Wolf Moon

I learned a new phrase this weekend. The "Wolf Moon" is the brightest full-moon of the year, i.e., the full moon when our satellite is closest to mother earth. And this weekend featured the Wolf Moon of 2010.

Thursday afternoon was beautiful and I took a walk out North Douglas along Fish Creek. A little slippery - but amazingly mild for the end of January. It was quite beautiful.

Mendenhall Glacier from the mouth of Fish Creek

The Wolf Moon rising over Lemon Glacier

Wolves howling at the moon at the Prospector later that evening. AH OOOOOOOOOHHHH!

Otherwise a fairly uneventful weekend. I took Cousin Sandra to the airport on Saturday. Pork Roast at the elders on Sunday. The usual chores. It is still amazingly mild...feels like mid-March.

A busy medical week ahead. Auntie has medical appointments Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. It will be interesting, I'm sure...

A Rare Moment of Political Sanity

Well, I'll be damned. Yesterday Oregon voters raised income taxes - on households earning more than $250,000 (I think over $125,000 for an individual), increasing the minimum corporate tax (currently $10), and increasing corporate tax rates on higher level profits.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/voters_pass_tax_measures_by_bi.html

The measure passed by a comfortable 54%. Passage of the two propositions will negate the need for the legislature to immediately slash state support for education, health care and other public services.

Oregonians cast their ballots by mail and turnout was expected to be around 60%.

I would like to think that the Oregon vote may be a harbinger of things to come... To my mind, the single greatest threat to this country's long-term economic health and political stability is the widening gap between the wealthy and the rest of us - the death by strangulation of the American Dream.

Indeed, the Oregonian published an excellent story on the dramatic increase in income inequality in Oregon just a week or so ago. While the story speaks only of Oregon, the same sad tale can be told in most states. I highly recommend the story.

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/oregon_wage_gap_widens_economi.html

Today was the first day I have really enjoyed my morning news in weeks!

A Deal Too Good to Be Good

Just had supper at the Island Pub with David and Cathy Bohna and my daughters' good pal, Kira. The Bohnas are headed south to Phoenix on Wednesday to close on a 2200 square foot house...recently remodeled. It's gonna set 'em back less than 100k. Kira is going to be house/dog sitting for them and I'm back-up dog sitter guy.

Wow! On the drive home I experienced the same feelings I have once a year when, about the first of May, I think I need a boat. A hundred grand for a 2200 square foot home is pretty sweet. About the time I crossed the bridge I was thinking about how I could possibly find someone to elder sit and I should head down that way to get a piece of the action. Hell, I could pay cash.

Fortunately, by the time I crossed Lemon Creek, I was beginning to think rationally. I don't WANT to live in Arizona - not even for five months a year - and having a beautiful home at a fantastic price in a place you don't want to be is not really a good deal. I want to be in the Northwest... Neither Elmo nor retirement basset hound want to be walking in the desert...

Still...the experience was an important reminder that the clock is ticking...and interest rates will not remain this low indefinitely.

David and Cathy have been busy on several fronts...they also just traded in their Jeep for a brand new 2010 Prius. I got to see the control panel in the parking lot. Lots of pretty dials and gizmos. An 11 gallon tank and over 50 miles per gallon. The car's interior is as big as a Camry or Accord. Way cool.

Kira is working for Alaska Marine Lines and appears to be thriving. She looks like a million bucks. She said she just spoke to Amanda and Leah and is working on getting them both up this way this spring. She's planning a trip to Ireland.

By the time I reached the Switzer interchange I had completely regained my senses. Need to fold-up the tarp in the folks' yard tomorrow...all the wood outside of the shed has now been burned. And I'll call my cousin Sandra who is in town for a week and see if I can help with a dump run from Auntie's.

Sigh...

A Beautiful Sunset

Happened to look out the window about 4 PM yesterday...and here's what I saw...

It was a beautiful evening and it's a beautiful day today. About 30 degrees, no wind, lots of sunshine. Not a TYPICAL January 22nd in Juneau.

Here's the same view from about 10 days ago....

The snow is now all gone...would actually prefer to have some on the ground...but I am not complaining.

A stressful day yesterday. I had to take mom's oldest cat to the vet to be put down. Poor kitty was old and worn-out. Don't think the little gal weighed more than four pounds or so. Her name was Wee One...and the only surviving cat at the folks is Wee One's daughter, Little Bit...who is everything but... Bet she weighs a good twenty pounds. A big fat sleeper cat.

Both Wee One and Little Bit were rescued from homelessness by mom in the trailer park many years ago. I rarely see Little Bit, she hides all day long behind the sofa. Perhaps she will become more friendly now that she is the only feline present.

I was a little worried about Amanda yesterday. She's in the Sierra Nevada Mountains east of Los Angeles. I spoke to her last night and the weather has been truly awful. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, thunder and lightning and big winds. YIKES! The power was out in the area; but the camp she works at has generators. She called this morning and said they got four feet of new snow and are snowed-in - with 130 sixth graders. Double YIKES!

Well doing some laundry and houskeeping. Then a few elder errands. Then to the Prospector to meet Dougie, Shelly and Laura for Friday cocktails. Belated birthday cocktails for Dougie!

Have a good weekend everybody.

The World Turned Upside Down

I should have stayed in bed this morning. The news is appalling. The United States Supreme Court has just dealt the most serious blow to our body politic I can imagine. The Court struck down federal campaign finance provisions limiting corporate political contributions.

From today's New York Times:

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader and a longtime opponent of that law, praised the Court’s decision as “an important step in the direction of restoring the First Amendment rights of these groups by ruling that the Constitution protects their right to express themselves about political candidates and issues up until Election Day.”

Yeah, a huge victory for political liberty. Exxon now has the same right to contribute to candidates that I do. I donate $100 and Exxon donates $1 million. I stake a campaign poster in my yard. Bank of America buys $3 million in television advertising for the opposing candidate. Sounds fair, right?

The notion that this ruling somehow protects the right of political association might have some slight plausibility if American corporate governance was not so inherently corrupt - if corporate executives were actually being held accountable by their shareholders or even their corporate boards. But the reality is that decisions on to whom a corporation will contribute and how much will be contributed will be made, without consultation with shareholders - just as most other significant corporate decisions are made today. And if you think this is a good thing, then I simply point to the bonehead decisions made by the crooks and incompetents who have clawed their way into the executive suites of our major financial institutions much to the detriment of ordinary Americans' pocketbooks, prospects and peace of mind.

A glimpse into the future of our politics is provided by a story in today's Washington Post: "GOP's Murkowski Takes on EPA." This is the latest in a series of stories describing how my state's senior senator is bent on repealing federal regulations that make a finding that greenhouse gasses endanger the public health and welfare. Senator Murkowski will propose an amendment to repeal the regulations. Her amendment to repeal the regulations was drafted with the assistance of the utilities and energy producers who are the subject of the EPA findings. Several of the lobbyists and companies involved are political contributors to the Senator.

Senator Barbara Boxer commented:

"The Murkowski amendment is a direct assault on the health of the American people," Boxer said, adding that it is "an unprecedented move by a United States senator and her co-sponsors to overturn a health finding made by health experts, and scientific experts, in order to side with the special interests."

Well, you ain't seen nothin' yet, Babs.

Just a Quick Post

Well, it's been a couple of days...so I better say something...

A busy day today. Finally made a dump run and hauled away a bunch of stuff from my place and the elders.

Delivered chili con carne to a bunch of elders (it's mighty tasty if I do say so myself). Had a good workout. Did the regular chores.

My tweety bird pals were chirping in the neighborhood this morning; but I never saw them at my feeder. Hmmmm. On the other hand, it's been above freezing so perhaps foraging in the wilds is working ok. I do not speak Chickadee - so it's hard to judge.

Spoke to Amanda yesterday and she was prepared for the winter storms hitting Southern California. Her lights blinked twice while I was speaking to her. It was raining and blowing but supposed to turn to snow. She's in the Sierra's east of the City of Angels. They have emergency supplies....

I am seriously depressed about the Massachusetts senatorial election. If this proves to be the death knell of health care reform...I will be more than depressed. Just don't know what I can do about it...

Sigh...

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

My tweety bird feeder has been discovered by a small flock of Chestnut-Backed Chickadees. They spent most of the day dining on my deck. It was great fun to watch them. It was raining and blowing all day yesterday and the bird feeder was constantly spinning in one direction and then unwinding in the other direction. They didn't seem to mind. A chickadee merry-go-round. I haven't seen them yet this morning; but I'm sure they will be back.

Of course mom continues to feed her flock of ravens at her place. Yesterday there must have been thirty or so of them. I put the groceries on a big flat rock by the stream just behind the folks' trailer. I always look around to see if I can spot 'em in the trees. I spotted just one; but I hadn't taken ten steps back towards the house when it started raining ravens. There were a bunch in the trees I hadn't seen and they just dropped down to the feeding station. The customary raven food-fight ensued. Quite entertaining.

As previously noted, yesterday was rainy and windy. Looked a lot like October. The ice is mostly gone from even the side streets and driveways - which is good - but it sure was an ugly day. I had hoped to make a dump run; but I just couldn't bring myself to go out in the weather.

A very laid-back Saturday.

Well, time to get dressed and mosey over to Elderburg.

And then Winter Disappeared

What a difference 24-hours makes. Yesterday was gawd-awful. Slush, rutted roads, slipping and sliding...and the obligatory 1 hour power outage when a tree fell on a line down Thane. I spent about 40 minutes of the blackout rockin' out with the iPod at the Club...sitting on a couch in the dark waiting for the power to come back on. Cut into my workout time. Doh!

Today is much more congenial weather-wise. The highways are wet and even my driveway had some traction this evening.

Alison and Dougie are taking a quick break in Vegas. They left this morning and will be back on Monday. I'd rather go most anywhere else; but I'm sure they'll have good eats and take in some fun shows. It sounds like they got a good package deal through Alaska Airlines.

I've been watching a fair amount of CNN as the Haitian disaster unfolds. So sad...those folks just can't catch a break. But apparently it's all their fault. Just ask Pat Robertson:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/01/13/haiti.pat.robertson/index.html

According to the reverend, they made a pact with the devil back in 1804. This is a classic use of the oldest dodge in the clerical bag o' tricks. Still plenty effective in the 21st century however. No doubt Sarah Palin believes it...

Well, my loaves of Orange Pecan Bread should be just about baked.

Later kids.

Winter Arrives

Looking out the window at the table on my deck, I can confidently confirm the National Weather Service's prediction of one to two feet of new snow in the past 36 hours. In fact, I would say that we're right in the middle of the estimate at my place - about 18 inches. And more snow likely between now and late this afternoon.

So...shoveling snow will be a major feature of the day's activities. Followed by a steam bath.

Sadly, the extended forecast calls for warmer temperatures and rain...so I suspect a local flood advisory will be posted shortly.

Hawaii anyone?

Miscellany

A gloomy day in Juneau town - rain, fog and temperatures in the mid-30's. Supposed to continue with this stuff for the foreseeable future. I am beginning to hear considerable grousing and grumbling from the skiers in the Club locker room - particularly holders of season passes. We've had a very mild winter so far...

A little catch-up this morning - a number of blogworthy items that I have neglected to note. But first, courtesy of my buddy, Kurt West, a few pics from the series he obtained via email of the classic Sea lion vs. Octopus battle waged just off the boat ramp out North Douglas last week. The sea lion won.





In other news, I have spoken with both Leah and Amanda in the past week. Amanda enjoyed her holiday vacation - mostly in Portland. Played catch-up with all her PDX pals. She's now back in Southern California working as a camp counselor east of Los Angeles. I haven't seen Manda in over a year...feelin' a need to track her down. Amanda is tentatively planning a trip to Juneau in May...between her stint at her current job and returning to the Paul Newman Hole-in-the-Wall camp next summer.

Meanwhile Leah continues the job search in Portland. It is TOUGH. She's back at Washington County working in their immunization program; but it's not a permanent position. It's been a stressful time for her. She really enjoyed Amanda's company over the holidays. This recession has been brutal for twenty-somethings and Portland more brutal than many other places. I feel a serious need to take Leah shopping and dining...

If I can get away this spring, my vacation thoughts are tending to a west coast adventure. Perhaps a drive down the coast from Portland to Southern California... Highway 101, the Redwoods, wine country, San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, the Sierra's... Sounds better by the moment.

Finally, I must sadly note the passing of a dear four-legged friend, Joan Kasson's basset hound, Tucson. I have known a number of bassets over the years and Tucson was a stellar representative of the breed. The picture of amiability. Perhaps not the brightest star in the firmament (his companion, Jasper, was a notoriously bad influence on the lad) - but a more peaceable and congenial hound I have never known. R.I.P. Tucson.

Well, time to head out for the morning chores...

Ouch!

A busy day yesterday. Started out bright and early baking a coffee cake for the ol' office. Hadn't been up there in many months and was feeling the need to check-in. I had a great visit. Then an excellent workout and a long sauna. Followed by a visit to my friend John Chapman at his shop - he's got a picture framing biz downtown.

I was feeling mighty pleased with the course of the day so far and rolled on up to Auntie's to see if her car battery had charged over night. I had plugged the charger in the day before. Auntie tottered down to the garage to observe the proceedings. I unplugged the charger and disconnected the leads from the battery. Then I slammed the hood shut. As is often the case with hoods, it did not close all the way. So I whupped down on it with both hands and my full body weight.

YELP!

It seems that between the time of the first slam and the subsequent whuppage, Auntie had inserted the middle finger of her right hand into the space between the hood and the body of the car. Oh shit!

I ran around to get in the car to unlatch the hood. YIKES! That's one bloody finger. So...off to the ER.

Auntie is not one known for her stoicism as far as discomfort is concerned, so I was inclined to believe her when she said the finger didn't hurt that bad. Don't know why. The finger certainly had every right to be indignant.

Fortunately, the ER was quiet and we were ushered into a room immediately and Emilie received the full attention of a doc, a couple of nurses, and an X-ray technician. She seemed to actually enjoy the attention and the experience and said as much - although I'm sure she was, at least in part, trying to make me feel better as the slammer of the offending hood.

I am NOT in the habit of slamming my elders' appendages in car hoods or anything else - and the medicos apparently reached the same conclusion after a number of questions regarding her family and living arrangements.

The ER staff were treated to a command performance on the history of the Lindstrom family and pets - both living and long deceased. Don't think Auntie stopped talking long enough to take a full breath from the moment we arrived until our departure an hour and a half or so later. And even she admitted at one point that she tended to run-on a bit when she was nervous - although she really didn't look that nervous to me. There were many appreciative chuckles and smiles and much amused shaking of heads by the hospital staff.

Some of the amusement was no doubt attributable to Auntie's somewhat peculiar appearance. Emilie takes a LOT of time to prepare herself for a sortie into the wider world. Lots of make-up. And she can look quite fetching for her years when she is in full regalia. However yesterday's unplanned trip to the ER did not lend itself to a lot of prep work. So she was missing a few things - like lipstick. Oh yeah, and eyebrows. And her wig was kinda floating on top of her head - held in place only by her trademark furry earmuffs.

At any rate, the finger required seven stitches and I got her home around 4 PM.

I picked her up late this afternoon and she came out to the folks' for pork roast. Her finger is still a tad swollen; but it looks like it's doing fine. She ate like a longshoreman. And on the way home tonight she mentioned again how much she enjoyed our trip to the ER.

An amazing woman...

Welcome to 2010

Alrighty then...a brand new year. So far, it looks quite familiar. Been busy as usual with the elders. Took Saturday night off...drank too much wine at Casa Rickey; but it was a welcome diversion.

My new tweety bird feeder is swinging gently on the front deck. Too close to the window for comfort; but hopefully the little buggers will be paying attention... So far, no takers. I walked around the yard today and there was not so much as a tweet anywhere. I trust some winged critter will spot it sooner or later and then the word will spread by word of beak. Or maybe not... We'll see.

Today was another beautiful day...a mite chilly...but nothing extreme. Not even much wind downtown.

I had a great visit with my ol' pal Marla Berg at her office in the Mendenhall. She's been there for years and it's the first time I ever stopped in. I took her a calendar.

Then it was off to Auntie's with my sister's battery charger to try to get her car running. It takes at least twelve hours for the charger to do its thing - so will be back up there tomorrow morning to see if it worked. She left the door to the car open when came back from my folks a week or so ago... Fortunately she has a heated garage. Did some grocery shopping for the ol' gal and had a really good workout. Then meatballs at the elders.

So...like I said...2010 looks mighty familiar.