacular. Perhaps we should make this "from our house to yours" for 2009?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2gr_AlnPIEOrgEptnZM4LYYHl2dr9Al3f0kOTZSJlVpHH6kk3ByKxvf0Ax4trjMUWqsy6RDe7O1DmWj2pQo5d3DUJnmL2eHFYqfkx0U4EjcY6ltlYWHZ5XU6OyfI4npUoQP4_N6dFAU/s1600-h/2009JemezRecAreaMike63.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2gr_AlnPIEOrgEptnZM4LYYHl2dr9Al3f0kOTZSJlVpHH6kk3ByKxvf0Ax4trjMUWqsy6RDe7O1DmWj2pQo5d3DUJnmL2eHFYqfkx0U4EjcY6ltlYWHZ5XU6OyfI4npUoQP4_N6dFAU/s400/2009JemezRecAreaMike63.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303569009716555778" border="0" /></a>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-62672919318011090142009-01-29T16:18:00.000-08:002009-01-29T16:50:55.682-08:00Sally<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0Duk6KVfC52zZ5k-kB42MOZnfxb0qQA6INeX58lrxB75h9U-m2THrlsty6PzNSN3jpijP8jC7wo1LTFM6juKMwGXXESldn1TkA9jKwCQJ0XoGYgjL1MAHUSrOHwPusmUEzrQ1nxSAqc/s1600-h/Mike-Sally-San07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0Duk6KVfC52zZ5k-kB42MOZnfxb0qQA6INeX58lrxB75h9U-m2THrlsty6PzNSN3jpijP8jC7wo1LTFM6juKMwGXXESldn1TkA9jKwCQJ0XoGYgjL1MAHUSrOHwPusmUEzrQ1nxSAqc/s320/Mike-Sally-San07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296878641718714338" border="0" /></a><br />We are conducting the ultimate family business - Bonnie's mother Sally died last week and the services are tomorrow. Sally was quite a woman, a mother, a grandmother, great- and great-great. Sharp mind for 94 years and fortunately no real suffering at the transition. I only got to know her for these last two years however I felt a bond and a welcoming - even though we tried to team up on Bonnie in a spirited game of <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boggle">Boggle</a> we still could not defeat her. Which brings me to the Second Reading.<br /><br /><br />Beth will deliver the Second Reading at the services, and even for a true atheist, these words have meaning and feeling and move me:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time has come for my</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >departure.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >for his appearing.”</span><br /><div style="text-align: right; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">2 Timothy 4:6-8<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:verdana;" ></span><f=arial><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Originally Bonnie came out after her mother had been admitted to the hospital to assist her sister in bedside vigils. Eventually she returned home, then returned with me via automobile. The feeling was surrealistic in that Sally was at home on hospice in a hospital bed in the living room while visitors came and went, talked and enjoyed each other's company, meals were eaten, drinks were consumed.<br /><br />I certainly would never make light of Bonnie's loss, yet she was fortunate to have her mother so far into her own life. I for example lost my mother at my age of 29, when my mother was 64. Hardly a week goes by when I wish I had the opportunity to talk with her again, to ask her questions. Thus perhaps the popularity of Mitch Albom's third book, "<a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_One_More_Day">For One More Day</a>."<br /><br />I will truly miss Sally. Bonnie usually called her each day (Sally told each of her daughters that the other two were calling daily!) and sometimes the phone was turned over to me. We had taken her down to San Clemente, and the photo is one I look at and enjoy from those times. She was indeed an inspirational lady.<br /></span></f=arial></div><br /></div>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-16308266036542029082009-01-10T06:10:00.000-08:002009-01-12T09:07:26.740-08:00Tax Preparation Software<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6D2Sr0hyEocuAsznCf_m5SGTQbYAIbSiZC_b6JTrURRujaWBOIS4BXV734zRtqvCqtzvzuAlB4pOW-ucn1PUoVh9jpnxs2FaUfKnrWKPev7O_ZpeypJfX9CJTqpKSFG8sdvHqj-s3JY/s1600-h/FrugalPiggy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6D2Sr0hyEocuAsznCf_m5SGTQbYAIbSiZC_b6JTrURRujaWBOIS4BXV734zRtqvCqtzvzuAlB4pOW-ucn1PUoVh9jpnxs2FaUfKnrWKPev7O_ZpeypJfX9CJTqpKSFG8sdvHqj-s3JY/s320/FrugalPiggy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289689856446803794" border="0" /></a><br />In the "olden days" (i.e., mid 1980s, during <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_1-2-3"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lotus 1-2-3</span></a> Era but before Turbo Tax), before the Gentleman Pensioner was a pensioner, each year I would painstakingly create all the Federal Income Tax forms in Lotus. I had them connected, so the data would pass from one form to the next, just as the instructions would indicate. Then the following year, I would have to take each form and update it for the changes the IRS had made for that year. This took several hours of update, however I thought it was worth it. Of course, I could not send in 'my' forms, but I would print them out and use them to enter the 'final version' of my submitted taxes.<br /><br />Then I found <a href="http://www.alamopc.org/pcalamode/reviews/archive1/rev165.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Personal Tax Edge</span></a>, and said: hey, that $9.99 is worth the amount of time I'm putting into this each year. For several (about five) years, I used Personal Tax Edge. Ultimately, of course, Turbo Tax bought out PTE - and gave me one free year of Turbo Tax for my being a loyal Personal Tax Edge customer. That year convinced me that Turbo Tax was no better than Tax Cut, the only (I thought) competitor on the market.<br /><br />For Tax Year 2007 (last year), here was the deal, as validated on 17 Jan 2008: TaxCut now had its cheapest version (was called basic, now called Premium Federal) for $19.95 (boo!); the next step up, (also called Premium Federal plus State filing plus e-filing) for $39.95. I don't know where TurboTax cost is at this time, however I have confirmed that even if one downloads TaxCut Premium Federal only from the TaxCut.com web site, the biscuits still charge you $19.95! On 17 Jan 2008 I was able to purchase at CompUSA for "going out of business" discount of $4 which made it $17.01 after tax (yes, gross receipts tax, no pun here). For Tax Year 2006, I couldn’t find Tax Cut for less than $18.95 !!! (and that was at BX). Most of them were at the list $19.95 even for the Basic package. For Tax Year 2007, I looked into downloading the Tax Cut from their web site – still costs the same, and as mentioned several times in here, I never have used the CD after the initial installation – and once you do that installation, it says, “let’s go check the web site for latest changes” so you have no choice but to use Internet version download anyway – so start with it.<br /><br />Then a month ago, on Dec 15 of 2008, Tax Cut sent me a CD which is nothing but a forced download of the Premium Federal for $34.95 (prepare plus e-file; state is more, that should kick it up to $39.95). I don't want that crap. I want the "basic" [prepare only] so I was thinking where can I get a price break? may need to go back to BX or Comp USA... but they all seem to be in lockstep on price ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrZ4H0bp6oZzNq_zkaIdr3wb4JbqwNWLN6rnstnQR08a2kqKVz6CkHlq9Lr6TjJ6jDQdrdrEVH8PHWQ3aRiYez_bhtTX_O91I29p84dq_aitjF5tIHYRfDKAcjBEjfPlccsaPUXIAII4/s1600-h/efile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrZ4H0bp6oZzNq_zkaIdr3wb4JbqwNWLN6rnstnQR08a2kqKVz6CkHlq9Lr6TjJ6jDQdrdrEVH8PHWQ3aRiYez_bhtTX_O91I29p84dq_aitjF5tIHYRfDKAcjBEjfPlccsaPUXIAII4/s320/efile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289669941156900818" border="0" /></a><br />Because of the cost of both Tax Cut (and Turbo Tax), I looked around and was amazed to find <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">TaxACT</span> (which apparently has been around for 10 years!). TaxACT (created by Second Story Software) has a better price: FREE (Standard version) software and FREE e-file! The ~13MB install program is downloaded from their <a href="http://taxact.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">web site</span></a>. (you can also file on-line, however for me download is the only way to go.) The [free] Standard version is limited in that you can only create one tax return and cannot import data from previous years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJb8v2j6YnmWDMCMXCOetoHCbyhYfkBFrrAvNYGbPen5uKaRmMi1X9VIV67o9seSD2CwJEtr1-H_U8Wc2KFXqfzNZfN33I5GloD3MqGgtRtYhOsNEA05Oux8voV9rF26v6G_U5h6qHuQ/s1600-h/taxact-box.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJb8v2j6YnmWDMCMXCOetoHCbyhYfkBFrrAvNYGbPen5uKaRmMi1X9VIV67o9seSD2CwJEtr1-H_U8Wc2KFXqfzNZfN33I5GloD3MqGgtRtYhOsNEA05Oux8voV9rF26v6G_U5h6qHuQ/s320/taxact-box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289692488734734530" border="0" /></a>I am currently trying TaxACT and evaluating it as I go - my initial reaction is: so far it looks quite good. I can already see ways that it is better than Tax Cut, e.g., in the Forms view which is my primary entry method. Tax Cut just shows you the list of forms, e.g., 1099-Div and says you have, say, six copies. TaxACT lists the six copies and shows the Payer for each. Also I found I can copy from Tax Cut (once I open the form) and paste the identifying info into TaxACT. ( Deluxe version allows you to bring in all info from LAST YEAR's TaxACT but since this is my first year ... ) Deluxe costs $13 and also gives you access to Lassiter tax law explanations as well as allows you to save forms as PDF documents so you don't have to keep the software version around for five years or whatever.<br /><br /><a href="http://tax-software-review.toptenreviews.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Her</span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ISOUWtxnRhD2kba6ur6JbO93ibvmKIMROvHVrQ7gO4uvTrDE_a9QyOxOFmbb2xxuvPa_qpmXhwzR0zMY7sIE-o4TdrD1ZXxLorYrUfZeQozSyecV2AdT2DnwHPtnkEgbm4YxmRT6o4o/s1600-h/silver-awd.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 78px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ISOUWtxnRhD2kba6ur6JbO93ibvmKIMROvHVrQ7gO4uvTrDE_a9QyOxOFmbb2xxuvPa_qpmXhwzR0zMY7sIE-o4TdrD1ZXxLorYrUfZeQozSyecV2AdT2DnwHPtnkEgbm4YxmRT6o4o/s320/silver-awd.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289692484162173410" border="0" /></a><a href="http://tax-software-review.toptenreviews.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">e </span></a>is an excellent comparison/review of the top ten tax preparation (<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">online</span>) software packages - I had no idea that there were more than two candidates until this year! Some of these offer purely on-line versions, and I prefer the desktop version for feelings of privacy and control. The comparison ranks Turbo Tax #1, TaxACT #2, and Tax Cut #3. I would appreciate your comments (if you wish email to me <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">Mike@Blackledge.com</span> and I will post your comments below) - have you heard of TaxACT? Used it?Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-42630495477990641102008-12-27T18:03:00.000-08:002008-12-30T18:50:17.193-08:00Elf in a Bag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLWtGRQGUq7_m5Zb8I0Yrax6-iN2gZnWcj6bPA3v0ZfqITcRUlbm6l9oSb2cKgTde1nMA1g7Ub4NzJUEY0IsZElxD0FtBaVc-GlE3gbPFMsR04PpBQH6JEv0jBZjhu4hQ_zL7cpA_JaY/s1600-h/GingerBreadHouse43.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLWtGRQGUq7_m5Zb8I0Yrax6-iN2gZnWcj6bPA3v0ZfqITcRUlbm6l9oSb2cKgTde1nMA1g7Ub4NzJUEY0IsZElxD0FtBaVc-GlE3gbPFMsR04PpBQH6JEv0jBZjhu4hQ_zL7cpA_JaY/s320/GingerBreadHouse43.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284658269092577042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqZ2lhcq4kZm7m53bR1_O2j0nDU6KFXMSqD9X2H106MTr7952me8gBvCBFdD5vOA-kSja_USJ4bVK3Tgec65UVC19gGODEuAflXpGu1c9c5EK_C7Yt2gIxLs4c2cdbBIGnzj7eT8qQ94/s1600-h/ChristmasMorn2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqZ2lhcq4kZm7m53bR1_O2j0nDU6KFXMSqD9X2H106MTr7952me8gBvCBFdD5vOA-kSja_USJ4bVK3Tgec65UVC19gGODEuAflXpGu1c9c5EK_C7Yt2gIxLs4c2cdbBIGnzj7eT8qQ94/s320/ChristmasMorn2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284658261081593554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">GL and The SF</span> had decided to run away for Christmas - yet to whence dost we goest? Argentina had been in the running, however it turned out that Christmas can be quite hot and humid in that part of the world. The conundrum was solved when Barbara and Ron invited us to Springfield for the Holidays. Our situation became even better when it turned out that Ron was a college bowl football fan <span style="font-style: italic;">(see "Everybody Loves Raymond" episode at Amy and Robert's house with no television at Thanksgiving dinner.)</span><br /><br />Traditions past, present, and a touch surreal began with the building of the Gingerbread House. We began with a three-generation sojourn through the Springfield Wildlife Preserve, locating a very cooperative Great Blue Heron and several interested white-tail deer. On Christmas Eve, the Blessing of the creche ("Holy Water is not magic, just sacred") at St. John's <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcA5m33BtfZ-30P8LCPfuQxPiKXoDsB3k2QG506WRoO4rDCsa3HrGRF8_iEWjqLF9F5IcLdqwPEaIQe-BimzMLAFfRWZAmq4WvXUxJQyiKHveTONrljfBSYiB96SRtOwgmRLL-yqAWk8/s1600-h/GreatBlue52.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcA5m33BtfZ-30P8LCPfuQxPiKXoDsB3k2QG506WRoO4rDCsa3HrGRF8_iEWjqLF9F5IcLdqwPEaIQe-BimzMLAFfRWZAmq4WvXUxJQyiKHveTONrljfBSYiB96SRtOwgmRLL-yqAWk8/s320/GreatBlue52.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285776963169271298" border="0" /></a>Episcopal became a family affair with both kids chosen to participate. Then when Father Williams released the elf from the garbage bag, it was a mind-altering encounter for many of us. Apparently elves have no particular gender. We learned more than we had ever realized about the relationship betwixt angels, elves, Santa Claus and God's helpers.<br /><br />Christmas morning had us out on the lookout for Children's Advil and we arrived on the home front just in time for the opening of the presents. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD8U5n2eXxv4QWic8g-uROoIx8q9k2iGhmv5MxeM5IZJbvytCwMyO_l56Vz3TeUr5tzQIbBuTup98w0i5Nd9kSh3FZkLcIMTqsOURdZtTA1K3FnCokvbpUHQndXx8Cuv9bxDlGb8gZns/s1600-h/YupRocks9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD8U5n2eXxv4QWic8g-uROoIx8q9k2iGhmv5MxeM5IZJbvytCwMyO_l56Vz3TeUr5tzQIbBuTup98w0i5Nd9kSh3FZkLcIMTqsOURdZtTA1K3FnCokvbpUHQndXx8Cuv9bxDlGb8gZns/s320/YupRocks9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284670490083414770" border="0" /></a>So what do you give a geologist? Answer is <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://yuprocks.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />The Day After we were on the road again, heading up to <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Saddlebred">Saddlebred</a> Country to visit with Jan and Don, including a trip to our new favorite steak house, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/locator/map.asp?RestaurantID=5154">The Longhorn</a>. The next day Bonnie visited the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.trumanlibrary.org/">H.S. Truman Library</a> as well as the Truman Home after dropping Mike at the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/genlh/about/">Mid West Genealogy Center</a> - it don't get any better than this.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Summary</span>: There was much to do in Missouri, even without visiting Branson. Every day was an adventure - the weather was cold (one morning we woke up to 4, yes, 4 degrees) however the roads were clear and sunny. Let's run away every Christmas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZZP79bU7nUl5S98hUlaXUw0hPeB2paX-gRRbO0MeycE43zOoWxVez4uzIF3kf0fpnhlFPq7QKUu3sV8rE-tBC1CbL4JjSZ24EMzguvxXIYmqCAAABxOtYEIvtAGWyVmO8ifUV6T3QGw/s1600-h/SchillingBurden15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZZP79bU7nUl5S98hUlaXUw0hPeB2paX-gRRbO0MeycE43zOoWxVez4uzIF3kf0fpnhlFPq7QKUu3sV8rE-tBC1CbL4JjSZ24EMzguvxXIYmqCAAABxOtYEIvtAGWyVmO8ifUV6T3QGw/s320/SchillingBurden15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284658273872590610" border="0" /></a>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-90370480339891708392008-12-13T10:20:00.000-08:002008-12-13T12:18:06.970-08:00Let There Be Lamp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThTLjU2vx7M6PB7F1XIcybCHvxHty1_ZbqZS05yBOPN1pBj2l_5NrI5y8EqzpwuUEMWBlRLlKOe-FCA11PXrdG1Joc0LU923InaOD49p14SGnDLq7KvR1ss39TG-psCxHj3GE5wBBbQY/s1600-h/LampTurk2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThTLjU2vx7M6PB7F1XIcybCHvxHty1_ZbqZS05yBOPN1pBj2l_5NrI5y8EqzpwuUEMWBlRLlKOe-FCA11PXrdG1Joc0LU923InaOD49p14SGnDLq7KvR1ss39TG-psCxHj3GE5wBBbQY/s320/LampTurk2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279346896664018210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Prior to Thanksgiving</span>, some extensive furniture acquisitions and moving and the transfer of electron transmissions from Comcast to the Qwest-DIRECTV partnership within the ol' homestead produced a flurry of comments by the extended family of the GP. Yes, they all loved the Media Room - however what was that we still see in the Conversation Pit? What was the bad-looking lamp with the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObbRCs8pNW0ju5gfQsUrps9PH2AJ92076PBTZqQTu4RTP7RaCODI42gLYB98N5mKoZnW2AbYfKgh3U_Ra5fw-qxWax90YITrSxnG5ihXnJ8yM-tl7kO3iZic9aWDrIi0rTPqx5Lqcjlo/s1600-h/LampTurk1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObbRCs8pNW0ju5gfQsUrps9PH2AJ92076PBTZqQTu4RTP7RaCODI42gLYB98N5mKoZnW2AbYfKgh3U_Ra5fw-qxWax90YITrSxnG5ihXnJ8yM-tl7kO3iZic9aWDrIi0rTPqx5Lqcjlo/s320/LampTurk1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279346896837338626" border="0" /></a>too-long lampshade doing in there? Brother Pete had discovered a fowl underpinning to the entire event (see photo at left). Even Brother Jerry from Perkasie was appalled - what are we going to do about that <span style="font-weight: bold;">#*%@</span> lamp?<br /><br />Fe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEvhQw6rSXwHkSVgDnYyxr2AAbsnAyAr1wBArsEO75J92PIlWLqwlx7JTKjJGLnOz5dzsvCl-3yg8GA2IyT-5MOHSNrBBsRALvJ5xGKxZn2U4VXCvO10P2KmgFrCo9wrHCpNVSFcOUNk/s1600-h/Lamp4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEvhQw6rSXwHkSVgDnYyxr2AAbsnAyAr1wBArsEO75J92PIlWLqwlx7JTKjJGLnOz5dzsvCl-3yg8GA2IyT-5MOHSNrBBsRALvJ5xGKxZn2U4VXCvO10P2KmgFrCo9wrHCpNVSFcOUNk/s400/Lamp4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279342790064772130" border="0" /></a>ar not, brave family - unbeknownst to you, the Magnifique Marmot (Ms Bonnie) had been out shopping for months and yesterday she hit the jackpot at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/indexCatalogOff.asp">Tuesday Morning</a>, one of her favorite stores. The lamps she has been tracking for months were on sale - take a look at this<span style="font-style: italic;"> in situ</span> photo - these are $225 MSRP lamps, and Bonnie got them for a song - following a little negotiations - would you believe less that $40 each? Wow! Is this woman a shopper or what?<br /><br />We are both very happy with them as they preserve and enhance the masculinity of the GP's conversation pit. The lamp-lighting occurred just in time for this month's<a href="http://ltbc.info/"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Last Thursday Book Club</span> </a>meeting - I can't wait to see what the guys say!<br /><br />In truth, this lamp switch out was in the works for some time. Meanwhile we thank all of you for your comments and continuing interest.<br /><br />For our Christmas-Holiday image, we offer a semi-traditional Southwestern <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_scene">crèche </a>- from the Elena collection.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Happy Holidays to all.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9Eo3x_F75JaBCDVwLVMHn_PKh_aYQCoTym2BLsriw-hJuoymDLOV4ZvgRc6lU63_o7hKYljFYAcZCzFjYqN6F-MxOaBOscYHRqkj3CvdMZl2oF-QaKqVmGUL7y2E089jTKKNyt0c8HQ/s1600-h/Lamp5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9Eo3x_F75JaBCDVwLVMHn_PKh_aYQCoTym2BLsriw-hJuoymDLOV4ZvgRc6lU63_o7hKYljFYAcZCzFjYqN6F-MxOaBOscYHRqkj3CvdMZl2oF-QaKqVmGUL7y2E089jTKKNyt0c8HQ/s400/Lamp5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279342792765522034" border="0" /></a>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-85422165310616509282008-11-18T07:36:00.000-08:002008-12-13T11:02:02.159-08:00Senate Bill 3683<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRCg-0ZLaBNiERipkjp2fkwitvDtf5AMWTvpAUMaFjljQlNeLKEpKfVUwwblpqSObsgm_jrcrBA7Mpw_sewww5BG3zBAmIXTt_ts7DFi_kgeQ7IhYHhj9ijXApZcIQzzQN9e6eA9sAdc/s1600-h/Paulson1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRCg-0ZLaBNiERipkjp2fkwitvDtf5AMWTvpAUMaFjljQlNeLKEpKfVUwwblpqSObsgm_jrcrBA7Mpw_sewww5BG3zBAmIXTt_ts7DFi_kgeQ7IhYHhj9ijXApZcIQzzQN9e6eA9sAdc/s400/Paulson1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270024173218981058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Senate Bill 3683</span><br /><br />I am deeply concerned that Congress completely abdicated its responsibility by signing a truly blank check over to the Treasury Secretary. This past week, Treasury Secretary Paulson deepened that concern by announcing that he has completed a remarkable about -face (summarized elsewhere, e.g. by the November 13th Investor's Business Daily front page headline as linked here: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=5&issue=20081112">In Major Reversal, Treasury Won't Buy Bad Mortgage Debt)</a>. Treasury should have formulated a comprehensive plan earlier in the crisis.<br /><br />However, the lame duck session of Congress offers us a tremendous opportunity to change course. We should take it. On Monday, November 17, 2008, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced legislation to amend Section 115 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) to require an affirmative vote on the part of Congress to approve Treasury's plan for the remaining $350 billion and require a freeze on any remaining funds of the first $350 billion, stating, "It is imperative that we not allow that amount of money to be added to a deficit approaching $1 trillion this year without any input from the legislative branch."<br /><br />Sen. Inhofe provides the text of his rationale at <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;" href="http://inhofe.senate.gov/">Inhofe.senate.gov</a> - his legislation, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Senate Bill 3683</span>, may be our best opportunity to change course. When 70 Senators voted for the EESA I realize they did so in good conscience but with some reservations - Congress should have oversight over the Secretary's actions. Please now encourage your senators to vote to place some congressional control over knowing and approving how any additional monies would be spent under the EESA bailout.Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-46563531740567328482008-11-01T07:44:00.000-07:002008-12-30T14:19:27.033-08:00Straight-Talk Motorcade Redux<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hESqrjdKl6ZxTwU-jkLIfEqj2aK91Wi5LMoBnWe3G5hBu0yTRzH_irbJbWr0WXETh_eW6fL15cayTknLxVVcC8FDy1t1mT8HnM1Ail8Cn3DzfIpWJnZddRG5bIyfPKiN1tAkzx_5ddc/s1600-h/McCainDrivers2008-Fair.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hESqrjdKl6ZxTwU-jkLIfEqj2aK91Wi5LMoBnWe3G5hBu0yTRzH_irbJbWr0WXETh_eW6fL15cayTknLxVVcC8FDy1t1mT8HnM1Ail8Cn3DzfIpWJnZddRG5bIyfPKiN1tAkzx_5ddc/s400/McCainDrivers2008-Fair.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285711185331745602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" >Straight-Talk Motorcade Redux</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohoKZfDRrd7TfGTarbw0SX6XLolqavQhSpa7Wl9fbnJC2tVzo4Vspsr48uzEz3vdA_Hxq-E2ROelhELsmPh57Dko8HYC7Sw5LQm3R8YMnxFK8O7Iw7cJd3Nj90haEeuB6_HEXlDnYqvo/s1600-h/McCAIN2008SteelFrame.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohoKZfDRrd7TfGTarbw0SX6XLolqavQhSpa7Wl9fbnJC2tVzo4Vspsr48uzEz3vdA_Hxq-E2ROelhELsmPh57Dko8HYC7Sw5LQm3R8YMnxFK8O7Iw7cJd3Nj90haEeuB6_HEXlDnYqvo/s400/McCAIN2008SteelFrame.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263703522872932402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Less than two weeks until <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">the election</span>, and on Wednesday [22 Oct 2008] I receive a ph</span><span style="font-family:arial;">one call from someone I didn't know: "Hello, I'm <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jim Gibbons</span> with the McCain Campaign, and I got your name from Marta as someone who would be willing to be a driver for the McCain motorcade." Well, I had done this <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://mikeblackledge.blogspot.com/2008/10/straight-talk-motorcade.html">once before</a> ... OK, when would this be? "Well, I have two days we need to cover: this Friday from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and Saturday from 6:30 am to 3 pm. I think there may be early releases on both of those." Hmmmm. On Friday evening, I planned to take Bonnie and go to the Lady Lobos scrimmage at the Pit. "Put me down for Sat</span><span style="font-family:arial;">urday morning." "OK, meet us at the Marriott Pyramid at 7 am on Saturday - do you know where the Marriott Pyramid is?" I kinda did, and as a driver I didn't want to give away my directional ineptitude. "Sure."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">At swimming on Friday,</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > Barry Howard </span><span style="font-family:arial;">told me he had</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> been given the opportunity to drive this weekend and told them to allow a younger guy to get the photo op. Getting to the Marriott at 7 am means leaving the house by 6:30 am which means getting up on Saturday at 5:30 am. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">It was cold Saturday morning. I arrived at the Marriott at 7, and was glad to see <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hoppy Hopkins</span>, as all the other drivers had participated in the previous evening's drive from Cutter Aviation to the Marriott. Thus I was the only ne</span><span style="font-family:arial;">w face for everyone else this morning. Hoppy was wearing a light-colored sports coat, I was dressed all in black - however we both had our McCain pins.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chris Livingston</span> told me that there was a room down around the corner with food and coffee set up, and eventually we all went down there. However, I did not feel like eating at this early time. Hoppy said he needed to eat a muffin to help</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> absorb his coffee. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Jim seemed to have this motorcade better organized that the previous - for example, there was an actual <span style="font-weight: bold;">Information Sheet for Drivers</span> with all of our names and cell phones (OK, everyone except me had a cell phone), and some tips:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Things to keep in mind when a driver for the campaign:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stay with t</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">he vehicle! </span>Because of security, it is important that our drivers stay with the vehicles unless told otherwise. If you are planning to step away for whatever reason, inform Secret Service and or campaign staff.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Don’t lock yourself out of the vehicle!</span> PLEASE, do not do this. Keep the driver’s window open, unlock all the doors, don’t close the door, etc. Make sure you are never locked out of the vehicle.</li><li> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Obey traffic laws. </span> Staying on schedule is important. However, not at the risk of breaking the law or causing an accident. So follow all traffic laws when not in the motorcade. We are not running red lights, not tailgating, or taking undue risk.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Driving a 15 passenger van IS NOT like driving a car!</span> Full size vans are longer and heavier. SO, give yourself more space when breaking and take your turns a wider. Always remember, your passengers are not as secure in a van as in a Keep your passengers’ well being in mind at all times.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Pay attention! </span> Motorcades are dangerous. Pay attention to not only the vehicle in front of you, but two or more vehicles in front of you. You are welcome to use your camera, but not while the motorcade is moving.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2416ZCeZdgaPY9uOy4CPJjf53ng3OgIS3koYVzkkoPBto8vhKFQjcVOV3oexazsJSV-dBL18HLLtiQNlE_PfosOdpzi4-erM9PlKi_X2mvdgMEd0v0rwGyXnln44ckvIA_CPCP7esec0/s1600-h/Drivers4Oct08-4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2416ZCeZdgaPY9uOy4CPJjf53ng3OgIS3koYVzkkoPBto8vhKFQjcVOV3oexazsJSV-dBL18HLLtiQNlE_PfosOdpzi4-erM9PlKi_X2mvdgMEd0v0rwGyXnln44ckvIA_CPCP7esec0/s400/Drivers4Oct08-4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263816560121354082" border="0" /></a></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Utilize the staff or passengers to communicate!</span> Feel free to ask the staffer in your vehicle or a passenger to make phone calls to relay important information or to answer your phone if you’re concentrating on the road.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have your phone charger!</span> A dead cell phone is useless. Cell phones are used extensively. A dead cell phone will cause havoc, if we can’t reach you or you can’t reach us.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have something to drink and read! </span> You may want to make sure you have a bottle of water or something to drink, a snack, as well as something to read. There could easily be extended periods of down time, so having something to pass time helps.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dress attire is business to business casual.</span> Most campaign staff will be wearing suits. However, dress the way you feel most comfortable, yet professional, since you will be in a car most of the day.</li></ul><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This time, I drive <span style="font-weight: bold;">PRESS 2</span>. Alw</span><span style="font-family:arial;">a</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ys interesting to hear the conversations. In this case, the <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">AFP</span></a> correspondent was told that at the White House they are referred to as "A F'ng P." And the <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/Home.aspx"></a><a href="http://www.afp.com/english/home/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Getty <a href="http://gettyimages.com/">Imag</a>es</span> rep was complaining that he (and others)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCccGwbVOUgL3sTw0QxkRF0ETGvcSM3mXfdcEeuAvAUivSK9tZkCUWDfkhQfW58HFx124qPP9r2_EWkO1FRVRkKNwKu8BE8mKEPsunESa9LOAw6YwJfM4qigUGVYvbxFofB3aVXaiTG2A/s1600-h/PRESS2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCccGwbVOUgL3sTw0QxkRF0ETGvcSM3mXfdcEeuAvAUivSK9tZkCUWDfkhQfW58HFx124qPP9r2_EWkO1FRVRkKNwKu8BE8mKEPsunESa9LOAw6YwJfM4qigUGVYvbxFofB3aVXaiTG2A/s320/PRESS2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263703865695699970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> was asked to get off the Straight Talk Express campaign plane for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in order</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to make room for other staffers who had been working the campaign continually but not riding on the plane. He could follow the campaign from commercial air, and he dreaded getting back into that hassle. The other press pool folks were discussing ordering special T-shirts that would read "Joe The News Photographer," etc.<br /><br />W</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e drove from the Marriott, finally leaving about 9:45 am, to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Expo New Mexico </span>(the facility previously known as the New Mexico State Fair). The talk was outside, and had been 'warmed up' with local politicians for about an hour before we got there. Lindsey Graham introduced the Senator, and this time we could hear some of </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8MaQyVMR6EwwUu2plhEn4I7v_fZu_2kBt9Sto_oqTAt26huGfOWqOg_lVxsl_o0-fosWNrc9-4b4agdqMM6OoY7qPIOgq9a_3uXpO-iUqiV8O7IX-EPc38aDX0WsQrR8AYYaR3WvcJQ/s1600-h/POOL2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8MaQyVMR6EwwUu2plhEn4I7v_fZu_2kBt9Sto_oqTAt26huGfOWqOg_lVxsl_o0-fosWNrc9-4b4agdqMM6OoY7qPIOgq9a_3uXpO-iUqiV8O7IX-EPc38aDX0WsQrR8AYYaR3WvcJQ/s320/POOL2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263703864191506322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">the remarks as we turned the motorcade around and waited behind the Expo buildings. We were taken into the area to be ready for our group photo shot, and could peer through the black cloth curtains to see the crowd and Senator and </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Mrs. McCain. Again, a fun experience.<br /><br />We won't see our photo op result until a couple of weeks after the election. As seen in the drivers-only photo, we ended up dressing every way from blue jeans to suits. Well, I dressed comfortably: no suit, no tie - and at least I didn't lock myself out of my van. Mission accomplished. </span>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-415411774212421072.post-29466376988907631542008-10-19T20:55:00.000-07:002008-10-23T22:55:12.176-07:00Barbarians at the Gate<h1 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Barbarians at the Gate</h1> <p class="MsoNormal">Tom:<span style=""> </span>earlier this month, you replied to my concerns about “spread the wealth around” with your opinion given as follows:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">In my oh so humble opinion, we definitely need a serious<br />redistribution of wealth. We've seen the number of people in the<br />middle class decrease while the poor have increased and more and more wealth is concentrated among a few very rich. This is exactly the phenomenon that spelled doom for the Romans. Wealth becomes more and more concentrated in a few hands at the expense of the masses. If McCain wins and more and more people are poor and without health care, etc., violence will increase, public schools will go down the tubes, the American dream will vanish, and hello revolution and civil war.<br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Is that what rich fat cats who bank roll the McCain lies about Obama want? Come on! Ties to terrorists? He's a Muslim because of his middle name? How stupid are we? If we don't change course soon, this country is headed for a revolution that's going to be ugly for us all.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I want to provide a response. I know it would be better in a dialogue or discourse, however let me at least give a few of my reactions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Redistribution of wealth equates to socialism.<span style=""> </span>And yes, we have some of that now:<span style=""> </span>we pay a negative income tax to people at the bottom, and we heavily tax those at the top of the income ladder.<span style=""> </span>We have numerous welfare programs.<span style=""> </span>You want <i style="">more </i>distribution of wealth?<span style=""> </span>Tell me where socialism has worked – one can certainly point to places where capitalism has even overcome communism – <st1:country-region st="on">Russia</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> are two huge examples.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The overall theme of your response appears to be that if we allow more poor people to exist, then we are asking for revolution.<span style=""> </span>“Poor” is such a subjective term, however I would interpret this to mean folks who don’t have (or have considerable trouble with obtaining) the basic needs of food and shelter.<span style=""> </span>Do you think that just giving money to people gets them out of this “poor” category?<span style=""> </span>Only if the money is given forever, throughout their lives.<span style=""> </span>That is a welfare state, and to some degree, we have that in this country now.<span style=""> </span>Have you seen any of the statistics that after the welfare rolls were purged during the Reagan administration that people actually went out and got jobs?<span style=""> </span>That’s how people can stop “being” poor, not by waiting around for their government handouts during what should be their productive years.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I would not agree that increase of poor, and wealth at the top, was what spelled doom for the Romans.<span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>I would argue that it was, if you want to put a word on it, apathy – apathy coupled with, or even brought on by, the excesses of the welfare state.<span style=""> </span>Here’s what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Roman_Empire">Wikipedia.com</a> says:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">The historian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetius" title="Vegetius">Vegetius</a> theorized, and has recently been supported by the historian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ferrill" title="Arthur Ferrill">Arthur Ferrill</a>, that the <st1:place st="on">Roman Empire</st1:place> – particularly the military – declined partially as a result of an influx of Germanic mercenaries into the ranks of the legions. This "Germanization" and the resultant cultural dilution or "barbarization", led to lethargy, complacency and loyalty to the Roman commanders, instead of the Roman government, among the legions and a surge in decadence amongst Roman citizenry.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To me, a better example of poor causing a revolution is the example of the French Revolution of 1789, ho</span>wever there the "rich" were indeed the ruling class and the "poor" had no say in their government.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps you would argue that wealth causes decadence.<span style=""> </span>I can point to numerous cases of wealthy people working hard – some are even Democrats!<span style=""> </span>However, there is a more important point here.<span style=""> </span>Your response appears to imply that people are poor or middle class or rich essentially throughout their lives, and that those are their permanent classes (thus the concern of Republicans that Obama is encouraging this ‘class warfare.’)<span style=""> </span>However, if you think about it, you will see that (for examples) your in-laws the Elders, and the Genonis, and the Ganongs, and the Blackledges all started as “poor” – we were all making about $220 a month, and we all had just about enough to get by on as we had babies and young careers.<span style=""> </span>You state that if McCain were elected, the American dream will vanish – well, we all lived that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream">American Dream</a>.<span style=""> </span>We all worked hard and improved our status a little each year as we rose through the ranks of the military and then into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military-industrial_complex">military-industrial complex</a>, and voila!<span style=""> </span>We became RICH!<span style=""> </span>(at least by Obama’s yardstick).<span style=""> </span>This IS the American Dream!<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">What we did then can still be done today: moving from poor to rich by applying oneself: working your way through college as Paul did at Montana State, or applying for an appointment to a service academy as Tom and Gary and I did. Giving money to poor people, or furthering the welfare state, is very much in opposition to what the American Dream is all about.<span style=""> </span>Giving people 110% mortgage loans with no money down and no proof of the ability to repay the loan may be the dream of some liberal Democrats but it is not the American Dream. It is a blueprint for the Fall of the America-We-Know-And-Love.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It appears at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.electoral-vote.com/">this juncture</a> that you will get your dream, in that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama">Barack Obama</a> will indeed be the 44<sup>th</sup> President of our <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>I know he is articulate, I accept he is intelligent, I concede that he has displayed superior political attributes to include excellent organizational skills.<span style=""> </span> I sincerely hope he surrounds himself with good advisers and governs wisely – wisely in encouraging what <span style="font-style: italic;">facilitates</span> the American Dream, not what undermines it with handouts under the guise of "economic justice."<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for your consideration. Please provide your response by clicking on "comments" below.<br /></p>Mike@Blackledge.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904478133714843957noreply@blogger.com4