I'm not a Crook

I have not been convicted of anything

What said the old Squirrel?  Oh, it is just something I remember from my past I replied.  A long time ago, another solid old Republican said that.  "I'm not a Crook"  But I do understand, you have to make statements such as that during the heat of a trial and campaign.

Happy Halloween

Have a safe one

All you spooks goblins and witches have a fun time but be safe.  

Political Ambitions

It's like Gold Fever

Did you see that said the old squirrel.  Our own Sarah, has her eye on higher ambitions if she loses.  It's like gold fever.  You know, once you get it you can't let go.  

Political Disconnect

Reality Check

This old squirrel was going through the email that we got this morning over a cup of coffee and sunflower seeds.  "There really seems to be a major reality disconnect between the Party and the convictions of the old guard here in the Great Land."   I really have to agree, I said  after reading the Party emails I just got.  I think some of the faithful I told the old squirrel are willing to put up with the delusion of being moral, as long as they stay in power.  

Up Coming Election

Wondering Out Loud

What do you think, asked the old squirrel.  Do you think, Senator Stevens will win the election if he doesn't step down after this conviction?  I don't know I replied, but I do know this.  The corruption was and is still ingrained in our Great Land.  Even our local Fairbanks Mayor has gone over to the Dark side with a political TV ad backing Senator Stevens.    Didn't a past Mayor and his wife get convicted of stealing money from a Senator Stevens developed grant for them asked the old squirrel.  I had to shake my head yes.  The old squirrel then looked at me and said, looks like your right about the corruption.

Jury Finds Stevens Guilty

Did you hear That

It was the sound of justice...   Knock   Knock  Knock  Guilty on all Counts...   Is Ben Next asked the old Squiarrel

Flying Squirrels at the Feeder

Busy Night at the old Watering Hole

The Northern Flyers are out in force tonight at the old feeder.  They must be hungry and it's always fun to eat with the rest of the family.   

Obama's Loss Traced to Bob Gilcrease

Live Squirrel Cam Problems

Live Cams are Back up and Running

Thanks ACS, says the old squirrel, he appreciates the quick response in fixing the ftp problems

Live Squirrel Cam Problems

FTP Problems with the Squirrel Cam Servers

If your wanting live images from Cam 1 or ads on Cam 2 I'm sorry says the old squirrel.  He's been trying all morning but there must be a problem with ACS and the server.  It won't accept passive ftp connections for some reason.  

Flying Squirrels at the Feeder

Friday Night at the Feeders

The flyers are bouncing off the poles on the side of the house and the feeder.  It's suppose to fall to -20 F tonight here on the old Permafrost Ranch.  It's really good weather for the Permafrost Crop.  It's a shame the price is down on Permafrost.   

Life in the Boreal Forest

Winter has settled in here on the old Permafrost Ranch

It's here, the hawk as it is called.  The hawk of winter.  Winter comes early and leaves late in this part of the Boreal Forest.  It sure changes the pattern of life for the squirrels and birds who frequent the feeders.  As the daylight hours shrink towards the long winters night the snow covered forest grows quieter.  At least that is the way it seems except the cold air really transmits sound quite efficiently.  You can hear the neighbors better, the crunch of footsteps out in the road or drive way.    The cars passing by out on the road or the trains lonely whistle over three miles away, all come through loud and clear.  The barking of dogs at night carries for long distances in the deep cold air that comes with the season.  The old squirrel agrees with me when I say us humans are a noisy bunch.  

Listening on the Web to AFN

The old Squirrel was Listening to the AFN broadcast on the Web.

Very interesting discussion of Veterans Health Care in the Villages and all of Alaska

Snow Cover

Frosty day at the Feeder

This little one was busy looking for something to eat at the feeder with the snow steadily falling today

New Snow

Grumpy Gus says it's snowing 

I'm still having sleep problems and it's snowing...  Making me a grumpy old squirrel

Sleepless in North Pole

Topsy Turvy Sleep Patterns

I was chatting with the old squirrel yesterday about my insomnia problem.  It kicked in big time in the last couple of days.  Here it is 5:00 AM and I've been up since 1:30 AM.   I'm sleepy now so I may just try to slip back into the bed and try to get some rest.   The old squirrel said, it's because I let them Northern Flyers on the feeders.  They don't sleep at night either he told me.  

Politics in the Oil Patch of Alaska

Powell jumps the Republican Ship

Well, this sure threw the Republicans for a loop, I'm betting says this squirrel.  Were you as shocked as I was he asked me.  I said I was but then it's a very special time we are living in.   

Time Marches On (Tracy Lawrence)

The Way I Feel Today

Bottom fell out of the Thermometer

Frost on the Pumpkin

There is more than frost on it this morning said the old squirrel.  It's down right frozen.  

New Heater

New Monitor Heater

The old squirrel asked me how the new heater did last night.   Well, I'm sitting here at the computer without any socks or shoes on.   It's like sitting on the beach I told him.   What a difference it makes in the back of this house.  No more fans trying to move the warm air from the wood stove in the front of the house to the back.  No cool drafts and floors...  hip hip hurray

Winter Mode

Winter is locked and loaded

The old squirrel was telling me this morning over coffee.  Winter has locked and loaded and we are getting both barrels he feels.  ACS, tore up the road in front of the house and had us blocked in the drive way all day yesterday.  They were laying new cable and my driveway took the beating of all the digging.  I don't think they will put it back to normal it's going to be a mess next spring he said.  They had to dig under the culvert that was there.  They dinged it a couple of times.  Not only that they didn't compact the dirt under the area they dug and  or over the pipe when they recovered it.  It's liable to subside with the moisture in the spring and cave in the pipe.  I suspect I'll be asking for relief from ACS before it's all over with next year.  Not only that they still accidently got into the cable for the phone lines that run around Victoria Circle.  It didn't affect our service but the rest of the neighborhood was down.  I suppose then they had to splice the cable before they reburied it.  

Installation Complete Except Fuel Source

New Monitor Stove 

Ok, I've got the stove installed except for the fuel source piping.  Will try to pick up all needed supplies to finish that and the fuel source drum.

New Stove Installation

The old Squirrel was supervising the Installation

I picked up a new Monitor oil furnace for this back part of the house.  The old squirrel was there to supervise the installation.  At least the beginning installation.   I can't wait until it's in place and working.  Now, we won't have to try to force warm air from the front of the house where the wood stove is located to the rear of the house, where this office located.  As always, I can't ever install anything new with out having to either purchase or borrow a tool I need.   This morning I'm going to have to wait until the hardware store is open to buy a 8 inch bit to drill through the wall where the exhaust and the oil line will go.

MIdnight Sun Intertribal Powwow

Next Years Powwow's Dates 

Why the Secrecy

sensitive Palin ethics report kept secret

Sam Magpie stopped by the feeder and was telling the old squirrel he saw that in the Daily News Miner  He couldn't understand why.  If she is innocent as all claim, and it's all a political ploy out to get Governor Palin.  Then why all the secrecy.   The old squirrel is just as mystified by it all.   

Squirrel Troubles

The old squirrel finally did it.

I must have accidently thought of something that made the state administrators mad, and they revoked my thinking license said the old squirrel.  Must have been the nuttier than a squirrel turd remark I told him.

The US Firesign Theater

Are we all Bozos on this bus

Well, after listening to the news that the economy, and the market are all taking a beating.  Then I hear said the old squirrel, a lot of people are worried and the Red Cross said the donations are down. So the poor suffer even more.  Then he says I hear the  Suits who took over the failed AIG after they got the bail out loan took a vacation retreat for big bucks.  You humans are nuttier than a squirrel turd.   

Right of Way Clearning

Clearing for Phone Company

The above picture is the before and the next picture is the after

The below picture is the results of the clearing that wore out this old squirrel.  By the time it's cut to length and split will be about 3 cords of fire wood.  Next year after it ages a winter and summer.

Crisis of Confidence

Lack of Trust 

This old squirrel and I were discussing the situation concerning our politicians and the economy.  Do you trust them to do the right thing he asked.  After listening to the suits who ran the banking systems into the ground while themselves made millions.  Then after reading the transcripts of the trial of our illustrious Senator who considered himself above the law.  He said we have all been deceived and trusting them again is foolish he thinks.  The election is right around the corner and he asked me, what do you think the people in this country are going to do.  Keep the old guard in place or sweep them out with the rest of the trash.

Getting Ready for Winter

Squirreling Away for the Cold Weather

This old squirrels has it's work cut out for it.  Already, the old back is starting to complain.

Northern Flying Squirrels

Flyers on the feeder

This picture was sent to me this morning by Diane in North Carolina.  On the side of the house where this feeder is located, I store my lodge poles on racks under the eve of the house.  When the flyers use them as landing pads and running down them they thump and rattle.  So, I know like a alarm clock that the flyers are out there.  Diane happen to grab this very picture off the web page at the same moment I'm sitting here watching out the window at them.  

Big Match Up Debate

Debate (winners & losers)

Don't see any answers coming from either VP candidate, is there a box to vote for none of the above.

Prayers

Prayers for Dorthy 

This old squirrel is saying his prayers for Dorthy and Son.  Prayers also go out for all those men and women in harms way.  May you all come home safe.  

Curiosity

Old Sam Magpie was curious he said

How can you guys bail out the rich old boys in the real estate and banking business along with the auto industry?  Yet I hear from the ravens down town that many of the food banks and soup kitchens supplying groceries for the poor are empty and needing donations.  This country has upside down priorities if you ask me.