January
1 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Happy New Year
I didn't like this book very much and it is not recommended. It was the last of the Nine Books That Define Steampunk which also included Blaylock's Homunculus which I didn't like either.The only author of those nine books that I will probably read any more will be K. W. Jeter.
This book had three parts which could have been three short stories. They got progressively worse in my opinion with part three being not to my taste at all. The customer reviews @ goodreads.com seem to agree with me although there are a few reviewers that loved it.
Lord Kelvin's Machine is a science fiction novel published in 1992 by Arkham House in an edition of 4,015 copies. The novel is the third in Blaylock's Steampunk series, following The Digging Leviathan (1984) and Homunculus (1986). A substantially different novelette version first appeared in the Mid-December 1985 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. - Edited Wikipedia
I checked on the progress of gluing down the floor at 12:30 yesterday. Desperado was in a bay where it was warmer than outside in the shade but probably not any warmer than if she had been sitting in the sun. I saw no electric heaters anywhere inside her. The vinyl planks had been taken up. There was nothing glued down. That was the progress.
At 4:45 the Service Manager told me that they still had 30 minutes until they were finished. At 6:45 I asked the Service Manager what time I should arrive on Thursday and he acted like everything was done. There is still trim to be added and something done with the entry step. I went off on him! I will still have them do the wallpapering that I had planned but my heart's not in it anymore; I just want to be done. There are fools, old fools and damn fools - I'm a damn old fool.
2 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The low was above freezing this morning, the first time since Christmas. But the forecast is for below freezing tomorrow morning and then three more mornings in the 10 Day forecast. I think we will probably have more than half of the 10 day mornings below freezing. Maybe warmer in February certainly by the end of February; something to look forward to.
There is also an end to Desperado's re-do to look forward to. Maybe by the end of January? All but the installation of my wall hugger recliner which probably will not arrive until sometime in February. I'm back in the waiting area again this morning at 9:00.
So this is what a good economy looks like? Making America Great Again after Obama's 8 years of strong recovery from the bad Bush years.
From 1930 to 1933, the U.S. economy experienced four years in a row during which GDP growth each year was under 3 percent...
you have to go back to 2005 to find the last year in which the U.S. economy grew by at least 3 percent.
That means that the U.S. economy has not actually had a “good year” since the middle of the Bush administration.
14 years in a row of economic growth below 3 percent is not anything to cheer about. - Source
3 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: January 3, 1932
The low this morning was 24.6° or four degrees below the experts forecast. Still only 26 at 7:00 when we finished our walk. Those same experts think it is going to be 33 tomorrow morning and 38 Sunday morning; I don't believe either of those guesses. Probably below freezing tomorrow and just above freezing on Sunday is what I expect.
There is a chance that the floor replacement in Desperado will be finished today. The Service Manager thinks so and it looks like it could be. However, it is going to take longer than he said just like this entire project has taken longer. It does look good but I sure would not want to do it again.
I will now take back the extra vinyl planks to Lowes and get a refund which will go toward buying the wallpaper. The wallpapering will start once I have the paper and I can only hope that it does not become a lengthy project. Done by the end of January?
Nomi had Collusion published in 2018 so she knew then what president Trump was confronting. Tariffs were not the answer then and are not the answer now. China will agree to 'trade deals' that are only in their interest, president Trump will end up on the short end of the stick in his attempt to do "The Art Of The Deal".
Regardless of the rhetoric, as president, he [Trump] would have to contend with the growth of China as an economic and political superpower and what opposing the multilateral trade agreements would ultimately mean for the hegemony of the United States and the dollar. The more China traded with other countries, the less it would trade with the United States, meaning the idea of Trump securing “better deals” would be unattainable simply because the United States would have reduced leverage. In addition, the more countries would trade with China, the more they would be cutting the United States out of the picture, bit by bit. - Collusion: How Central Bankers Rigged the World, Nomi Prins
4 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I have a new floor in Desperado. They finished around 1:00 and by the time I paid them and got the unused vinyl put into Desperado it was 1:15. Then I was gone. I'll be back for the wallpaper but with any luck that will be a quicker install. If nothing else I now know that whatever time the Service Manager gives me to do the job I need to plan on 3-4 times as long. That will make it easier on my mind if not my butt from sitting.
On the way to my space in the Park I stopped at the office and paid my December electric bill. It was a little over half what I paid per month in Springerville. That was during the summer with A/C being used plus the highest rate per KwHr that I can remember paying anywhere.
Then as soon as I got backed into my space I did a holding tank dump and took on water. The water pressure here is really low or the pipes to the faucet were partially clogged with ice. I suspect that early in the morning I could not get any water from the faucet, the PCV pipe stands about 18" above ground and is not wrapped. I'm surprised that the PCV has not been split by freezing water - yet.
Today was another trip to town with a stop at Sunny D's for breakfast where I got their hash and poached eggs with sourdough toast. Then to Lowe's where I turned in the unused vinyl planks for a refund. Inquired if they had the wallpaper that I want in the store not expecting that they would have it. I'll order it online and ship to RV City.
A quick stop at Fry's for groceries. Then a visit with Steve where Patches had some play time with his two hounds. Patches even tried to play which was different for her and good to see. While I was there I put no slip on the bottom of the settee/cabinet that Steve has been storing for me while Desperado is undergoing her re-do.
Picked up mail at my UPS Store where there was another snail mail letter from the Tucson VA claiming they could not contact me to schedule a CP Trans Thoracc Echocardiogram and that I must telephone them by 1/2/20 or the order would be discontinued. So be it; they can only schedule using a telephone and I will not use one. We are at loggerheads.
The last stop was at Tractor Supply to get Patches some Earthborn dog food. They had only the #4 bags so I got a rain check and will pick up #28 bags next week - Maybe. The store here has been unreliable in the past so I can never believe what they tell me.
5 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I was wrong about it being just above freezing this morning but not as wrong as the expert forecast that the low would be 38. It was 30 but the weather gurus are not giving up, they expect tomorrow morning to be 36. Then they have the lows to be freezing, or just above, through the middle of January.
I'll be ordering the wallpaper online from Lowe's today. Probably not receive it at RV City until the 13th so when it is delivered I'll go and talk to the Service Manager about what needs to be done and ask when do they start.
The only thing I plan on doing today is read the new Rutherfurd novel that I just started. It is another tome of 880 pages written in James Michener style with a generational cast of characters.
This is probably the book by Nomi that I liked the least. I got the feeling that she was rushed to get this into publication; not as well written as some of her other work. Lots of good information, maybe too much for one book. Information overload.In this searing exposé, former Wall Street insider Nomi Prins shows how the 2007-2008 financial crisis turbo-boosted the influence of central bankers and triggered a massive shift in the world order.
Central banks and international institutions like the IMF have overstepped their traditional mandates by directing the flow of epic sums of fabricated money without any checks or balances. Meanwhile, the open door between private and central banking has ensured endless opportunities for market manipulation and asset bubbles--with government support.
Through on-the-ground reporting, Prins reveals how five regions and their central banks reshaped economics and geopolitics. She discloses how Mexico navigated its relationship with the US while striving for independence and how Brazil led the BRICS countries to challenge the US dollar's hegemony. She explains how China's retaliation against the Fed's supremacy is aiding its ongoing ascent as a global superpower and how Japan is negotiating the power shift from the West to the East. And she illustrates how the European response to the financial crisis fueled instability that manifests itself in everything from rising populism to the shocking Brexit vote.
Packed with tantalizing details about the elite players orchestrating the world economy--from Janet Yellen and Mario Draghi to Ben Bernanke and Christine Lagarde--Collusion takes the reader inside the most discreet conversations at exclusive retreats like Jackson Hole and Davos. A work of meticulous reporting and bracing analysis, Collusion will change the way we understand the new world of international finance. - Book promo @ Amazon
President Trump has the fat in the fire with the assination of Soleimani. I don't know who convinced him that it was a good idea but he made the final decision so the consequences are all his now. This decision may be even dumber than all of his tariff. If the Democratic Party had any credible person to run against him he would not get re-elected.
Tomorrow [5 Jan 2020] the Iraqi parliament will meet to consult over a law that would evict all U.S. troops. There is currently some disunity within the Shia majority in the parliament. Should it fail to evict the U.S. the Shia PMU groups will act on their own. Not because of Soleimani or Iran, but because their comrades and leaders were killed. They will attack the U.S. military wherever they can. The situation for the U.S. in Iraq would then soon become untenable. Iraq will continue to need capable foreign troops to train its still feeble army. It should ask Russia and China to provide them.
The removal of U.S. forces from Iraq will be the first act of revenge for Qassem Soleimani's death. More will follow in due time and with the appropriate severity. The Revenge For The Assassination Of Qassem Soleimani
I have an idea. The Establishment assassinates president Trump and blames it on Iran taking revenge. That gets rid of Trump and starts the war that The Establishment wants so badly. A win win!
6 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I was wrong again with my guess that it would be slightly above freezing this morning. Didn't dress for the 27.5° low that we had and I was cold during our walk. It had only warmed up to 29 by 8:00 and the high temperature for the day is expected to be in the lower 60s. The 10 Day forecast is for more of the same - cold. I'll have my thermals on again.
I have nothing planned for today. Just try and stay warm which I have not done this morning.
Everything that the president said in the quote below is a lie except "I will never hesitate to defend the safety of the American people" is sometimes true. We are now at war with Iran; Congress has not declared it and president Trump can say we are not but the reality is - we are at war with Iran.
We are a peace-loving nation and my administration remains firmly committed to establishing peace and harmony among the nations in the world. We do not seek war, we do not seek nation-building, we do not seek regime change, but as president I will never hesitate to defend the safety of the American people. We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war. - President Trump
A war against Iran plus Iraq III by president Trump that claimed he wanted to get the US out of Iraq. Does he really think this is a winning re-election platform to campaign on? Or perhaps he thinks "I've been impeached, so what the hell; here hold my beer".
Following a vote by the Iraqi parliament to remove foreign troops from the nation, the US president threatened to destroy Iraq’s economy in retaliation and to refuse to leave unless an expensive military base worth billions of dollars was paid for...
And, as we now know, the second a compliant government begins to act noncompliant, it will immediately begin receiving the same treatment that noncompliant governments receive. - US Empire’s Passion For Iraqi Democracy Magically Disappears, Caitlin Johnstone
7 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Not much happening with me. The low this morning was 24.8° which is about 4-5 degrees colder than the forecast. That is the pattern, colder by 4-5 degrees with the high 2-3 degrees hotter. It felt even colder than what was reported and has warmed up to only 26 by 8:00. The Wave 6 is not doing much to raise the temperature in Desperado either; my feet are COLD.
So far Iran has followed the dictum 'revenge is a dish best served cold'. They are going to get their payback but it makes sense to let the US sweat about when, where and how. They have to know that the US game plan was to force them into a quick reprisal which the US could then use as an excuse to attack in force.
I have quoted the lead paragraph of a blog post that agrees with me - president Trump has started a war with Iran. The Western media will soon discover that and start to call for his impeachment.
Whether you want it or not, the war with Iran has already begun. It is kind of sad that the pundits on our cable news channels are so clueless about what has happened. They seem to think that there is still a debate about whether we will go to war with Iran or not, but meanwhile the Iranians believe that the war has already started. Of course most Americans don’t want such a war, and President Trump didn’t intend to start one, but we now have one nonetheless. Over the past few days, vast hordes of Iranians mourning the death of Qassem Soleimani have been literally screaming for “war” and “revenge” at the top of their lungs. And as you will see below, the top military adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei just told CNN that our two nations are already at war. So it isn’t our decision to make. The Iranians are going to be shooting at us whether we shoot back or not. - Americans Are Debating About Whether We Will Go To War With Iran, But The Iranians Say The War Has Already Started, Michael Snyder
8 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Warmer this morning, the low was only down to 27° but my feet were cold at 8:00 with it still below freezing. Patches has a totally different concept of what the idiom 'hold feet to the fire' means. I put her 'blankie' down about 6" from the Wave 6 and she lays down with her feet almost touching it. Doesn't leave enough room for me to hold my feet to the fire. The forecast is for a VERY cold Friday and Saturday morning.
I don't have much planned for today. This afternoon we will change our walking route to include a stop at a vet office. I found that there is a vet within walking distance from the Park that offers teeth cleaning at a cost that is much reduced from what the vet that I have been using has quoted me. We will stop there today and talk to them; maybe schedule an appointment and also set an appointment for her annual check up and shots.
What is President Trump doing now? Basically ignore a missle attack with his "All is well!" and then "So far, so good!". But must add his meme about the US having the most powerful and well equipped military. Is the plan now to baffle the world with bullshit?
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
7:45 PM · Jan 7, 2020·Twitter for iPhone
9 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The only thing that I have going on today is a little cooking. Also ordered more hulled barley and oat groats so I have more to cook. While I was in the ordering frame of mind I sent an order to Leapknot coffee as well although I probably have enough to last 10 days or more. Both of those orders should arrive next week but probably after my regular shopping day.
I made an appointment for Patches to have her teeth cleaned next week. It is more expensive than I would hope but about half what I was quoted by the vet office in Sierra Vista last year. I'll probably make an appointment for her annual shots when I pick her up after the teeth cleaning. That will make this vet in Huachuca City her 'regular' vet.
The low this morning was 30.4°, higher than yesterday but continuing to be below freezing. The forecast is for it to be 36 tomorrow morning and then 26 Friday morning. I think it will freeze tomorrow and can only hope that Friday morning is at 26 but will most likely be lower.
Caitlin has posted another good article. I have quoted only one paragraph but it includes the significant point that Iraq does not want the US occupying its country. President Trump campaigned with the promise to get out of Iraq but now that the government says 'GO' he wants to stay. Perhaps he wants to stay and protect their oil like he is doing in Syria?
All of the defenses of Trump’s warmongering that you’ve been seeing are premised upon the unquestioned assumption that it is both reasonable and acceptable for the United States to maintain a military presence in the Middle East, even in nations whose governments don’t want them there like Iraq and Syria. If the US didn’t insist on maintaining an enormous military presence in this one area on the other side of the planet, there would be no debate about the need for America to “defend” itself by attacking the Iranian economy, assassinating government officials, and conducting airstrikes upon Iraqi militias. It would just be another country on the other side of the world, doing its own thing in its own way. - Full-Scale War Is Avoided And Trump Goes Right Back To Warmongering, Caitlin Johnstone
The quote below comes from an article that makes a lot more sense than what the Ministry of Propaganda in the US is trying to get us to swallow. So far I think the missle retaliation by Iran has been just enough to keep the US guessing but not enough to spark a devastating response. The President's Art Of The Deal isn't turning out very well; perhaps he got sandbagged?
Washington would like to prevent any Eurasian integration by unleashing chaos and destruction in the region, and killing Soleimani served this purpose. The US cannot contemplate the idea of the dollar losing its status as the global reserve currency. Trump is engaging in a desperate gamble that could have disastrous consequences.
The region, in a worst-case scenario, could be engulfed in a devastating war involving multiple countries. Oil refineries could be destroyed all across the region, a quarter of the world’s oil transit could be blocked, oil prices would skyrocket ($200-$300 a barrel) and dozens of countries would be plunged into a global financial crisis. The blame would be laid squarely at Trump’s feet, ending his chances for re-election. - The Deeper Story Behind the Assassination of Soleimani, Federico Pieraccini
10 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: January 10, 1932
Today was another shopping day that started with breakfast at the Landmark where I got their California Omelet with their always very good home fries.
The next stop was Fry's to stock up with groceries then to Lowe's. I was hoping that my wallpaper order was there to pick up but they could not find anything without my order number. I'll try there again on Monday.
Stopped at my UPS Store where I picked up part of my Amazon order. It was a cup holder that mounted to the arm of my new chair and came from a vendor other than Amazon. Works well so far.
The last stop was at Tractor supply where I had received a rain check for 3X28# bags of Earthborn for Patches. They only had two. As I said, they have not been very reliable in the past and continue being that way. I didn't really need three bags, one at a time if fine until I get ready to leave this area then I need three.
There was 0.05" of rain last night at my reporting station with a dusting of snow on the Huachucas and the top of the Wheatstones. Above freezing this morning at 35.8° but has stayed cold with a VERY cold wind. Only 45 at 11:00 with the expected high temperature to be 51 and the low tomorrow morning to be 27.
I have 'published' a second eBook which is now available. Shunpike Road Trips was built upon what I have written in my website Archive pages but all the trips are now available to eBook readers. Within the book I have added links to interactive maps IF the eReader device is connected to the Internet. Comments are welcome.
11 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The stop that I didn't mention yesterday was at Wal*Mart where I picked up my new glasses. Don't notice a lot of difference but was looking for a bigger reading area and I think I do now have that. The lens is bigger also so that gives me a bigger reading area. I think the intermediate area is also larger which helps when reading on my laptop. More expensive but I think I have made a good choice.
The low temperature this morning was 23.2° rather than the 27 that was forecast. Got the Wave 6 fired up as soon as we finished our walk and Patches immediately hogs all the space in front of it and went to sleep. Snoring like a happy dog. Meanwhile all the windows have fogged up with condensation but my feet remain COLD. The high temperature yesterday was 49 but the guess is that it will reach 61 today. Wishful thinking?
Caitlin gets it exactly right in her post.
America is a force for good in the Middle East...We want to be a friend and partner to a sovereign, prosperous, and stable Iraq. - The U.S. Continued Partnership with Iraq, US State Department Press Statement
That last part is my favorite. A “friend and partner to a sovereign, prosperous, and stable Iraq.”
Like, of course we want you to be a sovereign nation! Just not the kind of sovereign where your elected government has any say in what happens in your country. We want you to be the kind of sovereign nation that does everything our government tells it to do. That kind of sovereignty we can really get behind!
I also love the “America is a force for good in the Middle East” bit. Right. When a bunch of guys with guns show up at my house, start killing my family members and refuse to leave, the first thing I’m going to think is, “These guys are such a force of good!” So The US Is Invading Iraq Again, Caitlin Johnstone
12 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The local weather reporting station that I am using claimed that the low this morning was 24.8° which was much lower than what the forecast expected. It also did not feel that cold although it had warmed up only to 27 by 8:00 and it felt colder than that inside Desperado. I may be getting lower readings than what the actual temperatures are because Sierra Vista stations are reporting 3-5 degrees higher. Maybe those Sierra Vista readings are reporting what the Chamber of Commerce would like to see?
I have nothing planned for today other than read more of the latest Rutherfurd book. I am making progress on it but like all of his books it is a tome. Thinking about what I will read next when I finish his and haven't made up my mind.
I was hoping that the wallpaper would be available for pick up at Lowe's tomorrow but probably not. When I checked the order it said that it is In Process. Maybe by the 15th, my next trip to town?
13 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
A special trip to town this morning. Not a shopping day but I still stopped at Sunny D's and had breakfast before going to the VA. Last week I wasted my time sending Secure Messages to my Team at the Sierra Vista Clinic about getting an appointment with the CP TransThoracic Echocardiogram Service at VA Tucson. They want to do everything by telephone and I can not get it through the VA's head that I don't do telephones.
My Secure Message to the Patient Advocate in Tucson explaining my problem elicited a reply that I should go to my local Clinic and get them to help me. The receptionist this morning was no help at all but fortunately the Team Nurse came on the scene and took me to his office and tried to make contact. He got a live person to answer the phone and within a minute or two I had an appointment.
A transthoracic echocardiogram (also called an echo) is a test that uses high frequency sound waves, called ultrasound, to examine and take pictures of your heart. It is a safe and painless procedure that helps doctors diagnose a variety of heart problems. During most echocardiographic procedures an additional test, called Doppler echocardiography, is performed to determine the direction and velocity of blood flow within your heart.
During the echocardiogram, it is possible for the cardiologist to:
- Watch the heart’s motion
- Ascertain if the valves are opening and closing properly
- Determine the size of the heart chambers and major vessels
- Measure the thickness of the heart walls
The other two items that I ordered were first a spice rack that sits on the counter in the corner. This will replace a rack that came with Desperado that is going to go in the trash when the wallpapering is done. Second, a pair of Dickey bib overalls that I intend to use for my walking pants. The Carhartt cargo pants that I have been wearing do not last long because of wear in the inside of the legs. I bought another brand of cargo pants that are wearing better but I don't like how they fit. Trying bibs, gives me that American Gothic look.
14 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I thought that with the low temperature slightly above freezing yesterday morning and a forecast that was well above freezing that a trend may be developing. It was not to be, the low this morning was below freezing again which makes 13 of the 14 mornings so far this year below freezing. That has not dampened the optimism of the weather guessers, they are expecting 8 of the 10 mornings in the 10 Day forecast to be in the 40s and all of them above freezing. How I wish them to be right.
I'll not be doing much today. I have a full agenda tomorrow however. There will be a trip to town for laundry, groceries, wallpaper at Lowe's and packages at the UPS Store. I then need to take Patches to ARK for her teeth cleaning and late in the afternoon go to pick her up. Maybe get some reading done plus post to this website. For me that is a full day.
This is another very good historical novel. Rutherfurd does seem to rush through the 20th and 21st centuries after devoting many pages to other periods but is still highly recommended.Edward Rutherfurd celebrates America’s greatest city in a rich, engrossing saga, weaving together tales of families rich and poor, native-born and immigrant—a cast of fictional and true characters whose fates rise and fall and rise again with the city’s fortunes. From this intimate perspective we see New York’s humble beginnings as a tiny Indian fishing village, the arrival of Dutch and British merchants, the Revolutionary War, the emergence of the city as a great trading and financial center, the convulsions of the Civil War, the excesses of the Gilded Age, the explosion of immigration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the trials of World War II, the near demise of New York in the 1970s and its roaring rebirth in the 1990s, and the attack on the World Trade Center. A stirring mix of battle, romance, family struggles, and personal triumphs, New York: The Novel gloriously captures the search for freedom and opportunity at the heart of our nation’s history. - Book promo @ goodreads.com
15 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The first thing I did this morning after our walk was go to town and do laundry. Got this posting started while doing that. Then to Café Olé for my usual breakfast there.
Next on the list was Lowe's where I picked up the wallpaper that took longer to arrive than I had been led to believe when I ordered. But it is here, now to get it hung. I received an email yesterday from my wall hugger recliner supplier that it is ready to ship. With any luck at all I'll have the wallpapering done when the recliner arrives and the re-do of Desperado will be almost complete - for now.
Got groceries from Fry's and packages at my UPS Store. Stopped at RV City and dropped off the wallpaper and made an appointment to get it hung. The appointment was for the first day. I have no idea how many days it is going to take but I hope it is done by the time the recliner arrives. We will see.
Then took Patches to ARK for her teeth cleaning. I'll be picking her up late today.
I have quoted the closing paragraph to a good article that will not appear in any US media. President Trump has not got us out of continuing wars and has now got us into two more - war with Iran and Iraq III which will be another Afghanistan.
Thus, following the assassination of the generals, there is little doubt 2020 will be a hot year in Iraq and hard on US forces if their President continues to ignore Iraq’s sovereignty and constitutional decisions. The US forces will now be considered a force of occupation, legitimising armed resistance against it. Iraq is back to 2003 when George W. Bush declared the country occupied. This was when the resistance took off. Trump’s last year of his first term will not likely bring any stability to the Middle East, and will certainly be very dangerous for US service personnel deployed in the region. - Iraq Is The Next Battleground, Elijah J. Magnier
16 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I picked Patches up a few minutes before 5:00 yesterday afternoon. She was still a bit drunk but seemed to have made it through the teeth cleaning just fine. However, she didn't recover all that well. I gave her half rations just before going to bed and found that she threw it up sometime early this morning. I gave her another half serving for breakfast which she wolfed down and went to bed. Hope it stays down.
No teeth were extracted which I did not expect there would be but I didn't know. The total charge was $250 which included the pre-cleaning blood work. Twice what my friend paid in IN but half or a third what the New Frontier Animal Medical Center quoted me. I'll be taking her back in April for her shots and heartworm test which can be done as a walk-in with no appointment required.
The wallpaper hanging project will begin next Tuesday. I did not ask and the Service Manager did not give me a guess as to how long it was going to take but we understand each other better now. He now knows that he needs to do the job in segments so as to not disrupt my home anymore than necessary. The recliner was shipped yesterday with the expected delivery to be in a week.
I don't know if these are true quotes but they could be. The way things are going she may certainly get more opportunities.
Hello, Suicide Prevention? I want to place an order. - Hillary Clinton
If I were President, General Soleimani would have commited suicide. - Hillary Clinton
"Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself."
17 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: January 17, 1932
We were able to do our usual morning walk yesterday but soon after that it started to rain. It never rained very hard but it drizzled all day with occasional harder showers. Our afternoon walk was cut in half because we were getting wet. Total rainfall was only 0.18" but that is enough to get you wet.
It was colder this morning at 34.7° but that is above freezing which is about all I can hope for. The 10 Day forecast expects that to continue with about half of the mornings in the 40s.
Patches seems to be back to her normal self. I gave her a usual serving for her dinner last night and she kept it down. No mess to clean up this morning.
This book promo has got is somewhat wrong, 'blade runner' was not created by Phillip K. Dick but he did create the Decker character. It was Alan E. Nourse that created the 'blade runner' and Scott took the name for his Deckard character in the movie. In this book, Jeter explains the etymology of 'blade runner' as it is used to describe the replicant hunters. Jeter has two more Blade Runner books in the series that I will read but they are recommended for those that like sci-fi, others may give them a miss.K.W. Jeter picks up the tale of Rick Deckard, the `blade runner' created by Phillip K. Dick and popularized by Ridley Scott's cult classic film. Consistent with the sordid vision of 21st century Los Angeles crafted by Dick and Scott, Jeter creates a stylish piece of thrilling, futuristic suspense that finds Deckard not only in the role of hunter, but also hunted. Again, Deckard is on the trail of an replicant, not knowing that it may be the most elusive and dangerous android of all. - Book promo @ goodreads.com
18 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The weather guessers missed the low temperature by more than usual. They forecast a low of 36 and I got 29.8. I could feel that it was colder this morning than yesterday and was sure that it was below freezing again. Then I saw some frost on the car windows and knew that it was not 36. They are forecasting a low of 37 for tomorrow morning which I think will be freezing. Then the other 9 days in the 10 Day forecast are in the upper 30s and lower 40s. Maybe no more below freezing temperatures after tomorrow until late in the month.
I have some lentils cooking in beef broth this morning with a can of beef and a package of cut corn. This is the base for future 'liners'. When I reheat some of it I mix in some Tater Bites and frozen vegetables. Other than that the only thing I will be doing is more reading and our afternoon walk. Not much happening and nothing planned.
19 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I am undergoing another psoriasis flash. While on our afternoon walk yesterday I started feeling like I did back in October but not as severe and it did not come on as quickly. When we finished the walk I checked and sure enough there was the flash. I also took my blood pressure and heart rate almost as soon as I got in Desperado. Everything looked normal, for me, and I did not faint although I did lay down for 15 minutes. Not much of an appetite but I did eat. Feel good this morning so can only hope that it is a mild flash.
More cooking today. This time I have garbonzos in the pot which will be the base for my daily salad. Most of the time I add avocado, tomato and olives then ladle on some of my buttermilk dressing.
I could tell that it was warmer this morning but not sure that it was above freezing. It was 33.3° so not freezing but not the 37 that was forecast. The weather guessers think the low tomorrow morning will be 41 with no freezing mornings in the 10 Day forecast. Let it be so!
20 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The long term bedroom project got kicked off yesterday. What I call my bedroom is the cab over portion of Desperado where my bed is but very little else. What it does have is three windows; a wide narrow one at the front of the cab that does not open and on each side there is a small slider.
All three have square valances where a plastic curtain 'track' holds the curtains and allows opening and closing them. The one in front had a similar box valance at the bottom to hold the curtain against the sloped wall. That front window also had a shelf that was the width of Desperado but not very high or very deep. I have no idea what the builder thought it would be used for but I never used it.
Yesterday everything around the front window was removed and cardboard placed in the window. Similar treatment will be given to the two side windows which will be much easier done but I need more cardboard.
Getting rid of that shelf and the valances 'opened up' the bedroom a LOT, just like when I got rid of all the overhead cabinets in the living room.
The idea for the bedroom is to wallpaper it with a similar pattern to what is being used in the living room and kitchen but a different color. The windows will be covered with shutters. The long narrow one with a fixed plantation shutter and the side window with regular hinged ones. All of this will not be completed until next year but I wanted to get all the valances and curtains down so I can get a quote for the shutters. That quote may change my plan. HA
Aah yes "The Art Of The Deal '', somewhat like Bush II's "Mission Accomplished". Making a silk purse out of a sow's ear is the only thing that politicians are able to make.
The first thing to understand is that it is not a trade deal. It is Trump backing off his tariffs when he discovered that the tariffs fall on US goods and American consumers, not on China. Trump is covering his retraction by calling it a trade deal. China’s part of the deal is to agree to purchase the US goods that it already intended to purchase.
The purpose of tariffs is to protect domestic producers from foreign competition by raising the price of imported goods. What Trump, his administration, and the financial press did not understand is that at least half of the US trade deficit with China is the offshored goods produced in China by such corporations as Apple, Nike, and Levi. The offshored production of US global corporations counts as imports when they are brought into the US to be sold to Americans. Thus, the cost of the tariffs were falling on US corporations and US consumers. - Remarks on the US/China “Trade Deal”, Paul Craig Roberts
21 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I'm back on the couch in RV City's waiting area. The wallpapering project has begun on the drivers side which will cover half the living room and all of the kitchen. This will also be the more difficult part of the project so however long it takes I think the remainder will take half as long. Maybe?
I don't remember seeing that rain was in the forecast. However we got a little damp while on our morning walk and the weather guessers now claim that there is a 90% chance of rain today. The low temperature was 48°, the second time that the low has been above 40 in January after only 4 mornings in December. It was VERY nice. It is not a trend, the forecast has more than half of the next 10 days in the 30s but not freezing.
The Burning Land is the fifth historical novel in The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, published in 2009. The story is set in the 9th-century Anglo-Saxon kingdoms Wessex, Northumbria and Mercia. The first half of Season 3 of the "The Last Kingdom (TV series)" is based on this novel.Uhtred of Bebbanburg wins a victory against Norse raiders for King Alfred. Uhtred goes into exile from Wessex after killing a Christian priest, in reaction to the priest insulting his dead wife, Gisela. Uthred sets off viking, stays with Ragnar, then he returns to Mercia to serve Aethelflaed, for whom he wins several victories.
This novel, and the series of which it is the fifth part, has been well received. One reviewer remarks "Vivid descriptions of merciless battlefield slaughter, rape, and destruction are artfully related by a masterful storyteller." Another comments on the series and its viewpoint varying from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, saying "Historical novels stand or fall on detail, and Mr Cornwell writes as if he has been to ninth-century Wessex and back." Another again praises Cornwell's eye for historical detail, and "his capacity for pulling off deft reverses are still in place, which helps to keep the narrative turning briskly along." - Wikipedia
22 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The wallpapering project got off to the same kind of start as did the floor replacement. After about 45 minutes of couch time the guy that did most of the floor work came and told me that they had on bays open and with the rain it was too humid to try and hang the wallpaper even if they had a bay. They are going to take windows out and do the job 'right'. The guy takes more time than I would like but he does though work. I expect it will look good when he is finished.
We will let everything dry out today and give it another try tomorrow. It is just as well that it happened this way. I was able to get more hulled barley and oat groats cooked for future breakfast and was able to go to town today without the time pressure of getting to RV City.
I went to the Landmark for breakfast where I got their Popeye which is becoming my favorite there. That and their excellent home fries and pretty decent coffee. Then another grocery gathering at Fry's and a stop at my UPS Store.
They had a package for me that I wanted to be hearing aid batteries. I ordered some almost three weeks ago and yesterday both of the last two I had died. I was lucky the package was the batteries. In my mail was a VA reminder card to make an eye exam appointment so I stopped at the VA Clinic and did that.
The tracking information I have for the recliner that was shipped estimated that it would arrive today. That has been revised to arrive tomorrow due to weather delays. It was shipped from IN. I think there was also a delay in Phoenix where it sat during MLK day. No problem, I don't need it until the driver side of the wallpapering is complete.
23 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Back at RV City again this morning. We had a lot of sun yesterday starting a little before noon so I hope they are able to get started. After they finish this project I think I'll have them replace the bathroom vent fan. It works part of the time and when it does it sounds like a thrashing machine. I was going to ask them to look at my retractable steps also that have not been completely retracting but yesterday they were working fine. Don't know what caused them to not work and don't know what caused them to work correctly again.
I also stopped at Lowe's yesterday morning and had the paint guy take a look at my kitchen cabinets and tell me what I would need to paint them. When RV City has finished everything I'll go back and get a couple small sample cans of the two colors that I plan on using and see how they look before buying big cans. The cabinet painting will be a summer project.
Poe's humor is subtle but the first half of these short stories should give you a chuckle. I did not like The Duc de L'omelette at all but you might. The last 3-4 stories get rather philosophical and are more difficult to wade through.A quote from one of them certainly has survived the test of time however.
Man, because he could not but acknowledge the majesty of Nature, fell into childish exultation at his acquired and still-increasing dominion over her elements. Even while he stalked a God in his own fancy, an infantine imbecility came over him. As might be supposed from the origin of his disorder, he grew infected with system, and with abstraction He enwrapped himself in generalities. Among other odd ideas, that of universal equality gained ground; and in the face of analogy and of God—in despite of the loud warning voice of the laws of gradation so visibly pervading all things in Earth an Heaven—wild attempts at an omni-prevalent Democracy were made.
This volume was good. Probably not as good as some of the other ones. The short stories it contains are some of the lighter, more humorous of his tales. There are a few grim and gothic tales, but most of these are light-hearted. - Customer review @ goodreads.com
The volume includes the following stories:
1) The Devil in the Belfry
2) Lionizing
3) X-ing a Paragraph
4) Metzengerstein
5) The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether
6) How to Write a Blackwood Article
7) A Predicament
8) Mystification
9) DIddling
10) The Angel of the Odd
11) Mellonta Tauta
12) The Duc de L'omelette
13) The Oblong Box
14) Loss of Breath
15) The Man that was Used Up
16) The Business Man
17) The Landscape Garden
18) Maelzel's Chess Player
19) The Power of Words
20) The Colloquy of Monos and Unas
21) The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion
22) Shadow, A Parable
24 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: January 24, 1932
The wallpapering is coming along slowly. I think the driver's side will be finished by the end of the today except for some trim - perhaps. I may be too optimistic but a lot of progress was made yesterday. There is enough paper up on the wall that the kitchen and bathroom share that I have a good idea what the entire driver side is going to look like when finished. I think it is going to look good.
The recliner was delivered the day before yesterday. I'm getting very anxious to see it in place with the new wallpaper. I'm like a child at Christmas now that the end of this project is within days rather than weeks.
I got the Will Rogers weekly articles ready for next month while sitting on the couch at RV City yesterday. The wallpapering is going to go on thru most if not all of next week so thought it was a good time to do it. The usual month end house cleaning will be put off until all the wallpaper is hung. Probably after 3 February when I go to VA in Tucson for the Transthoracic Echocardiogram.
Yesterday morning was below freezing again although the weather gurus forecast was for upper 30s. This morning it felt warmer and was just above freezing although the forecast had been for 37-38. They have reduced their guesses for the lows but still have them in the upper 30s and four mornings at or just above 40 during the next 10 days. Still cold.
25 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The wallpapering project is going to follow in the footsteps of the floor replacement project. There was some progress yesterday but they were not even close to finishing the diver's side by the end of the day. At their current pace it will take them two more days to finish that side. I think they might complete the project by 7 February but that could be optimistic.
Yea! It was above freezing this morning. That may even hold true through the weekend but then Mon-Thur are forecast to be 34-35° which I think will be freezing. Mostly sunny with high temperatures in the 60s which is what the Chamber of Commerce touts, in the winter they don't talk much about the low temperatures.
As an escalating viral outbreak unfolds in China, only one lab in the country meets the required biosafety standards needed to study the new disease.Read this article Just A Coincidence? A U.S. Patent For ‘An Attenuated Coronavirus’ Was Filed In 2015 And Granted In 2018 by Michael Snyder to see what a coincidence this latest pandemic scare might be. "The Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory is located approximately 20 miles away from the Huanan Seafood Market where this outbreak supposedly originated."
The lab happens to sit in the center of Wuhan, the city where the newly identified coronavirus first appeared, according to the Hindustan Times, an Indian news outlet. The facility, known as the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, is housed within the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was specifically designed to help Chinese scientists "prepare for and respond to future infectious disease outbreaks," according to a 2019 report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). - Only one lab in China can safely handle the new coronavirus, Nicoletta Lanese
Some NEWS that wasn't reported as NEWS.
In the meantime, an interesting development flew in under the radar as the impeachment spectacle hogged the news: The Department of Justice yesterday declared two of four FISA warrants against Carter Page invalid. The warrants were signed by James Comey, Andrew McCabe, and Rod Rosenstein. The move has deep repercussions in everything connected to the RussiaGate investigation, including especially the prosecutions mounted by Robert Mueller’s lawyers. It implies what has already been demonstrated by other evidence: That the FBI and the DOJ knew by January of 2017 at the latest that all the information they used to start the case against the President was garbage, and yet they continued it anyway — including the appointment of Mr. Mueller and his commission. The DOJ’s statement about the two FISA warrants doesn’t negate the possibility that the other two will also be declared invalid. It’s time for the figures involved in all this to become very afraid. - The Big Sleep, James Howard Kunstler
26 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I don't know which is worse going to RV City every day and sitting on their couch for 7-8 hours OR having three days off and thinking about having to go do that. The longer this re-do of Desperado goes on the less I care about how it looks when it is done. I have reached that point where I just want it to be finished so Patches and I can get back to our routine.
The low temperature this morning was exactly the same as yesterday 35.4°. That makes two consecutive mornings that have been above freezing. If the forecast for tomorrow morning is close to right that will be three days above freezing and tie a three morning string earlier this month. That will probably be the end of the string however with Tue-Fri mornings back below freezing (my guess, the forecast is for 34-35°).
27 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Went to town a day early because I need to be at RV City tomorrow. I'm starting to hate to go there but putting it off for an hour or two is not going to help.
Went to Café Olé for breakfast and got my usual Mexican Scramble. Then to Fry's for groceries and back to the Park. No extra running around today. Next Monday will be a usual shopping day and I should have some packages waiting for me at the UPS Store. That will also be the day that I go to Tucson which will upset the routine.
Iran has delivered precision missiles to the Iraqis, who are eager to avenge their assassinated commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes and expel the US from Mesopotamia. Iran would be happy to supply the necessary precision missiles to fill up Iraqi warehouses and see the number of US casualties increasing just before the US forthcoming electoral campaign! There is little hope for Trump to end his years as President without US casualties in Iraq and Syria. - Iran Is Ready To Attack Again: Will The Us Forces Withdraw From Iraq?, Elijah J. Magnier
28 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I'm back at RV City for the day once again. I'll be here everyday this week and probably the four days next week. They don't want to schedule any work on Desperado on Mondays but I'll be going to Tucson next Monday so that one doesn't matter.
My guess that it would be below freezing was correct, the low this morning was 28.9° even lower than what I thought it was going to be. The forecast for the next four mornings lows are 32 or 35 which I think will all be below freezing.
The forecasters keep extending those guesses by one more day each day but they have also given up on most of their lows in the 40s during the next 10 days. So winter continues, I have my basement heater connected again after it being unplugged for those few days that it was above freezing. Probably keep it working through at least 7 February.
It is inevitable that such a permanent second government [The Establishment] would exist in the current iteration of the United States, if you think about it. It’s impossible to have a globe-spanning empire of the sort America now has without long-term plans spanning years or decades for securing control of world resources, undermining rivals, securing more compliant allies, and ensuring military and economic hegemony. If the US were a normal nation which simply minded its own affairs, a permanent government wouldn’t be necessary. But because it isn’t, one is...the result of the 2020 election isn’t going to change a whole hell of a lot.
The reason the propagandists work so hard to manufacture the consent of the governed is because they absolutely do require that consent. If enough people decide that the status quo isn’t working for them and begin rising up to force it to change, there’s not really anything the establishment can do to stop them.Right now the only thing keeping people from rising up in this way is the fact that they’ve been successfully propagandized not to, and the propagandists intend to keep it that way.- The Establishment Doesn’t Fear Trump, And It Doesn’t Fear Bernie. It Fears You., Caitlin Johnstone
29 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
The guy doing the wallpapering at RV City became inspired yesterday. He finished the driver's side, except for a strip at the bathroom door. They also got my recliner unpacked and put it in Desperado. It fits where I intended it and allows about 135° of rotation while reclined. The color matches the door trim and my settee cushion very well.
I would like to think that the progress made today will carry over to the passenger side but that is wishful thinking. If that side is finished by 7 February I will be pleasantly surprised. I'm back at RV City again this morning and look forward to seeing what progress is made today.
My advice is to read the first book in the series and then read this 'final' book. I hope it is the final book, Mz. Auel has beat this dead horse enough.After waiting so long to read the "final" episode in Ayla's story, I can only say: disappointing.
You can read the other reviews to find discussions of the repetition (from previous books, from section to section within the same book, of cave painting descriptions, etc.), and in my opinion, the use of repetition was worse than usual for this author; however, what struck me was that it felt as though each section was written entirely separately as the tone was completely different for each. This would explain a lot of the repetition and why it was so particularly bad this time round. The first two sections were fairly uninteresting. There were a few little gems here and there, but for the most part, could have been easily summarized. The last section, where there is a lot more detail about Ayla's training and the action really picks up (although in a way that was repetitive from previous works in the series), was the most interesting and enjoyable. - Edited customer review @ goodreads.com
30 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
I was VERY surprised that the passenger side wallpapering was almost complete at the end of the day yesterday. The guy that is doing the work has become more proficient as this project moved toward completion. That side covered less space also but he is getting the paper hung faster as well. I see this project being completed today unless there is something I don't know - the guy doing the work says it will be done today.
I'm on a roll. I'll now get them to replace the vent fan unit in the bathroom IF the price is not excessive. Also asked about the step not retracting all the way all the time. Was told that it probably needs lubrication. My web online reading led me to that same conclusion. Suggested lub every year - I have never done it or had it done. Duh
Have been trying to find an RV Park for my winter stay next year, that would be for the months of Nov, Dec & Jan. Need a RV Park and a dentist within the same general area. Not having much success so far. I did get a reply form a RV Park with a price that is higher than I wanted but still within my range.
Dentists have been harder to get. Sent messages to three and have received two responses; one of them wants to set an appointment using a telephone the second one wanted x-rays. I sent them copies of my x-rays from last April yesterday and have yet to receive an appointment. If I don't receive an appointment with them within the next few days I'll try some more dentist. All I want is a cleaning - maybe contact a veterinarian and see if they can help me.
31 January
Quail Ridge
Huachuca City, AZ
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: January 31, 1932
At long last the interior re-do of Desperado is finished. That is finished for now, I have more that I want to do but not now. Maybe next year depending on how much money I have and how much my ideas are going to cost me.
I asked for a price on the new bathroom vent with a fan and the price was good considering all that I spent so far this year. Told them to put it in and lubricate the steps. The wallpapering, vent with fan and lube was all done by noon yesterday.
Now it is time to try and get back into our routine. There will be a trip to the Tucson VA on Monday but the rest of next week I want to sit in my new recliner and watch Patches sleep in her bed. She didn't get any sleep while at RV City, she was on guard all the time I sat there.
The last day in the month of January 2020 was at or below freezing again making the total for such mornings to be 20. That compares unfavorably to the 16 mornings at or below freezing during January 2019 and the 12 in January 2018. The climate change believers all point to rising temperatures as evidence to support their beliefs but I rarely see them citing declining temperatures.
I am not a climate change denier, I do think it is changing and will continue to change as long as there are humans to observe it, but I don't think we humans are changing it. The only thing I think I can do about it is try to find a warmer place to stay next January.