Are we on the same page?

Okay, did I tell everyone that we are going to go backpacking in the Grand Canyon in Nov.? We are going with our friends, Anna Marie and Reed Proctor. This was supposed to be a "guys adventure", but as sometimes happens it turned into a couples thing. I am trying to be optimistic! We did a trial run in the Appalachian this week,but did not hike at all and spent one night in the rain. We also had a little mouse that visited us. No bears though! Yeah!

We also had a great visit from the Coris clan at the end of August. McKenna is her always charming self and Keaton just makes me laugh. He is definitely trouble! We took out our boat for the first time on Lake Allatoona. It was a lot of fun. Poor little Elise had to wear a life jacket which was awfully big for a little girl. She slept the whole time though!

And yes, as I was shaking my bear bell in the Appalachian, I was wishing Mother a happy 83rd! Love to all!

We are STILL adjusting to retirement. Lucky people who have pensions and don't have to watch the stock market!!!!

Got to work on stepping stones this weekend

I have been working on a couple of stones as a "thank you" to a couple of friends. Here is my progress.


I've gotten to where I will make stones in almost any container I find that I think might work, but I like my own jigs best. I am getting ready to make a new one that will be either a trapezoid or a triangle.

A good way to start the morning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzGwKwLmgM&feature=youtu.be

And I saw this guy the other night. I can recommend him if he is in your area:

http://www.drewnelson.net/

May I put my head in the sand?

Perry just keeps saying the most contradictory, moronic things, and yet there are people out there that think he should be the next president. I don't get it!

Social Security as a ponzi scheme? I think he understands ponzi scheme because his brand of politics could be considered a political ponzi scheme.

Reduce firefighting funds in Texas? He does not approve of FEMA - unless there is a big fire near his area and Texas doesn't have the funds to cover it because we have no taxes. He has reduced governance in Texas - he ran for governor again.

We teach creationism in Texas? (No, we do not. The governor ought to know that.)

Less government regulation? Then why did he pass an executive order making Gardasil a mandatory vaccination for young girls going into the sixth grade in Texas? Interesting article on that: http://www.edrugsearch.com/edsblog/mandatory-gardasil-in-texas-perrys-motives-are-a-bit-merck-y/

I'm getting fed up. Please talk to everyone you know and have them look really close at Perry. We really do not want him as a President and at first I said, "no way could he get elected." I said that about Bush too.

Mid September in Texas

Well, we are lucky in that Marble Falls has not had many fires. Some of my colleagues lost homes in the Bastrop fire and some will find out today how bad it is (we hope). There are plenty of pictures on the internet if you are into looking at terrible fires.

We just want rain. I am so glad I am not a farmer or rancher right now. I can just imagine the hopeless feeling of the Oklahoma dust bowl days with our looking for rain and seeing none in sight.

In October I go to Denver for a conference - October 1 - 5. Hope to see Phil and maybe a friend or two while I am there.

In November I go to St. Louis for a conference - Nov. 9 - 13. Don't think I have any relatives near there :-).

I can't play my guitar yet because my finger still hurts. I called the Dr. to see if I needed to come in because 2 months seems like too long for it not to be back to normal, but maybe it just takes a long time.

That's it for now. No pictures today.