I would not even go here, where it not so incredibly strange!
Pluralism, more than one or at once, in this case the convoluted affairs of being on the edges of Mormonism. Many little enclaves of the southwest still adhere to the doctrine of pluralistic marriage of the original Mormon faith ...
So, I am just kicked backed and watching.
People begin filtering into where I am.
A woman, maybe 50.
An obvious daughter with three kids.
A husband.
The husband appears to be the younger twin of the guy sitting in front of me!
They know each other.
Younger defers to older.
Obviously his father!
Older woman is the wife of the older man!
So, get this:
Older man's son, is married to the daughter of the older man and woman, via separate mothers!
AAACKKKKK!
Now. older man is also married to a younger woman and has three children with her!
And this woman is pushing her younger sister on to her bigamous husband!
Husband is reluctant of this.
But, sister is very interested!
AAACKKKKK!
One man, three wives, one more in the wings, seven observed children!
You could cut the tension in the room with dental floss!
Older woman is fit to kill.
Second present-younger wife was quite happy.
Bride in waiting was quite frustrated.
Younger husband was oblivious.
Older husband was trapped in constant quiet vocal warfasre between the women and him.
And they do this to themselves voluntarily!
I could only think of David or Solomon and what a mess they brought upon themselves ...
August 31, 2017
August 30, 2017
Cumbras and Toltec
Within easy walking distance from the Indiana Jones movie set house and bed and breakfast is the rail station for this antique steam-train.
There are three type of seating from sitting in an open cattle car being covered in hot cinders, which some people think makes the experience more real, to covered cars, to the posh: ever seat has its own window and pampered service. Yup, I needed pampered! LOL!
Each rail-car has its own tour guide to see to your needs and questions. My car's docent was I figured to be about 21, until she told me she had a 15 year old son! Well, no chance of her being any where near 30! Or even 28 for that matter! So, now I am in shuddering range! Yeah, she really does have a 15 year old son and someone in Antonito really needs beat within an inch of their life! I just have no tolerance for predators .... Prey on the young and I really want a piece of you, but we live in a God-less culture which tolerates this!
The scenery is spectacular.
Steam is the only way to travel!
It is an entire day event riding down into New Mexico.
You have three choices:
Ride to Chamas, NM and bus back.
Ride to Chamas and bus back the next day.
Ride to Oshir, Co and bus back.
Or, if you are me.......
You ride to Oshir, through the best part of the journey, then switch trains and ride the Chamas train back to Antonito!
Oh what an adventure!
The clickity clack of the rails lull you to sleep :)
The food was great and completely edible! :)
But it was like being a pinball trying to use the toilet! Man did I get beat up in that little room!
A true bucket list item for you to consider!
Each rail-car has its own tour guide to see to your needs and questions. My car's docent was I figured to be about 21, until she told me she had a 15 year old son! Well, no chance of her being any where near 30! Or even 28 for that matter! So, now I am in shuddering range! Yeah, she really does have a 15 year old son and someone in Antonito really needs beat within an inch of their life! I just have no tolerance for predators .... Prey on the young and I really want a piece of you, but we live in a God-less culture which tolerates this!
The scenery is spectacular.
Steam is the only way to travel!
It is an entire day event riding down into New Mexico.
You have three choices:
Ride to Chamas, NM and bus back.
Ride to Chamas and bus back the next day.
Ride to Oshir, Co and bus back.
Or, if you are me.......
You ride to Oshir, through the best part of the journey, then switch trains and ride the Chamas train back to Antonito!
Oh what an adventure!
The clickity clack of the rails lull you to sleep :)
The food was great and completely edible! :)
But it was like being a pinball trying to use the toilet! Man did I get beat up in that little room!
A true bucket list item for you to consider!
August 29, 2017
Antonito
At the southern end of the San Luis Valley is the remains of a small town named Antonito. Sitting on the New Mexico border and near nothing, it has not much going for it in a traditional sense. So, why is Kris there?
Well, Swede came down here last year to ride a steam train and that sounded good to me!
But, in the process, I found out that the house used as Indiana Jone's home in The Last Crusade, is located there!
Yup, I stayed there!
The home is actually a small farm house from 1884. Of course Hollywood made it look much different and with mobile room sets, make a small room much bigger!
I liked it as a bed and breakfast. Great food, comfortable bed. But ... not amputee friendly, but what is? And Antonito has nothing going for it! Population of about 750 and 4 pot shops. Yeah nestled in the armpit of Mormonism sits a tiny community of pot shops! Apparently no conflict there ......
And the Marijuana industry is expected to save the county and many of the small communities in rural Colorado! Hence why it is tolerated! And the companies behind them are already acting much like criminal organizations, the State Patrol I talked with is a bit flummoxed as what to do. You have a cooperative of drug producers, behaving in a borderline criminal manner and yet the money is expected to be so good in taxes - NO politician will back a move against them! Yeah, no one remembers history so the lessons of the earlier 1900's and again in the 1960's must be relearned yet again.
You would expect that with the availability of pot, that it would be the plague of Colorado ... Nope! It seems that meth is the winner there! Yeah, lots of skeletons stumbling around, teeth chattering - what teeth remain! How my mind wished to turn my eyes off! Like all addicts, they do not have a problem - until they need their next fix. Sigh. Apparently heroin has a strong foothold as well. So sad. But, hey, just so someone is paying the taxes, right?
And as with all addict situations, a working population is not possible! They will just long enough to get their fix and then they are stoned or in the hospital - or dead. Yeah, and the evacuation of the Hispanic population has not helped an agricultural area at all! Young Americans will not work. In a state where the minimum wage is $8 per hour, I saw plenty of jobs at $16 and $20 per hour for UNSKILLED labor ..... and no takers! NONE!!!!! If I could only breathe up there!
There are two places to eat in Antonito: Dos Hernandos and the Dutch Mill. If you like Tex-Mex, Dos Hernandos is for you - the food was in-editable! The Dutch Mill was slightly better but Tex-Mex is just death to me!
Better have some good books with you if you come down here, there is nothing to do within 30 miles of Antonito!
Well, Swede came down here last year to ride a steam train and that sounded good to me!
But, in the process, I found out that the house used as Indiana Jone's home in The Last Crusade, is located there!
Yup, I stayed there!
The home is actually a small farm house from 1884. Of course Hollywood made it look much different and with mobile room sets, make a small room much bigger!
I liked it as a bed and breakfast. Great food, comfortable bed. But ... not amputee friendly, but what is? And Antonito has nothing going for it! Population of about 750 and 4 pot shops. Yeah nestled in the armpit of Mormonism sits a tiny community of pot shops! Apparently no conflict there ......
And the Marijuana industry is expected to save the county and many of the small communities in rural Colorado! Hence why it is tolerated! And the companies behind them are already acting much like criminal organizations, the State Patrol I talked with is a bit flummoxed as what to do. You have a cooperative of drug producers, behaving in a borderline criminal manner and yet the money is expected to be so good in taxes - NO politician will back a move against them! Yeah, no one remembers history so the lessons of the earlier 1900's and again in the 1960's must be relearned yet again.
You would expect that with the availability of pot, that it would be the plague of Colorado ... Nope! It seems that meth is the winner there! Yeah, lots of skeletons stumbling around, teeth chattering - what teeth remain! How my mind wished to turn my eyes off! Like all addicts, they do not have a problem - until they need their next fix. Sigh. Apparently heroin has a strong foothold as well. So sad. But, hey, just so someone is paying the taxes, right?
And as with all addict situations, a working population is not possible! They will just long enough to get their fix and then they are stoned or in the hospital - or dead. Yeah, and the evacuation of the Hispanic population has not helped an agricultural area at all! Young Americans will not work. In a state where the minimum wage is $8 per hour, I saw plenty of jobs at $16 and $20 per hour for UNSKILLED labor ..... and no takers! NONE!!!!! If I could only breathe up there!
There are two places to eat in Antonito: Dos Hernandos and the Dutch Mill. If you like Tex-Mex, Dos Hernandos is for you - the food was in-editable! The Dutch Mill was slightly better but Tex-Mex is just death to me!
Better have some good books with you if you come down here, there is nothing to do within 30 miles of Antonito!
August 28, 2017
Across The Park
In grade 5, I spent most of my rainy day free time in the library. The NATO base at Laon, France had a decent Sci-Fi section and I devoured it. Out of Sci-Fi, I moved on to the Western section. Some writers were okay but most were unrealistic. Greatly disappointed. Well, now I had a problem, I was interested in Art but was banned from Art by my father ... what now to read?????
I turned to history and thus began a love affair ever after. But, not normal history, no - this library had copies of diaries, hundreds of them! Lewis and Clark were the first I read. The best was a guy whom traveled the American West in the 1930's. Christopher "Kit" Carson fired the imagination! And then I moved on to Zebulon Pike.
Pike, as in Pike's Peak.
Pike, as in the mapper of the Louisiana Purchase.
Pike, spy against the Spanish in the American Southwest.
Pike, one interesting guy!
Were it not for the War of 1812, he would have probably led an amazing life!
As it was, he did what few survived: he traversed The Great Park.
Today known as the San Luis Valley of Colorado, it is an immensely rich agricultural area.
And I followed Pikes 1809 footsteps across the park, down the park and ending at his fort.
Almost no one today even knows he had a fort.
But it was outside of Sanford, Colorado by a few miles north and east.
He was lost and wandering.
He had lost about half of his men, scattered across the park by snow storms.
Finally, he realized he had to sit out the winter and wait.
The fort was not much.
Enough to hold off the Utes whom were dogging his footsteps.
Unfortunately, the fort was too close to one of Spanish Treasure Roads, but he could not have known this - too much snow!
Needless to say, they were captured and marched to Sana Fe, and many of the men on to Chihuahua for several years.
But, for Pike, remember that half of his troop lost in the snow? The capture and burning of the fort was visible for miles! Pike was freed in New Mexico, recaptured, held, escaped, busted out - "what time is it?" "oh, best go look for Pike again!"
He went on to return to Washington DC, raised in rank in time for the British to invade, kick their collective butts in Yorktown and died from his wounds in 1814.
Today, the valley is largely deserted with large potato farms everywhere.
The valley boasts many forts from the Spanish occupation age through the past century.
Few medium sized cities, many very small towns, many very interesting museums.
However more about this area as the week continues ...
I turned to history and thus began a love affair ever after. But, not normal history, no - this library had copies of diaries, hundreds of them! Lewis and Clark were the first I read. The best was a guy whom traveled the American West in the 1930's. Christopher "Kit" Carson fired the imagination! And then I moved on to Zebulon Pike.
Pike, as in Pike's Peak.
Pike, as in the mapper of the Louisiana Purchase.
Pike, spy against the Spanish in the American Southwest.
Pike, one interesting guy!
Were it not for the War of 1812, he would have probably led an amazing life!
As it was, he did what few survived: he traversed The Great Park.
Today known as the San Luis Valley of Colorado, it is an immensely rich agricultural area.
And I followed Pikes 1809 footsteps across the park, down the park and ending at his fort.
Almost no one today even knows he had a fort.
But it was outside of Sanford, Colorado by a few miles north and east.
He was lost and wandering.
He had lost about half of his men, scattered across the park by snow storms.
Finally, he realized he had to sit out the winter and wait.
The fort was not much.
Enough to hold off the Utes whom were dogging his footsteps.
Unfortunately, the fort was too close to one of Spanish Treasure Roads, but he could not have known this - too much snow!
Needless to say, they were captured and marched to Sana Fe, and many of the men on to Chihuahua for several years.
But, for Pike, remember that half of his troop lost in the snow? The capture and burning of the fort was visible for miles! Pike was freed in New Mexico, recaptured, held, escaped, busted out - "what time is it?" "oh, best go look for Pike again!"
He went on to return to Washington DC, raised in rank in time for the British to invade, kick their collective butts in Yorktown and died from his wounds in 1814.
Today, the valley is largely deserted with large potato farms everywhere.
The valley boasts many forts from the Spanish occupation age through the past century.
Few medium sized cities, many very small towns, many very interesting museums.
However more about this area as the week continues ...
August 26, 2017
August 25, 2017
Meeting With Cousins
My idea was to drive from Canon City to Westcliffe, meet with the relatives somewhere neutral like The Feed Store, a pretty good place and one of the few in town. But, the cousin I am closest to was trapped in the middle by her older brother, whom is a bit of a butt head and insisting I had to come to their parents old home. My father had lived next door to them - there was no place I would rather not be than in that house.
So, I arrive. Male cousin is ploughed and continues drinking through the evening. Unlike years passed, he mellowed with increased alcohol content. He also has a friend from Phoenix with him. Nice guy, and his situation, I probably would have been quiet too!
MC found I was not going to fight with him over my father or my father's "life" - I agreed completely with him that father was without any excuse as a man. His bravado stolen, he just sat and sucked beers while friendly cousin and I reminisced about the good times with Gwen. Sad evening.
I did not want to go.
I did not want to remember my father.
But, I was forced to.
As I drove the one and a half hours back to the hotel ... I was forced to think on all of it.
He had brought a wonderful mother into my life and then squandered her.
And blamed me and Somer for not "taking" his side!
And then the disaster of his next marriage and what it did to me personally.
I did not want to remember.
I was forced to far too much!
It would please me if somehow, he made it into heaven.
He deserves the depths of hell, however.
Bleech!
Memories .....
So, I arrive. Male cousin is ploughed and continues drinking through the evening. Unlike years passed, he mellowed with increased alcohol content. He also has a friend from Phoenix with him. Nice guy, and his situation, I probably would have been quiet too!
MC found I was not going to fight with him over my father or my father's "life" - I agreed completely with him that father was without any excuse as a man. His bravado stolen, he just sat and sucked beers while friendly cousin and I reminisced about the good times with Gwen. Sad evening.
I did not want to go.
I did not want to remember my father.
But, I was forced to.
As I drove the one and a half hours back to the hotel ... I was forced to think on all of it.
He had brought a wonderful mother into my life and then squandered her.
And blamed me and Somer for not "taking" his side!
And then the disaster of his next marriage and what it did to me personally.
I did not want to remember.
I was forced to far too much!
It would please me if somehow, he made it into heaven.
He deserves the depths of hell, however.
Bleech!
Memories .....
August 24, 2017
Canon City
When I think of all the hundreds of trips I have made to Westcliffe, Colorado - it never occurred to me to fly into anywhere other than Denver! On a wild hare, I checked out Colorado Springs as an alternative destination - $10 more expensive but about an hour closer to my destination. However, car rental was $250 cheaper! Of course there is only one flight a day from Seattle to there, but that is fine with me for that kind of savings.
Easy drive to Canon City, where I had rented a room for the night.
Then I was to find out that all food, everywhere in town, was Tex-Mex ..... ALL OF IT! And I hate chilies.
There is lots to do there if you can not dine in comfort.
I caught the train through the Royal Gorge. It was very peaceful and was made fun due to a contingent of British astronomers wasting time until the eclipse.
There were many museums but no time to check them out.
Can not recommend any places to eat as all of them had me vomiting due to the over use of chili!
You try brushing it off, but you can't get it all ...
Even Subway was not swallowable!
sigh
Nice town, friendly people, beautiful scenery.
K-Bobs, a steakhouse has a good salad bar. All steaks are marinated in chilies though!
Chilis, the chain, has the same food as everywhere - urp!
Lots of Tes-Mex places.
Parkview Inn was commendable. Decent fees, breakfast of bagels, right by the historic prison, easy walk to many eateries. Like the idea of Tex-Mex Chinese or Italien? This is for you!
Easy drive to Canon City, where I had rented a room for the night.
Then I was to find out that all food, everywhere in town, was Tex-Mex ..... ALL OF IT! And I hate chilies.
There is lots to do there if you can not dine in comfort.
I caught the train through the Royal Gorge. It was very peaceful and was made fun due to a contingent of British astronomers wasting time until the eclipse.
There were many museums but no time to check them out.
Can not recommend any places to eat as all of them had me vomiting due to the over use of chili!
You try brushing it off, but you can't get it all ...
Even Subway was not swallowable!
sigh
Nice town, friendly people, beautiful scenery.
K-Bobs, a steakhouse has a good salad bar. All steaks are marinated in chilies though!
Chilis, the chain, has the same food as everywhere - urp!
Lots of Tes-Mex places.
Parkview Inn was commendable. Decent fees, breakfast of bagels, right by the historic prison, easy walk to many eateries. Like the idea of Tex-Mex Chinese or Italien? This is for you!
August 23, 2017
Heck of a Trip!
Yes, it was one heck of a trip!
Sorrowful to travel and arrive and know that my step-mother would not be there.
I was unsure of renewing acquaintances with one of the cousins.
But it went fine.
Food was hard to come by as it is ALL Tex-Mex! Violently allergic! sigh
Well, I am just back .. so much to think on ... so much to do ... so much to write on ...
And I really need a new computer!
This little bit has taken 2:15 to type!
Yeah, lost the mouse driver and the keyboard is adding the letters w,i,q,x and d to every other word!
frustrating!
Sorrowful to travel and arrive and know that my step-mother would not be there.
I was unsure of renewing acquaintances with one of the cousins.
But it went fine.
Food was hard to come by as it is ALL Tex-Mex! Violently allergic! sigh
Well, I am just back .. so much to think on ... so much to do ... so much to write on ...
And I really need a new computer!
This little bit has taken 2:15 to type!
Yeah, lost the mouse driver and the keyboard is adding the letters w,i,q,x and d to every other word!
frustrating!
August 21, 2017
Eclipse
It worries me when the liberal press is nanny-ing us to death. What is it that they should be reporting on but are not? And with the constant scream coming over the airwaves, you would think there has never been an eclipse before or the world is ending! Gees.
Then last night they claimed there had not been a total eclipse in over a century! Another station repeated that story and qualified it as, in Seattle....
Well, I had been brought to work in Seattle on an issue with the internal upper stage of the Apollo rocket in 1979. At the appointed time I walked over to the window and gazed out just in time to see the height of the eclipse. I had to laugh at the 10,000 some odd engineers, programmers and clerical staff all standing around outside staring heavenward! Just a sea of people on the roads ... Man has not changed much since his druid days ..... So, about 38 years ago there was one here.
And I was in Maui for the last eclipse of the century, in 1992. Given the cloud cover that day - I was but one of three whom saw it! I was stopped at a stop sign, the clouds briefly parted and voila!
And today, I am on the road from Antonito back to Colorado Springs. Assuming that they do not shut down the roadways due to the eclipse, I should make my plane. On the other hand, if the psycho's are right and we are all mutated by "invisible rays" .... well, I am probably having my brains eaten by a troglodyte zombie!
So yes it happens regularly.
And people continue to be idiots ...
Now, what is the press hiding?
hmmmmmmmmm .....................?
Then last night they claimed there had not been a total eclipse in over a century! Another station repeated that story and qualified it as, in Seattle....
Well, I had been brought to work in Seattle on an issue with the internal upper stage of the Apollo rocket in 1979. At the appointed time I walked over to the window and gazed out just in time to see the height of the eclipse. I had to laugh at the 10,000 some odd engineers, programmers and clerical staff all standing around outside staring heavenward! Just a sea of people on the roads ... Man has not changed much since his druid days ..... So, about 38 years ago there was one here.
And I was in Maui for the last eclipse of the century, in 1992. Given the cloud cover that day - I was but one of three whom saw it! I was stopped at a stop sign, the clouds briefly parted and voila!
And today, I am on the road from Antonito back to Colorado Springs. Assuming that they do not shut down the roadways due to the eclipse, I should make my plane. On the other hand, if the psycho's are right and we are all mutated by "invisible rays" .... well, I am probably having my brains eaten by a troglodyte zombie!
So yes it happens regularly.
And people continue to be idiots ...
Now, what is the press hiding?
hmmmmmmmmm .....................?
August 19, 2017
Musical Saturday Morning
In remembrance of Glen Campbell.
I was NEVER into him, he did country - not western!
But, he was talented!
August 18, 2017
Southern Road
This weekend's list:
Cumbres & Toltec Train, special excursion hunting bank robbery booty!
Kit Carson's lost camp
Zeb Pike's winter fort
Colorado's oldest church
(my metal detector is ready to sing!)
Check on museum showing my mining partner's stuff
and local choke and pukes ...
Cumbres & Toltec Train, special excursion hunting bank robbery booty!
Kit Carson's lost camp
Zeb Pike's winter fort
Colorado's oldest church
(my metal detector is ready to sing!)
Check on museum showing my mining partner's stuff
and local choke and pukes ...
August 17, 2017
Inheritance
So, my sister called today. She is Gwen's executor of her estate ...
Honestly, there is nothing I desire from Gwen. I loved her - perhaps imperfectly due to my limitations, but it was with all that I had. There is only one I have ever loved more - but sadly that is just lost in history.
I have some few memories remaining/regained of life with her across the past 42 years. I would like just a copy of a picture taken of her when she was 17, typical southwestern Madonna pose. But, I will have to figure out whom will get it and then see if I can talk them into copying it for me ... of course they won't. Sigh.
But, it seems that, unknown to any of us, she had purchased a large area in the town she loved and certainly one or more of us will end up with some part of that. Do I want to live at 10,000 feet. in an old mining town? Hmmmmm ......
There are only three related to her, plus Somer and I. Not that I think either of us should count in this mix.
My sister has complained about living in the mid-west for decades, I wonder if this is her out? What about her husband?
The future suddenly looks interesting .....
Honestly, there is nothing I desire from Gwen. I loved her - perhaps imperfectly due to my limitations, but it was with all that I had. There is only one I have ever loved more - but sadly that is just lost in history.
I have some few memories remaining/regained of life with her across the past 42 years. I would like just a copy of a picture taken of her when she was 17, typical southwestern Madonna pose. But, I will have to figure out whom will get it and then see if I can talk them into copying it for me ... of course they won't. Sigh.
But, it seems that, unknown to any of us, she had purchased a large area in the town she loved and certainly one or more of us will end up with some part of that. Do I want to live at 10,000 feet. in an old mining town? Hmmmmm ......
There are only three related to her, plus Somer and I. Not that I think either of us should count in this mix.
My sister has complained about living in the mid-west for decades, I wonder if this is her out? What about her husband?
The future suddenly looks interesting .....
August 16, 2017
FOTY
I was working on my emails over the weekend. Yeah, anymore I do not have enough time to get to my emails daily! Usually it is just junk mail from places I have done business with. For instance, I a flew Alaska Airlines to Colorado Springs - so I am getting emails daily now from AA and all of their business partners! Well, at least until I have to respond CANCEL to their garbage ....
Amongst all of the offerings I could not care less about - was one by a real name. I looked at the real name - it meant nothing. It was a forward from him. Based on the titling I assumed that he was winning a reward ..... Still no idea whom this was about though .....
Rolling back the time clock -
It was a softball game for my church about 30 years ago. I was not playing ( stupid here had separated his hips throwing 90 pound cement sacks up 19 feet onto a scaffold ... ) so, seated in the stands, tightly squeezed into a plastic shell holding my hip together, and watching the warm up. On the field was a 12 year old I had never seen before and it seemed no one else had either. The pastor came over and asked me to go ask him what was up. And because I know things, I knew this was not what I needed to do. Whom ever approached him was going to have him attached for life .....
Yup.
No complaints from me, he has been a blessing to my life and I hope I have been of value in his, across the years since.
Content-wise, the email talked about the acceptance of his nomination of me as a candidate for father of the year!
What the heck!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doubt anything will come of it though ...
Amongst all of the offerings I could not care less about - was one by a real name. I looked at the real name - it meant nothing. It was a forward from him. Based on the titling I assumed that he was winning a reward ..... Still no idea whom this was about though .....
Rolling back the time clock -
It was a softball game for my church about 30 years ago. I was not playing ( stupid here had separated his hips throwing 90 pound cement sacks up 19 feet onto a scaffold ... ) so, seated in the stands, tightly squeezed into a plastic shell holding my hip together, and watching the warm up. On the field was a 12 year old I had never seen before and it seemed no one else had either. The pastor came over and asked me to go ask him what was up. And because I know things, I knew this was not what I needed to do. Whom ever approached him was going to have him attached for life .....
Yup.
No complaints from me, he has been a blessing to my life and I hope I have been of value in his, across the years since.
Content-wise, the email talked about the acceptance of his nomination of me as a candidate for father of the year!
What the heck!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doubt anything will come of it though ...
August 15, 2017
Day Late
So, late Sunday night came the call I have dreaded for years: my Stepmother had passed away.
My trip too late to cancel and even if I could, I would lose about half the moneys paid. So, I caught the plane anyway. But, now there was no Gwen on the other side.
Gwendolyn Ivie was a fiery little redheaded Irish woman.
I have no idea where dad stumbled across her.
I have no idea what she ever saw in him.
But we bonded quickly and I kept her across the decades after Dad had thrown her away.
Forty-three years she has been a valued member of my family
She had a hard life.
Her first husband blown into oblivion by a 1950's atomic test gone bad.
Her only child killed in an auto accident, while still a child.
Her hatred of the Church pathological, due to the treatment she received as a child at the hands of Catholic nuns and priests in school.
I had a long talk with my cousin, whom has watched after her for the past seven years. Gwen has been so frail an ill for years, that it is with a sense of relief her suffering here on Earth is over. But, her eternal situation I am haunted by. I had expected just one more chance to talk with her on this. But, as with my father and then my mining partner, that opportunity never presented itself.
In spite of this culture, remember life is short, it is only temporary and all of your pursuits that get in the way of you or others not finding God, really are only a distraction to make that separation permanent. Beat the system - start to see with eternal eyes, not worldly eyes.
I know your prayers for those of us in our time of loss will be appreciated.
Thank you.
My trip too late to cancel and even if I could, I would lose about half the moneys paid. So, I caught the plane anyway. But, now there was no Gwen on the other side.
Gwendolyn Ivie was a fiery little redheaded Irish woman.
I have no idea where dad stumbled across her.
I have no idea what she ever saw in him.
But we bonded quickly and I kept her across the decades after Dad had thrown her away.
Forty-three years she has been a valued member of my family
She had a hard life.
Her first husband blown into oblivion by a 1950's atomic test gone bad.
Her only child killed in an auto accident, while still a child.
Her hatred of the Church pathological, due to the treatment she received as a child at the hands of Catholic nuns and priests in school.
I had a long talk with my cousin, whom has watched after her for the past seven years. Gwen has been so frail an ill for years, that it is with a sense of relief her suffering here on Earth is over. But, her eternal situation I am haunted by. I had expected just one more chance to talk with her on this. But, as with my father and then my mining partner, that opportunity never presented itself.
In spite of this culture, remember life is short, it is only temporary and all of your pursuits that get in the way of you or others not finding God, really are only a distraction to make that separation permanent. Beat the system - start to see with eternal eyes, not worldly eyes.
I know your prayers for those of us in our time of loss will be appreciated.
Thank you.
August 14, 2017
Off To Colorado
It is with the greatest of sadness that i began the journey back to the Wet Valley of Colorado to say goodbye to my much loved Step-mother.
She was the only sound of reason in father's life and though he and I parted ways for 35 years, she stayed in touch with me! Yeah, she knew right from wrong but had no ability to convince him of the mess he was making of his life! Sigh ....
Eventually,. he threw her away.
Somer and I kept her - she was precious and by then family.
You don't throw family away .....
So across the next two weeks I would ask your prayers:
her comfort
her finding the truth of God
my ability to communicate compassion
strength for me .....
I will update if I can get wifi in the Wet Mountains, they don't call it the middle of nowhere with a reason! Yeah, no Starbucks!
She was the only sound of reason in father's life and though he and I parted ways for 35 years, she stayed in touch with me! Yeah, she knew right from wrong but had no ability to convince him of the mess he was making of his life! Sigh ....
Eventually,. he threw her away.
Somer and I kept her - she was precious and by then family.
You don't throw family away .....
So across the next two weeks I would ask your prayers:
her comfort
her finding the truth of God
my ability to communicate compassion
strength for me .....
I will update if I can get wifi in the Wet Mountains, they don't call it the middle of nowhere with a reason! Yeah, no Starbucks!
August 12, 2017
August 11, 2017
PC Woes
It is rapidly becoming apparent that something has happened and Windows 7 is now unstable on my machine ... sigh.
Stand-alone and the machine runs just fine.
Attach to the internet and just write off being able to use the machine!
It could be a bad series of drivers or a board going out.
sigh ...
At least I have a solution.
I am only able to do this because I over-rode all of the display protocols, which is unfortunately not stable and only last for short periods of time! And only some programs will allow this! God how I hate what MicroSquish for what they hosed up trying to create a run-time transaction processor - which there was no need for on 99.8% of all PCs. Maybe if my mind ever comes back I might just a rewrite attempt - got nothing else to do with my time.
So, currently I can tun Facebook for under 10 minutes, Blogger all day long, eMail about 5 minutes. But Printer is lost, PDFs are untranslatable - such fun. Maybe I will post for Saturday and then reload the OS ... nothing else to do today ...
Stand-alone and the machine runs just fine.
Attach to the internet and just write off being able to use the machine!
It could be a bad series of drivers or a board going out.
sigh ...
At least I have a solution.
I am only able to do this because I over-rode all of the display protocols, which is unfortunately not stable and only last for short periods of time! And only some programs will allow this! God how I hate what MicroSquish for what they hosed up trying to create a run-time transaction processor - which there was no need for on 99.8% of all PCs. Maybe if my mind ever comes back I might just a rewrite attempt - got nothing else to do with my time.
So, currently I can tun Facebook for under 10 minutes, Blogger all day long, eMail about 5 minutes. But Printer is lost, PDFs are untranslatable - such fun. Maybe I will post for Saturday and then reload the OS ... nothing else to do today ...
August 8, 2017
People!
So a gathering commences!
Old acquaintances and their families - all self invited!
In all, 25 from across the world are buzzing around all this week!
But as I am just up to 10 minutes on my leg every two hours - no buzzing for me!
So they buzz, I do doctors appointments and everyone is happy?
In the meantime I got some packing to get ready for a month on the road!
With luck. a working computer and wifi - I will be back up next week!
Old acquaintances and their families - all self invited!
In all, 25 from across the world are buzzing around all this week!
But as I am just up to 10 minutes on my leg every two hours - no buzzing for me!
So they buzz, I do doctors appointments and everyone is happy?
In the meantime I got some packing to get ready for a month on the road!
With luck. a working computer and wifi - I will be back up next week!
August 7, 2017
Recovering 'puter
So, it took me two days to get my computer to just start!
An additional day to identify the problem.
Add another virtual day get it all recovered!
What a mess!
Back in the birth days of the personal computer, I worked with one of my professional friend, Ben Norton. He came up with a series of utilities which I thought indispensable on a PC! Eventually he moved on to working with Billy-bob at MicroSquish, and I never heard from him again. But I continue to use "his" products.
It turned out that when the Norton tool attempts an update - but fails, it freaks and trips something which locks up your computer! sigh ...
So, still running data restore process and getting my system back!
Interesting, last week I had a feeling that something was awry computer-wise, so I bought to huge flash drives and backed everything up! Thank you Lord for tripping my MicroSquish warning senses!
So 20 more hours of flash drive unloading!
But, I am now up against my visit with dying ex-stepmother!
sigh
Not looking forward to next week at all!
sigh .....
An additional day to identify the problem.
Add another virtual day get it all recovered!
What a mess!
Back in the birth days of the personal computer, I worked with one of my professional friend, Ben Norton. He came up with a series of utilities which I thought indispensable on a PC! Eventually he moved on to working with Billy-bob at MicroSquish, and I never heard from him again. But I continue to use "his" products.
It turned out that when the Norton tool attempts an update - but fails, it freaks and trips something which locks up your computer! sigh ...
So, still running data restore process and getting my system back!
Interesting, last week I had a feeling that something was awry computer-wise, so I bought to huge flash drives and backed everything up! Thank you Lord for tripping my MicroSquish warning senses!
So 20 more hours of flash drive unloading!
But, I am now up against my visit with dying ex-stepmother!
sigh
Not looking forward to next week at all!
sigh .....
August 4, 2017
August 3, 2017
Coca-Cola Killed Me
Was there ever something - you just knew to be true with no evidence?
I have always known I was adopted.
I have always known I was an only child.
I have always known that something is wrong with my kidneys.
Nope never any proof to any of those.
When I was in college I survived on 2.5 hours of sleep for two years. Yeah, I drank Cokes, about 19 to 21, as an average, to start the day! I never could have graduated as fast as I did without them!
I was quite the health nut back then - if something negative was known about a food - it was removed from my diet! This was so well known that other kids would defer nutrition questions to me! And if you are food ingredient wise, you already know my college diet had a bad problem! But back then, information was not readily available and long term effects usually unknown.
I just felt that something was wrong with my diet, but there was no data or symptoms. Just a vague idea ..... I dropped Coke, Pepsi, and other dark sodas. Nothing changed in my life other than I did not "crash" in afternoons and I slept better.
When I interviewed for a job in 1976 the first person I saw was a Dr, whom proved within the hour results. I thought how odd! Their only comment was "protein in urine". When I asked what that meant, I was told to talk to my own doctor - and in a whisper not to worry. Okay, that was weird!
But, I filed this in my mind.
As it turns out, phosphoric acid, the basis Coke, Pepsi, Cola taste alikes and some bottled teas - all use this. Now the food industry knows that this chemical eats your kidneys! And apparently once damaged - always damaged, and it is progressive, cumulative. Sigh .....
So, on top of all of the surgeries this year, I have been undergoing lots of blood draws and other testing - net result - kidneys are gone. sigh .... I just stinking knew it! sigh ...
Now on top of all of the leg appointments and artificial leg visits, I get to include kidney doctors in my visitation list.
I just really po'es me that the Coke Corporation has dramatically shortened my life!
Grrrrrr!
I have always known I was adopted.
I have always known I was an only child.
I have always known that something is wrong with my kidneys.
Nope never any proof to any of those.
When I was in college I survived on 2.5 hours of sleep for two years. Yeah, I drank Cokes, about 19 to 21, as an average, to start the day! I never could have graduated as fast as I did without them!
I was quite the health nut back then - if something negative was known about a food - it was removed from my diet! This was so well known that other kids would defer nutrition questions to me! And if you are food ingredient wise, you already know my college diet had a bad problem! But back then, information was not readily available and long term effects usually unknown.
I just felt that something was wrong with my diet, but there was no data or symptoms. Just a vague idea ..... I dropped Coke, Pepsi, and other dark sodas. Nothing changed in my life other than I did not "crash" in afternoons and I slept better.
When I interviewed for a job in 1976 the first person I saw was a Dr, whom proved within the hour results. I thought how odd! Their only comment was "protein in urine". When I asked what that meant, I was told to talk to my own doctor - and in a whisper not to worry. Okay, that was weird!
But, I filed this in my mind.
As it turns out, phosphoric acid, the basis Coke, Pepsi, Cola taste alikes and some bottled teas - all use this. Now the food industry knows that this chemical eats your kidneys! And apparently once damaged - always damaged, and it is progressive, cumulative. Sigh .....
So, on top of all of the surgeries this year, I have been undergoing lots of blood draws and other testing - net result - kidneys are gone. sigh .... I just stinking knew it! sigh ...
Now on top of all of the leg appointments and artificial leg visits, I get to include kidney doctors in my visitation list.
I just really po'es me that the Coke Corporation has dramatically shortened my life!
Grrrrrr!
August 2, 2017
Consequences
Not so long ago I mentioned God Hardening Pharaoh's heart, you can read about this in Exodus. Pharaoh refused to listen to Moses time after time and finally, God had enough of this puny man and smacked him down!
Exodus 7 - 12
Pharaoh worshiped; God did:
The Nile River; Water turned to blood
Frogs; Appear everywhere!
Gnats & Flies; Everywhere!
Locust; Plaques the empire!
Sun; Drkness covers the empire!
To further make the point:
Livestock dies
People covered in boils
Hail crushes the crops
First born mysteriously die!
Who is your God?
Popular?
Cultural?
Represented by anything?
Then you have not met God yet .....
The Egyptians worshiped 80 "gods".
Idols were everywhere and worshiped with gusto!
Who is the Real God?
The one whom created you.
The whom can lead you to a meaningful life.
The one whom the world hates.
The one wants you to find Him ....
It is interesting that the tenth plaque brought the death of the Egyptian first borns.
The remembrance of this event is known as Passover.
Jesus died at Passover ......
Exodus 7 - 12
Pharaoh worshiped; God did:
The Nile River; Water turned to blood
Frogs; Appear everywhere!
Gnats & Flies; Everywhere!
Locust; Plaques the empire!
Sun; Drkness covers the empire!
To further make the point:
Livestock dies
People covered in boils
Hail crushes the crops
First born mysteriously die!
Who is your God?
Popular?
Cultural?
Represented by anything?
Then you have not met God yet .....
The Egyptians worshiped 80 "gods".
Idols were everywhere and worshiped with gusto!
Who is the Real God?
The one whom created you.
The whom can lead you to a meaningful life.
The one whom the world hates.
The one wants you to find Him ....
It is interesting that the tenth plaque brought the death of the Egyptian first borns.
The remembrance of this event is known as Passover.
Jesus died at Passover ......
August 1, 2017
Dunkirk
To the average American, here is a name which means almost nothing .... except now we have a movie about this travesty in history!
It was not my desire to see yet another war movie - but it seems that Theron's latest offering's highlight is a lesbian sex scene, hence the R rating. So, Dunkirk it was!
I know the history of the evacuation of Dunkirk. I was at the 25th Anniversary held on the beaches. And you better believe no one official came! But the survivors were well represented and I talked with many for hours ...
The movie is just that, a work of representative fiction. But, it was a very well done movie!
Where the movie failed was too many detours to situations that made no sense nor added to rthe story in any way! Just "filler"! And there were no 98mm, nor 108mm shells raining down on the beach!
And, those shells were what the survivors I talked to, remembered the most! Just the terror in their eyes as trey recalled it - standing there 25 years later!!!!!!!!!
That event was what help me reach out to the shell-shocked vet whom lived across the street from me
when I was in college. And that memory was what I took away from the movie.
It was exciting and engrossing. Strongly recommended!
However, if you have weak heart, please avoid. I barely made it home - due to yet another heart failure! Swede just sighed, probably wondering "how much longer.....?"
It was not my desire to see yet another war movie - but it seems that Theron's latest offering's highlight is a lesbian sex scene, hence the R rating. So, Dunkirk it was!
I know the history of the evacuation of Dunkirk. I was at the 25th Anniversary held on the beaches. And you better believe no one official came! But the survivors were well represented and I talked with many for hours ...
The movie is just that, a work of representative fiction. But, it was a very well done movie!
Where the movie failed was too many detours to situations that made no sense nor added to rthe story in any way! Just "filler"! And there were no 98mm, nor 108mm shells raining down on the beach!
And, those shells were what the survivors I talked to, remembered the most! Just the terror in their eyes as trey recalled it - standing there 25 years later!!!!!!!!!
That event was what help me reach out to the shell-shocked vet whom lived across the street from me
when I was in college. And that memory was what I took away from the movie.
It was exciting and engrossing. Strongly recommended!
However, if you have weak heart, please avoid. I barely made it home - due to yet another heart failure! Swede just sighed, probably wondering "how much longer.....?"
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