Frozen February

This has been the coldest winter that I remember.

It seems to be a pattern that I do not post much in the month of February. I guess the temperatures have affected my ability to write which is not saying much to begin with, so I'll try to make a better effort.

The weather has been extremely cold in my part of North America. This region normally has some mild winters compared to the Midwest. But for this month we have experienced some extreme temps for this area. The next few days forecasters are predicting another round of of temps in the teens at night.

  

Old Crow Medicine Show - Bluegrass Underground

Cold Weather Conversation

The last few weeks has been extremely cold for the southern part of the United States. In most cases about 40 years since temperatures have dip this low - in the single digits.

One thing I've noticed is with the weather if it is hot or cold it will bring out conversation. Everyday since this cold snap I have had at least one conversation about the weather. I guess it is an easy topic to discuss with strangers, it is something we can all relate to - the fact we are all cold. The funny thing about this is after the cold has left, we will continue to talk either about how we are glad its gone or glad warmer weather has come. 

Is there any one single topic you can discuss with anyone that we all share in the experience?

   

Sunshine

Year End - part 2

Last post for 2013

I thought about listing significant events both good and bad from 2013. But as I reviewed the year it was mostly bad news.

Just wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Year End - part 1

As the year comes to a close I reflect back and one of the biggest changes - the United States - politically

In some of my rants about the Obama administration I have deep concerns about the direction and policies of this country. I realize that it took half of the citizens to re-elect him into office, but I think some of those people are regretting their vote.

Time will tell. 

Steep Canyon Rangers - "Nobody Knows You" Release Party

Bill of Rights

Issued in 1966 - Bill of Rights - 175th Anniversary - 5 cents

Crime

I was watching the news this morning.

A reporter interviewing a man about a crime that had happened in his neighborhood.

The man stated "it was a crime gone bad"

Hmm - is there such a thing as a good crime?

A crime will always have bad results, and if for some reason a person is not caught in the end they will have to answer to God.

Signing ?

Obama - The symbolic signing up for government health care.

How crazy is that?

He is trying to get the website numbers up

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-12-23/obama-signs-up-through-dc-health-care-exchange

Christmas Mailings

On December the 16th the US Postal Service process over 600 million pieces of mail.

Interesting with today's technology that mail is still one of the primary sources for sending Christmas greetings. I know when I receive a card in the mail it is more personal than receiving an e-mail Christmas "card".

The Postal Services is going through some difficult financial times trying to survive and compete with e-mail. I'm not sure where the future of the first class letter will be 20 years from now, but I do believe the Christmas card will be a tradition that will be here for a long time.

Happiness

The reason for this post is due to the recent talk about the lottery.

What is happiness?

Some things that come to mind for most in winning the lottery - money, new car, paying off debt, new house, giving to charities, helping family members and the list goes on.

I can understand how some of these things could make you happy because in most cases it would relieve some stress. But on the other hand, it could cause stress, just for magnitude of managing a large sum of money. I would guess if some of the worlds millionaires were interviewed and asked the question - do you have any stress in your life? I would bet the answer to be yes.

Happiness comes from within yourself it is not a material thing like money. Their are people from all classes of society that are truly happy. We can find happiness in everyday life we just have to look for it. Think about your typical day is there anything in your day to day activities that makes you happy?

What makes you happy?

Healthcare

Just a short rant about health care

Watching the local news this morning about the thousands of people being laid-off at a local hospital because of Obamacare. The reason is those employees were part of an overall process of work pertaining to uninsured patients. The state government will not fund the uninsured and has decided to let the federal government pick-up the cost.

So, now we have thousands of people unemployed looking for jobs that will probably have to sign up for Obamacare and pay a higher rate than before.  

December 1st

The first day of December

This post is a follow up to black Friday post. But this one is for a different reason if you are a Christian keep in mind the reason for the season of Christmas. 

Do not get so caught up in buying gifts that you forget. 

The reason why Christmas is celebrated - Jesus Christ  

Amateur Radio

The Cost?

The day after Thanksgiving or as most know it as black Friday.

I really don't care for the sales and all the craziness that comes with the madness of the stores opening the doors and people fighting through the crowd to get to the best deals.

It is amazing how businesses can mark down a product 50% or 75% and still make a considerable profit. I often wonder how much a product really cost. What is the actual markup on these black Friday sale items?

Nevertheless, this is capitalism at its best. I hope that one day manufacturing will come back to the United States and consumers buying products today would actually create more jobs.  

So, the next time you are out looking for a sale check to see where it was made. When you buy a product made in another country think about it as taking someone's job.

Buy American.

Top Ten - Movies

Thought I would list my top ten movies

This is an overall list

 I have more that I'll list later in category by comedy, drama etc..

It was difficult to pick just ten.  I based it mostly on channel surfing and what I would stop to watch.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2. Mr. Smith goes to Washington (1939)
3. The Crowd (1928)
4. You Can't Take It with You (1938
5. The Postman (1997)
6. Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
7. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
8. Rio Bravo (1959)
9. Casablanca (1942)
10. Modern Times (1936)

By the Mark

The Need for Change

Reading the local liberal newspaper (not a habit) just wanting to see how the left is looking at the elections from yesterday.

I refuse to believe the true conservative movement is dead.

We need to have candidates with strong conservative values. The RINO's have conformed to the liberal agenda. The secularism is overrunning in America. Whatever the trend is today will change tomorrow. This is no way to govern the United States.

I realize there will always be political differences but the problem now is the two parties are at each others throats. What happen to the days of Ronald Reagan, Tip ONeill or Bill Clinton, Newt Geingrich.

This country needs to get back on track before it gets to the point of no return.


Warning-signs-flare-for-tea-party-Democrats-in-2014

Media Goes Where the Story Is

The media goes where the story is - and the attention is now focused on Obama.

Since the Obama administration has been in office the media has been on-call for the White House.
As long as the agenda went to the liberals they covered it.

But, now it seems as if the media is going for the best story, they have turned against the President. Because of Obamacare and Benghazi.

I think we will see the popularity polls on the President drop drastically.

The truth will hopefully come out.