Friday, December 7, 2012
Chickens, Chickens, Everywhere
Chickens, chickens, everywhere. On Kauai, the Garden Isle, we are finding wild chickens every where we go. It is fun watching them strut around like they own the place. Maybe they do. I have heard several stories as to where they came from. The one I like is the hurricane that hit Kauai scattered chickens from chicken farms everywhere. In reality, the chickens were wild here long before the hurricane.
There are reports of huge swells headed this way tonight and tomorrow, making snorkeling on the north shore of Kauai very dangerous. So South we go in search of calmer water.
On the way back to the condo we stopped by Hanalei to visit the Waioli Mission House and Church. This wonderful landmark was built in 1837.
Stepping back in time to when this was the home of the early Christian missionaries, Abner and Lucy Wilcox. This wonderful landmark in Hanalei Was restored restored in 1921 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and reflects the southern roots of its architect, the Reverend William Alexander of Kentucky. This church, it's wonderful stained glass windows is worth the stop.
Well, it's dinner time, NO we are not going to have chicken for dinner
Tomorrow we go south to see what we find.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Today was not a good day to go visit big cities
Today was not a good day to go visit some of our big cities. May Day brought out a lot of protestors in many of the worlds cities. In the United States most of the people protesting were peaceful, with no intent on violence against their fellow man or against property. Because of the actions of a few, the voices of the majority of the marchers were lost in the violence in our cities.
The so-called anarchist remind me somewhat of the anti-war protestors of the 60's in that they want to tear down the establishment, but have no real idea what to replace it with. They protest against capitalism, want jobs, better pay, etc., but they don't seem to understand that capitalism and big business is what keeps our economy going.
I don't claim to be an economist, but I do know that without the Bill Gates, General Motors, and the big banks of this world, the worlds economy would collapse. I am not saying that there isn't room for change or that change is not needed, because there is.
The violent protestors just want to destroy, they don't care who or what gets hurt in the process. With the number of cameras in the hands of the public, a single clip taken out of context, or deliberately orchestrated makes our police look like the mean old bad wolf. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.
I would like to see those who condemn much of our police actions -- do as well. I would bet you that they would do worse. I am not saying that here and there a cop may have over reacted or even done outright wrong. What I would ask is that you put yourself in their place and see what you would do!
With that said, I know that a few of you good people were caught in the crossfire and are saying I will never go to that city again. I heard a Canadian from Vancouver Canada say he didn't want to come down to Seattle again, although I believe their city has had the same violence in the recent past.
Others of you were in your nice warm homes and said or did nothing. Maybe it is time for all of us couch potatoes to speak out in support of our police, corporate America (that puts the food on our tables), and our government that
Is trying to keep us safe. It is OK to express our opinions, work for change, and try to make our world a better place to live... Just do it peacefully.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The so-called anarchist remind me somewhat of the anti-war protestors of the 60's in that they want to tear down the establishment, but have no real idea what to replace it with. They protest against capitalism, want jobs, better pay, etc., but they don't seem to understand that capitalism and big business is what keeps our economy going.
I don't claim to be an economist, but I do know that without the Bill Gates, General Motors, and the big banks of this world, the worlds economy would collapse. I am not saying that there isn't room for change or that change is not needed, because there is.
The violent protestors just want to destroy, they don't care who or what gets hurt in the process. With the number of cameras in the hands of the public, a single clip taken out of context, or deliberately orchestrated makes our police look like the mean old bad wolf. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.
I would like to see those who condemn much of our police actions -- do as well. I would bet you that they would do worse. I am not saying that here and there a cop may have over reacted or even done outright wrong. What I would ask is that you put yourself in their place and see what you would do!
With that said, I know that a few of you good people were caught in the crossfire and are saying I will never go to that city again. I heard a Canadian from Vancouver Canada say he didn't want to come down to Seattle again, although I believe their city has had the same violence in the recent past.
Others of you were in your nice warm homes and said or did nothing. Maybe it is time for all of us couch potatoes to speak out in support of our police, corporate America (that puts the food on our tables), and our government that
Is trying to keep us safe. It is OK to express our opinions, work for change, and try to make our world a better place to live... Just do it peacefully.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Bailey, my co-pilot
I know, I am not flying an airplane, but I still have a co-pilot. About 10 months ago, my wife came home from work and dropped a bomb shell on me. She said that she thought we needed a dog to keep me company and make me go for walks. To her surprise, I jumped on the idea. About one year before this I had suffered a hemoragic stroke that should have killed me, but that is another story.
I immediately started to search dog breeders, animal shelters, and dog rescue shelters. I thought I wanted a labrodoodle or Goldendoodle. Upon visiting some breeders I determined that these dogs got too big when fully grown. I wanted puppy. My family panicked at the thought of a stroke survivor trying to train a puppy. I eventually listened to reason and started to search the web for rescue or pound dogs in the Seattle area.
I saw an ad for Gingers Pet Rescue. They were showing a group of rescued dogs that had been on death row. There were two Poodle mixes that. We were interested in. One male and one a smaller female.
I was immediately attracted to the male. He was in his crate watching what was going on but was not barking. I thought that was great. I was later to find out he barks at strangers, mail men, and anyone who rings the doorbell.
As you can guess, we fell head over heals, or should I say paws, for this dog. We were to find out that he is part Poodle and part Lhasa Apso. He definitely has traits of both. That's enough of Bailey's history for now.
Bailey does love to GO. It could be a walk, a car ride, or even a boat ride as long as he doesn't have to get in the water. He loves to see where I am going. At stop signs he loves to put his head between the front seats and lay his head on my shoulder and then look around to see where he is at. He knows when we are near home, my mothers apartment, and where my wife works.
He is such a change from our past pets. They all got car sick or howled, driving all humans nearby crazy. Bailey, just curls up and goes to sleep. Once in a while he looks around to see where the car is going. If all looks well he just goes back to sleep.
In another post I will share with you how Bailey thinks he can drive the car.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I immediately started to search dog breeders, animal shelters, and dog rescue shelters. I thought I wanted a labrodoodle or Goldendoodle. Upon visiting some breeders I determined that these dogs got too big when fully grown. I wanted puppy. My family panicked at the thought of a stroke survivor trying to train a puppy. I eventually listened to reason and started to search the web for rescue or pound dogs in the Seattle area.
I saw an ad for Gingers Pet Rescue. They were showing a group of rescued dogs that had been on death row. There were two Poodle mixes that. We were interested in. One male and one a smaller female.
I was immediately attracted to the male. He was in his crate watching what was going on but was not barking. I thought that was great. I was later to find out he barks at strangers, mail men, and anyone who rings the doorbell.
As you can guess, we fell head over heals, or should I say paws, for this dog. We were to find out that he is part Poodle and part Lhasa Apso. He definitely has traits of both. That's enough of Bailey's history for now.
Bailey does love to GO. It could be a walk, a car ride, or even a boat ride as long as he doesn't have to get in the water. He loves to see where I am going. At stop signs he loves to put his head between the front seats and lay his head on my shoulder and then look around to see where he is at. He knows when we are near home, my mothers apartment, and where my wife works.
He is such a change from our past pets. They all got car sick or howled, driving all humans nearby crazy. Bailey, just curls up and goes to sleep. Once in a while he looks around to see where the car is going. If all looks well he just goes back to sleep.
In another post I will share with you how Bailey thinks he can drive the car.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
An Old Car Guy
Spring is coming, actually it is officially here, although no one informed old man weather. With the coming of warmer weather we look forward to traveling around the Pacific Northwest or do we? With the price of gas at $4.00 a gallon and expected to edge toward $5.00 a gallon by August. What will some of us car nuts do? Before answering that question lets look back at our history of traveling with our cars.
Some of us older generation may remember the TV series "Route 66". It was my first introduction to the Chevrolet Corvette. I still would love to own a 64 Corvette... Oh well, it is nice to dream. I think this show helped create my desire to get in a car and drive anywhere. Feeling the road through the steering wheel was and is an addiction.
Even further back in history I remember my dad telling stories of traveling across country in a Model A or a Model T. They would travel with lots of extra tires and tubes, a little bailing wire, and a tool box that had enough tools to rebuild the car if necessary. Well, those days are long gone. I do not think we will ever see cars that we can easily work on ourselves.
I think that of all the cars I have owned over the years, the one that I liked to drive best was my 67 Pontiac Firebird. It had a 6 cylinder overhead camshaft engine with a four barrel carburetor and a four speed transmission that made it fun to drive. I have always regretted getting rid of it.
Now, I drive a Volvo CrossCountry station wagon. This car has every bell and whistle on it you could imagine. My wife is in love with the heated leather seats. The Volvo is a wonderful car, comfortable on the highway. It gets between 25 and 28 mpg driving at 70 mph on the highway. Unfortunately, it is a "family car" and not what I would call a "fun car".
Just filled up the Volvo with gas - over $70. This will allow me about 400 miles of highway travel or about 250 miles of city driving. I need something that is Inexpensive, fun to drive, and gets 30 mpg in town and 40 plus on the highway.
There are actually several cars available on the American market that fit all my requirements except the inexpensive part. My son is taking delivery this week of a car that meets all the requirements except the inexpensive part. He takes delivery of a 4 door Mini Cooper. The mini really is a nice car and has done well in the American market. There are several models of Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Fiat, and others that fit this market. The American automotive standard of Ford and Chevrolet are also making new models that meet my requirements although, like the Mini, they are not inexpensive.
I keep looking at my needs and my pocket book and I wonder what to do. The Smart car has my interest if I can work with its drawbacks. More homework is needed. For now it is me and my Volvo.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Some of us older generation may remember the TV series "Route 66". It was my first introduction to the Chevrolet Corvette. I still would love to own a 64 Corvette... Oh well, it is nice to dream. I think this show helped create my desire to get in a car and drive anywhere. Feeling the road through the steering wheel was and is an addiction.
Even further back in history I remember my dad telling stories of traveling across country in a Model A or a Model T. They would travel with lots of extra tires and tubes, a little bailing wire, and a tool box that had enough tools to rebuild the car if necessary. Well, those days are long gone. I do not think we will ever see cars that we can easily work on ourselves.
I think that of all the cars I have owned over the years, the one that I liked to drive best was my 67 Pontiac Firebird. It had a 6 cylinder overhead camshaft engine with a four barrel carburetor and a four speed transmission that made it fun to drive. I have always regretted getting rid of it.
Now, I drive a Volvo CrossCountry station wagon. This car has every bell and whistle on it you could imagine. My wife is in love with the heated leather seats. The Volvo is a wonderful car, comfortable on the highway. It gets between 25 and 28 mpg driving at 70 mph on the highway. Unfortunately, it is a "family car" and not what I would call a "fun car".
Just filled up the Volvo with gas - over $70. This will allow me about 400 miles of highway travel or about 250 miles of city driving. I need something that is Inexpensive, fun to drive, and gets 30 mpg in town and 40 plus on the highway.
There are actually several cars available on the American market that fit all my requirements except the inexpensive part. My son is taking delivery this week of a car that meets all the requirements except the inexpensive part. He takes delivery of a 4 door Mini Cooper. The mini really is a nice car and has done well in the American market. There are several models of Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Fiat, and others that fit this market. The American automotive standard of Ford and Chevrolet are also making new models that meet my requirements although, like the Mini, they are not inexpensive.
I keep looking at my needs and my pocket book and I wonder what to do. The Smart car has my interest if I can work with its drawbacks. More homework is needed. For now it is me and my Volvo.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)