Because my cats have me well trained, and I am very indulgent of them, I try to please their tastes and cravings for food. Which seems to require a certain nimbleness of offerings. Sake liked cooked and chopped liver for a long, long, time, then grew tired of it, and liked various Fancy Feast http://www.fancyfeast.com/ offerings. Last Thanksgiving, she demanded Cornish game hen one Sunday morning, after being provided a taste the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before. And she has not been satisfied by repetitive offerings of liver or chicken meat. So, based on the advice of a friend, I alternate between cooked and chopped chicken liver and chicken meat, which seems to help. Sake seems to prefer breast meat, but will eat other parts of the chicken. But she seems to need the variety.
Haiku likes Fancy Feast, but also human tuna, and treats: Party Mix original and Sunflower Chicken http://www.friskies.com/Cat-Food/Cat-Treats, and Natural Sensations, Chicken and Dairy http://www.temptationstreats.com/cat-treats/default.aspx. Taki also likes those treats, but she mostly focuses on the Sunflower treats. But the truth be known all three cats like these treats, they just have a pecking order regarding access.
Taki prefers turkey based food. Which makes sense. When she was little, and started to helping herself to adult food, the "kitten food" I found for her was turkey based, and paté. So, she seems to prefer paté to chunk or gravied food, and turkey flavor. But she also likes fish based food, more so than the other cats.
But, I have have caught the other cats "in the act." Sake likes gravy, even in a paté food. They all eat from the various bowls I have offered. Not one is subject to starvation.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Outside
Although at this time of the year, the weather in West Texas is hot during the day, very often as the sun sets, the ambient temperature, combined with the ever present breeze, makes the evening air very pleasant.
Yesterday was never hot in West Texas terms. I was able to sit out and enjoy the evening air. I read until late into the night. I fell asleep reading, and about 1230 AM was awakened by intermittent rain drops that were needle sharp. The last time I was sitting out, reading, and the rain started, the drops were mud filled plops of water.
Well, I had an inter-library loan book from the Texas Collection, Baylor University, restricted circulation outside with me. The book is Haskins: The Bear Facts by Don Haskins as told to Ray Sanchez. I hastened it inside before I did anything else. When I fall asleep reading, I often drop my glasses. I did that last night. I could not find my glasses. So, the second task was to find my spares (in the sun glass compartment of the Vue) and find my glasses. They were on the ground next to the chaise lounge in which I was sitting. Duh! I hauled in the lounge cushion, and went to bed. I had stayed up way too late, unintentionally, reading!
I sat out again tonight, after doing some yard work. I waited to start the yard work until 8 PM, and the temperature was about 88°. That temperature was a blessing, there was a stiff breeze, and the work was completed without much heat stress.
So, then I sat out reading and there was a strong wind. The air was mild and pleasant. I decided to come inside, and realized that the breeze had stilled, and even though the temperature was 81°, the stillness of the air, and the humidity made it a little oppressive.
It is so interesting to me that the weather in West Texas is so fickle, changes so quickly, and sometimes, so minutely. I remember, years ago, when Ken and I had a house on 91st St., and there was a hail storm. It was amazing to me. The roof was ruined by hail, but the hail mostly fell on the west side of the roof, and not the east side, and the neighbors across the street to the east sustained no hail damage.
So, the vagaries of the weather in West Texas continue to amaze me.
Yesterday was never hot in West Texas terms. I was able to sit out and enjoy the evening air. I read until late into the night. I fell asleep reading, and about 1230 AM was awakened by intermittent rain drops that were needle sharp. The last time I was sitting out, reading, and the rain started, the drops were mud filled plops of water.
Well, I had an inter-library loan book from the Texas Collection, Baylor University, restricted circulation outside with me. The book is Haskins: The Bear Facts by Don Haskins as told to Ray Sanchez. I hastened it inside before I did anything else. When I fall asleep reading, I often drop my glasses. I did that last night. I could not find my glasses. So, the second task was to find my spares (in the sun glass compartment of the Vue) and find my glasses. They were on the ground next to the chaise lounge in which I was sitting. Duh! I hauled in the lounge cushion, and went to bed. I had stayed up way too late, unintentionally, reading!
I sat out again tonight, after doing some yard work. I waited to start the yard work until 8 PM, and the temperature was about 88°. That temperature was a blessing, there was a stiff breeze, and the work was completed without much heat stress.
So, then I sat out reading and there was a strong wind. The air was mild and pleasant. I decided to come inside, and realized that the breeze had stilled, and even though the temperature was 81°, the stillness of the air, and the humidity made it a little oppressive.
It is so interesting to me that the weather in West Texas is so fickle, changes so quickly, and sometimes, so minutely. I remember, years ago, when Ken and I had a house on 91st St., and there was a hail storm. It was amazing to me. The roof was ruined by hail, but the hail mostly fell on the west side of the roof, and not the east side, and the neighbors across the street to the east sustained no hail damage.
So, the vagaries of the weather in West Texas continue to amaze me.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Hot Damn!
I do not know when I started using the exclamation "Hot Damn" but somewhere along the line, I did. The internet gives us this insight into the explanation or definition of "hot damn" : or http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hot%20damn and http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/Hot+damn!. My sense is that I used to use "Hot Damn" long before the internet existed.
I just know that when I see something that I really like, especially in a sports venue "Hot Damn" works for me.
What is your favorite expletive?
I just know that when I see something that I really like, especially in a sports venue "Hot Damn" works for me.
What is your favorite expletive?
National Hot Dog Day
Did you know that July 23 is National Hot Dog Day? Well, apparently, it is http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/July/hotdogday.htm. I heard about this while watching the Texas Ranger vs. New York Yankee baseball game. But, I also heard it on a Sonic advertisement, but I thought it was a joke. Apparently, it is not http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000184326.
My appreciation of hot dogs has been an on again, off again affair. As a child, I remembering preferring hot dogs to hamburgers. And, when we went to Fenway Park http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/index.jsp, the hot dogs were beyond compare!
As an adult, I generally do not care for hot dogs, but from time to time, I have selected a hot dog for a meal. Sometimes, I will open a can of baked beans and add hot dogs. But rarely.
At work in the chow hall, hot dogs are a meal they offer: usually as a chili dog combination, but as it is cafeteria style ordering, the diner can select what they want from the menu, including chili and cheese without the hot dog. . Interestingly, the hot dogs they serve are "off color." We have discovered the reason for that is because they are produced in the prison meat packing plants, and they do not add any of the dyes that make hot dogs look pretty in pink. So, although the hot dogs are khaki colored, they are probably healthier for the consumer.
Thinking about some foods makes me hungry. Thinking about hot dogs does not do much for me.
My appreciation of hot dogs has been an on again, off again affair. As a child, I remembering preferring hot dogs to hamburgers. And, when we went to Fenway Park http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/index.jsp, the hot dogs were beyond compare!
As an adult, I generally do not care for hot dogs, but from time to time, I have selected a hot dog for a meal. Sometimes, I will open a can of baked beans and add hot dogs. But rarely.
At work in the chow hall, hot dogs are a meal they offer: usually as a chili dog combination, but as it is cafeteria style ordering, the diner can select what they want from the menu, including chili and cheese without the hot dog. . Interestingly, the hot dogs they serve are "off color." We have discovered the reason for that is because they are produced in the prison meat packing plants, and they do not add any of the dyes that make hot dogs look pretty in pink. So, although the hot dogs are khaki colored, they are probably healthier for the consumer.
Thinking about some foods makes me hungry. Thinking about hot dogs does not do much for me.
Yankee Baseball
I live in Texas Rangers and Houston Astros country, but am solidly a Boston Red Sox and New York Yankee baseball fan. I know, the Yankees and Red Sox are rivals, and I should pick one team or the other, but I cannot. And when the two teams play, as they did this past weekend, I just want to watch really good baseball.
So, the Red Sox and Yankees met in Fenway Park for the first time this season, and I got to watch national broadcasts of the Saturday and Sunday games. The Sunday night games was extra innings, and I had no idea how late I had stayed up to watch the game, but I felt it Monday morning.
Then, the Yankees flew to Texas to play the Rangers. Monday night, the game was locally and nationally telecast. I watched the national telecast on ESPN, as the announcers would be less biased. However, I will congratulate the Rangers announcers: no matter what team they are playing, the Rangers announcers are professional, polite, and complimentary of the opposing team.
So, I get to watch the Yankee vs. Rangers game tonight, and the game is televised again tomorrow night, so I should be able to watch it. The game on Thursday is in the afternoon; I will be at work. If I cannot take the afternoon off to watch the game, I can listen to it at work. Thursday is my big time do paperwork day at work, so I could get my face to face contacts with patients done in the morning, and do paperwork for the afternoon. Mmmm. I might take the afternoon off, go home and watch the game, and return to work to finish paperwork.
I just like to watch Yankee baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/home.
So, the Red Sox and Yankees met in Fenway Park for the first time this season, and I got to watch national broadcasts of the Saturday and Sunday games. The Sunday night games was extra innings, and I had no idea how late I had stayed up to watch the game, but I felt it Monday morning.
Then, the Yankees flew to Texas to play the Rangers. Monday night, the game was locally and nationally telecast. I watched the national telecast on ESPN, as the announcers would be less biased. However, I will congratulate the Rangers announcers: no matter what team they are playing, the Rangers announcers are professional, polite, and complimentary of the opposing team.
So, I get to watch the Yankee vs. Rangers game tonight, and the game is televised again tomorrow night, so I should be able to watch it. The game on Thursday is in the afternoon; I will be at work. If I cannot take the afternoon off to watch the game, I can listen to it at work. Thursday is my big time do paperwork day at work, so I could get my face to face contacts with patients done in the morning, and do paperwork for the afternoon. Mmmm. I might take the afternoon off, go home and watch the game, and return to work to finish paperwork.
I just like to watch Yankee baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/home.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
In Keeping With My Stacation...
I had a good weekend. I did all the chores I normally do. Last night, I went to see "Annie Get Your Gun" at the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals http://www.lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org/. I did not go to Peter Pan" which played in June. The "Peter Pan" story does nothing for me.
Frankly, the "Annie Get Your Gun" story does little for me. But the musical has some songs that I really like: "There's No Business Like Show Business," "The Girl That I Marry," and "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better." I enjoyed the play. But going to a Lubbock Moonlight Musical is not a vacation activity.
Even so, the moons was almost full last night. (It looks like the full moon is officially the 22nd or 23rd of the month.) The night air was fresh but warm. It was a beautiful night to be out for a musical.
Today, I did yard work in the morning, then went to the American Wind Power Center and Museum http://www.windmill.com/. I have been on the grounds several times, and I have been in the museum but have not paid admission to do the self tour.
It was very interesting. Some of the technical stuff that they reported about the windmills was not totally beyond me, but not something I could totally grasp.
It was a good day to tour the museum. It was in the high 80s or low 90s. There were lots of clouds, so they blocked the sun from time to time. And the stiff breeze helped to keep the air tolerable. So, walking the grounds was hot but tolerable also.
On my way home, I decided I wanted a cold treat. I opted for a light Orange Julius slush from Dairy Queen http://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/OrangeJulius/.
So, those were my stacation activities for the weekend.
Frankly, the "Annie Get Your Gun" story does little for me. But the musical has some songs that I really like: "There's No Business Like Show Business," "The Girl That I Marry," and "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better." I enjoyed the play. But going to a Lubbock Moonlight Musical is not a vacation activity.
Even so, the moons was almost full last night. (It looks like the full moon is officially the 22nd or 23rd of the month.) The night air was fresh but warm. It was a beautiful night to be out for a musical.
Today, I did yard work in the morning, then went to the American Wind Power Center and Museum http://www.windmill.com/. I have been on the grounds several times, and I have been in the museum but have not paid admission to do the self tour.
It was very interesting. Some of the technical stuff that they reported about the windmills was not totally beyond me, but not something I could totally grasp.
It was a good day to tour the museum. It was in the high 80s or low 90s. There were lots of clouds, so they blocked the sun from time to time. And the stiff breeze helped to keep the air tolerable. So, walking the grounds was hot but tolerable also.
On my way home, I decided I wanted a cold treat. I opted for a light Orange Julius slush from Dairy Queen http://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/OrangeJulius/.
So, those were my stacation activities for the weekend.
Friday, July 19, 2013
The Green Monster
For the baseball fans among us,"The Green Monster" is well known. It is the large wall in left field at Fenway Park. It is an icon in baseball. Players are known to go behind the wall and sign in. It holds a now out of date hand manipulated scorecard. Yaztremski used to go out and practice caroms off the wall. They now have seats built above it. If I were to go to a Red Sox game, that is where I would want to sit. Well, the New York Times did a piece on the wall. I hope this link http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/07/19/sports/baseball/Fenway.html
takes you there.
"The Green Monster" An icon of American baseball. We have to thank the Red Sox organization for understanding how important Fenway Park http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/index.jsp is. So many other baseball arenas have been demolished and renewed, even Yankee Stadium. But the Red Sox organization takes good care of Fenway Park, updates it, renews it, and keeps it sacred as a treasure of major league baseball. Thank you, Boston Red Sox.
takes you there.
"The Green Monster" An icon of American baseball. We have to thank the Red Sox organization for understanding how important Fenway Park http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/index.jsp is. So many other baseball arenas have been demolished and renewed, even Yankee Stadium. But the Red Sox organization takes good care of Fenway Park, updates it, renews it, and keeps it sacred as a treasure of major league baseball. Thank you, Boston Red Sox.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
And, The Rains Came
We are so thankful that the rains have come to West Texas. The temperature has been in the 70's°, the wind has been mild, and the rains have been intermittent. The amounts have varied, but today Lubbock officially has seen close to, if not 2 inches of rain. When I got home from work, the official total was 1.84 inches. About an hour later, it was 1.93 inches.
The rains have not been torrential, so this allows for some soaking into the ground, especially if the ground was not hardened to hardpan due to drought. Hopefully, the rains will help the farmers, help the Ogallala Aquifer http://ogallala.ars.usda.gov/, and Lake Alan Henry http://www.lakealanhenry.com/, Lubbock's newest reservoir.
Having said that, there has been some localized flash flooding. But not too bad.
Although the temperature has dropped outside, and I have opened the windows to let the fresh air in, my house has not cooled off noticeably, and has been between 77 ° and 80°. That is discouraging. My bedroom cools off well, but the other rooms do not do so well.
I am grateful for the rain, and the cooler weather.
The rains have not been torrential, so this allows for some soaking into the ground, especially if the ground was not hardened to hardpan due to drought. Hopefully, the rains will help the farmers, help the Ogallala Aquifer http://ogallala.ars.usda.gov/, and Lake Alan Henry http://www.lakealanhenry.com/, Lubbock's newest reservoir.
Having said that, there has been some localized flash flooding. But not too bad.
Although the temperature has dropped outside, and I have opened the windows to let the fresh air in, my house has not cooled off noticeably, and has been between 77 ° and 80°. That is discouraging. My bedroom cools off well, but the other rooms do not do so well.
I am grateful for the rain, and the cooler weather.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Hoopla
I watch a lot of sporting events on television, and many of them are preceded by hoopla. Especially the "special" events, such as The All Star Game http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2013/, The Superbowl http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/47; the Daytona 500 http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Events/2013/Daytona-500/DAYTONA-500.aspx; the NBA Championship series http://www.nba.com/history/finals/champions.html.
Well, mostly, I try to avoid the hoopla. For the Superbowl, I tune in for the game and not the pre-game show. For NASCAR, I wrote to them, and I think many other fans wrote to them, and told them to stop announcing the race time as the "hoopla" time. I like to watch the fly over, the singing of The Star Spangled Banner and the command: "Gentleman,start your engines." When I first started watching NASCAR, the start time announced for TV coverage was just that. Well, they have done better, and break out the pre-race show from the race show.
Most National Football League http://www.nfl.com/ coverage is not bad. They basically have some fun but focus on the game. Of course, The Superbowl coverage is atrocious, but you just need to be discerning of the start time, which is widely and publicly announced.
I think Major League Baseball does very well: Most of their games start about 12 minutes after the hour, but they spend the first few minutes introducing the lines ups. So, that is good.
July 16, 2013 was the Major League Baseball All Star Game: I purposefully watched the pre-game hoopla. Because my experience with the pre-game hoopla is that it is meaningful, and tasteful. It was this year. It included presenting flags from various teams to American heroes. The songs were patriotic, and the introduction of teams, and the first pitch were appropriate.
I think there was a time when Major League Baseball did not "get it." But honestly, I think for the most part Major League Baseball "gets it" that it is the "national sport" of the United States of America, and, especially since 9-11-2001 it has tried to represent what that means.
So, tonight, I watched the hoopla. It was appropriate. It was on target. Yeah, baseball.
Well, mostly, I try to avoid the hoopla. For the Superbowl, I tune in for the game and not the pre-game show. For NASCAR, I wrote to them, and I think many other fans wrote to them, and told them to stop announcing the race time as the "hoopla" time. I like to watch the fly over, the singing of The Star Spangled Banner and the command: "Gentleman,start your engines." When I first started watching NASCAR, the start time announced for TV coverage was just that. Well, they have done better, and break out the pre-race show from the race show.
Most National Football League http://www.nfl.com/ coverage is not bad. They basically have some fun but focus on the game. Of course, The Superbowl coverage is atrocious, but you just need to be discerning of the start time, which is widely and publicly announced.
I think Major League Baseball does very well: Most of their games start about 12 minutes after the hour, but they spend the first few minutes introducing the lines ups. So, that is good.
July 16, 2013 was the Major League Baseball All Star Game: I purposefully watched the pre-game hoopla. Because my experience with the pre-game hoopla is that it is meaningful, and tasteful. It was this year. It included presenting flags from various teams to American heroes. The songs were patriotic, and the introduction of teams, and the first pitch were appropriate.
I think there was a time when Major League Baseball did not "get it." But honestly, I think for the most part Major League Baseball "gets it" that it is the "national sport" of the United States of America, and, especially since 9-11-2001 it has tried to represent what that means.
So, tonight, I watched the hoopla. It was appropriate. It was on target. Yeah, baseball.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Broadway, The American Musical
I have spent the last several Sunday evenings watching some of the PBS offerings: Broadway: The American Musical http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/. These are wonderful offerings, and vary in content. It might talk about the Depression, racism, patriotism, the early offerings, the 1920's, the 1930's, 1040's and 1950's. These are wonderful explorations of the theater in America. Good stuff.
The Rains Began
Well, the rain has begun. It seems to be a mild, gentle rain for now. The wind is stout and from the east, so I had to close the east facing window, but the south facing window sills are dry. The one north window that is open is on the porch, so it is protected from the rain under most circumstances.
It is my hope that the rain will continue for much of the night. Only time will tell.
The house is not cooling down quickly, but I only have the windows cracked open. I have a tendency to forget to close them when I go to bed, so I only open them a few inches, and lock them open.
I will pray for a persistent rain.
It is my hope that the rain will continue for much of the night. Only time will tell.
The house is not cooling down quickly, but I only have the windows cracked open. I have a tendency to forget to close them when I go to bed, so I only open them a few inches, and lock them open.
I will pray for a persistent rain.
Somnambulance
This was a lazy Sunday day. I did not have much planned, some laundry, and, if the weather held, the Concert in the Park. I slept in, fed the girls, made breakfast and did the various Sunday puzzles on the computer. Then, I started reading. And read, and read. At about 1 PM, I realized I had been reading for several hours. But when I came up for air, I felt as if I been sleep waking. Or sleep reading. Any way, at 1 PM I felt very disconnected. Sort of somnambulant http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/somnambulism. It was as if I had awoken from a nap. And, when I do that, I am very often frightened and disoriented, because I do not know exactly what day it is.
I checked the computer and made sure it was still Sunday. Isn't that weird. For me, it is frightening. It took several hours to shake off the disreality of the feeling.
I checked the computer and made sure it was still Sunday. Isn't that weird. For me, it is frightening. It took several hours to shake off the disreality of the feeling.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Tchaikovsky: The Ultimate Collection
Some time ago, I purchased the CD: Tchaikovsky: The Ultimate Collection http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_250/MI0001/140/MI0001140812.jpg%3Fpartner%3Dallrovi.com&imgrefurl=http://www.allmusic.com/album/tchaikovsky-the-ultimate-collection-mw0001398511&h=250&w=250&sz=10&tbnid=2WyDBOoo_LdN9M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&zoom=1&usg=__zBrMhHx_l8p_wZDZvwaF-Vp2JPE=&docid=k9RhjAII1eokuM&sa=X&ei=e5viUbiOJ8GtqgH52oDYCw&ved=0CD4Q9QEwAw&dur=0
I was interested in getting a very good version of the 1812 Overture. I did.
When I purchased this CD, I played the entire 4 disc set. But since then, I have mostly played disc 4 which has the 1812 Overture on it. Today, I decided I wanted to hear the entire 4 disc collection. It is, as it was, very good. It coincided with my activities, sometimes a disc ending when I was ending a task.
This was a good musical background for my day.
I was interested in getting a very good version of the 1812 Overture. I did.
When I purchased this CD, I played the entire 4 disc set. But since then, I have mostly played disc 4 which has the 1812 Overture on it. Today, I decided I wanted to hear the entire 4 disc collection. It is, as it was, very good. It coincided with my activities, sometimes a disc ending when I was ending a task.
This was a good musical background for my day.
Endura Cool Instant Cooling Towel
For years, when I have worked in the heat, I have used a wet towel around my neck to help keep me cool, and to help cool off my face. I have also used a wet bandanna on my head, to help keep me cool.
I saw the advertisement for Endura Cool Instant Cooling Towel http://www.missionathletecare.com/products/enduracool-instant-cooling-towel-large and decided to splurge. Well, the jury is still out. I have had this towel now for about a month. I do use it when I am working outside. The directions says it will stay cool for up to 2 hours, if you snap it when it starts to get warm. But, it has to stay wet. Well, the reality is that if frequently dries out well before the 2 hours. Is it better than a towel? Yes. And when I move inside and am still trying to cool down, it still works if it is damp. Is it worth $15 dollars. That is why the jury is out. But, since I own it, I will definitely use it.
I saw the advertisement for Endura Cool Instant Cooling Towel http://www.missionathletecare.com/products/enduracool-instant-cooling-towel-large and decided to splurge. Well, the jury is still out. I have had this towel now for about a month. I do use it when I am working outside. The directions says it will stay cool for up to 2 hours, if you snap it when it starts to get warm. But, it has to stay wet. Well, the reality is that if frequently dries out well before the 2 hours. Is it better than a towel? Yes. And when I move inside and am still trying to cool down, it still works if it is damp. Is it worth $15 dollars. That is why the jury is out. But, since I own it, I will definitely use it.
The Most Difficult Chore
Edging is the most difficult yard chore that I have to do. It is not a difficult chore. But I have two weed eaters, and both are of such a length that edging means I sustain a posture that hurts a couple of the muscles in my back, and hurts my hip. The sweeping/raking/vacuuming motion also bothers that place in my back.
But, edging needed to be done. There is a chance for rain the next several days after Sunday, so I decided I could not put off the edging any more. It did not take long, I took some aspirin before I started, but the muscles are still throbbing.
The good news is that I will not have to do that tomorrow, and can rest.
But, edging needed to be done. There is a chance for rain the next several days after Sunday, so I decided I could not put off the edging any more. It did not take long, I took some aspirin before I started, but the muscles are still throbbing.
The good news is that I will not have to do that tomorrow, and can rest.
A New Skill
I have begun using Inter-library Loan more and more over the years. Of course, as fate would have it, starting last fall this service entailed a small fee ($2.75) per book, which is still reasonable, less expensive that buying a book, and then does not saddle me with the decision of what to do with the book once I have read it!
Some time ago, a reference librarian gave me the instructions to make the requests by computer. I tried it once, and it did not go through. But today, when I tried it, it worked! Yeah!
Some time ago, a reference librarian gave me the instructions to make the requests by computer. I tried it once, and it did not go through. But today, when I tried it, it worked! Yeah!
Taki and the Vacuum Cleaner
I knew that Taki did not like the vacuum cleaner, but I never really paid attention to how much she dislikes it. Sake and Haiku tend to just ignore it. But, I pulled it out today to vacuum. Taki and Haiku were in the computer room, and when I brought the vacuum cleaner into the computer room, Taki hid behind the computer desk. I moved the vac away from the door so she could leave, but she stayed behind the desk until I turned the vac on. She then slinked around to the other side of the room staying next to the wall, trying to make her way to the door. I shut off the vac and helped her to leave the room.
Jackie Robinson, A Biography
As I have previously mentioned, I went to see 42: The Jackie Robinson Story twice at the movie theater. This from someone who rarely goes to see a movie. I was very interested in the accuracy of the events, and found myself picking up a book at the library: Jackie Robinson, A Biography by Arnold Rampersad.
As I read about his entry into baseball, I was pleased to see that the incidents depicted in the movie were fairly well depicted in accord with the book. And, now, as I have finished the book, I was really, really struck by the fact that Jackie Robinson really was the right man, a man with a mission, to integrate baseball.
The incident that lead to his court-martial in the US Army indicated he was will to fight for integration and racial equality. The life he lived after baseball demonstrated to what an extent he took that on as his life's mission. It is a part of the Jackie Robinson story that most of us do not hear about.
This was a very good book.
As I read about his entry into baseball, I was pleased to see that the incidents depicted in the movie were fairly well depicted in accord with the book. And, now, as I have finished the book, I was really, really struck by the fact that Jackie Robinson really was the right man, a man with a mission, to integrate baseball.
The incident that lead to his court-martial in the US Army indicated he was will to fight for integration and racial equality. The life he lived after baseball demonstrated to what an extent he took that on as his life's mission. It is a part of the Jackie Robinson story that most of us do not hear about.
This was a very good book.
Haiku Fell
Haiku likes to be in the garage, as do all the kitties. But Haiku likes to jump to the top shelves, and jump between the shelves. When she does that, she sometimes takes for ever to get down. The shelf is wide enough that she can pull back to the wall, and I can barely reach her to get her down, if I need to.
I did not let her get into the garage this morning because I had errands to run, and wanted to be able to come and go.
But, I let her get into the garage this afternoon. I was cleaning in the kitchen when I heard the noise. It sounded like boxes tumbling. When I got to the garage, she was on the floor. She jumped to the hood of the car, and was mewing, but she mews a lot anyway. Her heart was racing. I grabbed and made her come into the house. She did not want to come into the house, but I did not give her a choice.
If the fall did not scare her, it scared me!
I did not let her get into the garage this morning because I had errands to run, and wanted to be able to come and go.
But, I let her get into the garage this afternoon. I was cleaning in the kitchen when I heard the noise. It sounded like boxes tumbling. When I got to the garage, she was on the floor. She jumped to the hood of the car, and was mewing, but she mews a lot anyway. Her heart was racing. I grabbed and made her come into the house. She did not want to come into the house, but I did not give her a choice.
If the fall did not scare her, it scared me!
Friday, July 12, 2013
Haiku Wanted Something
Haiku is my cat that is very laid back, mellow and who does not ask for much. Tonight, after I had fed the cats, Haiku came to me tonight, crying . I discovered that she wanted some more food . She is not very demanding so I try to respond when she asks. I went to the cat's feeding area. Taki was eating and Haiku wanted to eat. I put out food for Taki, and for Haiku. Taki moved to her eating area, and Haiku went to her spot. They co-exist very well.
I am always glad to give Haiku something she wants.
I am always glad to give Haiku something she wants.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
I Am Still Having Trouble With the Blog
I am still having difficulty with the blog. I do not know what the problem is. I tried to edit a previous blog tonight, and totally lost it, so had to recreate it the best I could. I am having trouble adding links and referrals, and going back to edit things.
This is very frustrating.
Oh well, such is life. If the blog can not be managed, I can look for another blog sight. Or create another blog on Blogspot. But I would like to keep this blog going.
This is very frustrating.
Oh well, such is life. If the blog can not be managed, I can look for another blog sight. Or create another blog on Blogspot. But I would like to keep this blog going.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Why Do I Care ?
I was watching the Tonight Show http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/ and some starlette or actress or beautiful body woman was talking about her relationship with an ex-boyfriend who was cheating on her. I did not recognize the woman, and did not recognize the boyfriend's name, and I asked myself "Why do I care?" And the reality is, I do not. So I shut off the television.
I used to be more discriminatory about what I watched on TV. After I stopped subscribing to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal http://lubbockonline.com/ this year, because of their outlandishly overpriced subscription costs, I have started watching more local and national news on TV, and paying attention to TV shows that might have bearing on today's culture.
But this show did nothing for me. Actually, a lot of the news shows I watch do nothing for me. I used to tell people that I got my news on The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/. Well, guess what, that is still the truth. I trust The Weather Channel more than I trust most news sources. The second source of news I trust the most is ESPN http://espn.go.com/. Of course, part of that is because I like sports so much. But they also report the social implications of sports, and are more factual and less biased than many "news" channels. I also listen to NPR http://www.npr.org/ on my way to work in the morning, all work days, and most work days, on my way home from work at night. So, I feel I get a good smattering of what is happening in the world.
I also check my home town newspaper online Monday through Saturday. I get headlines from the Austin Statesman http://www.statesman.com/ and The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/ in my email inbox. So, I try to follow the news locally, nationally,and internationally.
And, if there is a "breaking story" I search out the best media source to follow it.
I want to be aware of what is happening in the world. But I do not want all that awful chatter in my head about what is happening that is inane, inconsequential, stupid, self-absorbed and socially insignificant. I can try to relate to my patients at work who complain about "the voices" who do not let them be. It is like having TV blaring at you day and night.
So, for many public figures I do not care about their intimate, personal lives. I do care if they are involved in some socially significant event. But leave your love life at home. Leave your sex life at home.
I used to be more discriminatory about what I watched on TV. After I stopped subscribing to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal http://lubbockonline.com/ this year, because of their outlandishly overpriced subscription costs, I have started watching more local and national news on TV, and paying attention to TV shows that might have bearing on today's culture.
But this show did nothing for me. Actually, a lot of the news shows I watch do nothing for me. I used to tell people that I got my news on The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/. Well, guess what, that is still the truth. I trust The Weather Channel more than I trust most news sources. The second source of news I trust the most is ESPN http://espn.go.com/. Of course, part of that is because I like sports so much. But they also report the social implications of sports, and are more factual and less biased than many "news" channels. I also listen to NPR http://www.npr.org/ on my way to work in the morning, all work days, and most work days, on my way home from work at night. So, I feel I get a good smattering of what is happening in the world.
I also check my home town newspaper online Monday through Saturday. I get headlines from the Austin Statesman http://www.statesman.com/ and The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/ in my email inbox. So, I try to follow the news locally, nationally,and internationally.
And, if there is a "breaking story" I search out the best media source to follow it.
I want to be aware of what is happening in the world. But I do not want all that awful chatter in my head about what is happening that is inane, inconsequential, stupid, self-absorbed and socially insignificant. I can try to relate to my patients at work who complain about "the voices" who do not let them be. It is like having TV blaring at you day and night.
So, for many public figures I do not care about their intimate, personal lives. I do care if they are involved in some socially significant event. But leave your love life at home. Leave your sex life at home.
Trouble on the Home Front
I am having an awful lot of trouble completing blogs. Sometimes, the body of the blog just disappears. Sometimes, the cursor disappears. Sometimes, I can not copy and paste in the blog, add links, or go back and edit the blog. This has been occuring the last three or four days, at least. It is very infuriating, and I am having to redo blogs that I have already completed. It makes me almost decide to not blog.
But, right now, all seems to be going well. I hope so.
But, right now, all seems to be going well. I hope so.
A Combined Band Concert
I attendted the combined concerto of the Westwinds Brass Band http://westwindsbrassband.org/ and the Texas Tech University Band Camp. I had heard about it a couple of weeks ago at the weekly Westwind Brass Band Concert in the Park:
"10… Music@The Museum: A Patriotic Salute, 7pm, HDJones Sculpture Court. Features the Texas Tech Band Camp Honors Wind Ensemble, Sarah McKoin, director, and the Westwinds Brass Band, Phil Anthony, director, presented in partnership with the Museum of TTU. Join your community friends for a rousing hour of everyone’s favorite patriotic music. The west doors of the Museum (facing Indiana Avenue) will open at 6pm, allowing performance goers to enjoy a pre-concert visit to the Museum’s many galleries featuring a selection of exciting traveling and in-house exhibitions. This is a Museum Community Program event."
The Westwinds Brass Band played more songs than the TTU Band camp band. This is right, the band camp band had only about 2 days two learn their music. The music was patriotic songs, most of them fairly common and the musicians may have been familiar with them. One of the songs the camp band played was a salute to the US Armed Forces: Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines and Air Force. This piece included "Easter Eggs" that is other patriotic songs hidden in the piece. The Westwinds play a salute to the 5 armed forces, but the piece they play is much less complex.
The band camp band played the Texas Tech fight song. I wonder how many of them were prepared for the audience who knew when to clap, and when to "guns up." They also played the Texas Tech Matador Song.
The finale was a combined performance of John Phillip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever." The audience was very savvy, and knew when to clap, when to stop, when to applaud the piccolo players, and when to stand for the finale.
The band received a well deserved standing ovation.
The band camp band is playing Saturday afternoon at Hemmle Hall. Parking on campus is a hassle, but I might mosey on down there to see if I can find a parking spot and attend the concert.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Why Do Drivers Do This?
I was driving home tonight on 50th Street, which is an east-west street with a speed limit of 40 MPH. This is a 7 lane street: 3 east bound lanes, 3 west bound lanes, and one turning lane in the center.
I was driving west in the left most lane. I was traveling about 38 to 40 MPH. The center lane was vacant, and the east bound lane had a vehicle in it, a little behind me. From the right, a large SUV pulled into traffic, crossed two lanes and proceeded in the left most lane, in front of me. And was traveling at less than 30 MPH. After a few blocks, I swerved into the center lane, passed this vehicle, and returned to the left most lane, as I was needing to make a left turn in a few blocks.
I looked back at the driver. He was an older person. He was eating, talking and looking around while driving. I wonder how much of that influenced his driving style. I wondered why he had to be in front of me. I increased my speed to close to the speed limit and soon was well in front of this vehicle and its inattentive driver.
Why do drivers do this?
I was driving west in the left most lane. I was traveling about 38 to 40 MPH. The center lane was vacant, and the east bound lane had a vehicle in it, a little behind me. From the right, a large SUV pulled into traffic, crossed two lanes and proceeded in the left most lane, in front of me. And was traveling at less than 30 MPH. After a few blocks, I swerved into the center lane, passed this vehicle, and returned to the left most lane, as I was needing to make a left turn in a few blocks.
I looked back at the driver. He was an older person. He was eating, talking and looking around while driving. I wonder how much of that influenced his driving style. I wondered why he had to be in front of me. I increased my speed to close to the speed limit and soon was well in front of this vehicle and its inattentive driver.
Why do drivers do this?
Okay, So This Might Be Disgusting to You, But So Be It
Haiku likes celery leaves. I was fixing dinner tonight, and took out the package of celery. The ends of the celery were sticking out of the end of the package, and there were celery leaves on the ends.
Haiku just munched and rubbed and rubbed against the ends of the celery and against the celery leaves. This went on for some time.
Haiku just munched and rubbed and rubbed against the ends of the celery and against the celery leaves. This went on for some time.
I know this is very unsanitary, but I can cut off the ends of the celery. I can not always please Haiku.
The most amazing part of this is that I had the celery out to include in a tuna salad. There was a bowl of as yet unadulterated tuna also on the counter. Haiku ignored that!
Loose Lips Sink Ships...But Tingling Lips Get Our Attention...And Remind Us We Have Things To Say
So, it was late afternoon, my last day off of this past long weekend. I was minding my own business, reading in the living room, when I realized that my lips were tingling. That was strange. I checked in the mirror, there was no discoloration and no swelling. I checked myself for other symptoms: slightly elevated pulse, which I attributed to nerves, no diaphoresis, no chest pain, no shortness of breath, no radiating pain, and as far as I could tell, no cognitive changes.
I "googled" tingling lips and discovered that one of the causes is a reaction to seafood. Ah ha! I had taken myself out to lunch at my favorite oriental buffet, The Hong Kong Buffet http://www.yellowpages.com/lubbock-tx/mip/hong-kong-restaurant-10222549. I know better. This restaurant very often has multiple health issues when it is inspected. And, I could tell that the steam table was not hot enough.
But it has selections that I like: some kind of green bean selection, at least one shrimp selection, fish, and mushroom selections. So, as always, I ate too much, including some sushi selections, including one that had a seaweed topping. I do not usually eat seaweed. Everything else I ate, I usually eat, including the hot and sour soup.
So, I am thinking that the tingling lips are a reaction to something I ate, specifically, but speculatively, the seaweed. To be on the safe side, I took some aspirin. But in about an hour, the tingling in my lips went away.
That was a weird sensation. But it reminded me that I wanted to write about the good and bad about eating at the Hong Kong Buffet.
I "googled" tingling lips and discovered that one of the causes is a reaction to seafood. Ah ha! I had taken myself out to lunch at my favorite oriental buffet, The Hong Kong Buffet http://www.yellowpages.com/lubbock-tx/mip/hong-kong-restaurant-10222549. I know better. This restaurant very often has multiple health issues when it is inspected. And, I could tell that the steam table was not hot enough.
But it has selections that I like: some kind of green bean selection, at least one shrimp selection, fish, and mushroom selections. So, as always, I ate too much, including some sushi selections, including one that had a seaweed topping. I do not usually eat seaweed. Everything else I ate, I usually eat, including the hot and sour soup.
So, I am thinking that the tingling lips are a reaction to something I ate, specifically, but speculatively, the seaweed. To be on the safe side, I took some aspirin. But in about an hour, the tingling in my lips went away.
That was a weird sensation. But it reminded me that I wanted to write about the good and bad about eating at the Hong Kong Buffet.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Letting Me Down Again, or Being a Fan in Good Times and Bad
I do not always watch the evening news, but I had the day off, and while I listened to the morning news on NPR, I missed the evening drive time news. So, I decided to catch the local news. I caught the last story of the NBC News broadcast.
The story involved Scott Entsminger's obituary. He was a Cleveland Brown's fan, and obviously, a fun loving person, as evidenced by his obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=scott-e-entsminger&pid=165695591.
Read it carefully. "He respectfully requests six Cleveland Browns pall bearers so the Browns can let him down one last time. " What do the Browns do? No matter how they handle this unique request, they have let down this fan, again!
The story involved Scott Entsminger's obituary. He was a Cleveland Brown's fan, and obviously, a fun loving person, as evidenced by his obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=scott-e-entsminger&pid=165695591.
Read it carefully. "He respectfully requests six Cleveland Browns pall bearers so the Browns can let him down one last time. " What do the Browns do? No matter how they handle this unique request, they have let down this fan, again!
KTTZ-TV
Our local Public Broadcasting System station, now called KTTZ-TV, has undergone some major changes in the last few years.
It has always provided cornerstone series, but some of the other smatterings of programs were not so great.
This past year, I have noticed that we get some really quality shows that are short series or one episode in between fund raising weeks.
For years, this was not the case. I think the changes to KTTZ-TV have been good.
It has always provided cornerstone series, but some of the other smatterings of programs were not so great.
This past year, I have noticed that we get some really quality shows that are short series or one episode in between fund raising weeks.
For years, this was not the case. I think the changes to KTTZ-TV have been good.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Eating Out
I do not eat out much. Once a month, usually, I eat out with the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ I enjoy that. The company is good. Because "Barnes and Noble" is now located at the South Plains Mall, sometimes we choose the "Food Court" at the South Plains Mall http://www.southplainsmall.com/. Other times we choose "The Olive Garden" http://www.olivegarden.com/ which is located in the northeast corner of the mall parking lot. Sometimes, we choose other restaurants just north of the mall on Slide Road.
For a while, I was trying to go, once a month, to a buffet that was mixed Oriental, American and Italian food. It was okay. I would bring a book, and take my time to eat. I tried to eat after 1 PM, so my lingering presence would not take up needed table space.
I have sometimes, over the years, especially on Friday night, bought take out from "The Fortune Cookie " http://fclbk.com/. They do Lubbock Daily Deals http://dailydeals.lubbockonline.com/engine/Splash.aspx?contestid=62192 so every time they do, I buy these coupons and appreciate them. I need to frequent this restaurant more often, though, without the coupons.
I received a gift certificate for an order at the counter, but the meal is brought to you, restaurant, River Smiths Chicken and Catfish http://www.riversmiths.com/. That was really nice. I again took a book, and enjoyed having someone else taking care of me.
Over the last few years, "Orlando's" http://www.orlandos.com/ and "The Texas Land and Cattle Company" http://www.texaslandandcattle.com/files/menus.aspx have from time to time, sent me gift certificates, which I use. I also enjoy the service, and usually bring a book to read while I am waiting for service.
I have also taken myself out a couple of times for a meal. Most recently, I went to "The Red Lobster" http://www.redlobster.com/. I was not pleased with the service or the meal, although it was edible, it was not worth the price. But, really, why should I complain. That is my long term experience with "The Red Lobster."
This is a holiday weekend. I have taken extra days off at work. I am thinking that one of my meals needs to be at a restaurant that will wait on me. I have not decided which restaurant yet, but I have Sunday and Monday to decide. I like having someone waiting on me, so I can sit back, relax, and just enjoy. That is a vacation kind of experience.
For a while, I was trying to go, once a month, to a buffet that was mixed Oriental, American and Italian food. It was okay. I would bring a book, and take my time to eat. I tried to eat after 1 PM, so my lingering presence would not take up needed table space.
I have sometimes, over the years, especially on Friday night, bought take out from "The Fortune Cookie " http://fclbk.com/. They do Lubbock Daily Deals http://dailydeals.lubbockonline.com/engine/Splash.aspx?contestid=62192 so every time they do, I buy these coupons and appreciate them. I need to frequent this restaurant more often, though, without the coupons.
I received a gift certificate for an order at the counter, but the meal is brought to you, restaurant, River Smiths Chicken and Catfish http://www.riversmiths.com/. That was really nice. I again took a book, and enjoyed having someone else taking care of me.
Over the last few years, "Orlando's" http://www.orlandos.com/ and "The Texas Land and Cattle Company" http://www.texaslandandcattle.com/files/menus.aspx have from time to time, sent me gift certificates, which I use. I also enjoy the service, and usually bring a book to read while I am waiting for service.
I have also taken myself out a couple of times for a meal. Most recently, I went to "The Red Lobster" http://www.redlobster.com/. I was not pleased with the service or the meal, although it was edible, it was not worth the price. But, really, why should I complain. That is my long term experience with "The Red Lobster."
This is a holiday weekend. I have taken extra days off at work. I am thinking that one of my meals needs to be at a restaurant that will wait on me. I have not decided which restaurant yet, but I have Sunday and Monday to decide. I like having someone waiting on me, so I can sit back, relax, and just enjoy. That is a vacation kind of experience.
American Museum of Agriculture
Sort of on the spur of the moment, I decided to go to the American Museum of Agriculture http://www.agriculturehistory.org/ this afternoon. I say, sort of on the spur of the moment, because I have not been through the inside of this museum, nor the American Wind Power Center and Museum, although I have walked their grounds previously. So, I have been thinking for years, that at some point, I will tour these museums.
Because I found myself with some time, and the American Museum of Agriculture is not open on Sunday or Monday, I opted to tour this museum today. I am on vacation, so touring a museum is a vacation sort of activity.
The last time I toured the grounds of the museum, it was next door to the American Wind Power Center and Museum (which was then The American Windmill Museum.) It has moved north, across Broadway Avenue. It sits on a hill, with an imposing winding drive to approach it, and is in a large barn like structure with lots of old farm machinery placed on the very large grounds. The drive is lined by old farm equipment, much of it rusting, and mostly, tractors. Touring the grounds, technically does not require an entry fee.
The building is expansive. It is not air conditioned per se, but had big "porta cooler" fans that sit on the floor and ran periodically. It also had large overhead ceiling fans. One of it's garage doors was partially open, as was the entrance door. Although Lubbock was hot today, there was a good cooling breeze, and even in my back yard, in the shade, it was almost comfortable. The building was comfortable.
This was an interesting experience: Much of the museum is devoted to tractors, and many old but restored tractors are on display inside. There is a lot of other farm equipment on display, mostly dealing with cotton farming. So, why was this not called the American Museum of Cotton Agriculture. Doing a Google search, there are other museums that highlight cotton farming. Hmmm. I did not see a museum called "The Cotton Farming Museum." But there were some displays about harvesting and bundling wheat at a the AMA.
Well, anyway, the experience was good. In addition to the farm equipment, there is a room to depict tractor repair and another that depicts "blacksmithing" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacksmith which has evolved today to not be horseshoeing, which is done by a farrier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farrier, but is wrought iron and/or steel forging. Yet, Google blacksmith, and three horseshoeing sites show up in Lubbock.
I digress. I enjoyed 8 of 10 of the short videos they have (2 were not working.) Some were historical. One demonstrated cotton from field to finished bale. I love watching shows on The History Channel http://www.history.com/ that show how things are made. I think factory tours (or operating winery tours, bottling company tours, etc.) are interesting. I like to see how things are made or done. Again, I digress.
One of the videos was some 31 minutes long: It was produced by John Deere http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/globalhome/deerecom/global_home.page many years ago. It was about delivering a tractor and instructing the farmer on its use and care. It reminded me what I learned in college as a pre-veterinarian major that farmers had to be more than horticulturists or animal husbandryman. They had to be mechanics, woodworkers, fence builders, economists, scientists, businessmen, recyclers, and who knows what else. But the care of this tractor was a little complex to me. But it was fun to watch the video.
There was a room filled with pedal tractors and miniature tractors. I had completely forgotten that we had a pedal tractor and attachable trailer when we were growing up. I looked, and saw one that looked close to what I recall, but not exactly. I know ours was red. I was amazed at how many pedal tractors there were.
There was a corner of farm "paraphernalia." Old china, old kitchenware, quilts, utensils, including butter chruns, laundry day utensils (washtubs and washboards), flat irons, and pictures of chores on the farm. It was just a hodgepodge, and maybe someday, someone will make a real display of this aspect of farm life.
The museum sparked a controversy when they used two stuffed mules http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2012-09-17/stuffed-mules-be-used-museum-exhibit for one of their displays. This is said and done. What can I say.
So, overall this was a pleasant afternoon. There were very few other visitors, and most came and went while I was still there. I have to believe the museum makes its keep on field trips from schools. I was there a very long time. So long, the volunteer docent came back to check on me. He and another docent answered my questions and asked me to sit with them while I asked my questions. And gave me a tutorial of the economics of modern farming. Which is really kind of sad.
This was a fun afternoon for me. If you live in Lubbock and have not been to the American Museum of Agriculture, I will say it is worth one visit, if not more, depending on what might change in the exhibits. If you are not a resident of Lubbock, but will be here at some time, and are looking for something to do, this might be fun. The entry fee is $5, or $10 for a family of 4, so it is not expensive. You can spend 40 minutes or several hours, as I did.
Because I found myself with some time, and the American Museum of Agriculture is not open on Sunday or Monday, I opted to tour this museum today. I am on vacation, so touring a museum is a vacation sort of activity.
The last time I toured the grounds of the museum, it was next door to the American Wind Power Center and Museum (which was then The American Windmill Museum.) It has moved north, across Broadway Avenue. It sits on a hill, with an imposing winding drive to approach it, and is in a large barn like structure with lots of old farm machinery placed on the very large grounds. The drive is lined by old farm equipment, much of it rusting, and mostly, tractors. Touring the grounds, technically does not require an entry fee.
The building is expansive. It is not air conditioned per se, but had big "porta cooler" fans that sit on the floor and ran periodically. It also had large overhead ceiling fans. One of it's garage doors was partially open, as was the entrance door. Although Lubbock was hot today, there was a good cooling breeze, and even in my back yard, in the shade, it was almost comfortable. The building was comfortable.
This was an interesting experience: Much of the museum is devoted to tractors, and many old but restored tractors are on display inside. There is a lot of other farm equipment on display, mostly dealing with cotton farming. So, why was this not called the American Museum of Cotton Agriculture. Doing a Google search, there are other museums that highlight cotton farming. Hmmm. I did not see a museum called "The Cotton Farming Museum." But there were some displays about harvesting and bundling wheat at a the AMA.
Well, anyway, the experience was good. In addition to the farm equipment, there is a room to depict tractor repair and another that depicts "blacksmithing" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacksmith which has evolved today to not be horseshoeing, which is done by a farrier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farrier, but is wrought iron and/or steel forging. Yet, Google blacksmith, and three horseshoeing sites show up in Lubbock.
I digress. I enjoyed 8 of 10 of the short videos they have (2 were not working.) Some were historical. One demonstrated cotton from field to finished bale. I love watching shows on The History Channel http://www.history.com/ that show how things are made. I think factory tours (or operating winery tours, bottling company tours, etc.) are interesting. I like to see how things are made or done. Again, I digress.
One of the videos was some 31 minutes long: It was produced by John Deere http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/globalhome/deerecom/global_home.page many years ago. It was about delivering a tractor and instructing the farmer on its use and care. It reminded me what I learned in college as a pre-veterinarian major that farmers had to be more than horticulturists or animal husbandryman. They had to be mechanics, woodworkers, fence builders, economists, scientists, businessmen, recyclers, and who knows what else. But the care of this tractor was a little complex to me. But it was fun to watch the video.
There was a room filled with pedal tractors and miniature tractors. I had completely forgotten that we had a pedal tractor and attachable trailer when we were growing up. I looked, and saw one that looked close to what I recall, but not exactly. I know ours was red. I was amazed at how many pedal tractors there were.
There was a corner of farm "paraphernalia." Old china, old kitchenware, quilts, utensils, including butter chruns, laundry day utensils (washtubs and washboards), flat irons, and pictures of chores on the farm. It was just a hodgepodge, and maybe someday, someone will make a real display of this aspect of farm life.
The museum sparked a controversy when they used two stuffed mules http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2012-09-17/stuffed-mules-be-used-museum-exhibit for one of their displays. This is said and done. What can I say.
So, overall this was a pleasant afternoon. There were very few other visitors, and most came and went while I was still there. I have to believe the museum makes its keep on field trips from schools. I was there a very long time. So long, the volunteer docent came back to check on me. He and another docent answered my questions and asked me to sit with them while I asked my questions. And gave me a tutorial of the economics of modern farming. Which is really kind of sad.
This was a fun afternoon for me. If you live in Lubbock and have not been to the American Museum of Agriculture, I will say it is worth one visit, if not more, depending on what might change in the exhibits. If you are not a resident of Lubbock, but will be here at some time, and are looking for something to do, this might be fun. The entry fee is $5, or $10 for a family of 4, so it is not expensive. You can spend 40 minutes or several hours, as I did.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Nap Time
I have a day off. I went out this morning, and returned around 10 AM. As usual, Sake and Haiku were in their day time hiding places when I got home. It is nap time. I have not turned on the television, radio, nor any music, as I often do. Sometimes the quiet is soul soothing, and that is the case today.
Fireworks
Fireworks are just okay by me. Over the years of my life, I have observed a lot of fireworks displays, and they are fine, but not something I would go out of my way for.
Lubbock has an all day Independece Day celebration: The Fourth on Broadway Street Fair and Parade http://www.broadwayfestivals.com/events/ , the Picnic in the Park http://www.broadwayfestivals.com/events/2013/7/4/plainscapital-bank-picnic-in-the-park-and-youth-orchestra-of-lubbock-concert and the fireworks display http://www.broadwayfestivals.com/events/2013/7/4/gandys-fireworks-extravaganza.
Well, I like a parade. Although I have to say, this year, I did not really see the parade. The people who were seated behind us moved to stand in front of myself and several other people who were seated on the berm during the parade. We did not confront these people (one never knows what a confrontation will bring) but the people around me and I were very loud and vocal about the rudeness of these standees, to no avail.
I regret that I was not paying close attention, and one of the floats was playingn "The Star Spangled Banner," which I did not realize until it passed, so I did not stand. But no one along the parade route seemed to have stood either. At least, when the parade started, and the color guards came through, most people stood. But not all! That is disgraceful!
I stayed for the street fair which is mostly music and food. I had lunch and listened to some good and not so good music. When "Mariachi Amistad Lubbock" https://www.google.com/search?q=Mariachi+Amistad+-lubbock&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&rlz=1I7ADBF&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pjPWUcGoLIbc9ATVooDADQ&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=647
played the "Star Spangled Banner" I was one of the few who stood immediately, although by the end of the rendition, all were standing. Can you imagine, a mariachi version of "The StarSpangled Banner" Wow! Fabulous.
Later in the day, when "The Pride of West Texas Show Chorus" http://prideofwesttexas.com/ sang "The Star Spangled Banner," most of the audience was slow to rise. I was not.
There is a "Picnic in the Park", and "Concert in the Park," and fireworks show tonight. I used to attend this event when there was free off site parking, and bussing to and from the park. I do not so much mind having to pay for parking, but the hassle of walking a ways to the park, versus being dropped at the entrance is a problem. Also, the concert in the park is generally of very poor quality, until the Lubbock Youth Symphony plays, in coordination with the fireworks.
So July 4th night, I watched The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. http://www.nbc.com/macys-4th-of-july/ I then turned to the airing of "A Capitol Fourth. http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/" It was okay but did not live up to my expectations of fireworks synchronized with the "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky.
Lubbock has an all day Independece Day celebration: The Fourth on Broadway Street Fair and Parade http://www.broadwayfestivals.com/events/ , the Picnic in the Park http://www.broadwayfestivals.com/events/2013/7/4/plainscapital-bank-picnic-in-the-park-and-youth-orchestra-of-lubbock-concert and the fireworks display http://www.broadwayfestivals.com/events/2013/7/4/gandys-fireworks-extravaganza.
Well, I like a parade. Although I have to say, this year, I did not really see the parade. The people who were seated behind us moved to stand in front of myself and several other people who were seated on the berm during the parade. We did not confront these people (one never knows what a confrontation will bring) but the people around me and I were very loud and vocal about the rudeness of these standees, to no avail.
I regret that I was not paying close attention, and one of the floats was playingn "The Star Spangled Banner," which I did not realize until it passed, so I did not stand. But no one along the parade route seemed to have stood either. At least, when the parade started, and the color guards came through, most people stood. But not all! That is disgraceful!
I stayed for the street fair which is mostly music and food. I had lunch and listened to some good and not so good music. When "Mariachi Amistad Lubbock" https://www.google.com/search?q=Mariachi+Amistad+-lubbock&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&rlz=1I7ADBF&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pjPWUcGoLIbc9ATVooDADQ&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=647
played the "Star Spangled Banner" I was one of the few who stood immediately, although by the end of the rendition, all were standing. Can you imagine, a mariachi version of "The StarSpangled Banner" Wow! Fabulous.
Later in the day, when "The Pride of West Texas Show Chorus" http://prideofwesttexas.com/ sang "The Star Spangled Banner," most of the audience was slow to rise. I was not.
There is a "Picnic in the Park", and "Concert in the Park," and fireworks show tonight. I used to attend this event when there was free off site parking, and bussing to and from the park. I do not so much mind having to pay for parking, but the hassle of walking a ways to the park, versus being dropped at the entrance is a problem. Also, the concert in the park is generally of very poor quality, until the Lubbock Youth Symphony plays, in coordination with the fireworks.
So July 4th night, I watched The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. http://www.nbc.com/macys-4th-of-july/ I then turned to the airing of "A Capitol Fourth. http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/" It was okay but did not live up to my expectations of fireworks synchronized with the "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky.
Monday, July 1, 2013
God Bless the Granite Mountain Hot Shots, Their Survivor, and Their Family, Friends and Community
The wildland firefighter Hot Shots http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130701-hotshot-granite-mountain-fire-firefighters-arizona-hotshots-19/ are the elite, premier ground crews that fight wildfires. They are well trained and schooled in emergency procedures. They are required to have training that requires them to get into their wild fire shelters http://www.usatoday.com/interactive/2480299/ within 30 seconds. I was introduced to this concept in a murder mystery by Nevada Barr: Firestorm http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/nevada-barr/firestorm.htm.
These groups can be deployed throughout the country, and have, in fact, worked in Texas when we had horrible wildfires, such as the Bastrop fire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastrop_County_Complex_fire.
Some years after I read Firestorm, I saw a program on PBS about the female Hot Shot groups http://video.pbs.org/video/2006599346 of the Apache tribe. I hope this link takes you to that show, about Apache 8. It is a really good show about the Hot Shots, if you do not know about them. If the link does not work, look for the Apache 8 on PBS.
This week, a tragedy has brought national attention to a team of hot shots, the Granite Mountain Hot Shots http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/granite-mountain-hotshots-1372692680-slideshow/ out of Prescott, Arizona. Of the 20 members of the group, 19 were overcome by fire at the Yarnell Hill Fire. http://www.abc15.com/gallery/news/news_photo_gallery/yarnell-fire-photos-wildfire-erupts-near-yarnell-ariz.
I cannot imagine the pain and grief that the family, friends and community of the Granite Hill Hot Shots are experiencing. From what I am learning, the Granite Hill Hot Shots were part of the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department http://www.cityofprescott.net/services/fire/. The lone survivor was deployed to move equipment, if I understand the story.
I cannot imagine this person's grief and survivor's guilt. God bless him and allow him to understand he has a mission, as a survivor, to help all of us understand what happened, and what could have been different.
I am so sorry for this community. This is a tragedy beyond understanding. It is so painful to consider. My heart and prayers are with this community, the family and friends of the hot shot heros. My prayers are also with the survivor, who will have to endure so much pain as a survivor. He will have relief, and guilt from the relief. God, give him strength and understanding.
To the community of Prescott, AZ, I can only say my prayers and thoughts are with you, and thank you. It is so difficult to have heros that give their all to help the rest of us.
These groups can be deployed throughout the country, and have, in fact, worked in Texas when we had horrible wildfires, such as the Bastrop fire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastrop_County_Complex_fire.
Some years after I read Firestorm, I saw a program on PBS about the female Hot Shot groups http://video.pbs.org/video/2006599346 of the Apache tribe. I hope this link takes you to that show, about Apache 8. It is a really good show about the Hot Shots, if you do not know about them. If the link does not work, look for the Apache 8 on PBS.
This week, a tragedy has brought national attention to a team of hot shots, the Granite Mountain Hot Shots http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/granite-mountain-hotshots-1372692680-slideshow/ out of Prescott, Arizona. Of the 20 members of the group, 19 were overcome by fire at the Yarnell Hill Fire. http://www.abc15.com/gallery/news/news_photo_gallery/yarnell-fire-photos-wildfire-erupts-near-yarnell-ariz.
I cannot imagine the pain and grief that the family, friends and community of the Granite Hill Hot Shots are experiencing. From what I am learning, the Granite Hill Hot Shots were part of the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department http://www.cityofprescott.net/services/fire/. The lone survivor was deployed to move equipment, if I understand the story.
I cannot imagine this person's grief and survivor's guilt. God bless him and allow him to understand he has a mission, as a survivor, to help all of us understand what happened, and what could have been different.
I am so sorry for this community. This is a tragedy beyond understanding. It is so painful to consider. My heart and prayers are with this community, the family and friends of the hot shot heros. My prayers are also with the survivor, who will have to endure so much pain as a survivor. He will have relief, and guilt from the relief. God, give him strength and understanding.
To the community of Prescott, AZ, I can only say my prayers and thoughts are with you, and thank you. It is so difficult to have heros that give their all to help the rest of us.
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