Here is a couple of shots of the damage done to my lawn. This has been an on going problem for several years now. If I ever catch the culprits, I'm afraid they won't like the damage I'll do them. It may even be fatal.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Vandals
Here is a couple of shots of the damage done to my lawn. This has been an on going problem for several years now. If I ever catch the culprits, I'm afraid they won't like the damage I'll do them. It may even be fatal.
Winters Arrival
I was awakened this morning by the sound of someone's truck rutting up my yard next to the road. They did a really fine job of it. This isn't the first time someone has done this to my yard, I reported it to the troopers, and they said they were aware of it and are trying to catch the culprit. I wasn't the only one I guess this idiot hit. So, here I was up and with my insomnia I couldn't get back to sleep. The squirrel cam was up and captured this shot. Winter has arrived.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Winter
I just wanted to remind everyone that winter will soon be here, and this is a reminder of what it will look like soon.
Internet Banking Scams
I've been a ICQ user and other Instant Messenger user for years. Here lately I've received a lot of messages from unknown people, wanting me to help with their banking problems. Millions of dollars are promised if I help them. Well, of course, I say no immediately and then place them on ignore. Still, it's frustrating to think some folks might fall for this, and give out their personal account information. I don't ever give out personal information to unknown people over the internet. I've got everything someone could want on my public profiles except that type of info. If they want to get to know me, it's all right there and to ask for further information sets off all my warning bells.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Insomnia and into my life it creeps
The dog, one of the daschounds wanted out at 2:00 AM, this morning. I tried for the longest to ignore it. Hoping above all hope that the wife would get up and let it out. She did, but then Sugar Bear, our Golden who has a mind of her own doesn't listen to my wife when she is called. The dog takes her sweet time in returning to the house. My wife, bless her heart will call her for 10 or 15 minutes. Well, I was wide awake by then... I've been up ever since. I tried once to return to slumber but my mind wouldn't allow it. So, I'm surfing the net, blogging away.
I got a couple of phone calls yesterday evening and a email or two wanting to know if I was on that TV program whereby people get a new house built for them. I wasn't even though I know it was a big thrill for the town to be part of it all. I stayed well out of the way. I'm happy for those folks.
So, if you were looking to see my smiling face on National TV. It wasn't there. Count your lucky stars.
I got a couple of phone calls yesterday evening and a email or two wanting to know if I was on that TV program whereby people get a new house built for them. I wasn't even though I know it was a big thrill for the town to be part of it all. I stayed well out of the way. I'm happy for those folks.
So, if you were looking to see my smiling face on National TV. It wasn't there. Count your lucky stars.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Hairy Woodpecker
Today, I got a pair of woodpeckers at the feeder, a female and a male Hairy Woodpecker. This is a picture of the male, isn't he a beauty. Both him and the female, love the peanut butter and syrup mixture.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Great Grandmother
Here is a posting of a picture of my Great Grandmother on the right. Dang good fisherwoman it looks like to me.
Ok, I'm sorry I should have told everyone who the other young woman was in that picture.
Her name was Norma Des Cygne Gilcrease, Miss America of 1926
The Over Looked Burden
This hidden, much overlooked heavy burden carried by the families of our proud military, who are fighting and surviving in far off lands slipped up on me. Funny, that it should. Most of all my remembered childhood was of being a military brat. Memories of things, like that shouldn't be forgotten.
The men who have had a sizable influence on my life, were or have been in the service at one time or another. Be they my peers or those of my family, friends and now my neighbors. But there is another side that's just a bit different and that is the burden carried by the women, the children and the families of these warriors. Alaska has more veterans than any other state per population much less a larger part of our population is active duty either Air Force or Army.
What brought all this to mind began with an earlier posting of a invited Cub Scout Troop, over for an exercise in my lodge. go to: Native American History
Then a phone call from a long time friend. Many of the young cub scouts military fathers were in the Infantry Brigade stationed here in Fairbanks now deployed in Iraq.
"The 172nd Stryker Brigade, the largest Alaska contingent in Iraq, has suffered 22 killed and 327 injured since its deployment in the summer of 2005, according to Army spokesman Maj. Kirk Gohlke. Three have been killed since July's extension order." This was according to the Anchorage Daily News Paper
One of the mothers of a young scout and I were talking, as we watched the kids build their drums, it was through this conversation with her, that I learned that her husband was in Iraq. As I watched the two (mother & child) interact it all came back with a rush. That almost forgotten, overlooked burden, carried with as much bravery that they can muster. The memory of such things had slipped my awareness until now. Right then it just snapped it back into focus. Although, only but briefly, just in passing, as did that day until that phone call from my friend.
That phone call was from a friend of mine who works with that same young military mother, who was there in my lodge that day. We didn't know that, until the young mother was describing the scout meeting at the lodge to my friend at where she works, and then it dawned on my friend that it was my lodge she was talking about. This mother expressed to my friend, the good experience, she had at the cub scout meeting. It all came back then that burden that is carried my all members of the families of our fine service men and women. It all came back into focus pushing away the fog of time and everyday living.
Today with modern technology, the family has more direct contact with their loved ones, by blogging. email, web pages etc. But what really happens when this service member is wounded or worse yet killed in action, not until official notification does the family learn the fate of the men or women in question. They learn quickly that someone was either hurt or killed long before official notification. This is mostly through our military community grapevine or with this advent of quick news, over the internet. Even the commercial news quickness of today with satellite transmissions provided to the local community are we aware of the injury or death of one in the Unit even before we know who it was. What a burden they carry, these families in knowing their love ones stands in harms way and all they can do is bravely carry on. We must always remember to support them in anyway possible by not forgetting they carry such a burden. Maybe by just not forgetting we can lighten this load a tiny little bit. I know I wont ever forget again not as long as these families need us.
The men who have had a sizable influence on my life, were or have been in the service at one time or another. Be they my peers or those of my family, friends and now my neighbors. But there is another side that's just a bit different and that is the burden carried by the women, the children and the families of these warriors. Alaska has more veterans than any other state per population much less a larger part of our population is active duty either Air Force or Army.
What brought all this to mind began with an earlier posting of a invited Cub Scout Troop, over for an exercise in my lodge. go to: Native American History
Then a phone call from a long time friend. Many of the young cub scouts military fathers were in the Infantry Brigade stationed here in Fairbanks now deployed in Iraq.
"The 172nd Stryker Brigade, the largest Alaska contingent in Iraq, has suffered 22 killed and 327 injured since its deployment in the summer of 2005, according to Army spokesman Maj. Kirk Gohlke. Three have been killed since July's extension order." This was according to the Anchorage Daily News Paper
One of the mothers of a young scout and I were talking, as we watched the kids build their drums, it was through this conversation with her, that I learned that her husband was in Iraq. As I watched the two (mother & child) interact it all came back with a rush. That almost forgotten, overlooked burden, carried with as much bravery that they can muster. The memory of such things had slipped my awareness until now. Right then it just snapped it back into focus. Although, only but briefly, just in passing, as did that day until that phone call from my friend.
That phone call was from a friend of mine who works with that same young military mother, who was there in my lodge that day. We didn't know that, until the young mother was describing the scout meeting at the lodge to my friend at where she works, and then it dawned on my friend that it was my lodge she was talking about. This mother expressed to my friend, the good experience, she had at the cub scout meeting. It all came back then that burden that is carried my all members of the families of our fine service men and women. It all came back into focus pushing away the fog of time and everyday living.
Today with modern technology, the family has more direct contact with their loved ones, by blogging. email, web pages etc. But what really happens when this service member is wounded or worse yet killed in action, not until official notification does the family learn the fate of the men or women in question. They learn quickly that someone was either hurt or killed long before official notification. This is mostly through our military community grapevine or with this advent of quick news, over the internet. Even the commercial news quickness of today with satellite transmissions provided to the local community are we aware of the injury or death of one in the Unit even before we know who it was. What a burden they carry, these families in knowing their love ones stands in harms way and all they can do is bravely carry on. We must always remember to support them in anyway possible by not forgetting they carry such a burden. Maybe by just not forgetting we can lighten this load a tiny little bit. I know I wont ever forget again not as long as these families need us.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Jackie's Garden
Jackie is asleep on her couch and behind her in that picture is a Christmas Cactus. I just thought I would drop everyone a picture of the one we have in our living room. It's in full bloom.
Jackie's Garden
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Native Americans
My daughter sent me this after reading my last posting. I've seen it before and had forgotten about it. Years have passed since then, but I don't think much has really changed. The numbers may be wrong today, but the truth hasn't.
Hello Papa, I was thinking you should post this on your blog.. very fitting for the topic you are on right now.
Love ya forever, Kelly
"A SOVEREIGN NATION IS ONLY AS STRONG AS IT'S PEOPLE WHO MUST STRIVE FOR GOOD GOVERENCE,ENVISIONED LEADERS AND SOLID ECONOMIES." Charles Blackwell,
Address to the NCAI. Spokane Washington 1976
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That 1 in every 13 people living in the US today is a Native American?
That while our national Native American population is small (2,416,410)
...we have the highest population of any race enlisted in the Armed
Forces?
That the words "Miami", "Chicago", "Cuba", & "Potomac" are all derived
from Native American words?
That the names of over half the states in the US came from Native
American languges? For example, "Oklahoma" is from the Choctaw language
meaning "home of the red people". "Utah" is what the Ute people named
themselves.
"Kentucky" is from the Iroquois language meaning "planted field".
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That 75% of the Native American workforce earn less than $7,000 per
year?
That 45% of Native American's live below poverty line? 38% of those
living below the poverty line are aged 6 to 11 years old.
That the national average of umemployment for Native American's is 45%?
That the unemployment rate on some reservations is as high as 90 %?
That 45% of Native American mothers have their first child under the age of
20? This is more than double the rate of any other ethnic group.
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That 46% of our Native American people have NO electricity?
That 54% of our Native American people have NO indoor plumbing?
That 82% of our Native American people DO NOT have a phone?
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That ONLY 52% of our Native American children graduate highschool?
That ONLY 17% of our Native American kids attend college?
That ONLY 4% of our Native American youth GRADUATE college?
That ONLY 2% of our Native American youth attend graduate school?
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That alcohol mortality is 627% greater than ALL other races combined?
That the alcoholism death rate for Native American's ages 15-24 years
old is more than 17 times the comparable rate of other American's?
That Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is 33 times higher in Native
American's than ALL other races combined?
That Turberculosis is 533% greater than ALL other races combined?
That Diabetes is 6.8 times greater in Native American's than ALL other
races combined?
That Pneumonia and Influenza is 61% greater in Native American's than
ALL other races combined?
That there are 962 Native American men and women who have HIV?
That there are 2,537 Native American men and women living with AIDS?
That one in six Native American adolescents has attempted suicide.
That's four times the national average.
That homicide is 63% greater in Native American's? Homicide is the
second leading cause of death among Native's 14 years old and YOUNGER and
the
third leading cause of death for Native's 15-24 years old.
That Native American's die younger than any other race? 13% of Native
American deaths are under the age of 25 compared to only 4% of the national
average.
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
Native American's are the only ethnic group mentioned in the US
Constitution?
That there have been more treaties, agreements, federal legislation, and
executive orders written concerning Native American's than any other
single group in the history of this country?
"The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards Indians; their
lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent."
Congress, 1789
"No wrong will ever be done to you by our nation." Thomas Jefferson,
1804
Now..are these shocking to you? Do you find these statistics disturbing?
Or do they not even bother you?
My beautiful, intelligent and amazing brother's and sister's...WHAT ARE
YOU DOING TO NOT ONLY BETTER YOUR LIFE, BUT THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE?
Think about it...
Food for thought.
Count your blessings.
Hello Papa, I was thinking you should post this on your blog.. very fitting for the topic you are on right now.
Love ya forever, Kelly
"A SOVEREIGN NATION IS ONLY AS STRONG AS IT'S PEOPLE WHO MUST STRIVE FOR GOOD GOVERENCE,ENVISIONED LEADERS AND SOLID ECONOMIES." Charles Blackwell,
Address to the NCAI. Spokane Washington 1976
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That 1 in every 13 people living in the US today is a Native American?
That while our national Native American population is small (2,416,410)
...we have the highest population of any race enlisted in the Armed
Forces?
That the words "Miami", "Chicago", "Cuba", & "Potomac" are all derived
from Native American words?
That the names of over half the states in the US came from Native
American languges? For example, "Oklahoma" is from the Choctaw language
meaning "home of the red people". "Utah" is what the Ute people named
themselves.
"Kentucky" is from the Iroquois language meaning "planted field".
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That 75% of the Native American workforce earn less than $7,000 per
year?
That 45% of Native American's live below poverty line? 38% of those
living below the poverty line are aged 6 to 11 years old.
That the national average of umemployment for Native American's is 45%?
That the unemployment rate on some reservations is as high as 90 %?
That 45% of Native American mothers have their first child under the age of
20? This is more than double the rate of any other ethnic group.
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That 46% of our Native American people have NO electricity?
That 54% of our Native American people have NO indoor plumbing?
That 82% of our Native American people DO NOT have a phone?
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That ONLY 52% of our Native American children graduate highschool?
That ONLY 17% of our Native American kids attend college?
That ONLY 4% of our Native American youth GRADUATE college?
That ONLY 2% of our Native American youth attend graduate school?
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
That alcohol mortality is 627% greater than ALL other races combined?
That the alcoholism death rate for Native American's ages 15-24 years
old is more than 17 times the comparable rate of other American's?
That Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is 33 times higher in Native
American's than ALL other races combined?
That Turberculosis is 533% greater than ALL other races combined?
That Diabetes is 6.8 times greater in Native American's than ALL other
races combined?
That Pneumonia and Influenza is 61% greater in Native American's than
ALL other races combined?
That there are 962 Native American men and women who have HIV?
That there are 2,537 Native American men and women living with AIDS?
That one in six Native American adolescents has attempted suicide.
That's four times the national average.
That homicide is 63% greater in Native American's? Homicide is the
second leading cause of death among Native's 14 years old and YOUNGER and
the
third leading cause of death for Native's 15-24 years old.
That Native American's die younger than any other race? 13% of Native
American deaths are under the age of 25 compared to only 4% of the national
average.
Did you beautiful, intelligent and amazing Native American people
know...
Native American's are the only ethnic group mentioned in the US
Constitution?
That there have been more treaties, agreements, federal legislation, and
executive orders written concerning Native American's than any other
single group in the history of this country?
"The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards Indians; their
lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent."
Congress, 1789
"No wrong will ever be done to you by our nation." Thomas Jefferson,
1804
Now..are these shocking to you? Do you find these statistics disturbing?
Or do they not even bother you?
My beautiful, intelligent and amazing brother's and sister's...WHAT ARE
YOU DOING TO NOT ONLY BETTER YOUR LIFE, BUT THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE?
Think about it...
Food for thought.
Count your blessings.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Native American History
Yesterday, I was honored to host a Cub Scout Troop for a visit to my Lodge (tipi), one of the grandmothers of a member of the troop contacted me, being I know her husband and family, and asked if they could have a Troop meeting there. They were making small drums, and were studying Native Americans for a merit badge they can earn. None of the children were of Native Heritage.
What I noticed the most is the lack of knowledge about Native American Culture. It's kind of shocking to me, that so many don't realize just how much this country's history is tied to the history of Native Americans. For example, just look at the amount of state names that are of Native Americans Language and is now thought to be just English terms.
One of the mothers with the troop said she was from Kansas and didn't realize that Oklahoma had a large Indian population. That's quite the statement being Oklahoma was where many Native American Tribes were forced to relocate to during the 18th and 19th Century. In fact, before Oklahoma statehood which wasn't until the early of last century that the area was known as the Indian Territories...
Maybe, my being of native heritage makes me more aware of this history, but I'm seriously thinking now that much is lacking in our education of history for our children. At least they were trying to learn more with this exercise in this Cub Scout Troop. It's kind of sad to think that the culture of our Native American ancestors is being lost even more with the lack of such education.
Native American culture is still alive and is still here but most don't realize that or are not aware of it. Indians shouldn't be relegated to being only a piece of history. We are such a living part of this Country that we can't be separated from it's history and it should be taught to our children.
I hope this will encourage more to help in the education of such.
What I noticed the most is the lack of knowledge about Native American Culture. It's kind of shocking to me, that so many don't realize just how much this country's history is tied to the history of Native Americans. For example, just look at the amount of state names that are of Native Americans Language and is now thought to be just English terms.
One of the mothers with the troop said she was from Kansas and didn't realize that Oklahoma had a large Indian population. That's quite the statement being Oklahoma was where many Native American Tribes were forced to relocate to during the 18th and 19th Century. In fact, before Oklahoma statehood which wasn't until the early of last century that the area was known as the Indian Territories...
Maybe, my being of native heritage makes me more aware of this history, but I'm seriously thinking now that much is lacking in our education of history for our children. At least they were trying to learn more with this exercise in this Cub Scout Troop. It's kind of sad to think that the culture of our Native American ancestors is being lost even more with the lack of such education.
Native American culture is still alive and is still here but most don't realize that or are not aware of it. Indians shouldn't be relegated to being only a piece of history. We are such a living part of this Country that we can't be separated from it's history and it should be taught to our children.
I hope this will encourage more to help in the education of such.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Maybe I'm a little crazy
Ok, this is a semi-rant, did anyone read this besides me and think this guy is a little off his rocker:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nonlethal weapons such as high-power microwave devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before being used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday.
The object is basically public relations. Domestic use would make it easier to avoid questions from others about possible safety considerations, said Secretary Michael Wynne.
"If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation," said Wynne. "(Because) if I hit somebody with a nonlethal weapon and they claim that it injured them in a way that was not intended, I think that I would be vilified in the world press."
Or is it me, who's just a little crazy.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nonlethal weapons such as high-power microwave devices should be used on American citizens in crowd-control situations before being used on the battlefield, the Air Force secretary said Tuesday.
The object is basically public relations. Domestic use would make it easier to avoid questions from others about possible safety considerations, said Secretary Michael Wynne.
"If we're not willing to use it here against our fellow citizens, then we should not be willing to use it in a wartime situation," said Wynne. "(Because) if I hit somebody with a nonlethal weapon and they claim that it injured them in a way that was not intended, I think that I would be vilified in the world press."
Or is it me, who's just a little crazy.
Ducks
Over the years I've had this one duck hen stop by every now and then for some free groceries. One year a Drake showed up with her, but only for a short time. This year she has come by but not only her but two other females came with her this last few visits. I don't know whether or not they are her offspring but I believe they may be. It will soon be time for her and her companions to fly south.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sept 11, 2006
That day, 5 years ago... We were shocked, stunned and rivited to watching the horror that was the twin towers on that date.
May God bless those who were lost. This was the day the war began, and it's not over yet. We shouldn't ever let down our guard until we win this war over those who would plan and condone such acts.
May God bless those who were lost. This was the day the war began, and it's not over yet. We shouldn't ever let down our guard until we win this war over those who would plan and condone such acts.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
007 Secret Squirrel on the Feeder aka Fatso
Guess who stopped by for a late afternoon snack yesterday...
Friday, September 01, 2006
Google was Hacked
I just grabbed a screen shot of Googles Main News page...It looks as if they got hacked. I went back to it with a few minutes after notifying them of it. And the article was pulled.
Politics in the Oil Patch of Alaska 2
Just a upgrade to let everyone know that the primary election slapped Mr. Murkowski right out of office. It has shaken up the status quo of politics in the Great Land. Now, yesterday another slap was delivered by the FBI and Federal Law enforcement with raids on offices of mostly Republican politicians including Ben Stevens, our illustrious state senators son and the VECO Oil Service Company. They paid him almost a quarter of a million bucks to be a consultant while he was in office. Imagine that, no wonder his daddy was incensed with the appointment of the new federal prosecutor for the state. In my humble opinion it's just the tip of the ice berg and what's below the water is Veco, the oil companies and the whole Republican Party. The most corrupting influence peddling schemes and money laundering of which they are a big part of. I have been saying this all along, we have the best politicians money can buy. It is rampant and entrenched in the Republican Party of this state. The good old boys club of big money and greed. And it goes all the way to the top of the pile if the truth was ever known. The whole barrel of them is rotten to core, not just one or two of the apples. Our own interior delegation of Republicans are awfully quiet all of a sudden. Not one word, are they next in line for a knock on their office doors by the FBI.
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