Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The other shoe has dropped

Well after putting off my colonscopy for over 10 years I finally had it done. Apparently my reluctance at having the test done will cost me.

First it would seem that man who spent 40 plus years on his feet or sitting in a truck develope hemroids. Nothing needs tobe done in that it does not bother me.  So that's ok.

It is the other reason you have this embarrassing procedure done that was revelatory.

The scope revealed several polups that required removal in that they tend to be Pre-cancerous  so they were removed. It was the one at the very end of the exam that proved a problem.  It was more involved and could not be fully removed indicating its most likely cancerous and will require a more involved surgery.  More will be known in a few weeks after results of the biopsy has come back .

But an offhand comment by my doctor is that he believes it is at an early stage and can be sussfully dealt with. So for now I am just going to put it in the hands of God and the doctors who assist me in improving my health. 

I am not telling you dear reader for your sympathy but more as a moral tale not to put this simple test off just because it is embarrassing and you feel vulnerable. If you do well let it not be said I didn't warn you.

Movies - Books - projects

Well projects have taken aback seat for now. But I have been reading more. One of the books has been the Walt Longmire series by Crag Johnson called "kindness goes unpunished " a excellent book putting the Wyoming Sheriff in Philidhia Pa.  A excellent read fast paced and excellent characters.

I have been watching on Netflix the BBC America  " Luther" and "The Last Detective" well worth watching but be aware "Luther" is quite intense.

Speaking of BBC America their period show called " Copper" is really quite good with a New York cop set in 1865. Of course I can't forget AMC "Hell on Wheels" again I like westerns the first season of which you can get on Netflix.

Well enough for now.


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Totally Black


Frank Sinatra was quoted once as "When you think things have about gotten as dark as they can get that is when it goes totally black." That pretty much sums up the state of the union right now.

We have what we call our two party system that are deadlocked as to what to do next and basically determined that no matter what to paint the other party as guilty. All this does is a big fat nothing as to solutions.

but in all honesty there is probably not actual solutions to the situation we are in right now without some dramatic steps that people are not ready to take. The first of which would be a third party to spice things up.

How would this work this third party?

Well first they would hopefully be a party of moderates or centralist. who would while not likely strong enough to take power would be strong enough to guide the legislation that the country needs at this time. as a moderating influence this party would offer help to both sides of the aisle where legislation makes sense while keeping the radical element from getting too out of control. Although for this writer I fear that my left leaning almost tipping over beliefs may find some of the more moderate views annoying while at the same time making sense.

But until we do have more moderates in office we are stuck with the media controlling elite spilling out their vitriolic poison through the Rush Limbaugh's and Reilly's that will keep the rhetoric poisonous. Thereby continuing the stalemate that has become business as usual in Congress.

Because of the deadlock in congress there will be not solutions for encouraging better means of food production. There will be no soloutions to global warming. Florida residents better learn how to swim. There will be no soloutions to many of the problems most notably dwindling water supplies.

So until there is a thrid party willing to be a moderating influence you must choose between either the TEA Party (elites) controlled GOP or the Dems who have enough Blue Dog Democrats (GOP in sheeps clothing)to keep meaningful goverment from happening.

As for myself, to keep my parents from rolling over in their graves I will be voting for the Dems, always with hope but fearing it is the darkness before it goes totally black.

Projects-reading=movies

This past week I refinished a metal bread box that has been in my family for a long time. I was telling my wife Reba Nell that as best as i recalled my Mom got it from my grandma. Anyway i sanded it down and gave it several coats of paint green for the bottom and yellow for the top. I had to redo the top when I realized that the paint was not wanting to stick. Apprently oil or grease of some kind kept it from bonding with the metal. But cleaning with a solvent took care of it. My Daughter has already put her name on the bottom of it.

Reading - finished up Bruce DeSilava book "Rogue Island" and it was a great read. strongly recommend it for pure entertainment value. Already bought his second book "Cliff Walk" it was that good. In the mean time started Crag Johnson's "Kindness Goes Unpunished"

Movies - TV has been really good of late for show like "Hell on Wheels" and "Longmire" along with the great Sci-Fi"Falling Skies". An upcoming show called "Copper" on BBC America starts Sunday and looks interesting so I am looking forward too watching it.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Time to Drive the stake into the ground

One of my favorite visions of native American heritage is of the Chyenne Dog Soldier who would confront their enemy with their disdain by driving a stake into the ground and tying off to it daring their opponent to attack. I see it both a move to allow the tribe to make their escape and most importantly an act of defiance.

Perhaps it is time for us to drive a stake onto the ground, tie ourself off to it and call for our enemies to make their moves on us. Perhaps it is our time for our last great act of defiance. Why am I calling for this?

Simply, the radical group the TEA Party and their lapdog the GOP our nipping at our heels. They are systematically ridding the GOP of its moderate influences who tradtionally got things done in Congress with the Democrats through compromise and our replacing them with folks who sole agenda is to consolidate their myopic viewpoint of the rich our 1% elite know best and the concept of a "trickle down economy".

If we don't do something soon to either strengthen the Dem's our come out With an alternative party then all will be lost and the division of the haves and have-nots will become even more pronounce. It is time to drive that stake into the ground and tie our self off and stand and fight.

http://billmoyers.com/segment/keesha-gaskins-and-michael-waldman-on-supressing-votes-by-law/

This past weekend I watched the PBS show Bill Moyers and Company a new show hosted by Bill Moyers a long time activist and commentator on issues that or a threat to our society. As usual his timing is spot on. First with his review of a report on the move by radicalized state GOP governments to limit and manipulate who votes in the upcoming elections. But then he followed with a review of a documentary film that showed the development Tycoon Donald Trump coming into a remote part of Scotland to build a golf course on sand dunes that environmentally sensitive. 

What makes this film important it showed the arrogance and total disdained that men like Trump hold for the people. How it makes no difference to them what destruction they bring down on the local inhabitants to achieve what they want. If they need to use eminent  domain To seize property closing down farms and homes of people who have lived their entire lives well that is just too bad. You would laugh at the absurd behavior of Trump if it was not so frightening.

The final segment go the show was dedicated to a review of the history behind Medicare and Medicaid both of which Moyers was intimately involved in while serving with LBJ in the White House. This segment is really worth watching and reminds us that it was a start not the end.

Projects-Reads-Movies

Too dam hot to get much done in the shop. Also I am waiting for money to buy a Parting tool to finish a turning project for my wife. In the meantime I have begun designing a 3 section bookcase that the 
center section will hold the TV. Right now we have a traditional 
entertainment center that eats up space in our compact living room.

Book I have been reading by CJ Box has lacked what I consider to be an edge to it. In fact I have found the book to be sugar sweet and for this diabetic almost put me into a comma.

Fortunately I have some good replacements waiting I the wings.