Worth a listen. It's Butte.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Monday, January 2, 2012
Other blog
Not sure if I said that my posts will be on my other blog:
memoirsofacardiopulmonaryguy.blogspot.com
memoirsofacardiopulmonaryguy.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Road Trip....hiatus or the end?
I'm sitting on the back patio, watching the dusk gather on Los Angeles. I put on a long-sleeve shirt when it dropped below 70f, and I'm sipping a Malbec. Today I went to Whole Foods and found some good bread and cheese, and they happened to have a wine section. Later I walked to a Farmer's Market that occurs every Wednesday, and found a seafood stand that had fresh flounder and calamari. A few minutes ago I made a aioli with egg yolk, olive oil, garlic and a chili from the garden bordering the backyard. The calamari is going to be flash-fried till crisp and tender. Then I'll watch Cal try to beat Texas. I've parked the truck and camper on a street where it looks out of place, cleaned out the fridge and turned off the gas.
I left South Texas over a week ago, spent Christmas in Bisbee at the great RV campground Double Adobe, then drove here in two days. My good friend L. has offered the hospitality of her house, and I am planning on staying here while she goes to Europe in a couple weeks for a month. It's a fine neighborhood, two blocks away a view of the Pacific is available, and walking distance from stores. The backyard has a lemon and fig tree, and a palm tree in the distance. The front yard has a pomegranate tree, and a green groomed lawn.
Here's the deal: I'm tired of life in my camper, as fun as it has been. I begin to understand why those RV-ers I've occasionally mocked with their satellite tv and sound systems have them. I'm not inclined that way, but I now understand it: there's nothing to do in RV campgrounds in the winter when it gets dark at 5:30pm. And, if it's nippy outside, one isn't inclined to go out at look at the stars. I've read in the evenings, listened to music, and watch movies on my dvd player. There is only so much of that I can do. I actually miss having to go out and shovel the snow, and walking around my house.
My stated goal for this trip was to see new places, avoid the snow, and perhaps do some fishing and meet new people. Mission accomplished on all counts. I actually have done more fishing than I had anticipated, the fishing was at times excellent in Port Mansfield. I met new people, some of whom I hope to continue to have contact with, and I saw places previously unseen.
I had thought I could find a place that was warm and had something to do, like fishing. I could simply hang out, read, and contemplate my navel at other times. I did that, for the most part; turns out finding a warm place in the winter is not that easy, unless you're willing to put up with south Florida. Even a mile from Mexico in south Arizona can get quite nippy. But, my capacity to simply hang out turns out to have limits. Mine was a couple months. And, the confining space of my camper eventually got to be a bit much.
So....I think I'll be here for a month or more longer, and eventually go home near the end of February, after a visit with my kids in the NW. The camper will stay on the truck through the fall, there's plenty of camping and fishing to be done this summer back in Montana. I miss Montana.
I'll probably post a few times while here, but this is the last post on this blog. I'm not on a Road Trip any more. It was fun, and instructive. But it's time for something else. My daughter Kate had some good advise for things I can do when home to better occupy myself. I also didn't care for being so far from my kids, and I want to be able to drive for a day and see them if I want or need arises.
So, thanks all for your support and comments.
I left South Texas over a week ago, spent Christmas in Bisbee at the great RV campground Double Adobe, then drove here in two days. My good friend L. has offered the hospitality of her house, and I am planning on staying here while she goes to Europe in a couple weeks for a month. It's a fine neighborhood, two blocks away a view of the Pacific is available, and walking distance from stores. The backyard has a lemon and fig tree, and a palm tree in the distance. The front yard has a pomegranate tree, and a green groomed lawn.
Here's the deal: I'm tired of life in my camper, as fun as it has been. I begin to understand why those RV-ers I've occasionally mocked with their satellite tv and sound systems have them. I'm not inclined that way, but I now understand it: there's nothing to do in RV campgrounds in the winter when it gets dark at 5:30pm. And, if it's nippy outside, one isn't inclined to go out at look at the stars. I've read in the evenings, listened to music, and watch movies on my dvd player. There is only so much of that I can do. I actually miss having to go out and shovel the snow, and walking around my house.
My stated goal for this trip was to see new places, avoid the snow, and perhaps do some fishing and meet new people. Mission accomplished on all counts. I actually have done more fishing than I had anticipated, the fishing was at times excellent in Port Mansfield. I met new people, some of whom I hope to continue to have contact with, and I saw places previously unseen.
I had thought I could find a place that was warm and had something to do, like fishing. I could simply hang out, read, and contemplate my navel at other times. I did that, for the most part; turns out finding a warm place in the winter is not that easy, unless you're willing to put up with south Florida. Even a mile from Mexico in south Arizona can get quite nippy. But, my capacity to simply hang out turns out to have limits. Mine was a couple months. And, the confining space of my camper eventually got to be a bit much.
So....I think I'll be here for a month or more longer, and eventually go home near the end of February, after a visit with my kids in the NW. The camper will stay on the truck through the fall, there's plenty of camping and fishing to be done this summer back in Montana. I miss Montana.
I'll probably post a few times while here, but this is the last post on this blog. I'm not on a Road Trip any more. It was fun, and instructive. But it's time for something else. My daughter Kate had some good advise for things I can do when home to better occupy myself. I also didn't care for being so far from my kids, and I want to be able to drive for a day and see them if I want or need arises.
So, thanks all for your support and comments.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Winter of My Discontent, or, It's Raining Again
Another rainy and semi-windy day. My neighbor and new-found-friend and I decided not to go fishing; tomorrow the forecast is somewhat better. So I sat, watched the rain, napped, listened to music and thought.
Why am I doing this trip, anyway? Contrary to what I've been telling anyone who asks, it's not just to avoid shoveling snow this winter. I think it is more out of boredom, or lack of purpose. Before I stopped working, I was busy; work had, up until the last couple years, occupied and interested me. Teaching, training, help develop new products, refine existing ones, on and on. I went from that to basically twiddling my thumbs. I thought my interests would occupy my time fine: fishing, travelling, seeing and doing things not done. Turns out they don't. And it ain't just today's weather.
I thought this trip would be just the thing: new places, warm weather, life on the road. I've tried travelling constantly, a day or two in one place, moving on. I've tried staying weeks in one place. Getting comfortable, meeting people, and now in this place fishing. Good fishing, actually. Neither have captured me; made me say this is fine, this is what I'll do. It's fine for a bit, but......even if it were possible for me to continue this on to the future, I'd choose something else.
So. In a week or less, the trip is reversing course. I'll fill you in as it happens.
Cheers
The Winter of My Discontent, or, It's Raining Again
Another rainy and semi-windy day. My neighbor and new-found-friend and I decided not to go fishing; tomorrow the forecast is somewhat better. So I sat, watched the rain, napped, listened to music and thought.
Why am I doing this trip, anyway? Contrary to what I've been telling anyone who asks, it's not just to avoid shoveling snow this winter. I think it is more out of boredom, or lack of purpose. Before I stopped working, I was busy; work had, up until the last couple years, occupied and interested me. Teaching, training, help develop new products, refine existing ones, on and on. I went from that to basically twiddling my thumbs. I thought my interests would occupy my time fine: fishing, travelling, seeing and doing things not done. Turns out they don't.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Another evening
Dusk comes on a cloudy, warm day here in the south Texas Gulf. I went fishing today, caught 3 speckled trout on my 6wt, it was fun. The biggest was around 20", and while it fought well, it was less spectacular than a similar rainbow. I didn't keep any, a bit tired of fish at this point. The fellow I went with has a nice boat, and is as committed a flyfisher as I've met. I listened for hours to him talk about how it has taken over his life (my interpretation). Curious, I asked how long he's fly fished, and he said 8 years. He asked me when I started, and when I said I thought it was in 1952, he didn't pursue the topic.
This evening is less windy, warm and cloudy. Deer again come around begging.
I didn't take any picture out on the gulf. In truth, I was less than happy to be fishing today. This fellow was kind enough to invite me, he's starved for conversation with other 'fly fishing folk', I didn't think it appropriate to tell him that I was tired of this cult-like attitude towards fly fishing. I smiled, only occasionally saying when he mentioned fishing on a river on such and such a place that I'd fished there in the 70's when it was good.
So, I'm still enjoying being here. One takes it all, and picks and chooses, eh?
For those still commenting on the previous post, that's where I'm continuing the conversion, in the comments section.
Cheers
This evening is less windy, warm and cloudy. Deer again come around begging.
I didn't take any picture out on the gulf. In truth, I was less than happy to be fishing today. This fellow was kind enough to invite me, he's starved for conversation with other 'fly fishing folk', I didn't think it appropriate to tell him that I was tired of this cult-like attitude towards fly fishing. I smiled, only occasionally saying when he mentioned fishing on a river on such and such a place that I'd fished there in the 70's when it was good.
So, I'm still enjoying being here. One takes it all, and picks and chooses, eh?
For those still commenting on the previous post, that's where I'm continuing the conversion, in the comments section.
Cheers
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The things we dont' talk, or blog about
So, in my idle time here in the south gulf, I've been thinking. In these blogs I read, yours mostly, and you know what I'm talking about, yes, I mean you. There are subjects, issues not discussed. We discuss the easy things, the weather, the good food we're having, or the personal difficulties we have, sometimes. There are some larger issues out there, that are only tangentially discussed. I have a proposal: let's talk about them. Anonymous, if need be. You can all figure out how to post anonymous comments, it's easy.
So, let's make a list:
Immigration
Let's discuss border policy, the number of hispanics coming into the US, what that effect will be. Let's discuss the opening or closing of the borders and immigration, from other countries. What if the demographics in the US shift, to a majority of the population being non-white? Is that bad? Like to hear your thoughts.
The role of government
What is it? What should it be? Is the government too intrusive, and control too high? Do we pay too much taxes? If so, what is to be cut? Are schools and roads and health the province of the individuals, and if so, how do they pay, and how much? Was Roosevelt wrong when he instituted the New Deal? Are we willing to pay, through taxes, for the roads, infrastructure, schools and poor? What about the seniors....is ss something you working people will continue to fund even though you may not get any? Clearly, we have economic limitations to what we can do, with our current taxation. Look at Europe's taxation....are you willing to do that, to continue with something like our present system? If not, what are you going to do with the poor and seniors who cannot support themselves, through whatever circumstances? Do you think that 'get a job' is enough incentive?
Health Care
Should every American be responsible for the cost of health care he needs? Should a smoker have to pay, up front, for every lung function test? Someone who ate red meat pay out of pocket for each bypass or stint? Should they have to have health insurance, of some support? Should someone with a genetic disposed disease, such as alpha-one-antitrypsin deficient be required to pay for their lung care? Should alcoholics be made to pay up front for alcohol-related problems? Drug addicts? How about pregnancy, that's a choice, or isn't it? Birth control?
Our Education System
By every measure, we are falling behind the world. Math and Science in particular. We encourage video games, watching television, going to the mall, all instead of studying. The rate of descent is remarkable. What is to be done, if anything? We rely on the television, and other similar things as parenting tools. Does this play a role? Few American high schooled could go to Europe, Japan or China and work at the levels their peers are at in science. Is this a concern, or are all our kids going to McDonalds?
These are only a few of topics, but enough for this. I'm not asking for answers, just to see if anyone is interested. You and your generations are going to have to deal with this, and I'll be gone before any solution is found. If there are solutions.
One final note. Like my generation, yours might think that it cannot happen to us, it's too far off. I leave you with T. S. Elliot's famous line:
Cheers,
So, let's make a list:
Immigration
Let's discuss border policy, the number of hispanics coming into the US, what that effect will be. Let's discuss the opening or closing of the borders and immigration, from other countries. What if the demographics in the US shift, to a majority of the population being non-white? Is that bad? Like to hear your thoughts.
The role of government
What is it? What should it be? Is the government too intrusive, and control too high? Do we pay too much taxes? If so, what is to be cut? Are schools and roads and health the province of the individuals, and if so, how do they pay, and how much? Was Roosevelt wrong when he instituted the New Deal? Are we willing to pay, through taxes, for the roads, infrastructure, schools and poor? What about the seniors....is ss something you working people will continue to fund even though you may not get any? Clearly, we have economic limitations to what we can do, with our current taxation. Look at Europe's taxation....are you willing to do that, to continue with something like our present system? If not, what are you going to do with the poor and seniors who cannot support themselves, through whatever circumstances? Do you think that 'get a job' is enough incentive?
Health Care
Should every American be responsible for the cost of health care he needs? Should a smoker have to pay, up front, for every lung function test? Someone who ate red meat pay out of pocket for each bypass or stint? Should they have to have health insurance, of some support? Should someone with a genetic disposed disease, such as alpha-one-antitrypsin deficient be required to pay for their lung care? Should alcoholics be made to pay up front for alcohol-related problems? Drug addicts? How about pregnancy, that's a choice, or isn't it? Birth control?
Our Education System
By every measure, we are falling behind the world. Math and Science in particular. We encourage video games, watching television, going to the mall, all instead of studying. The rate of descent is remarkable. What is to be done, if anything? We rely on the television, and other similar things as parenting tools. Does this play a role? Few American high schooled could go to Europe, Japan or China and work at the levels their peers are at in science. Is this a concern, or are all our kids going to McDonalds?
These are only a few of topics, but enough for this. I'm not asking for answers, just to see if anyone is interested. You and your generations are going to have to deal with this, and I'll be gone before any solution is found. If there are solutions.
One final note. Like my generation, yours might think that it cannot happen to us, it's too far off. I leave you with T. S. Elliot's famous line:
This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper.
Cheers,
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