Weather Contrasts

We are enjoying the sunny and mild days in Arizona:

While our grandson enjoys the Minnesota winter:

Weather contrasts for sure.

Just one day more...

Where We Are Now

Nationwide the weather this winter has been unconventional.  The east coast has seen temperatures in the 70's and the south has had tornados.

The forecast where we are in Hope, AZ is for the 50's and 60's in the daytime, dipping to the 30's at night.  Now comes a winter storm warning for heavy snow and white outs in New Mexico.  That is the route we take when we travel from the farm in Nebraska to Arizona.  Last year we left just after Christmas, which would have put us right in that mess had we been on the same schedule this year.  We have stayed in Elephant Butte in the past and they are expecting 4 - 8 inches of snow with blizzard conditions.

I'm not sure if it is El Nino or what that is causing this strange weather, but I'm sure glad we are where we are now.  I can live with temps in the 50's and 60's for now.  (have I mentioned how much I hate snow?)

Just one day more...

That Time Of The Year

We have been at our winter "home" in Hope, Arizona for a few weeks and while it has been cool in the evenings the days are mild.  In a few more weeks daytime temperatures are expected to be in the 70's.

Back home on the farm it's a different story:

Issued by The National Weather Service

Omaha, NE

7:45am CST, Thu Dec 24

... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

* MAIN IMPACT... SNOW ACCUMULATIONS MAINLY FROM 2 TO 4 INCHES.

* OTHER IMPACTS... TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES DUE TO SLICK ROADS.

* A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW... SLEET... OR FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES. USE EXTRA CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Our grandson is one-year-old today and has brought a lot of joy into our lives.  By the time we get back home this spring he should be even bigger.  (Still has his grandpa's receding hairline).

It is also that time of the year when there are a lot of platitudes floating around.  There is only one that has meaning to me and is one which has become more and more unlikely - world peace.  

Our Farm Back Home

The U.S. especially must substitute a culture of militarism and aggression for one of detente.  

Just one day more...

Predator In Cuffs

Martin Shkreli, CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, is in the news again. 

He is the weasel who jacked up the price overnight of the drug Daraprim from $13.50 a pill to $750 a pill.  Daraprim is used to treat parasitic infections that can be life-threatening for babies, the elderly and AIDS patients.

At 6 a.m. Thursday, F.B.I. agents arrested Shkreli at his Murray Hill apartment in New York City.  He was later arraigned in Federal District court on securities fraud and wire fraud charges.

A spokesman for Shkreli said he was confident he would be cleared of all charges.

Yeah, yeah... I know everyone deserves their day in court.  But, it is especially nice to see this predator in cuffs, even if briefly.

Just one day more...

No Big Surprises

On Sunday the New York Times did an article titled:  Politicians Lie:  Some More Than Others.

Falsehood Face-Off

Statements since 2007 by presidential candidates (and some current and former officeholders) ranked from most dishonest over all to least dishonest, as fact-checked by PolitiFact. “Pants on Fire” refers to the most egregious falsehoods.

No big surprises there.

Just one day more...

Three Years And Still Waiting

Today is the third anniversary of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  One would have thought that the deaths of 20 children and 6 teachers and staff would shock Congress into passing realistic gun regulations.

A casket carrying the body of shooting victim Jessica Rekos, 6, is brought out after her funeral 

on December 18, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) 

Carlee Soto reacts as she learns her sister, Victoria Soto, a teacher at the Sandy Hook 

Elementary School, was one of 26 people killed in a shooting at the school. Photo: Jessica Hill

The guns used in the Sandy hook shooting spree were assault weapons - plain and simple.  Weapons that may have a place in the military or law enforcement, but clearly should not be unregulated for everyone else.

Congress held token hearings after Sandy Hook and blew a lot of smoke about finally doing something to end the killings and gun violence, especially against our children.  However, as usual, this do-nothing Congress, influenced by the gun lobbyists and manufacturers, sat on their hands.

Neil Heslin, father of six-year-old Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victim Jesse Lewis, 

holds a picture of him as he testifies during a hearing on The Assault Weapons Ban of 2013.

The fact is that nothing came from hearings in Congress and nothing ever will.  There aren’t words strong enough to describe how worthless this Congress is.  After all, not even the killing of 20 children and 6 educators persuaded Congress to act. Three years and still waiting.

Just one day more...

Crime Did Not Pay

Before he was reported missing, Matthew Riggins called his girlfriend to tell her he would be in the area breaking into homes.  His body was found in water in Barefoot Bay in Florida ten days later.

Two men dressed in black lurking behind homes were spotted by residents, leading to a police search of the area that involved a helicopter and dog units. 

Police said Riggins was attacked by an 11-foot long alligator while he was hiding out after a series of planned break-ins. 

Major Tod Goodyear, from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters, “He probably went into the lake to hide from the officers and the dog, and came across that gator.”

When a police dive team located Riggins’ body, they also came across the alligator, which was euthanised.  Some of Riggins’ remains were found inside the animal’s stomach.

Crime definitely didn't pay for this guy.

Just one day more...

No Shortage Of Stupid

Back in April I commented about a guy displaying a Confederate flag and noose (here).  

Along comes another one of these redneck neanderthals.

A Springfield, Missouri man, Jeffrey Tindle, insisted this week that a Confederate flag and a noose hanging on his home had nothing to do with racism.

“Representing my southern heritage and my southern pride,” Tindle insisted. “The Confederate flag, the rebel flag, whatever you choose to call it, it does not stand for racism at all. It stands for pride and heritage.”

According to Tindle, he had made the noose to show his brother how to tie knots. He suggested that the rope had nothing to do with racism.

And while the noose has been removed, Tindle vowed to leave the flag.

“Do all you can do to get it down, because without some kind of a law it aint coming down,” he remarked.

    *redneck alert*  *redneck alert*  *redneck alert*  *redneck alert*  *redneck alert*  

Just showing his brother how to tie knots.  Yeah, right...  There's just no shortage of stupid.

Just one day more...

Had A Dream

Just one day more...

Here's A Clue

HERE'S A CLUE:

SIX SHOT REVOLVER

AUTOMATIC ASSAULT PISTOL

How many of these assholes who are killing our children and innocents are using a six shot revolver?  Maybe it is time to classify a "sport" gun from an "assault" gun and regulate the assault weapons.

Just one day more...