Hi, folks. I know you've missed me, foaming at the mouth. Guess what? I'm back!
First of all the Republican circus. Leroy Mitt Romney seems to be stumbling in all directions this week as his supposed lead in his old home state of Michigan appears to have been taken over by the (former) Senator from the 14th Century, Ricky Santorum. I'm sorry. He still looks like a cub scout to me. But his views! My gawd, his views! On contraception. I won't even mention his financial godsend who made an age-old but silly comment about aspirin between a woman's knees this week. Even (former) Senator Santorum had to disavow that comment, though his own positions on women and contraception seem to be from . . well, as I said, the 14th Century.
But wait. There's more.
I live in Arizona, the antidote to common sense and reality. I have a friend in California (CALIFORNIA for gawd's sake!) who decries our state for the foibles of its legislators (most of them Republicans) and for our vaunted Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio reminds me of the sheriff or police chief back in Pennsylvania in the day. He's a thug and a publicity hog. He also treads on the rights of minorities. But enough about him.
What really got me going was a couple of bills in the legislature. One (again) wants to arm students at our universities by giving them permission to carry weapons on campus as long as they have a concealed carry permit. No bother about the fact that such a permit has been weakened by the legislature's deciding holders don't need any gun training. I mean, really! As the Arizona State University police chief said last night, "you've got students who aren't happy with the grades they've received, arguing with their professors, now you arm them?????"
Then tonight there's a report of yet another bill passing through the legislature which would create an armed militia to patrol the border for TERRORISTS OF AL QUAIDA OR HEZBOLLAH WHO HAVE ALLIED WITH MEXICAN DRUG DEALERS!!! Can you believe this?
A Bloomberg News reporter said she had been an observer of an interview between Governor Jan "Wacko" Brewer and the head of the Border Patrol. Brewer supposedly kept hammering the BP guy, asking "How many terrorists have you arrested? How many Al Quaida? How many Hezbollah?"
The Border Patrol guy kept telling her it was not true, there was no involvement of Middle East terrorists with Mexican narcotraficantes but the governor wouldn't have it.
As I said to my wife tonight, "what planet are these people coming from?"
As for the claim that the federal government ("...the Obama government...") isn't protecting the border . . there are now 20,000 agents on the border with Mexico. During the Bush administration there were 10,000.
Sheeesh! I gotta go mix a drink.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
YESTERDAY
Valentine's Day was a good one for us. It began with tulips the day before.
Later in the day, Judy and I went to Prescott for a late lunch at a relatively new Italian restaurant, Rosa's. She had Chicken Martini and I had Rigatoni Toscana. We loved both entrees as well as a delicious Rosa's Salad that we shared. No room for tiramisu though.
A great day.
Later in the day, Judy and I went to Prescott for a late lunch at a relatively new Italian restaurant, Rosa's. She had Chicken Martini and I had Rigatoni Toscana. We loved both entrees as well as a delicious Rosa's Salad that we shared. No room for tiramisu though.
A great day.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A VALENTINE AND A BIRTHDAY
Guess you all know what today is.
Here's my Valentine from long ago. Her name is Judy though she's referred to on this blog as SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed).
I've been obeying her now for many years.
From back when I used to tote around a 35 mm SLR camera. And from when I might have said something like this to her.
Time marched on, as it does and 42 years later most of our hair has changed color.
You're still my Valentine, Judy. I love you.
But wait! There's more!
Today is also a rather momentous birthday. The state of Arizona is 100 years old today. The story goes that the paperwork was ready by February 12th but it was decided not to sign it because it might detract from Lincoln's Birthday celebrations. So two days later, on February 14th, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state in the Union.
Happy birthday, Arizona.
Yes, folks, once again it's Valentines Day.
Here's my Valentine from long ago. Her name is Judy though she's referred to on this blog as SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed).
I've been obeying her now for many years.
From back when I used to tote around a 35 mm SLR camera. And from when I might have said something like this to her.
Time marched on, as it does and 42 years later most of our hair has changed color.
But wait! There's more!
Today is also a rather momentous birthday. The state of Arizona is 100 years old today. The story goes that the paperwork was ready by February 12th but it was decided not to sign it because it might detract from Lincoln's Birthday celebrations. So two days later, on February 14th, 1912, Arizona became the 48th state in the Union.
Happy birthday, Arizona.
Monday, February 13, 2012
ANOTHER CLOUDY DAY
Looks like rain or snow up north over the mountains.
It's cold here - in the 40's.
By the way, if I was you, I'd get that crack fixed in your computer monitors.
It's cold here - in the 40's.
By the way, if I was you, I'd get that crack fixed in your computer monitors.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
DARK SKIES OVER TIGER
Kind of an ominous sky over toward the southeast this afternoon.
May have been what Tiger Woods was seeing all day. After my support post yesterday and after 3 days with scores in the 60's, today he was paired with Phil Mickelson and shot a terrible 75. Poor approach shots, bad putts. I think he ended up tied for 15th in the Pebble Beach tournament. Mickelson, meanwhile, had a terrific day, shooting 64 to win the tournament. In his post match interview, Woods seemed totally stunned and unable to explain his collapse in the final round.
I finished my Abbey biography and have started one I got from the library yesterday. It's a biography of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and the title is a phrase he used repeatedly in his books: And so it goes. That may be the best way to sum up today's golf tournament finale.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
ABBEY AND PEBBLE
It's been a very quiet day around here. SWMBO went off for her regular lunch date with her daughter. I spent the afternoon reading a book about Ed Abbey and occasionally watching the Pebble Beach golf tournament on television.
Ed Abbey was a complex and conflicted man. I was surprised to read early in the book (Adventures with Ed by Jack Loeffler) that Abbey once went to San Francisco to visit some relatives and came away enchanted with the city. This is a man who spent days, weeks, months, years and decades wandering around in the wilderness of the southwestern United States, railing about overpopulation and the degradation of the land by developers. But, on the other hand, I don't know how anyone can not be seduced by the beauty and cosmopolitaness of San Francisco. My favorite uncle lived there for 60 years. I have visited the city several times and I, too, love it.
So, Pebble Beach. It's kind of a silly golf tournament, which is a pro-am letting some of the silliest examples of golfing ability (like ESPN announcer Chris Berman) participate right alongside the professionals who make their living at this. But I guess it raises a lot of money for charity so it's not all bad. I freely admit that I have been a fan of Tiger Woods all these years, through his off-course scandals as well as the good years. He's finally back playing well and is expected to have a great year on the tour. As of right now, he's 6 under par for the first two days and 6 shots behind the leader. Two days to play and with Tiger playing at his best six shots is nothing to make up.
Have a good weekend everybody!
Ed Abbey was a complex and conflicted man. I was surprised to read early in the book (Adventures with Ed by Jack Loeffler) that Abbey once went to San Francisco to visit some relatives and came away enchanted with the city. This is a man who spent days, weeks, months, years and decades wandering around in the wilderness of the southwestern United States, railing about overpopulation and the degradation of the land by developers. But, on the other hand, I don't know how anyone can not be seduced by the beauty and cosmopolitaness of San Francisco. My favorite uncle lived there for 60 years. I have visited the city several times and I, too, love it.
So, Pebble Beach. It's kind of a silly golf tournament, which is a pro-am letting some of the silliest examples of golfing ability (like ESPN announcer Chris Berman) participate right alongside the professionals who make their living at this. But I guess it raises a lot of money for charity so it's not all bad. I freely admit that I have been a fan of Tiger Woods all these years, through his off-course scandals as well as the good years. He's finally back playing well and is expected to have a great year on the tour. As of right now, he's 6 under par for the first two days and 6 shots behind the leader. Two days to play and with Tiger playing at his best six shots is nothing to make up.
Have a good weekend everybody!
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