Sunday, July 19, 2009

Sunday, July 19, 2009
This morning is a bit overcast, with some of the clouds looking like they may have some rain, but NWS is only predicting a 20% chance of a thunderstorm today. The sun is shining through enough to warm things up, but it is cooler than the past few days.
I had my usual morning and then went out to get some work done. I pulled out the push mower and got it started so I could mow close to the cabin, where I couldn’t go with the Argo and trail mower. This is the first time I have used it since storing it last September, and it started right up on the first pull. I mowed around the cabin and then the shed, stopping to rest for a while. With the stiff breeze, I don’t feel that I am getting overheated, but I am tired and needed to drink some water and rest a bit.
My next task was to build my home version of a cattle guard. I want to keep the cows from following the road to my cabin and making themselves at home in my yard. I used treated 2 x 4’s and cut one up into 5” lengths to space the boards far enough apart to keep the cattle from crossing it. I didn’t buy enough 2 x 4’s to make the entire length I want, but I’ll buy more tomorrow when I have to be in town. I didn’t fasten all of the sections together as it would be too heavy and unwieldy to handle. I will finish assembling it on site, after doing some roadwork and digging a trench to place it in.
When I had finished that, and put my tools away, I fired up the dozer and worked the driveway until I had filled in the tire ruts from when it was muddy. By the time I was satisfied with the work, it was 7:30, so I quit for the day. I had fed Zack and Zoey earlier, on one of my rest breaks, so I shaved and jumped in the shower to wash off the insecticide and dust.
I just sat down to relax and finish this, along with thinking about what I want for dinner. I’ll send this, with photos, and then fix myself a bite to eat and watch some television before retiring.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Saturday, July 18, 2009
It is another beautiful day and the temperature was 79 degrees in the sun by 10 AM. A nice breeze has played about all day, so it has been very nice.
I spent almost the entire day inside doing research on the Obama-Biden health plan, or should I say the senate’s latest version of it. I read all 615 pages of the bill and gleaned some interesting information. First of all, the bill wasn’t in its final form as they rushed to get it presented because it has to have been on the floor for five days before a vote can be called on it. Several amendments (788) have already been added, but not made public, but most of it is intact. I love one amendment . . . “many of the GOP amendments on this incomplete list do seem pretty substantive. For example, one amendment offered by Oklahoma's Tom Coburn requires members of Congress and their staff to enroll in the government-run health insurance program.”
But like most bureaucratic documents, it has its fair share of legalese and gibberish, like:
1 SEC. 132. APPLICABILITY.
2 (a) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN PLANS.—Section 2721
3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-21)
4 is amended—
5 (1) by striking subsection (a);
6 (2) in subsection (b)—
7 (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘1
8 through 3’’ and inserting ‘‘1 and 2’’; and
9 (B) in paragraph (2)—
10 (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
11 ‘‘subparagraph (D)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub12
paragraph (D) or (E)’’;
13 (ii) by striking ‘‘1 through 3’’ and in14
serting ‘‘1 and 2’’; and
15 (iii) by adding at the end the fol16
lowing:
17 ‘‘(E) ELECTION NOT APPLICABLE.—The
18 election described in subparagraph (A) shall not
19 be available with respect to the provisions of
20 subpart 1.’’;
21 (3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘1 through 3
22 shall not apply to any group’’ and inserting ‘‘1 and
23 2 shall not apply to any individual coverage or any
24 group’’; and
25 (4) in subsection (d)—

Ad nauseam. But if anyone tries to tell you that this health plan is a “job killer” you can assure them that I’ve done the research and there are no fewer than 22 new agencies, councils, committees, commissions, Corps, services, departments and offices created for more bureaucrats to fill, enlarging our already too big government.
I have been preaching for people to educate themselves about what is going on and the only way to do that is to actually read the crap they are trying to force down our throats. My eyes are crossed and I have a headache, but I read all of it, and will pass the gist of it on to you, my readers. Of course, it is just my opinion, so if you wish to read it yourself, I have attached it. It is a PDF and you’ll need Adobe (free) to view it.
First, here are a few news items you might wish to read. Kennedy’s health care reform bill from Huffington Post (the bill in its entirety is attached at the bottom). It is a $1.5 Trillion bill. But the government will collect at least $544 Billion over the next ten years in tax increases. Of course, they will add to that with penalties charged to hard working businesses for not buying their plan. But that shouldn’t eliminate any jobs, or make any businesses go bankrupt.
If you’ve heard about Great Britain, Canada and Australia’s health plans, and like what you’ve heard, you’ll love this health plan. First, the new agencies are going to collect every piece of personal data on you that they can. They will compile this into America’s largest information bank and make it available to all government agencies, insurance companies, businesses, and anyone else that wants it. Download the bill (below) and use Search, type in HIT and read it for yourself.
Second, they will dictate who gets medical treatment and doesn’t. There isn’t a mention of any citizens above the age of 65, except they won’t have to pay premium increases.
Looking at the BIG PICTURE, it all looks and sounds really good . . . for the people that are poor and uninsured (look out for the stampede at the Mexican board if it passes), but it is just the government getting into businesses it has no legal right to be in. It will now have more control over individual states that go along with it, and is yet another way to control the people and allow The New World Order to progress.
You will have to drive a government-produced car to a government controlled medical facility, and hope that your government controlled medical records will allow you to get treatment. But, if you are over 65, retired and not considered a productive citizen, forget it. As the government takes over more and more things, the sheep will be led to slaughter.
Please, don’t take it just from me, educate yourself and make up your own mind.

Health Bill

Friday, July 17, 2009

Friday, July 17, 2009
This morning is warm and sunny, with clear blue skies. By 11 O’clock, it was 78 degrees, with a light breeze keeping it from feeling too hot.
I followed my usual routine of putting out raw peanuts in the shell, hiding some in the woodpile for the chipmunks to find, sunflower and birdseed for the birds, and checked the feeders to make sure they have enough to keep everyone happy. I do this every morning when I let Zack out and turn on the stove to heat my water for coffee. I then do those things most of us do every morning, take my medications, brush my teeth (all 32 original), wash the sleep from my eyes and face, comb my hair and clean my glasses.
By the time I finish, my teakettle is whistling and I make my coffee, turn on my modem and sit down to check my emails and do whatever needs to be done on the computer. In between that, I watch the chipmunks find the nuts and chase each other around, the birds argue whether or not the sunflower seeds are for them or the chipmunks, as they try to steal them, and generally enjoy nature all around me.
It doesn’t take long before noon is upon me and I make myself a brunch. Usually a muffin, sometimes with peanut butter, fresh pealed orange and wash it down with a glass of orange juice. By now, Zack has come to me three or four times, asking if it is time to play, so I’ll clean up my dishes and play with him until he is tired and wants to nap. That is my opportunity to change into my work clothes and get some things done.
Today, I am going to tackle the creek, as I have been meaning to all week long. This involves grabbing a shovel and my Pulaski and hiking down to the creek and clear the debris and weeds from the channel diverting the main flow into my pond, which feeds the water pickup to the cabin.
It is now Saturday, and I have recovered from a near heat stroke and can finish this. I took my bottle of water, shovel, Pulaski and hiked down to the pond to restore the water flow. I found the channel I had dug last year was badly clogged with creek gravel and mud. I began digging it out but had to stop after just a few shovel loads. I was already exhausted and had to rest before digging a couple of more times. I repeated this process several times over the next hour and finally restored the flow.
I couldn’t believe how tired I became and after dragging myself back up the hill and replacing the tools, I went to the cabin and ran cold water over my head and then laid down until I regained my strength. I have never felt so unfit in my life and must be affected by my blood pressure medication. I felt very much like the time I almost had a heat stroke, but it wasn’t that hot and I didn’t exert myself that much. I decided to stay indoors rather than tackle another outside job.
I relaxed the rest of the evening and had my shower and a delicious meal before watching some television and retiring.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Aside from still having a breeze, the morning is completely clear of any clouds and sunny. It is 76 degrees in the sun at 11 AM, so I am looking for another nice day, allowing me to work outside.
I need to clear the silt and weeds from my creek tributary feeding my pond. My house water pick-up is pulling too much silt into the system and while the filters take it out and the ultra violet light removes all the bacteria, the smell is that of muddy water.
I did two loads of wash while having my morning coffee and before I could start working outdoors, a couple of visitors came and distracted me. It was a “neighbor” and her son. I had met the husband and a younger son last week. They bought the placer mining claim on Dog Creek; about three miles from me near the beaver ponds, and moved in a prebuilt log cabin about two years ago. I had originally looked at that piece of property when I was investigating this area, but decided against it as a county road passes through it. I felt that it was too open and would be exposed to a lot of passersby.
After they bought the property and moved the cabin in, they fenced the entire area off, including the county road, with barbed wire. The county made them remove that part that prevented the roads right of way, but they left the rest up. That caused a lot of bad feelings among the folks that have been using the area to camp in for all their lives, so I wasn’t surprised to find out that all the cabin windows had been shot out and someone broke in and stole all their guns. You don’t make friends by coming in and fencing off commonly used land, even if you now own it.
His defense was that the trucks were causing damage by tearing up the area. I tried to explain to him that any vehicle traveling through during rainy season is going to do that. It probably wasn’t intentional, but there are kids with big trucks that like to “mud bog” and try to get through some bogs without getting stuck just for the fun of it. He then tells me that he has called the sheriff and the Federal marshal on several occasions for people camping near his property and shooting guns. I tried to be polite and not call him an asshole, but it was difficult.
He lives in Helena, so is from the area and should know better than to piss off locals the way he has. He asked me if I have ever had any problems with vandalism, what with my open garage and leaving things out. I told him no, I had met and become acquainted with just about everyone that frequented the area and got to know the cattlemen that grazed here, as well as the National Forest law enforcement. I explained that I hadn’t moved here to change the way locals used the area and that was why I don’t fence off the road that people have been using most of their life. I had hoped he would get the idea, but I doubt that he did.
They only use their cabin during the summer and not for extended periods, so when they are gone, they are subject to the ire of people they piss off. I visited with the wife and oldest boy for a while and then excused myself so I could get back to work. They left of their four-wheelers and I tackled a leak under my kitchen sink. I had noticed that the flange, where the drain attaches to the sink, was loose, but didn’t realize how much water it was allowing to drip into the cabinet below. The pressboard was soaked and it was beginning to get moldy and smell. I cleaned and sprayed the area with a bleach and water solution and then tightened the flange to stop the flow.
In the course of cleaning everything out from under the sink, I had to clean and rearrange things to put it back. This led to me cleaning the cabinets and kitchen from top to bottom and before I knew it, it was 6 O’clock. I finally stopped, played with Zack, fed him and Zoey, and then sat down with a drink to relax.
I finished the day with my usual, a shower, some dinner, watching television and then going to bed.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
This morning looks promising and the bright sunny sky seems to be showing a much different day from yesterday. By 10:00 O’clock, it is 67 degrees in the direct sun, but feeling cooler in the wind that has been blowing at a constant10 mph.
I spent the morning doing my usual research and answering emails while enjoying my coffee and then a light brunch of an egg on a large biscuit with orange juice. As noon approached, I played with Zack and then changed into my work clothes to go outside and take advantage of the nice weather. I had spotted several thistles that were either missed when I sprayed before, or newly emerged. Even though the wind was still blowing, it had calmed down enough that I could treat the weeds. I contact spray, rather than spraying the weed and area, meaning I only put the solution on the weed and not the surrounding area and therefore don’t worry about overspray or having it blown onto myself.
Lugging the 5-gallon sprayer around, I pulled a muscle in my back, even though I only fill the container with 2 ½ gallons at a time. I managed to spray every weed I could find and put the rig away. I noticed that one of my propane bottles was empty, so I switched it out for a full one. While doing that, I took a good look at the wind damage to the door hinges and determined that I will have to remove all of the log exterior to get to hinges, and then replace them on both doors.
Meanwhile, I decided to finish insulating the battery box and put it back together. I had to remove the log siding and front panel to remove and replace the house batteries, and because I wasn’t sure I was completely done moving the batteries around, hadn’t put it back together. I added the blue board insulation and then refastened the panel and siding, re-securing the lid hinges and finally finishing by 7 PM.
It is taking me much longer to do jobs like this, and I am not sure if I am just out of shape, or the new blood pressure medicine has something to do with it. I could barely lift the full 100-pound propane bottle into the shed, whereas last year, I could lift it in without much strain. Maybe it’s just me getting older, but I feel like I have no strength or stamina.
I gave Zack one last play period for the day and then feed him. I needed to shower to get any spray and all of the Deep Woods Off washed from my skin. After the shower, I had a drink and relaxed before having a crab salad for my dinner. Some television and rest filled out the remainder of the evening.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
This morning is cool and overcast, with light rain. Between last night and this morning, I have received another ¼ of an inch. It is cold enough (50 degrees) to have a fire and Zack is happy to stay inside and lay by the fire, while I continue to work on the computer.
This is the wettest summer in several years, but closer to normal before the drought hit, so I guess we should be grateful instead of complaining.
I spent most of the day cleaning and organizing the sunroom, plus working on the computer. I am narrowing down which solar panels I should purchase through my online research. All of them are still more expensive than you would think, after this many years of research and manufacturing, but it is what it is. To think that the solar chips they are currently producing are only about 6% efficient, leaves me thinking that monies to produce and use solar power, to lessen our need for fossil fuels, is either misspent or doesn’t even make it to the producers. The prices have come down since last year, as the demand is up because of the energy rebate offered by the government.
The day continued as it began until about 4:30, when the clouds parted long enough to let some sunshine in. Zack and I played and enjoyed the warmth as a change from the colder morning. By 6 PM, the clouds closed in and it began sprinkling again.
Some dinner for Zack and Zoey made them sleepy and they napped while I showered and then fixed myself dinner, relaxing for the rest of the evening.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

This morning started off like last night ended . . . in rain, hail, and lots of lightning and thunder. I received more than a ½ an inch in less than an hour. It occurred between 8:30 and 9:20 AM, and other than the noise of the thunder and hail hitting the tin roof, I was awakened by Zack and Zoey jumping in bed with me due to the thunder.

We all huddled together in the warmth of our covers while the storm passed and by the time I got up, it had passed. I had my coffee and then got ready to go into town for my chiropractor and dentist appointment.

I gave Greg a call to see if he’d like to join me for dinner, but he was out, so I stopped at The Mother Lode and had their soup and sandwich. Another sign of the times, as the bread and tomatoes were sliced so thin that my fingers went through both. I finished and then picked up my mail before heading to my chiropractor appointment.

After my adjustment, I went to Safeway, picked up some groceries, filled two cans and the Jeep with gas, and headed to my dentist appointment. I arrived 15 minutes early and waited until they finished another patient. I had the new crown cemented on and was on my way.

I decided to take the back way home and then decided to try to find my way to my cabin through the back way, which I had never tied before. As I traveled the road, I saw Ron, which I had met at the air show a couple of weeks ago. I stopped and he invited me up for a beer and visit.

After a couple of beers and finding out the road no longer goes through, I back tracked and took Skelly Gulch back and went home by way of the Marysville Road.

Once at home, I unloaded the car and played with Zack before feeding him and Zoey, and then showering before starting a small fire and relaxing with a microwave dinner and some television.