The Old Country

As dysfunctional as the United States political system appears, we've got nothing on the dysfunction of Europe.

The financial meltdown of 2008 was, arguably, largely a function of the greed and incompetence of America's high-roller financiers.  And while there is scant evidence to suggest that America's bankers are any less greedy, stupid, or incompetent than they were at the onset of the crisis, there is nonetheless some evidence that American banks have returned to something approaching rude health.  Thanks, of course, to huge dollops of federal aid and interest rates so low that savers such as myself wonder why we don't just stuff the greenbacks under the mattress.

And way too few American financiers are in prison.  But I digress...

Still, the U. S. of A. - the fiscal cliff notwithstanding -  appears to be the picture of political and financial sanity relative to the European Union.

For years after the creation of the euro, the financial markets determined that there was little difference in terms of risk between the sovereign debt of Germany and other euro members.

Then the markets suddenly determined there was a lot of difference.

So much for the rational market.

Financial bubbles or fiscal profligacy in Ireland, Portugal, Greece and subsequently in Italy and Spain has led to a profound crisis that threatens not only the euro but the existence of the European Union itself.  And the response by Europe's political class has been abysmal.

There are no statesman in Europe today.  Merkel, Hollande, and Cameron are hacks.  Notwithstanding the relatively robust health of the German state - German banks are weak and stewed to the gills with bad debt.  France is a wreck - their inflexible job market condemns the young to part-time jobs or no jobs at all.  The Tories in the UK flirt with leaving the European Union altogether.  A sorry state of affairs...

In the meantime, German (and other European creditors) demand ever more austerity from Greece and other Mediterranean types who the northerners now regard as miscreants.  The common people of the debtor nations suffer while their elites dodge taxes. There is rioting in the streets and more to come...

To add insult to injury the EU is now at loggerheads over their next seven year budget.  The French defend farm subsidies.  The English demand continuation of their budget rebates.  The debtor country governments are generally pissed-off over what they regard as broken promises.

A meltdown will be a serious problem for the world economy.

Lovely.

On a more positive note, a picture from my own personal aviation collection.

 A modified Lockheed Ventura 

I took this pic at the Juneau airport circa 1968.  The Ventura was used in WWII as a medium bomber (not very successfully) and found its niche as a maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft.  This plane was refurbished as an executive aircraft for parties unknown... 

Folly

The latest flare-up in the Israeli/Palestinian imbroglio has apparently been tamped down - thanks to American and Egyptian efforts.  And this time there were apparently only one hundred plus fatalities on the Palestinian side and three on the Israeli side.  I guess that is progress relative to past eruptions.

Still, one cannot help but marvel over the futility of the exercise. 

As a youngster I was captivated by the romance of the State of Israel.  I read biographies of Golda Meir and Moshe Dayan.  They were the good guys (and gals) - a democratic state in a hostile non-democratic region.

Today, I am much more ambivalent about Israel.

Israeli politics are polarized and their current government disgusts me.  Mr. Netanyahu's government depends on the support of extremists who reject the concept of a viable Palestinian state.  His government fails to prosecute radical settlers in the West Bank who lynch, harass, and destroy the crops of Palestinians whose only crime is living in lands coveted by the settlers.

Don't get me wrong.  Israel has every right to defend itself from folks shooting missiles into its territory from Gaza or from anyplace else.

But...Israel also has an obligation to live up to its international obligations. They must stop building illegal settlements.  And they must dismantle those illegal settlements that exist. Period.

I am no friend of Hamas in Gaza or of Hezbollah in Lebanon - or their Iranian patrons.

But I do believe American foreign policy needs to right itself - to get real.  The unquestioning support of an Israeli government that is neither willing to honor existing international obligations nor willing to negotiate in good faith with the Palestinians is a recipe for disaster for the United States. 

Indeed, it is folly.

On a more positive note - another pic from the Alaska Coastal series.

That's one sexy Goose.

Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed

Another week gone by the wayside.  Not particularly eventful; but I was busy.  Cooking, cleaning and misc. elder errands were on the agenda.

The weather has been seasonal.  Rain, snow, wind, more rain, a little snow and so forth.  Had shoveling to do a couple of mornings but it rained hard yesterday afternoon and evening and the snow has largely disappeared.  This weekend we'll have a change of pace as the temperature plummets into the teens.  Chance of snow, too.

I bought several sacks of victuals for my winged friends and also a bag of squirrel food.  The squirrel wasted no time making himself at home...mowed right through the groceries.

Squirrel on the dole...

The birdies haven't yet discovered the feeders in the back yard.  Two feeders with two different mixes...one blend should be particularly attractive to the Chickadees while the other should prove irresistible to my Pine Siskin pals.  I expect the Juncos will swing both ways...  As I recall, last year it took about a week for the word to get out in birdland...

In other news, the drama of the election season has been replaced with small ball stuff.  I am completely mystified by the fascination with the General and his girlfriend.  It is an unfortunate way to end a generally estimable career, to be sure; but it seems like a pretty straightforward "failure to keep it in his pants" story to me.   And he didn't even deny it - promptly resigned with as much dignity as the situation would allow.  As near as I can tell the story lingers largely because some Congresspersons are miffed that they weren't dished the dirt before it hit the news stand.  Too bad.

And the Benghazi inquisition strikes me as equally strange.  The fact that a confused situation was, well, confused, is not surprising to me.

Perhaps tomorrow's "fiscal cliff" summit will be more interesting - or at least more amusing.

Cheers! 

Elections

A very long day yesterday.  I got press-ganged by my buddy, Eric, to work at the polling station at Nugget Mall.  We were there just before 6 AM and I didn't leave until after 9 PM.  And I was the first of the team of five to leave...

It was an interesting experience.  We worked the Airport Precinct which extends as far south as Switzer Creek.  It is certainly more conservative than the downtown precincts and also attracted a lot of "walk-ins" who resided throughout the borough and even a number of folks from out-of-town.  As I recall, we issued around 970 ballots and over 150 of them were voted as "questioned" ballots. 

I was working one of the two "sign-in" stations and time after time a voter would start the conversation with something like "I don't think this is my precinct; but can I vote here anyway?"  I believe a very solid majority of these folks were persons under the age of 35 and it was abundantly clear they didn't "get" why they were required to present themselves at a particular place at a particular time in order to exercise their right to vote.

And frankly, I don't get it either.  By national standards Alaska's election system is reasonably fair and free of the sort of overt partisan voter suppression efforts that have been so evident elsewhere. Still, Alaska's system is  horse and buggy stuff and one cannot help but conclude that in a geographically challenged, sparsely populated,  and demographically mobile and diverse state like Alaska that it's well past time for a 21st century make-over.  Vote by mail comes immediately to mind although I'm sure there are other more technologically advanced options as well.

Of course, reform of the election system is not likely to be on the agenda for our Republican Governor and newly minted Republican House and Senate.  They will be far too busy coddling Big Oil.

As to the national poll, all I can say is "Whew!"  I was cautiously optimistic that President Obama would prevail but was very pleasantly surprised by the gain of a couple of Senate seats as well.  And while gains in the House were modest; they were gains nonetheless.

What happens next will largely depend on what lessons the GOP takes to heart from the election.  And I guess the odds would be that continued national political gridlock will be the order of the day.

Still, it will be fascinating to watch the internal machinations of the Republicans.  And while it would be premature, at best, to predict any sort of major realignment of the body politic; it is certainly the case that tensions within the GOP will have to be resolved in some fashion.

The decades old coalition of money (both corporate and private) and social conservatives is showing its age and is looking mighty frayed around the edges.  One would expect that the first reaction of each faction will be to blame the other for the GOP's dismal performance. 

The social conservatives will proclaim the problem was that Mr. Romney was just not a true conservative.

The folks who bankrolled the electoral fiasco will point their well manicured fingers at the grassroots tea party types and wonder out loud how Republicans will ever be able to compete nationally as long as the party continues to ignore the changing demographics of the country, demand the party's presidential contenders adopt positions that are abhorrent to a majority of Americans in order to secure the nomination, and then put forward certifiable nut cases like their recent Senate candidates in Missouri and Indiana. 

One is tempted to feel sorry for Speaker Boehner for whom these contradictions and conflicts are not in the least bit academic.  Come January he will have to manage the House majority's internal disputes in order to present a coherent Republican alternative to the President's agenda. 

The just say "No" strategy of the past four years may be tempting and will probably be the default position on many fronts.  But the"fiscal cliff" - the box that Speaker Boehner and other Congressional Republicans helped build last year with the expectation that a Republican President would subsequently dismantle it - now looms. 

Fasten your seat belts kids, it's going to be a bumpy ride.
 

And Now the Dark Time...

What happened?  When I left town it was in the mid-50's and the foliage was still more-or-less green.  It was fall or at least what passes as fall in these parts.  There was barely a hint of termination dust behind the Mendenall Glacier.

Upon boarding Alaska Flight 61 in Sea-Tac the pilot cheerfully announced that the weather in Juneau was clear and eighteen degrees.  Previous communications with mom had indicated that Juneau had already experienced its first Taku winds of the season - gusts downtown and in Douglas over sixty mph. 

Uh-oh...

Sure enough, final approach into Juneau included a bump or two and the wind was blowing pretty good down Lynn Canal.  And disembarking from the plane into the great outdoors confirmed the temperature.  It is winter. 

The point was driven home yesterday when we got a couple of inches of snow.  I was serenaded all morning by the sounds of sirens as Juneauites re-learned how to drive in the snow.  A couple of cars were in the ditch when I went downtown for a workout.

It's now 8 AM and barely twilight.  And it was getting pretty dim by 5 PM.  We are now entering The Dark Time.  Oh well...

My trip was fun but certainly not a typical vacation.  I spent the first week in Hillsboro at my friend Adam's mom's home.  Read all of Adam's medical and social records and made sure that his disability attorney had received all important documents.  We had a very good meeting with the vocational rehabilitation folks who have been working with Adam and procured a document that I expect may well be critical to the judge's decision.  The hearing itself occurred on October 17th.  After the hearing the attorney was coy as to the prognosis; but I interpreted his mumbling to indicate that approval is a 50/50 proposition.

After the hearing Adam and I took a road trip down the coast to Northern California. 

We stopped in Newport to visit his grandma who was in the hospital - she passed-away peacefully just a couple of days after we saw her.  She was very elderly and frail and I think the family recognized it was time...

The weather in southern Oregon and Cali was quite sunny.  We did the Redwoods tour including the Avenue of the Giants.

The Avenue of the Giants - these trees are big!

The southern Oregon coast just south of Coos Bay

From Arcata, California we motored up to Ashland, Oregon.  A night of theater.  None of that low-brow Shakespeare stuff for us.  No sirree.  We saw "Animal Crackers" the theatrical production that most folks would recognize from the Marx Brothers film of 1930.  It was great!  Hooray for Captain Spaulding, the African explorer...

Then back to Portland/Hillsboro for the weekend.  We went to a techno music show at the Memorial Colliseum - featuring one of Adam's favorite DJ's "Bassnectar".  I am now offically a Basshead.  The show was quite amazing.

Unfortunately, I did not get to visit any of my ol' Juneau pals living in the Great Northwest.  Next time, buddies!  I did get to spend some quality time at a great supper with Amanda and Leah in Portland.  Amanda hopes to be back to Juneau in a week or so and Leah is still beavering-away at the Sokol-Blosser winery.  They both looked fantastic!  I'm mighty fond of those gals.

So...time to settle in for the winter.  Mom is doing OK and I will ascertain auntie's status when I motor up to see her today.  Baked a couple of loaves of zucchini bread yesterday and will make deliveries here shortly.  I expect that auntie's house will need some serious work...

Later gang!

On Holiday

Wheels up this afternoon for Seattle.  And tomorrow morning I will motor down I-5 to Portland for a spell.

Sunday I will be enjoying fine dining with Amanda and Leah in the Pearl.  I do like Portland! 

I'll be staying at my pal Adam's home in Hillsboro.  Adam has his SSI eligibility hearing next week and I will be offering moral support and meeting with his attorneys.  Adam's mom has been doing a lot of the leg work getting prepared for the hearing and I will be more than happy to assist in any way I can...

After the hearing I hope I can manage some sort of road trip for a few days.  We'll see.  I will be back to Juneau no later than the end of the month.

Bottom line...no blogging for a bit.

In other news I have now put all the yards to bed...finished cutting-back perennials at mom's on Monday.  For the first time ever, I actually did all the fall chores in decent weather.  The chore is almost enjoyable when done under the sun.  I still have bulbs to plant but it's still been in the 50's during the day and I was afraid to stick 'em in the ground.  I should be able to manage the bulb planting when I return...

Well, gotta finish packing and think I'll head to town for a quick workout. 

I leave you with another gem from the Alaska Coastal series...

The ramp crew are dressed like caddies from the Masters.  

Hasta luego gang!

The Ryder Cup

I am a terrible golfer.  I enjoy it immensely.  I am just not very good at it.  Thus, it is hardly surprising that I watch a lot of professional golf on television.  If I can't do it...I can at least watch those who can...

This weekend the biennial Ryder Cup event was held near Chicago.  The best golfers of these United States take on the best the Europeans can  muster.  The tournament is held over three days with team events, e.g., four-ball, the first two days and then twelve mano y mano matches on Sunday.

The U.S. has not done particularly well in the Ryder Cup the past couple of decades.  But on Sunday morning the red-white-and blue crew were poised to pry the Cup out of the hands of the Europeans leading ten to six after two days of play.  The U.S. needed only to win five matches of twelve to clinch; and historically the Sunday matches have been the Americans' best event.  It looked mighty grim for the Old World.

Then the wheels came off the bus.  The Americans not only didn't play as well as they did the first two days - they didn't even look like the same players.  One of the biggest upsets in golf history ensued.  I was shocked, dismayed and appalled.  What happened?

Four American players prepare to tee-off on Sunday at the Ryder Cup.  Tragic.

  Four of America's best prepare to tee-off at the Ryder Cup on Sunday.

From left to right:  Phil Mickelson, Brandt Snedeker, Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson

These guys didn't even look like the same players from the earlier rounds...

The regular PGA season takes a break until January.  Time to focus on the baseball playoffs...

In other news, my pal Enrique arrived yesterday and will be staying with me through mid-December.  He is starring in Perseverance Theater's production of "Oklahoma!".  It's great to have a roomie again.  Unfortunately he arrived without his faithful four-legged companion, Nikki, who is being boarded with his mom in Texas.  The theater booked Enrique on a circuitous series of multi-airline flights from Austin to Juneau and the airlines refused to allow him to book a doggie on the flights.  Damn!  Nikki is my pooch pal.

The weather the past couple of days has been and is predicted to continue to be half-way decent.  On Sunday I cut back all the flowers in the yard, mowed for the last time, and spread fall fertilizer.  Yesterday I mowed mom's yard and fertilized there as well.  And today it's up to auntie's for the same treatment.

I have been spending a lot of time at auntie's helping out with chores and generally functioning as morale officer.  She has been pretty chipper.  She has decided to get a new TV and computer.  She is upgrading her TV offerings and finally getting a cable connection for the computer.  She has been operating with a dial-up modem (yes, they do still exist) and the slow connection does not work well for her.  For example, it takes about a half-hour to load my blog.  She gets impatient and tends to start pounding the keyboard with predictable and unfortunate results...

Last week I called our local telecommunications provider from auntie's phone to make the necessary arrangements.  The provider guy had to speak to auntie to verify that I had her permission to order the changes.  This took a mite longer than one might expect insofar as she felt compelled to reminisce about the history of television in Juneau.  

This trip down memory lane invariably begins (but does not end) with the story of how my arrival in this world coincided with the arrival of television in Juneau town.  I spent the first weeks of my life at auntie's home as mom recovered from some medical complications.  It seems that auntie and her daughter, Jan, found me quite charming and doted on me morning, noon, and night.  My uncle and cousin Sandy, - not so much.  They preferred to watch the test pattern on the new TV.  Although I have no recollection of these events, I find the story entirely credible - if for no other reason than I have heard the story a thousand times.

Finally, I was permitted to conclude the business at hand and at the end of conversation the call was transferred to a third-party to verify that auntie did, in fact, desire to change telephone providers.  As he prepared to transfer the call, the provider guy gently suggested that auntie might want to confine her answers to "yes" or "no" with the person at the verification service.  Auntie laughed - but also complied.  I was proud of the ol' gal.

Later gang! 

The Lindstrom Bounce

Well, the weekly polls are all pointing in one direction - a significant increase in support for President Obama.  And while causation is always difficult to prove in these matters, I am confident that my endorsement of Mr. Obama was instrumental in moving the numbers.

Sure, you can make a case that Mr. Romney's own loose lips contributed to his fall - his matter-of-fact comment to rich donors that 47% of Americans are simply on the mooch probably didn't do him any good.  And while the right-wing pundits have been clamoring "Let Ryan be Ryan" - the Florida numbers suggest that Mr. Ryan's proposal to privatize Medicare has not gone down well with the Early Bird Special set.

When all is said and done it is simply clear that Mr. Romney always has been and remains a seriously flawed candidate.  Indeed one is reminded of one of the favourite stories of my attorney, Mr. Rickey, -  reproduced here courtesy of The Intrepid Ideas Blog.

Once upon a time there was a CEO of a pet food company who wanted to increase his profits from making dog food. So he consulted the wisest men in his company, who knew all about developing computer programs that would analyze the nutritional content of various grains and food supplements. Eager to please the CEO, the wise men programed their computers to come up with the optimum combination of grains and supplements that would meet the nutrition needs of man’s best friend at the lowest price.

But a strange thing happened. During the first six months of selling the optimum mix at the lowest price, profit margins of the company declined. The next quarter, profits dived once more. “What’s going on?” the CEO demanded.

Since his wise men didn’t have an answer, the CEO consulted the greatest expert in the land, who knew all about the mysterious science of systems analysis and who conducted an extensive study (at considerable expense.) When he was finished, the expert appeared before the CEO.

“Have you discovered why our profits are declining?” the CEO demanded.

“I have,” said the expert, leaning on a thick report. “The dogs don’t like it.”

 Americans bought Mr. Romney's story once before.  It was called the Bush Administration.  A majority of us discovered it didn't work.

Finally, another installment in the Alaska Coastal series. 

A winter's day at the Juneau Seadrome in the mid-1960's

Lindstrom Endorses Obama for President

Well, don't hold your breath waiting for the title of this blog to appear on the AP wire; but nonetheless I will take this opportunity to urge my fellow Americans to cast their ballot on November 6th for Barrack Obama.

And while I do not expect any of my friends or even acquaintances are surprised by my choice, I nonetheless feel duty bound to state the reason for my endorsement.

To my mind the biggest challenge facing this country is obvious:  The mal-distribution of wealth in the country - the concentration of economic power in the hands of a relative few - threatens both our economy and our rights as citizens.

No, I am not a communist.  Marxism strikes me as fanciful as Christianity.

I am a pragmatist.  I am a realist.  And what I realize is that our economy and political system are threatened by an economic elite that is largely disassociated  from the wider American society and has adopted a quasi-religious economic world-view that says their collective rapaciousness is not only acceptable, but admirable.  Trickle down economics.  It is also the creed of one of our two major political parties.

To raise this issue is, as the Republican Party will tell you, "class warfare." 

My reply is simply that if you choose to look at it that way then you must agree that the war has been going on for a long time (at least since the Reagan Administration) and that most of the battles, thus far, have been won by the wealthy.  The numbers speak for themselves.  The poor get relatively poorer. The rich get relatively richer.  And the super rich are wealthier beyond belief

The Democratic Party and its standard bearer, Mr. Obama, are far from perfect.

There are any number of Congressional Democrats who I would refuse to invite into my own home - for fear of the silver and much else.

But there is no doubt in my mind which party, and which standard bearer, comes closer to recognizing my concerns.

AND THEREFORE IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I NOW ANNOUNCE MY ENDORSEMENT OF BARRACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT OF THESE GREAT UNITED STATES IN THE YEAR 2012.

So there you have it.

P.S.  Here is a suggestion that I have sent-on to the Obama folks for action if he is reelected.  I suspect it will happen - right after he confiscates all our guns.

I think it should be called the George W. Bush Proclamation.

Purpose:  Eliminate government waste and reduce the number of future political frauds

Proposal:  Reduce wasteful government subsidies to the undeserving rich by requiring all universities receiving any federal funds to refuse admittance to any student based on financial contributions to the university by the applicant's family, or the family's previous connections to the university, when said applicant does not otherwise meet the academic standards for admittance.

Analysis:  I recognize that this requirement may be opposed by many prestigious universities that depend heavily on contributions from wealthy private donors.  Therefore I propose a market-based exemption to ameliorate this potential problem.

All Universities will be given a "prestige rank" and allotted a certain number of exemptions.

A hypothetical institution, say an institution named "Harvard", could be given five exemptions to this prohibition and allowed to conduct an open air auction whereby rich kids who could not otherwise  meet the academic requirements for admission could be admitted. - the highest bidders prevailing.

Let's say someone named "Romney" bids $12.5 million to build a new dorm and it is the fifth highest bid.

And then someone named "Bush" bids $26 million for a new science lab.

Well, the dull-normal "Romney" kid would be shit out of luck. Might have to go to a "State" school or even get a job.  But what's the harm?  His or her parents are still really rich so he or she will probably do OK and maybe even have health insurance.

Over time these `reverse` scholarships would come to be known simply as "Bushies".

And a bunch of other smarter kids could get really good educations.

Rain - Heavy at Times

Ah, the dreaded "Rain - Heavy at Times" forecast.  And it is performing as advertised - even as I type.  Whitecaps on the channel too and breezy here on the point.  My hanging baskets are doing a serious dance.  Oh well, they've had it for the year in any event.

It's been a subdued indoor kinda week.  Lots of cooking.  Had the elders over for a halibut feed on Sunday which was well received.  I've started doing some housework for auntie a couple of times a week although her daughter arrived on Monday so it will be a short week on that front.  Auntie seems to appreciate the help and I think it will do wonders for her morale if we can keep the house in reasonable shape.

There was a break in the weather on Monday and I got all three yards for which I am responsible mowed, weed-whacked, and raked.  I reckon there's only one more mowing left to be done before it's time to put away the mowers.  And in another couple of weeks it will be time to cut-down all the perennials and toss the annuals - a job I truly detest - not because I object to the chore, as such, but because of what it says about the calendar.

The last gardening activity early in October will be to plant spring bulbs - a more cheerful task even though the payoff is many months down the road.  And after the last bulb is planted I will go retrieve the snow shovels from the rafters and put them at their duty stations...

My step-daughter Amanda has had a serious outbreak of her chronic ulcerative colitis and was in the hospital in Portland for a few days.  She's back on a medicine she took previously and feels better now.  I expect she'll be back in Juneau early next month and hopefully will be able to move back into her job at Harborview School.

The Juneau Golf ClubTournament is happening this week in Redmond, Oregon.  Doug, Alison, Eric, Dick, Candy and about eighty other folks are playing golf in the sunshine.  Part of me wishes I had joined them - although I have not swung a club in over a year and I'm sure it would have been an unmitigated disaster golf-wise.  Maybe next year... Sounds like the golfers are having a good time although they seem a tad reticent about the actual golfing part...

In other news, the political front has been largely dispiriting and I have been unable to muster any enthusiasm for the subject.  Perhaps that will change now that we are on the final stretch.  The polls are somewhat encouraging on the Presidential race; but I see no light at the end of the tunnel as far as Congressional gridlock is concerned.  Alaskans will, of course, enthusiastically re-elect our neanderthal lone Congressman.

I have been reading a lot.  I finally fired-up the Kindle I got for Christmas last year and really like it.  Much easier on the eyes.  I have read a few trashy novels and of late several excellent books on the campaign in the Pacific in World War II.  I particularly enjoyed Neptune's Inferno:  The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal" by James D. Hornfischer.

The Solomons campaign was truly brutal and while it is generally viewed through the eyes of the Marine Corps fabled stand, the naval campaign was equally brutal.  More sailors died at sea during the campaign than Marines and soldiers ashore.  Much of the fighting was big gun ship-to-ship action.

The torpedoing of the U.S.S. Juneau by a Japanese submarine was particularly horrific with only ten survivors.

Well, I'm just rambling...so reckon it's time to head to mom's for coffee and then a workout.  Think I'll do some baking this afternoon.

I leave you with a couple more pics from the Alaska Coastal series.

 A PBY at Sitka by the sea

In Sitka, the PBYs would land on the water and then taxi to the beach.  Pontoons were raised and the undercarriage was lowered allowing them to taxi right onto to the beach.  Pretty cool.  Note the waist blisters and rounded tail - this was before modification of these structures.  The paint scheme would make this in the 1960 - 1962 period.

The Goose fleet at the Juneau Seadrome - late 1950's

Later gang!

This and That

Well, another week.  And not bad...all things considered.  I did lots of baking and cooking for the elders.  I believe it is appreciated.

Mom's universe is getting smaller.  Aside from a little leaf raking and flower deadheading she is not able to do much in the yard these days.  But...that has not dampened her enthusiasm for flora.  She is in the process of building a very sizable African Violet collection.

Mom has two tables of African Violets...and another dozen leaves rooting...

They're all beautiful and healthy specimens...

...In a variety of colours

I brought a couple home today and they are now perched on my windowsill in the living room.  I expect I will have more headed my way....

Alison and I took several walks last week including a hoof up Salmon Creek to the old powerhouse.  Fall is in the air...  We happened upon a couple of young porcupines.  They are not in the least bit intimidated by folks on the trail...or anything else, I suspect.  Serious attitude.

You wanna piece of me big guy?  Sure!  Come and get it you jerk.

A few nights ago I got a text from Cousin Dick in the Manor House above my serf quarters.  He said "4 bears coming your way."  I went out on the porch to get some pics; but apparently they sensed nothing in my surroundings that appealed to them and crept through the brush out of sight.

Dick had been doing a BBQ gig.  And I'm sure they were offended that they did not receive an invitation.  To show their displeasure - they left a big steaming pile in his front yard.

Next time we want a formal invitation...  Bon Appetit!

Later gang!

Scamsters

Auntie got home from her three week visit with her daughter in Victoria, B.C. a couple of days ago.  She is now settling into her customary routine at home.  The customary part is unfortunate; but unfortunately to be expected. 

Yesterday morning mom got a call from a very distraught auntie.  Something terrible had happened to auntie's grandson in Anchorage.  Mom asked me to call her sister.

When I called, auntie was indeed very shook-up.  She had got a call from her grandson, Brock, who said he had been in an accident the night before after attending a wedding.  He had got busted for being just over the legal alcohol limit and was in the pokey.  Needed help with bail and an attorney. 

Auntie, who had been up watching tv all night, was understandably shaken.  She asked her grandson many questions - the answers not always being what she expected.  But her grandson was clearly distraught too.

Brock had promised to call back with more instructions on how to handle the finances.  Auntie wasn't sure what to do.

I told her I would check around and get back to her.  I checked the Alaska Court System both online and with a phone call. Brock was not scheduled for any court appearance and he had no open criminal cases.

I called the Anchorage jail and was told that Brock was not being held in custody in Anchorage or any other correctional facility in Alaska.

I called the Anchorage Police Department, the officer I spoke to was very helpful and said he would find out if the police had contact with Brock in the last couple of days.  He said he would call me back.

I called auntie back and told her what I had learned - which was essentially nothing.  She had spoken to Brock again - an even more discomfiting conversation.  Something didn't seem right...

At that point I did what I should have done in the first instant - call my cousin Brock.  He picked up on the second ring and said "What's happening, Cuz?"  He seemed cheerful.  He seemed composed.  He was obviously not in jail.

I explained the turmoil of the past couple of hours.  He was shocked.  He immediately called auntie.

I then called the Anchorage Police Department again.  Got the same officer who had written my phone number down incorrectly and had been unable to get back to me.  I explained the situation as it now stood.  He said that auntie had just experienced a phone scam that is very active at the moment.  Numerous instances in Anchorage.  He told me to file a report with the Juneau Police Department which I also did.

Then I called the local paper.  I hope they run a story of some sort to alert the elders.

The scamster was very accomplished - like a carney fortuneteller.  He was able to elicit enough personal info from everything auntie said to keep the story moving forward.  His tone was distraught - but similar enough to Brock's voice to be convincing.

ELDERS BEWARE!!!!!!

Finally, the next installment in the Alaska Coastal series:

An Alaska Coastal PBY on the runway at Juneau

The PBY is a really cool plane.  Originally developed as a long-range navy patrol plane, it found a niche in commercial aviation after the Second World War.  The plane was originally fitted with glass blisters on the waist - very useful if your job is to spot enemy ships.  Also not very waterproof and they were eventually removed by Alaska Coastal.  The tail fin has also been modified.

The PBY was a critical player in several naval engagements.  The British operated them in Europe and it was a PBY that located the Bismarck attempting to sneak back to the coast of France after she had sunk the HMS Hood and eluded the Royal Navy cruisers shadowing her in the North Atlantic.  Things took a serious turn for the worse for the Bismarck after being spotted by the PBY...

And in the Pacific a PBY was the first to spot the approaching Japanese at Midway. 

Like I said, a cool plane.

Another Roadside Attraction

My friend, Martha, is on a cross country adventure with her elderly white Labrador, Bailey.  They are driving from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to their new home on Whidbey Island, Washington.  On the road towing an Airstream.

The Bailey & Martha Mobile 

Martha and I have been texting.  Here are some excerpts.

Martha:  A wonderful couple from Baltimore my first night.  Invited Bailey and I to walk down to the lake and back.  Then to their campfire.  State parks allow no alcohol nor imported wood.  This couple had imported both, the wood hidden under tarps in their pick-up, the wine coolers masked by those foam wraps.

Tonight my neighbor and his wife are Tea Partyers.  Gave them three ears of corn and dismissed myself.

Elmer:  Just tell 'em you know Sarah Palin personally and I'm sure they'll bust out their best corn likker.

Martha:  Can't remember if I told you about the horses night before last.  The horses were included in the Ohio state park pet category.  Down the path from me was a couple in a tent, with horses tied and neighing outside.

Elmer:  Where are we going Wilbur???????

Martha:  I think they wanted in the tent.

Elmer:  Lol.  Now that would be weird - even for the heartland.  Probably wouldn't even play well in Peoria...

Martha:  Chlicothe, Illinois.  North of Peoria.  Had never heard of it, but it's here.  Tonight burgers and corn on the cob.

Elmer:  I have seen video suggesting that corn on the cob is a favourite of your companion.  And I'm sure she wouldn't turn-up her nose at a burger either.  

Corndog

Martha:  A black Corvette rolled beside me on the interstate.  On the side was white lettering:  "The Bones Brigade".  As it pulled ahead it was towing a casket on wheels.

Elmer:  Hmmm.  A Corvette...a babe magnet that has withstood the test of time.  A casket...not so much...  The driver (I'm assuming of the male persuasion) seems to be working at cross purposes.  This requires some serious thought...

 Roughing it...

Martha:  Minnesota!  Didn't have time and too hot for Bailey to check out the Museum of Grout in Iowa.

Elmer:  Ya sure.  You betcha.  Iowa was never on my list of places I needed to see.  But the Museum of Grout?  Well, that changes everything...

Stay tuned, gang! 

Teething Troubles

An interesting week.  Went to the dentist on Monday - a follow-up appointment for the doc to check on how my bone graft was doing after six months.  Answer:  Doing fine.  In fact, so fine that he offered to do my implant right then and there.  I said "Why not?"

Well, the "why not" turned out to be that the bone was still too thin for the implant.  He drilled right through the bone into my sinus cavity.

Having someone enter your sinus cavity via a drill bit is something I had not experienced in my 56 plus years on this earth.  I was loaded-up with novacaine and it didn't exactly hurt.  It was more like getting an electric shock.  I jerked from my toes to my nose.  He said "Oh!"  And I said "aarmyghad" or words to that affect...as one often does when one has a mouth full of dental appliances.

He looked at me and looked in my mouth.  He then Tisk-Tisked a bit. The nurse pulled some of the hardware out of my mouth so we could have a conversation - the upshot of which was it was time to suture me up, wait a couple of months for some healing, and then try something called a "sinus push" that would allow him to seat the implant.  Hmmmmm.  OK.... 

He gave me a prescription for antibiotics.  I got it filled and went home and took a couple along with a couple of painkillers I had in reserve from the original tooth extraction.  Slept for about eighteen hours and woke-up feeling more-or-less fine.

Still contemplating the "sinus push" scenario; but I'll probably go for it.  The missing tooth is a hassle - can't chew well on my right side and my bite is completely different from the way it used to be.

Another getting older thing....  And of course the "sinus push" will add a few thousand to the tab.

Shit.

In other news, just finished cleaning-up after supper.  Mom and sis came over for beef stroganoff.  It was tasty; but not on the top ten list as far as the elders are concerned.  Dessert was a hit however.

Got my lawn done on Tuesday and will do mom's and auntie's in the next couple of days - weather permitting.  The days are getting noticeably shorter.  It's only 8 PM and it's already getting dusky.  Shit, again.

So, on a more cheery note, here is picture number three of the Alaska Coastal series.

An Alaska Coastal Goose, Pan Am DC 6 and Pacific Northern Constellation

This is my favourite pic of the set.  I remember similar scenes like it was yesterday.  Only wish I had a better picture of the Connie.

Later gang!

Good Week in August

August is typically disappointing in this neck of the woods.  But by current-year standards the bar has been set pretty low and the month, to date, has been a pleasant surprise.  Actually got my yard work done under the sun and a  good walk and hike to boot.

Alison and I cruised through the Gastineau Meadows above Crow Hill on Tuesday where we intersected the Treadwell Ditch Trail and walked west to the new Lawson Creek Bridge.  The new bridge is great - the trail not so much - still pretty soggy.

On Wednesday, we doubled-down and hiked the Windfall Lake Trail which starts on the east side of Herbert River.  The first half of the trail is ducky - boardwalk and gravel.  The second half is still a mite rough and muddy.  Worst bug day I've experienced all year.  But it's a relatively flat hike and the lake is quite nice - in a classic Southeast rain forrest sort of way.

In our rain forrest - the moss is not confined to the north side of trees...

As you approach the lake...the beavers make their presence known.

Eat Fresh!  Subway provides the vittles.

The cabin at the lake is very nice.

Tonight I hosted mom, sis, and their neighbor Mickey for supper.  Grilled flank steak...quite tasty and the banana cream pie was well received.

In other news, thank you, again, to everyone who contacted me via email or phone regarding Al Adams' passing.  An Anchorage TV station had a very nice segment on his memorial service.  Rest in peace, Al.

Albert P. Adams 1942 - 2012

My former boss, mentor, and friend, Al Adams, passed away yesterday morning.

Al was born in Kotzebue, an Inupiaq community north of the arctic circle, in 1942.

I worked for Al for almost a decade.  And I believe, without a doubt, that the transformational period in his life was the time he spent at Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka.

Mt. Edgecumbe was (and is) a boarding school for rural Alaskans.  It would have been a 100% Alaska  Native student body when Al attended.

Al was known to burst into the Mt. Edgecumbe "fight" song on the least provocation- or no provocation at all. "Fight, sons of Edgecumbe High School - something, something something..."  I do not remember the words; but I do remember the sentiment.

Education was very important to Al Adams.

Al came to political power in the Alaska State Legislature in very dramatic fashion.  He was a member of a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.  He left his fellow Democrats and led a number of like-minded rural Democratic representatives to cross the aisle and form a coalition with Republicans to control the House of Representatives.  This urban Republican/rural Democrat axis controlled successive House organizations for much of the 1980's.  Al was the Chairman of the House Finance Committee.  And we had money to spend.

I had the honor of being one of the Chairman's honchos.  I was young and it was big time fun.

I learned much about politics and even more about human nature from working with Al and those lessons stood me in good stead for the remainder of my career in state government.

Al was very intelligent, charismatic, and generous.  He also had a well deserved reputation for being someone you did not cross without consequences. 

The picture below was taken this spring at the home of our mutual friend, Dave Gray. 

 

 Marla Berg, Elmer Lindstrom and Al Adams  

I thought I would have many opportunities in the future to have a drink with Al and laugh about old times. But it is not to be...

Al's obituary was well done.  Here it is:

On Aug. 13, 2012, Sen. Al Adams passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.  

Albert P. Sikkiagruk Adams was born June 18, 1942, in Kotzebue. He attended Mount Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. Following high school, he attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and RCA Technical Institute. 

The late senator lived a life of service and was known for a generosity of spirit and drive to help others in both his public and private life.  

To his family, he was a beloved husband, father and grandfather for whom family was the highest priority. He often organized subsistence hunting and fishing trips for his children, where he passed down traditional Iñupiaq skills. He coordinated all the logistics for these memorable outings and even served as camp cook, making sure everyone else was well fed. 

Whether dipnetting at the mouth of the Kenai, caribou hunting outside Kotzebue or visiting the fish wheel at Chitina, he let his wife, children and grandchildren know that they were loved and that they came first and foremost in his life.  

He was also a romantic and loving husband, planning vacations for his wife, Diane, to celebrate and share the milestones they achieved together as a couple. Travel was one of his favorite pastimes and one he loved to share with her.  

Although he led a very public life, he also was a man of many unsung good deeds on a personal level. Many people did not know that he kept cash in his vehicle console to give to those in need, or that he provided meals to those who were hungry. At Christmas, boxes of turkeys would arrive at Bean's Café and money for holiday goody bags would arrive at the Friends Church. The individual recipients never knew who had lent them a hand.  

Even as his illness progressed, he cared for others and tried to ease their worries with humor. He wanted others to be comfortable and to enjoy life. He put people first and was always prepared to serve them. He believed in God, in a higher power, and was a teacher and mentor to many.  

Publicly, the late senator's service to his beloved state improved the lives of those he represented in rural Alaska. His long career in public service began in the late 1960s and included eight years in the Alaska State House beginning in 1980, during which he represented District 37, which included the communities of the NANA/Maniilaq and Arctic Slope regions. From 1988-2000, he served in the Alaska State Senate, also representing the Bering Straits/Kawerak region. 

Following his retirement from the Alaska State Legislature, Sen. Adams served as president of Adams Management Services and worked for the Northwest Arctic Borough and North Slope Borough as an advisor, sharing his understanding of state government and how it could help the people of rural Alaska.  

In 2003, he began a new career as a lobbyist with a focus on representing rural and Alaska Native interests. He again provided a powerful voice in Juneau and Washington, D.C., drawing on his years of state legislative experience. He brought the same passion to lobbying that he had as a legislator, always saying those he represented weren't his clients, they were his people. He tirelessly promoted the continued successes of Mount Edgecumbe High School because of the valuable opportunities it provides to develop relationships between talented young Alaska Native people. 

Sen. Adams' hospitality to his peers, staff, clients and visitors at the capitol is still remembered to this day. His door and telephone lines were always open to Alaskans, no matter where they lived. He worked hard to guarantee that rural Alaska gained its fair share of state funding and joined his colleagues on statewide efforts that benefitted all Alaskans.  

An astute lawmaker, he was a master at understanding politics and state finances and chaired the powerful House Finance Committee during his eight-year term in the State House. He served 18 years on the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee and 12 years on the Operating Budget Conference Committee. He served on other key committees that helped protect subsistence and bring needed infrastructure and social services to rural Alaska.
He fought hard for the establishment and continued existence of the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program; convincing the Alaska Legislature to establish an endowment to fund PCE in perpetuity. 

Prior to his legislative service, he held other positions as president of Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation and executive vice president of NANA Regional Corporation. He also served on numerous boards including the Alaska Airlines Advisory Board, Arctic Power, Mount Edgecumbe and NANA Regional Corporation.  

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sarah Seeberger; sister, Vicky Bartholme, and his father, Frank Scott, and his much loved aunts and uncles. 

He is survived by his wife, Diane Adams; sisters, Adra Distefano, Sarah Scanlan and Darlene "Red" Seeberger; children, Al "Sonny" Adams, Guy Adams, Herb Adams, Michelle Merculieff, Thomas Adams and Luke Adams, and 10 grandchildren.  

A memorial service will be in Anchorage at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at ChangePoint, 6689 ChangePoint Drive in Anchorage. A reception will follow.
Funeral services will be at the Kotzebue High School gym at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, 2012.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Al's many friends and family who offered their assistance during his illness and who came to visit, called, brought food and sent messages of love and support. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Beans Café, 1101 E. 3rd Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501.

You were a good man, Al, and I will miss you.  Rest in peace.

Derby Weekend

Well, the Golden North Salmon Derby is underway this morning.  I will not be participating; but I sure have lots of memories of the derby from my early years.  My dad LOVED the derby - it was Christmas, New Years Eve and the Fourth of July all rolled into one.  And he actually won the damn thing in 1967 - one of the high points of his life, I'm certain.

Back in the day the derby would commence each morning with a "starting gun" at Auke Bay, Tee Harbor and Douglas.  Boats would go careening out of the harbors at a high rate of speed - amazing no one was ever killed.  I remember one year when we went tearing out of Auke Bay - right into a fog bank that reduced visibility to damn near nothing. Dad was convinced he could stear to Portland Island by watching his wake and maintaining a steady course.  Uh huh.  I was skeptical as I noticed our crew, Don Bland and Jack Darnell, wandering from one side of the boat to the other - our wake was as crooked as a dog's hind leg.

We cruised on for awhile and long after we should have spotted Portland Island dad gave up and stopped the boat.  We sat there for about three hours until the fog lifted - the time spent watching boats zipping by aimlessly.  Very amusing so long as you weren't rammed by one of the bozos in the other boats.  One guy stopped by us, got out his chart, pointed into the mist and proclaimed "Shelter Island is over there."  Off he went into the fog...

Needless to say alcohol played a significant role in the festivities.  Don and Jack were dad's employees, fishing buddies, and also serious tosspots and they certainly held their own in this drinking and fishing biathlon.  I will always remember Don on the bow of the boat dancing around singing "When You're Hot You're Hot" a popular tune of that year.  And I have rare photographic evidence of this occasion.

Good ol' Don Bland rocks out

My dad was not much of a drinker - at least by the standards of his contemporaries.  A notable exception was the evening after he won the derby and his buddies came over to the house to continue the festivities.  I recall dad sitting in the kitchen seriously baked and announcing every few minutes to anyone and no one "I'm the King."  Indeed.  Things got a little dicey, however, when Don's wife, Dooley, plopped down on his lap and announced "Elmer, I'm so proud I could just pop my buttons."  Mom was not amused...

Ah those were the days...

I spent a lot of quality time with dad on the boat during my early teenage years.  Here's one of my favourite pictures from that era.

Dad on the Linda M. - he was about the age I am today

Finally, the second installment in my Alaska Coastal series. 

Today this is a retail center called Merchant's Wharf

Have a great weekend everybody - and good luck to all you derby contestants!

Alaska Coastal

Well, company gone.  The house feels pretty empty; but my last guest, Mr. Milnes, left a satisfied customer I do believe.  He was a hiking fool.  He managed all the trails downtown - Mount Juneau, Perseverance, Granite Creek and Mount Roberts.  And amazingly enough he only got drenched on one of the trips...

A bonus of his visit was a gift from another old classmate, Sandy (Kendler) Spickler.  Her dad flew for Alaska Coastal Airlines back when we were kids.  She discovered some old shots of Grumman Gooses, PBY's and even an old Bellanca sporting the Alaska Coastal colors.  I posted them on Facebook last week; but am going to post them here too - one at a time.  So without further ado here is installment #1 of the aforementioned Bellanca sitting in front of what is now Merchants' Wharf but was then the hanger and headquarters of Alaska Coastal.  This was mostly likely taken in the early 1950's - a mite before my time on this disreputable globe.  The Bellanca was the predecessor to the DeHavilland Beaver that became so popular around here in the 1960's.

Alaska Coastal Airlines Bellanca - way cool!

While I was working on the airplane pics I noticed a few blogworthy pics from this season that I had not previously posted. Here are a couple of birdies in the Sandpiper family.

A Lesser Yellowlegs - quite common on the Dike Trail walk

 Think this is a Western Sandpiper - but wouldn't bet the farm...

Also a couple of pics from the Jensen Arboretum I visited again last month with Joan and Alison.

Two serious gardeners...

A Gold Chain Tree - I think I need one of these...

Did the customary mowing chores on a couple of brief non-rain occasions and also a fair amount of cooking.  Made a big pot of Chili which I will slowly work my way through and some baking.  And last evening I had mom, sister, and nephew over for a halibut feed.  Hadn't had any halibut this year and it was mighty tasty.

Later gang.

Company a Goin' and a Comin'

A busy couple of weeks.  My pal, Joan, left on the 20th for Nampa, Idaho.  I think she enjoyed her stay and was satisfied with the funds she earned to remodel her new home.  I certainly enjoyed her company as well as the companionship of her doggie, Maddy.  For several days after they left I kept thinking I heard the clickety-clack of little doggie toenails around the house.  Hmmmmm.  Could be a hound in my future.

I was not alone for long, however, as my good friend from high school days, Tim Milnes, arrived on the 23rd for a visit.  Tim was anxious to do some hiking and I believe he has exceeded his expectations in that regard.  On Tuesday we hiked Perseverance and although it was overcast it was nevertheless very pleasant weather-wise.

Folks must be thirsty when they get to Ebner Falls...

Tim spotted the relic below above the trail just as you start the hike.  I'd walked by it many, many times and never noticed.  It's about twelve feet above the trail...and been there for a hundred years or so.

Don't know what it is or how it got there...but kinda cool.

Tim and I have done some of the regular tour stuff - the glacier of course - and we happened upon Scott and Sandy Spickler at the Shrine.

 Scott, Sandy and Tim - not lookin' too bad for a bunch of fifty somethings...

Thursday it was time for a real hike.  It was a beautiful sunny day as we clawed our way up Mount Juneau.

Looking west from the summit

We made it!

The hike down the mountain was much more taxing to me than the hike up.  It's pretty steep and my quads were complaining bitterly by the time we got to the car.  But it was big-time fun!

Friday evening we had a supper party; but photos are unavailable - the crew was very modest.  Van Sundberg, Tracy Miller, Alison & Doug and Stu & M'iva joined Tim and I for a very satisfactory pasta feed.  Don't think anyone went home hungry.

Yesterday, Tim hiked Granite Creek with Tracy and some of her friends and I mowed the lawn and weeded flower beds.  It appears that I am going to have ongoing deer issues.  They seem to be quite pleased with my flowers - in a culinary sort of way...

Tim and I were having coffee on the deck the other morning when this character played through...

"Thank you, sir.  The irises and lilies were delicious"

So there you have it! 

Finally - Something Worth Posting

Well, another promise broken - haven't posted again for awhile.  But the truth of the matter is that there just hasn't been much worth posting until now.

The lower part of my yard has been bugging me since I moved in...it's a gravel area that hasn't seen any new gravel in a number of years.  The entire area has been covered with a weed control material; but over the years moss and debris had taken hold and it was looking very untidy.

Ugh.  What a mess!

So...on Thursday I placed an order with a local sand and gravel outfit and the next day 12.01 tons of gravel appeared in my driveway.

That's a lot of gravel

The question then becomes how to move said gravel from point A to point B without ending up in the hospital in traction.  Well, the answer is as simple as 1,2, 3....

Joe, Reese and Sean

Mr. Slagle, Mr. Saviers and Mr. Bavard are all the sons of Juneau friends - went to school with some of their parents and other relatives.  Damn good workers all of them and before you know it...

...the gravel was hauled and spread...

...without the need for chiropractic care.

I couldn't be more pleased.  It got halfway nice yesterday and every hour or so I had to go wander around the yard just to marvel at the change.  I am a happy camper.