Early start

 Waking up to pain always sucks! You can either lay in and wallow in it or get up and manage it. Today I got my carcass out of bed and managed it. A pot of coffee, get the door and windows open get some of that clean mountain air moving through the place and click on the computer. 
 One glance at the news on the net and I started feeling better, seems the rest of the world is a whole lot worse off than I am. Mornings like this I'm grateful for no television, the printed news is bad enough! I subscribe to several newspapers online from East coast to West and none of them had anything resembling good news or at the very least something positive. Just a casual observation, sex and tragedy sells newspapers and advertising. On the positive side, after perusing this collection of catastrophes, disasters, and mishaps, I was able to manage the pain factor down quite a bit and face the day with a better attitude!
 By the by , what the hell is misspoke ? I saw that at least a half dozen times in scanning the political news and can't seem to remember that word in spelling class in school ! I do remember lie, liar, prevarication, don't know what I'm talking about, and bullshit artist (I learned that last one at recess). I tremble with anticipation should a politician come out and tell the truth or at least say I don't know , let me find out.
 At least this was the view from my front door and window this morning,

It's not at all bad having this greet you in the morning. The sky shot through the branches of the tree happens to be a pomegranate, got nailed in the bad freeze last winter and hasn't recovered, green at the bottom but needs trimming back. Some nice wood in there, wonder how it would do in my smoker? Anybody know , send me a message. 
 Another positive note the much needed rains have been gentle and no floods so far, hopefully we will continue to get a bit more to help the area recover and regrow.
 Sometimes my brain seizes up or perhaps it's just that getting older syndrome of CRS , but one of the things coming up in Portal is Irish music week, around Columbus day in October. It's not my gig, I'll only be helping with the food for the Portal Cafe', but here's a link, http://portalmusicweek.com/ should be some great music as the people running the show plan on having evening jam sessions and some of the instructors are scheduled to perform.
 Going to get moving and sprint over to the kitchen to see if I can create some havoc over there.

A few pics / slow day at the ranch

Today is going to be a slow day at the ranch , the big "A" is over at Dwayne's getting a little maintainence and seems everyone is just moving slow . Had plans to go play with an old timer from "Louisiana Hayride " over to the Blackhawk but that may be put on hold till tomorrow . The guy that wants to jam is in his 80's and is a walking encyclopedia of music and entertainers , it will be a lot of fun to get on stage with him ! 
I did take a few pictures and I'm posting them , the inside picture is of the interior after the trip across Louisiana

the others are of Moody's and my buddy W.A. 

Recovery and Luck of the Draw

The party was a roaring success ! Lots of food [and some left over for football today] lots of good friends and a good time was had by all . 
 The birthday folks got a lot of good natured ribbing and some cards that weren't quite X-rated , we watched the TV as the reports rolled in about the storm damage and various folks thought of friends and acquaintenences in the path of that big bastard and quite a few phone calls were made to check on their condition . Fortunately returning reports were all positive , the damage is/was extensive to property , I'm sure everyone has seen the news by now and I can assure you the worst is yet to come as areas open up and folks can get back to homes and businesses . . Last we heard it may take quite some time to get into all the areas , the guys who were working at the refinery at Texas City have talked to their bosses and the refinery is going to be up and running before too long if they can get the workers back in . Problem is all the surrounding housing is pretty much destroyed and the area is inaccessable and no power to the town . The refinery itself has emregency generators but you still need people to operate everything and not likely anyone is going back in there very soon . A portable housing situation is in the works but right now the guys here are sittting tight . 
I read about all the gas prices going thriugh the roof and WHAT A CROCK ! There is no shortage , there is no big problem other than a bunch of greedy bastards with unpronouncable last names who see a way to make a fast buck . After talking to a lot of these oil field workers the problem seems to lay between the top of the heap and mister middle man who sells the end product , that leaves a lot of room for that old demon, greed to work it's way in.
Enough of the rant , by the luck of the draw we have escaped injury and/or damage from the storm or the party  , but the trip is still young and I'm sure there will be many opportunities to get stupid down the highway .

And thats , that

The storm has passed and given the folks up north of Corpus a whipping . We have experienced little or no effects here and are getting ready to start cooking for my good friends birthday party . We did take the precaution of moving the location back away from the shore to my friends house just to be on the safe side , 
still expect a big crowd and have plenty of food to celebrate . 
A partial menu 2 smoked shoulder clods , 1 crown roast of pork , twice bake potato , cole slaw , various dips and chips , baked beans [from scratch ] , homemade biscuts and corn bread ,4 kinds of fresh sausage on the
grill , frozen limeade pie , fresh peel and eat shrimp , fresh seafood ceviche' , needless to say we ain't going hungry ! 
After the party and recovery period I have told my other friend from Kentucky [AF1] that I'll meet him in Kerrville on the 26th of Sept . We want to attend the big alternative enegy fiesta up there and see all the new technology available , then will head over to Big Bend and Terlingua . 
I'll post an update on the big party later as soon as I recover ! 

Progress People and Politics

I was reminded today that I have been neglecting this page for a while . Sorry about that ! Been really busy at working on Azad /new shocks , windshield wiper bushings , rotating tires , checking brakes working on food storage , just received the invertor to install ,making wiring runs for some of the accessories I eventually want to add. I broke down and bought a Dell laptop with wireless set up to take on the road with me and transferring all the files etc. from the PC to Laptop has taken a lot more effort than I thought . You could say Hi-Tech is not my strong suit ! But nearly done and am trying to decide what kind of auxiliary vehicle I can find . Would like to an old Honda Trail 90 to hang off the front end but haven't yet .
People wise I met the guys out at STAR TECH in Lake City Fl. out on rt 90 on the way to Live Oak their phone is 386-755-0277 , good people and high quality new and rebuilt computers and accessories at a Very decent price . If you are in the area give them a call or stop by . They are open Mon. thru Fri. during the day but close Sat. at 2P.M. The other thing that was kind of a bonus was an old friend from my days of living and working in the Fl. Keys called and is now living nearby and will take a few days next week to go visit and catch up on things . Other people of note T. BOONE PICKENS ! You go brother I like someone who will put their money where their mouth is , I hope folks will pay attention to this guy . We have to fix the energy problem in this country , although Pickens doesn't profess to have all the answers , definitely a step in the right direction with wind turbines , solar and natural gas for our energy needs . Remember We as Americans are not the only ones being held hostage by OPEC , Gas prices in other countries are exorbitant too , tack on a less than reliable government , a heavy tax schedule and suddenly you have the recipe for a global oopsie , the likes of which hasn't been seen since the 1930's . Could be a helluva mess !
Finally a personal note to ALL the politicians out there , GROW SOME DAMN SKIN !! get off this insane downslope of political correctness and B.S. racial victimizing and be an example to the people who are supposed to be looking to you for leadership and good example . Recently a remark was made in a commission meeting about something being a black hole and this dipstick commissioner started screaming about racial slurs . I was under the impression our elected officials were supposed to be if not better educated at least better informed about basic terminology and nomenclature of the world around us . As a final rant be thankful for what we already have . Take responsibility for yourself and your actions , I know it's hard but just try and leave the rest of us who are getting along without your dopey rules and trivial laws ALONE .
I just don't know .... I suggest everyone listen to Guy Clark at least once a day and watch the sunset with your favorite beverage and somebody you care about by your side !
Till the next time ,