It’s a big one – weekend that is. Half the family will be off Apple picking. The other half (me) is off to the City’s Octoberfest Zinzinnati. I think that 120 varieties/brands of beer won out over three or four varieties of apples. Especially when that is in combination with 30+ food vendors and 30 musical acts (yup, it is the largest Octoberfest in the nation and second only to the original in Munch, Germany).

Besides, who can resist joining thousands doing the ‘Chicken Dance’, or watch the “Running of the Wieners.”

But it’s now still dark outside and my coffee is done; I can still wish that I didn’t have to get up and pour my own mug, can’t I? A delivery service similar to the way beer is served would be wonderful!

Morning Coffee Trivia: As just said, it’s morning and time to enjoy my coffee. I accept that it was Ulla Suoraniemi (coffee training expert in Helsinki) who thought that; “Coffee is the answer……who cares what the question is.”

Politicians vs Preachers – I’ve watched too many Senate hearings and the like. At each the amount of ‘double-speak’, obfuscation, ‘twisting in the wind’ all make someone like me cynical.

Hence, local boy Earl Pitts, to the rescue. He related in his own, story telling way, how it’s all the same whether politician or preacher. Here, listen to his words:

Thursday excitement Thursday evening is when we’re off to an evening with the CCJO (Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra) our town’s premier 17-piece jazz group. That in and of itself would be great, but for this season’s opener two members of the Rolling Stones touring band will join on stage.

Saxophonist Tim Ries and vocalist Bernard Fowler will join in with some of the Stones’ greatest hits. Hits that were all written by Cincinnati native Matt Harris!

The venue is the old converted Redmoor theater just down the street from our former home in Hyde Park. It’s a small venue and has an excellent chef on site—yup, it’ll be a dinner and music evening. Should be a fabulous time.

THE Corner Just to show how the ‘beat goes on’ at the corner of “Chaos and Mayhem”. Last week I posted a picture of a police cruiser securing our driveway while exploring what went on with a ‘Shot-Spotter’ notification of shots fired on an adjacent street.

This is a photograph taken this past week from the exact same angle, of Police and Fire (medical) on a call – it was a mental health issue a couple of doors down (cutting and the like). As they say about New York, but also applies at C&M, “the city (corner) never sleeps.”

Fini –

• I’ve been listening to a lengthy discussion on Economics. A preferred trend is to view wealth/poverty/trends through the lens of ‘time required’ as a cost; thus a constant throughout history and location is achieved. Using that, here is an example; “For the time it took our grandparents to earn the money to buy one song in 1955, we get 19,750 songs today.” This can be applied just as readily as work required to buy a pound of sugar in the mid-1800s versus today (1 to several hundred). Interesting stuff indeed.

• Spotted on the internet in response to the travel crisis: “Thoughts and prayers to the people of Martha’s Vineyard who are under a state of humanitarian crisis (125 National Guard were dispatched) thanks to the presence of 50 illegal immigrants.”

• Talking about dispatching authorities, this week the ‘My Pillow’ guy, returning from some Duck hunting in Iowa was surrounded by a series of massive black SUVs filled with FBI agents while sitting at a Hardees drive-through. The search had them confiscate a cell phone and discover an array of contraband found scattered in his car (proudly displayed). Confiscation of cell phones has become a ‘thing’ for every one of these raids (except for anyone named ‘Hillary”).

• Ever wondered what all the little spots on a QR code mean? I have and finally found the answer – which I still barely understand.

• Also seen, and something I made note of since the mid-term elections are just on the horizon. I spotted this by Tom Fitton, President of Judicial Watch; “Early voting is bad public policy.” I agree wholeheartedly!

• While in Canada I made plans to head for an evening of Poetry reading held at a restored Round Barn – one of a remaining handful of the exquisite structures. Vernon, who was the reader, came down with Covid and the event postponed. This past week Marlene and Donn attended the rescheduled event and she took this spectacular photo looking straight up the canopy of the barn. Isn’t it amazing?

• Almost every evening this week I’ve tuned in to watch the latest SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral. Every day it’s been scrubbed late into the countdown due to weather. Last evening was no different. Tonight is the night?

• Look at the attached photo. How many of you are old and wise enough to remember why the two little triangles were part of the radio’s dial at the 1240 and 640 positions. No cheating, but if you can’t stand it anymore, look up ‘Control of Electromagnetic Radiation’ or CONELRAD.

Ciao. Stay strong, stay involved, and be happy – life is precious!

Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

Should I begin by saying “Feliz Navidad” this Saturday morning? It was just announced in a news clip I came across that there are retail establishments with aisles decorated for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and – would you believe it – fully lit up Christmas trees. Let the Season begin (this with daytime temps in the mid-eighties)!

Anything to pull attention away from the slide into a recession, etc.

Morning Coffee Trivia: In 1953 (the year I arrived in North America) a guy by the name of Delbert E. Phinney of Seattle Washington invented the coffee-cup lid. It’s been stated that; “Coffee drinkers of the world will (would) be forever grateful.” Please tell that to my burned upper lip caused by the little opening in the ‘lidded’ coffee I purchased on my way home from the North Woods a week and a half ago.

A grand and classy grandmother left us this week. What was lost in a world of continuing chaos and mayhem (not only on our corner — see below) was the stability and continuity this lady exemplified. RIP Queen Elizabeth II.

In school in Toronto, on the day not long after her coronation, the new Queen came to visit Canada; we were each given a copper medallion inscribed with the details of the event. As a young lad having to walk home for a mile or so along a farm lined road I began tossing up and catching my medallion. All went well until it disappeared into the adjacent field. Searched for about half an hour; never did find my medallion.

That was my memory of someone who exuded both dignity and humanity. This same week I also caught a speech given by our ‘Veepness’. Think there is a comparison?

Now watch a minute of the exciting, motivational, and energizing words as offered by our Vice President:

Socialized Healthcare – for three weeks I was at our Northern Comfort place in the woods. It had been a long time so, with some eagerness, I visited with friends and neighbors. All of you probably know that when you get to be my age, often much of the discussion circles around health issues. These visits were no exception.

Canada has a government managed health care system. Here I could get off on some ‘screed’, but I won’t. I think the following Quote-of-the-Week will suffice:

”The essence of a government health care system – for people who have never lived under it and don’t know – is waiting, waiting, waiting. You wait for everything. You wait for years for operations that are routine in America” ~ Mark Steyn; author and radio/television presenter

California ‘Logic’: when a California gasoline ‘logic’ will possibly be implemented in our state, I will be ready. Of course I am making reference to the demand that gasoline and diesel engines be scrapped and only EV vehicles sold; all this in the very near future.

And, and this is the most critical part, the plan is to do so when rolling blackouts and AC shutdowns are the ‘modus operandi du jour’ [for Madame Kamala, this means; a method of functioning or working (at least for) today.] in that State

The attached photograph is of what will be my newly sourced replacement vehicle:

Fini –

• Question found on the internet shortly after seeing another SpaceX launch; if NASA launches a spaceship with only women as crew, will it be considered an unmanned flight?

• Even though it’s almost disappeared from our media, the Dutch farmer rebellion and protest is still very active. This past week the Dutch Agriculture Minister who was leading the radical Climate Agenda was toppled from his position

• Continuing with my Dutch ‘bits’. The Dutch city of Haarlem this past week became the first city in the world to ban meat advertising in public.

• Now that grandson Marin is working in the world of vertical farming, I bought some of their product at a nearby Whole Foods. Both Marcia and I were blown away. We had no idea that there would be such a taste difference and increased product longevity (although the little tomatoes disappeared in short order). Wow!

• Mid-week there was gunfire on the street running behind ours. Marcia heard it and with Shot Spotter the police had the exact location. Net result? Our street quickly had a number of cops ensuring that no ‘perp’ jumped a fence and thus come storming onto our ‘fiefdom’. The picture shows how our driveway was secured.

Ciao. Stay strong, stay involved, and stay happy. Later Marcia and I will be off to nearby St. Bernard for their St. Clemens festival and pig roast. Last evening we missed a performance by Stagger Lee. Today it’ll be Buzz Bin a high-energy all-90’s cover band. And, even better, I’ll be able to grab a beer and some Goettawurst.

Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

A great Saturday morning to everyone. Mid-week I drove back from the North Woods in Canada. The biggest shock was the 20-degree temperature and humidity jump (although nothing like the 100+ degree temperatures my brothers in California are experiencing).

I started the truck and left Northern Comfort at exactly 4:30AM. By 6:00AM I arrived at a deserted Border checkpoint. From that point on the homeward push was on, pulling to a halt in front of our Condo at four in the afternoon.

I’ve paid a bit of a body ‘re-set’ in the days since. Yesterday I did join the brothers for our morning Zoom, exercise session – so maybe I am getting back to normal.

Morning coffee trivia: I believe I am correct when I mention that when we smell coffee at the beginning of our day, it will help us properly wake up. My coffee has been made and I’ve downed my first cup. All is well.

”You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.” ~ Alan Alda

why ‘solo’ in the woods? Having a cabin also means that there are requisite things to do (as I discovered seeing the 2 to 3 foot grasses surrounding the place). So there were an array of chores.

However, 3-books later it also means that the peace and quiet was something to relish. Then the walks and paddling ventures by kayak were more than just a bonus. All of this while being surrounded by nature’s choir – everything from yodeling Loons to chattering Otters (with Crows and Ravens providing the base lines). Can’t forget the close-by ‘tail-slap’ from a Beaver diving into its lodge either.

So, rather than chatter on and on, here is my stay in Northern Comfort in picture form. Enjoy (and be certain to click on each to expand your view).

Some of us were heading north, others preparing to head south




dinner at the Outpost
      

Rib Roast and games at the nearby Wharncliffe Community hall


      

reading time
      

Animal Kingdom
        
      

paddling




cooking
      

views
      



time with family & friends


      

work never ceased
 

And as always, the one that wasn't caught!


Fini –

• Brother George is celebrating his Birthday today.

• This past Thursday my mother would have been 111 years old. Kirstin wrote some beautiful words which I think worth repeating. Thanks Kirstin.

“On September 1st, 111 years ago, my grandmother, our Omi, was born. I came across her obituary again recently and I was reminded not only of what an incredible human being she was, but also of her fortitude and the similarity of us becoming fairly young widows with sons to raise. In fact both of our youngest sons were age 11 when their dads died. Over the past few years whenever I’m feeling down I think of her and the courage and strength she had to help get me through. How I would love to be able to sit with her now over a cup of tea and talk about how she was able to get through those times. I truly don’t know how she managed, alone with 4 boys in a new country. And if you happen to know my dad and uncles, you know it wasn’t easy! We’re celebrating you today, Omi. Happy Birthday!“

• Cleaning out my mailbox after returning I had received an update from our local 17-member Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and their evening later this month featuring two members of the Rolling Stones’ touring band. BAM! Tickets were secured immediately!

Ciao. Stay strong, stay involved, and stay happy. Keep on storming the castle.

Pray for Peace.

Dirk

I hope you’re having a great Saturday morning. The following preamble is in deference to our highly esteemed and current Veep. Let me begin these ‘Ramblings‘ with this intro:

It’s dark outside and I am sitting at my, somewhat disheveled, desk – wood with a black plasticized insert. Even though I am not a biologist and realizing we live in ‘fluid’ times, I believe myself to be a male and a father. My pronoun is ‘is’, yes as in ‘is’ (by explanation, I woke up this morning and therefore ‘I is’). This morning I am wearing a light-grey tee with Pink Pony logo and lettering (the tee has been grey all along and was never white).

At this point and to conclude the preamble, please join me with a hearty laugh!

This is all serious stuff and I want you to know I am not making fun.

Let me know if you if you think I did her Veepness justice:

Morning coffee trivia: It appears that currently in the Netherlands, Ireland, and in Canada the groundwork has been laid to kill farming. These nation’s ‘fascist’ dictatorial leaders will struggle to do the same with coffee growers. Really? Struggle? Yes really, since worldwide there are approximately 25,000,000 coffee farmers.

And, with 80% of our adult population wanting to pour a cuppa-Java in the morning (that’s just for the U.S.) the ‘torches-and-pitchforks’ would come out should we be denied.

”Every civilization has been mostly right about its predecessors and rivals, and mostly wrong about itself. Because knowledge can be shared and accumulated over time, each successive civilization has, in bits and pieces, stumbled……(forward).” ~ The Tree of Woe

why have we gone nutso?: What we’re seeing as dominant and screamed proudly everywhere, from newscasts, classrooms, churches, even to the Halls of government is a dominance, a progressivism. The new ‘Voice’ of right-speak – right-thought. Whichever of these ‘voices’ penetrate into your personal world; they believe itself to be right about everything. Likewise these ‘voices’ similarly believe that all which preceded and all who disagree to be wrong about everything.

The ‘voices’ I mentioned are those whose opinions can be freely expressed without push-back, whether it’s at a social gathering, listened to on any MSNBC or CNN broadcast, can be discussed on any campus, proudly promoted at elite gatherings in places such as Davos, the Marxist oriented WEF and WHO. These are the ‘voices’ whose tenets form the core of new legislation and thus a new more ‘perfect’ world.

The ‘voices’ forming our contemporary consensus believes that any disagreement is not just mildly out of step on reality. Disagreement with the current consensus dictates that those opinions are wrong on the fundamentals; our society’s very building blocks would be fractured. They are, in fact, thought to be so out of step that unless the current ‘voice’ and consensus is fully adopted the resultant calamity would lead to society’s ruination.

So, maybe you can cope with some ridicule for expressing disagreement. Possibly you can deal with workplace difficulties expressing your beliefs if these are not in lock-step with the accepted. But, can you survive being told to stay quiet at the family thanksgiving dinner?

Listen to the prophetic speech given by Paul Harvey in 1965 (and updated over time) – this version from probably sometime during the 1990s:

Off to Northern Comfort is a little more than a week and a half away. Hence, next week I need to get serious and make certain that all the ‘i’s have been dotted and the ‘t’s crossed.

The crossing itself is not anymore onerous than it was pre-Covid, it’s just the detail required to get to that point. Canada requires an all be loaded on one’s mobile, ArriveCan ap, and it’s quite detailed. Screw up and Canada’s penalties are beyond just severe.

My food stuffs contain a Costco tray of Kimchi soup. Yesterday I tested one and declared it to be a home-run. So I guess that also means I am just about ready.

the J6-‘insurrection’ show – I’ve followed somewhat since news about this political circus have been hard to escape. Here is how I saw the event progress (as some other sage wrote):
1. “Trump attempted a planned insurrection.
2. Okay, loosely planned.
3. Okay, not planned, but he encouraged it.
4. Okay, he didn’t encourage it, but he didn’t try to stop it.
5. Okay, he did try to stop the violence, but he should have done more, and sooner, during the fog of war”.
And how much is this event costing us the taxpayers?

Fini –

• Dinah is on her way home from San Diego, California. From the stream of photos sent it appears to have been a wonderful time.

• Yesterday, July 29, in 1958 NASA was established.

• A missal in Sallzburg from circa 1478 points out just how artists of that time painted some very strange things. Any thoughts on this detail from “The Dream of the Magi”?

• Canada has begun to provide more detail of the response to Covid and the push for vaccinations. This is compiled from Ontario data.

• I like this quote from a Canadian prairies farmer named Jason: “I’m a 4th generation farmer which makes my kids the 5th. We are not afraid of drought, debt, grasshoppers, hail, bumper crops or poor crops, BSE, blizzards, climate, or markets. What I am afraid of is…..TRUDEAU”.

• This past week back in 1793 Maximillien Robespierre was executed in Paris on the guillotine. The same fate he had inflicted on thousands of innocent Frenchmen when he was the key promoter that instrument during the French Revolution.

• This past week was Chili Dog Day. The folks at Skyline Chili promoted their “Build your Dinner” during that day (actually it’s ‘week’). Contestants are invited to pick an item from each row and send their answers in for a random drawing.

• Do you realize that we, America, are spending $370billion to reduce carbon emissions, while China has just ordered 300-million more Tons of coal? From The Times, July 20, 2022

• Under the look it up department, Wikipedia caved to the Biden regime by changing the accepted definition of “recession” as a significant business cycle contraction of two-consecutive quarters of decline in economic activity (used since 1974, by economist Julius Shiskin). Then Wikipedia locked the page.

• What it looked like on board ships returning soldiers home to New York at the end of WWII.

• There is little press but realize that in the nations mentioned at the start of the Ramblings that there are thousands of farmers fighting for their very livelihoods, fighting for our food supplies, and bucking oppressive regimes and a rogue WEF.

• Monday Marin starts a new job and I am excited for him. If he lets me detail it after we talk I’ll detail. Till then, you gotta wait.

Later today I’ll be heading for Northern Kentucky to celebrate at this weekend’s Goetta Fest. Marcia struggles with the smell of the stuff as I (occasionally) make breakfast with it. Canada will be my opportunity and I am hoping to find a new recipe or two at the Fest.

Next Saturday there most likely NOT be any Ramblings. Friday we’ll be at the Willie Nelson concert and driving back Saturday morning.

Ciao. Daylight has arrived and with Adrianne and Tevita out of town I have a desperately waiting doggy waiting to be walked. I’ll post ASAP upon completing my duty. Stay strong, stay involved, and stay happy. Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

For us it’s a pleasant, although hot, Saturday morning. Our go-to television weather guy is promoting a ‘Heat Advisory’ – all done up in a lovely, pinkish colored map.

It did make me realize just how much we are influenced by color and how it can change our perception of things.

Europe is having a hot spell and I came across these two maps of Western Europe. The first is from 2017, the second 2022. Temperatures are much alike. However, the 2017 map displayed in a standard green background. The 2022 is filled with yellow, pink, and flaming red colors. Are your reactions different looking at one and the other? And the reason is?

I am detecting that the hype surrounding Covid is quickly fading. As replacement, a even more disastrous, ‘the-world-is-ending’ event seems to be the push on Global Warming or the even more encompassing; Climate Change. Could that new hype play into seeing more colorful weather maps on our TVs?

Morning coffee trivia: Unlike Europe, in the US when a restaurant’s wait staff comes by with an orange-handled coffee pot it means ‘Decaf’ (coffee with reduced caffeine). Correct, no? So what exactly is caffeine?
Answer: Caffeine is the coffee plant’s natural defense against bugs. And apparently it also affects many of us – but not everyone to the same degree.

More and more like a Greyhound Bus: Yesterday I watched one of Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets being launched from their Vandenberg Space Force Base on the West coast. This was the 32nd launch this year and many of these launches were on their reusable rockets. With this launch they have placed nearly 3,000 Starlink communications satellites in orbit.

I am enough of a kid at heart to stop what I am doing and take time to chant with control people; “ten – nine – eight – seven ……”

If you haven’t seen a launch from Vandenberg watch this 40-second video which I captured from yesterday’s launch – it’s a totally different looking launch venue.

The Corner of Chaos & Mayhem is so exciting! Last Sunday we had a demonstration of how anyone can ‘blow’ many thousands of dollars in mere seconds, just by driving crazy!

The driver careened through one of our all-corner Stop signs and then mid-way through the intersection opted to make a hard right-hand turn. Actually this is all probably conjecture since I didn’t see it happen; however the end result is totally accurate.

Anyway, the net outcome was parking his car on top of a section of a three story power pole which resided adjacent to our condo bedroom (after snapping it cleanly in not one, but TWO places). Of course the airbag went off, and the vehicle is now valued at whatever electronic chips can be salvaged.

Here is a photographic run-down of the event. Luckily we kept power until the energy company turned it off as a new pole was placed. A crew of about ten along with four cherry-pickers and a pickup truck worked throughout the night to replace the pole, replace two transformers, rehang three tiers of power and electronics cabling, one street light, and then restore our power. And they did just that! Amazing efficiency!

Tuesday morning our internet was restored by our Internet service provider laying a temporary line alongside the sidewalk – extension cord style / third world look.

”You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” ~ Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome

Marcus Aurelius – A few weeks ago I opened the curtain and displayed my summer reading list for my Canadian stay starting next month. On top of that list is a book called “Meditations” written by Marcus Aurelius, an early Emperor of Rome (161AD – 180AD). He was a Stoic and one of the greats in Roman (and human) history.

What I have been doing is look up ‘stuff’ about the man from a number of different sources to gain a better insight prior to reading his material. Along the way I ended up watching a short interview from “The Joe Rogan Experience”. Rogan has a sit down with Ryan Holiday of Daily Stoic and it is something you will enjoy. Please take the time!

Fini –

• Dinah is on her way for a week with her cousin in San Diego, California. It’ll be a week of Rowing Camp and a mega-ton of fun and good times!

• Heading for Canada shortly I came across this piece mentioning that Canada’s Environment minister had to cancel an across Canada climate train tour after he realized that several big cities are not served and several other only once or twice a week. Whoops!

• “If kids knew what they wanted to be at age eight, the world would be filled with cowboys and princesses. I wanted to be a pirate. Thank God nobody took me seriously and scheduled me for eye removal and peg leg surgery.” Bill Maher

• Dr. Eli David; “97% of scientists agree with whoever is funding them. The other 3% are banned from social networks.”

• June 29, 1989 newspaper headline; “U.N. Predicts Disaster if Global Warming is Not Checked”

• The oldest door in Great Britain made from the timber of the original Anglo-Saxon abbey making it around 1,000 years old.

• Russell Brand; “It’s a scam…The objective is not to get the (Dutch) farmers to behave in an organic, responsible, ecologically apposite manner. Far from it. It’s in order to bankrupt the farmers so that their land can be grabbed.”

• Do you find it not interesting that Biden’s DOJ will not prosecute the Steve Colbert crew for committing the same ‘crime’ Trump supporters were tossed into solitary confinement and bankruptcy while being labeled as terrorists? No, that can’t be, there is only one legal standard.

• Well lookie here what I got in the mail. Snail mailed at 57-cents postage. Two weeks of travel into the city to be present from 8:30 – 4:00, park, eat, and do so for $6.00 per day. And for me to request an exemption it’s my stamp because the internet hasn’t yet reached our courthouse. What a lovely system for the year 2022. The idea of Jury Duty is great, the implementation here sucks.

Ciao. Daylight has arrived and it’s a new day; stay strong, stay involved, and stay happy. Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

Enjoy this mid-summer Saturday. I actually plotted to try and spot Comet C/2017 K2. Two days ago this mega comet passed its closest point to earth and thus was most visible to us. I read that this means that it is nearing; “the end of its roughly 3 million-year journey towards the sun from the outer region of the solar system known as the Oort Cloud.” The vastness of space constantly amazes.

Side note, I couldn’t spot old C/2017 K2 other than on photos on the web.

However, since my eyes were skyward this week, yesterday morning I did capture the July’s full ‘Buck’ moon, a ‘supermoon’; since it’s the largest of the year. I took this photo at 7:10AM yesterday morning when it was already daylight (taken with my little, rock solid, Apple series 7, smartphone and it’s ancient camera configuration).

Morning coffee Marcia must have smelled the coffee and asked if I’d been to bed (yes, I had and had just gotten up – a little late). The reason was that it had been 3:00AM this morning before I had gone to bed.

I needed to pick up Tevita, Adrianne, Vai, & Vili at the airport at 7:45 last night. After hours of some mechanical delay at their Denver stopover they were handed a new airplane. Their landing was now 1:00AM. Add to that a baggage issue and one quickly gets to a 3:00AM bedtime.

Coffee Trivia –:
Do you know what an ‘ibrik’ is? Answer, and this for Bulent in Canada who I’ll see in about three weeks, it’s a copper pot with a long handle, used for making coffee in Turkey. If you haven’t ever had Turkish coffee, be prepared for some very strong stuff and you’ll finish your small cup with a mouthful of coffee grounds.

Corner of Chaos & Mayhem Apparently we have the perfect corner, a – full stop – followed by a gentle slope, then turn 1 heading towards I-75 – for many it’s a race track. Next, I am grateful of our Police department for their faithful testing of the ‘track’ condition prior to the citizenry gunning through here.

Last Saturday, as I had just finished posting, I heard the test run followed by a thud. I should point out a light, misty, rain was falling. Result; one cruiser less on city streets, one replacement set of airbags setting sail in Japan.

”We are at present working discreetly with all our might to wrest this mysterious force called sovereignty out of the clutches of the local nation states of the world. All the time we are denying with our lips what we are doing with our hands.” ~ Professor Arnold Toynbee, in a June 1931 speech before the Institute for the Study of International Affairs in Copenhagen.

Going Dutch –, The Dutch Lion rises; as so in France, Canada, Italy, Sri Lanka, Portugal, the UK, Germany, Spain, Australia and the USA. The Globalist agenda has hit a roadblock. Governance by a handful of Davos WEF aficionados, and their lackeys such as Trudeau, Rukke, Boris Johnson, and the like, all promoting extremist views are done. In the UK Johnson is gone, in socialist Sri Lanka president Rajapaksa has fled, in Italy Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Thursday that he would resign. And so, the chips have begun to fall.

Here in our country Joe Biden’s “presidential approval rating is at record lows compared with the past 11 men to hold the office.” How long can he hold on?

Stats The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has the Consumer prices up 8.9% (as of May 2022 year over end). So what does this mean for any specific area?

• Food + 10.4%
• Chicken + 18.6%
• Eggs + 33.1%
• Seafood + 11%
• Bacon +11.9%
• Rice + 11.9%
• Milk + 16.4%
• Fuel Oil + 98.5%
• Gas + 59.9%
• Public Transportation + 23.7%
• Fresh Fruit & veggies + 8.1%

Graphically, this is what we’re seeing right now:

Fini –

• This week it was a Happy Birthday to Pieter. Plus, he got written up in his local paper for his volunteer work, investing in his community as a key player with KDRT 95.7FM Davis radio, especially his weekly “Listening Lyrics” show. Congratulations Pieter!

• Hard to find a parking place heading for Lowe’s mid-week.

• SpaceX launched another rocket this week. This one heading supplies to the International Space Station. Here’s a photo that’s shows scale. The bottom section lands itself shortly after launch and this one has already had several flights:

• Did you know that each wind turbine requires 900 tons of steel, 2,500 tons of concrete, and 45 tons of non-recyclable plastic to build. On average each windmill has a useable life of 25-years and needs up to 700 gallons of oil for lubrication every year. How’s that for the environment?

• Texas has asked Tesla and other EV owners to not charge their vehicles during “peak times” which are listed as being between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The ‘idea’ of transitioning away from fossil fuels, and toward green energy alternatives is probably good; question though, how ready are we? Are we ready for ‘prime-time’?

• Since I will be heading north, solo, Marcia is exploring newer opportunities being on her own for a number of weeks. This week we discussed placing a test-run order:

• Rather than using one spray after another to control your friendly neighborhood bugs. Try exploring using these truly natural solutions and remember, Mint also keeps mice at a distance:

• I’ve had discussions with friends on the uptick of young males getting involved with murders, shootings, and robberies, and I think in large part this behavior is due to the lack of a father figure in their life. Look at this chart and then reflect on what occurred during during the period the graph jumps upward like crazy:

• Several years ago Vili found and assembled this stone figure while at the Lake. We brought it back here and placed it next to our condo’s entry walkway from where it can see these glorious Hibiscus flowers.

Ciao, sadly my three walks a day with Rugby have now come to an end. Maybe on occasion he’ll let me accompany him on a walk. Stay strong, stay involved, and stay happy. Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

Enjoy a wonderful Saturday. Mid-week the weather here turned ‘rough’ and Marcia and I were completely unaware. We were at an event in the core of the city (see below). Upon leaving we saw sheets of rain and curbside, 4-foot in diameter, ceramic planters blown over lying on their sides.

The rains eased quickly and the two of us hustled to a nearby coffee shop in case there was round two. Plus they really did have some great coffee and scones.

Using our ‘Geezer-Pass’ we took the transit bus home. Once there the news informed that the nearby small town of Goshen had been hit by a Tornado with winds between 113mph and 130mph. Wiped out in the resultant mess were the fire station and the police station; in other words, all the services needed in an emergency.

Coffee Trivia –:
In 1906, a Belgian man living in Guatemala by the name George Washington invented instant coffee. Unlike President George Washington, I have little use for this Washington’s invention.

Dutch Farmers –:

”My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman and a preacher. But every day – three times a day – you need a farmer” ~ Brenda Schoepp – farmer

In conjunction with the new World Order, probably as drafted by the World Economic Forum, Dutch farmers have been ordered to cut back on food production in order to fight “climate change”. Reduce livestock and nitrogen levels in the fields by 30%.

In rough numbers, our atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen and 20% oxygen. Hence the ordered 30% reduction for these farmers is meaningless in and of itself. Bankrupting long standing family farms and cause food shortages in Europe has to be a ploy for something much more; there is something much bigger in play.

Hence, the Dutch farmers have gone to the Canadian Trucker’s playbook with peaceful blockades. It now also seems like the government has gone to the same playbook with a Canadian-style crackdown. Not good and very sad.

One additional question, can anyone explain why this major and ongoing event is getting little or no play in our media?

By the way, notice that the old bugaboo, CO2, as a cause of “climate change” has been pretty well debunked. Nitrogen is now the new enemy?

The photo below showing Plymouth Rock tells the tale of the seriousness of the rise of our ocean waters. How many millions have the likes of Obama, Gates, Bazos, and numerous others spent on waterfront properties? Hmmmm?

Vincent van Gogh only lived to age 37, yet in that short time he produced over 3,000 paintings, even more sketches, and nearly 1,000 letters – most to his brother Theo. He was a painter of little note during his lifetime and now is regarded as one of the true masters. It is through these letters that we’ve gained insight into how his ‘minds-eye’ saw the world.

With that detail as a backdrop, on Wednesday Marcia and I attended a touring event going under the banner of; Vincent van Gogh, The Immersive Experience. We both agree that it was one of the most amazing and impressive art functions we’ve ever attended!

Rather than me ‘blathering’ on and on – take a look:

First is this 30-second video clip showing a morsel of van Gogh’s extensive Japanese phase.

Rugby – is now sitting with his legs crossed. This week, while the gang is vacationing, my relationship with their dog, Rugby, has grown immensely. He happily accompanies me on several walks a day. In turn I not only make certain he gets fed, but that he also gets a treat – occasionally.

So, I best cut this short and start ‘walk of the day’ #1.

Fini –

• This week it was a Happy Birthday to Marin.

• This past week was former Beatle, Ring Star’s, 82nd Birthday

• Back from vacation, Kirstin had a bount of Covid, but now is well on the road to recovery. This virus seems to act different for almost everyone, most running between a mild to a more knock-you-down level of flu.

• Last week’s Rambling I focused in part on a Canadian grandmother (who was a police dispatcher for almost 40 years). Who has been charged with the massive crime of ‘mischief’ due to her involvement in the Canadian Trucker’s Freedom Convoy, spent time in jail waiting for a hearing, and was finally extended bail (on a second try). Then received special permission to attend a gala where she was awarded an annual national “Freedom” award. And now is again in jail for breaking her bail conditions all for taking a group photograph after her appreciation speech. Where has the Canada of my youth gone?

The following video clearly outlines both the nuttiness and corruption used by the government to lock up this quiet 5” tall woman.

Ciao, after a slow start, last weekend’s Fire Works were on full display. The crackling and booms went on for several hours.
I did take a break to first walk Rugby, a 1-miler before the rains start. He was great and I promised him a treat. Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

Enjoy a wonderful Saturday coupled to a very Happy Independence Day weekend. Then, wishing a belated Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends.

Their Canada Day (July 1st) would have been so much better for everyone had they released their political prisoner, Tamara Lich, to spend time with her grandkids.

If you hadn’t heard, Tamara loves Canada and especially it’s Freedoms and has been active promoting it. Because of her leadership role in the Truckers Freedom Convoy which ran across Canada and to the capital, Ottawa, she is being held political prisoner under a trumped-up charge of ‘mischief’.

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, their ‘black-face’ narcissistic-in-chief has been going all out trying to maintain control; “sorry Tamara, nothing personal, you were just in the way”.

Coffee Trivia –:
Once, in old London town, they had their big double-decker busses run on coffee. Project Bio beans and Shell; they tried to transform coffee beans into diesel and this was successful. It wouldn’t surprise me if the lads and lasses (staying with Brit talk) discussed this Bio-coffee solution at the G7.

I say the latter since I’ve not seen anything of ‘worth’ spring forth from this austere group.

July 4th –

”My fellow Americans, we’re known around the world as a confident and happy people. Tonight there’s much to celebrate and many blessings to be grateful for. So while it’s good to talk about serious things, it’s just as important and just as American to have some fun. Now let’s have some fun – let the celebration begin!” ~ President Ronald Reagan, July 4, 1986 Address to the Nation

”Desolation Row” (Bob Dylan) – Midweek’s walk – of almost six miles – gave plenty of time to open up Spotify. All week it’d been various podcasts I listened to, this time it was music. In fact it was a whole hour and a half of Bob Dylan.

It’s easy to forget what a fabulous poet’s he’s been all these years. He’s a true national treasure! The piece that jumped out at me, he wrote it over half a century ago – ‘Desolation Row’.

If you listen to or read the words, do not focus on each word and every line; take a more comprehensive and holistic world-wide view of his word pictures. If you do, it’s as if that half century ago he was foretelling a future as the one we’re currently mired in.

A future where police stand by idly while a ‘Pride’ parade marches by with mostly naked men ‘twerking’ their bare a**es at flag waving toddlers.

A world where people, ‘leaders’ and politicians, en masse, trumpet for some mythical ‘right’ to murder 3,000 unborn humans each and every day.

A world where Post-Modernist people – church sanctioned – can happily announce their ‘Trouple’ by mailing out invitations. It wasn’t all that long ago words such as “polygamy’, ‘polyamory’, ‘polyandry’, all from their ancient Greek roots were the descriptors; bundled under the banner of, wink-wink, “threesome”. Today we’re so much more sophisticated; now it’s the more uplifting, much happier sounding, ‘trouple’. Party on!

A world where you can get arrested and fined for using a wrong pronoun, while during a recession politicians extend themselves pay raises. Meanwhile continue squeezing us out of more and more of our freedoms all under the rubric of giving us a ‘New World Order’.

I could go on, but then it’d be a rant – which I want to avoid. However, you get my drift.

’Ancient Medicine’ – Most times I read that ‘life expectancy’ keeps on rising. In fact today’s generation of newborns supposedly will be able to lead happy productive lives into a ripe age of 100.

So I wonder why my mail in-box gets messages from any number of ‘snake-oil’ sales companies with language such as this: “That’s why we created our Ultimate Guide to Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Medicine. In it, you’ll learn about intuitive healing, herbalism, tongue diagnosis, a cousin to acupuncture that uses heat instead of needles, face reading, and more.”

Wasn’t it during these “Ancient Medicine” times where average life expectancy was not much more than age 40?

I wonder if the various “Psychics” and “Palm Readers” have the correct answer; after all, they are all knowing and all seeing. Aren’t they amongst the very wealthy?

Northern Comfort – Not too many days after the Willie Nelson concert early next month, I am planning to head into the North Woods and to our Northern Comfort (our cabin in the woods).

I know what is important. Hence. my first preparatory move has been to load up the Kindle with summer readings (Marcia would just shake her head in disbelief that this would be the first). In order to help assist you getting motivated organizing your own summer line-up, here is mine:

• Meditations – the musings of Marcus Aurelius; arguably the best Emperor of ancient Rome (from 161 to 180 AD). Written to assist in his own guidance, these are the private notes to himself and his ideas on Stoic philosophy. The first few pages prove to be extremely readable. “I am hoping from this one to gain” (as Yoda would say).

• 1984 — George Orwell. I’ve read this classic, but that was over two decades ago, so it’s time for a refresher.

• Death Rides the Zephyr — Janet Dawson. The only fiction in the bunch. I picked it for two reasons, my passion for lengthy, adventure filled, train rides and the derailment of the California to Chicago Amtrak train a little over a week ago.

• The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy — Dr. Thomas Sowell. At age 92 and still very active, he is arguably the nation’s pre-eminent Economist. This book was written in the mid-seventies and is still offering; “a provocative critique of the failures of liberalism.” Sowell is black, was raised in Harlem, and is close to topping the list of thinking conservatives. At age 92 he’ll pin any one of the cadre of ‘race-baiting’ charlatans to the proverbial wall.

Can’t wait to get it started!

Vacations – are in full swing. Kirstin and the boys in California are doing it all by hiking through our National Parks. Meanwhile Adrianne, Tevita, and the kids will be heading out tomorrow morning to end up for a week in Hawaii. Happy for them!

Fini –
• Here’s a question about using a thumbprint to open your mobile. What happens after getting ‘nicked’ by a ‘mandolin’ when slicing veggies and a bandage is required? Asking for a friend.

• This week it was a Happy Birthday to Jolene and our Kellen ~ many more.

• Last weekend it was off to the (really) old neighborhood and the Farmers Market on the square. All week long, every day, it’s been one wild array of salad after another, from Waldorf on.

• Knowing what the place (the really old neighborhood) is like these days I was in a bit of a quandary whether we should be using the ‘Regular’ or take the longer line and go through the ‘Organic’ entrance at the market.

• Today in 1937 aviator Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan were heard from for the last time prior to their plane’s disappearance on their around the world flight attempt.

• Also today, but in 2001, in neighboring Louisville, KY was performed the worlds very first Self-Contained Artificial Heart Transplant. The main problem with the ‘heart’ was size (big) and a machine life expectancy of just 180 days. After a small number of trial patients, further development was stopped.

• Planned Parenthood was originally called “The Negro Project” and was started by Margaret Sanger, an avowed eugenics proponent. It’s clear that the organization’s ‘birth’ was firmly rooted in what can best be described as a means of controlling growth of our black population. I mention this because of the current Roe vs Wade turmoil – it’s a real ‘kerfuffle’.

• We gave our latest nearby restaurant, Ford, a close-up inspection. Its décor is amazing and door handles like I’ve never seen before.

• Maybe I should repeat until this is over, so here it is again; “I know that with all that’s happening it’s easy to forget that we are still holding January 6 ‘political’ prisoners in prison in DC. They have not been formally charged and by not having a ‘speedy’ trial are being denied their basic human rights.”

Ciao, I hope that the Fireworks this weekend won’t cause you loss of sleep nor have your pets go into a panic mode. Just go outside, light a cigar, and ‘drink’ it all in. Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

As my little side-banner states, “Happy Saturday”, and it’s already off to a good start. I just started Mr. Coffee with the first pot of Tim Hortons coffee from my new purchase. We were just about out of coffee and I happened to be at Costco. Lo and behold, a whole space dedicated to Tim Hortons, 3-lb tins of medium roast.

Then the phone rang and it was Paul. I had been thinking it was about time for me to give him a call – then he beat me to it. At one point he could hear some loud car barreling away from the Stop sign outside and wondered what he had heard. That talk turned to occasionally (about once a year) seeing a huge cadre of motorbikes blast by; but none so far. It wasn’t but an hour later Marcia and I were regaled by probably about 70 bikes of all sizes and shapes racing on by at speed – none even slowed one iota careening through the corner Stop sign. The ‘corner of Chaos and Mayhem‘ had come alive. The level of self-entitlement some people display is astounding.

A while later it was Marcia who heard on the Police scanner me that our Futball ‘soccer’ Club was playing Orlando and there was extra activity by the stadium. I knew about the game but had forgotten (not an age thing), so on went the TV and I ended up seeing a great defensive game. Our boys won 1 – 0.

As I said, the weekend is off to a great start.

Coffee Trivia –:
Now that age is creeping up on me, it’s the Japanese who believe that bathing in coffee grounds fermented with pineapple pulp will reduce wrinkles and beautify the skin. Should I try it?

It’s become so that hardly anyone actually sends a letter via a postal service, but let me share this bit from Brazil. At one time Brazil created a stamp that smelled like coffee. This stamp was designed to promote Brazilian coffee; allegedly the smell would stay for almost five years.

One of the most pathetic—and dangerous—signs of our times is the growing number of individuals and groups who believe that no one can possibly disagree with them for any honest reason ~ Thomas Sowell, Professor and Philosopher

For the children? – Full blown is the push to vaccinate our youngest children, down to the toddlers, against Covid; they are the very least and most minimally affected. There have been virtually no (as in zero) proper studies for efficacy and long term effects. Nevertheless, parents are told it’s “the science”. Those of us who label this as ‘child abuse’ (and there are many) are pushed aside. Are parents being urged to jab only by ‘conjecture’?

I just want everyone to dig into their memory banks, on the tragedy, then also in the name of “the science”, which we hoisted on our most vulnerable; the elderly. When seniors living in institutional facilities were locked up and inaccessible; where thousands died in bitter isolation. It was ‘the science’ you know.

History will not speak kindly of this.

Willie Nelson update – and the concert we’re heading to is only about a month out. Just about every week I pass on to Marcia something Willie related to build anticipation. This was this week’s offering – definitely worth a listen – especially if you like this piece by Charles Aznavour:

A ‘goon’ squad? – Is it just me, or has the FBI turned into a partisan goon squad? Available on beck and call; operating during the dark of night with CNN standing by, cameras rolling. Performing more than questionable legal activities, all at the behest of the current administration. Struggling with this?

There is a lot which the FBI won’t touch. How about beginning with Hunter Biden, his breaking of gun laws and his influence-peddling schemes; where they claim they can’t even find the guy’s laptop though signed over to them two years ago. Then, how about Epstein’s ‘fixer’, Ghislaine Maxwell – how many names in her little Black book are being questioned? Answer, none.

But, here’s what they can (and are) doing to name just a couple;

• Paul Manafort pulled out of bed in his pajamas by a ‘swat’ team (with CNN cameras across the street) and hauled in when he had informed that his attorney was willing to meet and discuss.
• Sweeping the offices of Project Veritas and treating James O’Keefe like a criminal after they had legally purchased Ashley Biden’s diary, which includes an allegation of possible misconduct by the current president.
• The latest is a raid on Michael McDonald, the Republican chairman in Nevada, and the seizure of his phone. Crime? A “fake electors” scheme where some Republican electors pledging to vote for Donald Trump. As the report notes, that move was purely ceremonial and held no legal weight.

Aside of political shenanigans at the start of the mid-term elections (impeccable timing people), what we’re seeing is a two-tiered justice system. The damage to the reputation of the FBI is palpable. I just thought you’d want to know – unless you do want to see our nation turn into the likes of a ‘Banana’ Republic, then never mind.

Meanwhile we’re watching our leadership march on. By the way, the magic word of the day is “Asufutimael’haehfutbw”:

Bluenose – This month- 6-years ago – Marcia and I spent time in the Canadian maritime provinces. A highlight of that trip (there were many) was a close-up look at the upkeep effort taking place on the schooner, the Bluenose in Halifax harbor. What’s the significance of this ship? Oh, not too much, it’s just the etched picture on every Canadian dime. Thought I’d make note of this great memory.

Fini –
• Here in the ‘hood there is a whole new way for ensuring your car is properly locked.

• without specificity – “SCOTUS isn’t illegitimate, they are the final word, and they didn’t strike down any law yesterday.” Found on the web.

• With the current cost of gasoline (something we made note of on our 1,000 mile trip a week or so ago); “Vladimir Putin did NOT cancel the Keystone Pipeline”!

• This week I discovered that the Quaker sect is only about 350,000 workd wide. In the USA there are approximately 87,000 Quakers out of the 350,000. Therefore, with so few in number, I thought it interesting that a mere few blocks from our home and in our neighborhood, is a Community of Friends – Quaker house of worship.

• Unthinking heroism: Anita Alvarez lost consciousness in the pool during world water championships in Budapest. Spaniard Fuentes, past Olympic Gold Medalist, jumped into the pool and brought Alvarez back to the surface and aid (apparently she is OK).

• Remember the 500-million per day plastic straws in the ocean hysteria? It seems that stat was an invention by a nine year old for a school project. I suspect the kid got an A+.

• Yesterday morning there were 5 planets of our solar system perfectly aligned, something not to occur again until the year 2040. Somehow, wanting to see this, I thought it was to be Friday evening. Whoops, me bad!

• Four days ago it was the summer Solstice. In Wollongong, NSW, Australia an artist built this very special bench. Cutting slices into the seat at an angle of 34°. This is perfect for the winter solstice in that region to create a striped shadow. For their summer solstice cutting holes at a 74° degree angle changes the shadow to a polka dot pattern of shadows.

• Brother Art has an amazing Lemon tree. Last Christmas he made us all bottles of Lemoncello. This is what I spotted at Aldi’s this week. It’s a whole new opportunity!

• Love Tesla? This past week their model Y & model 3 were named the “most American-made vehicles in the USA” by Cars.com. BTW, the largest car company in the US, GM, was not listed in the top 10.

• People love colors; they contain all sorts of meaning. Historically we still refer to the era of ‘yellow’ journalism. How many years before kids will refer to something called ‘blue’ journalism?

• Our Ikea kitchen faucet broke. It had a 10-year warranty. Bought in 2014 it took a few minutes of paperwork and a runner to grab a replacement. Back home, in less than an hour it was a ‘voila’ moment. Nice Customer Service Ikea.

• Maybe I should repeat until this is over so here it is again; “I know that with all that’s happening it’s easy to forget that we are still holding January 6 ‘political’ prisoners in prison in DC. They have not been formally charged and by not having a ‘speedy’ trial are being denied their basic human rights.”

Ciao, and be well till next weekend. Wish a fruitful and wonderfully meaningful life to all the newborns that now have a chance to achieve it. Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk

After a week’s hiatus, I’m Baaaack! Our trip to Sarasota could not have been better. The US Junior National Rowing competition was something to behold. The Nathan Benderson Park venue (touted best rowing facility in the nation) was stunning. And what Dinah’s US Junior Girls Rowing Team was able to accomplish was amazing – coming in for Silver beating the third place team by just one tenth of a second. It was a nail biter.

Weather wise, the most that Florida could’ve thrown at me (but never did), was brought north. This past week we had ridiculously high humidity, ‘real-feel’ temperatures constantly sitting at 105, and a rain and lightning storm with winds in excess of 80mph. Our energy company was trying to re-establish power to just over 200,000 customers. Marcia and I wondered if the last one to get their power on would get a prize (sort of a reverse lottery).

Coffee Trivia –
Due to my Dutch heritage I’ve got to point out that The Dutch East India Company; was the first to import coffee on a large scale. That company helped institute banking as a lending entity which the Brits began to study. It also assisted bringing about Holland’s ‘Golden Age’, As during that time The Dutch East India Company ushered in the Netherlands as the world’s naval powerhouse to primarily to protect their fleets [read the history of Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter born March 24, 1607].

However, to be a bit more clinical, Coffee contains important nutrients we all need. One cup of coffee contains; “11% of the daily recommended amount of Riboflavin (vitamin B2), 6% of Pantothenic Acid (vitamin B5), 3% of Manganese and Potassium, and 2% of Niacin and Magnesium. And. the buzz some feel after drinking coffee comes from ingesting tiny 0.0016-inch crystals of caffeine.”

Chaos & Mayhem – And this was only a street away from our actual C&M Corner (less when cutting through someone’s yard). We were only home a couple of days when I smelled smoke and saw it fill our street. Marcia quickly picked up the details on her scanner. It was a two alarm and brought under control very quickly. The news claims it was $400,000 damage.

Father’s Day? – One item I should get out of my system. As a society we’ve gone absolutely ‘nutso’ by allocating a single day each year to celebrate Mothers and then Fathers; to now proceed allocating a full month to a small verge group loosely housing themselves under the acronym LGBTQIA+ (an acronym umbrella which rolls off one’s tongue doesn’t it?)

For a species which depends on natural selection, humans require a mechanism which our species depends on, sexual reproduction – this requires male and female traits.

Why not celebrate family, mother, father, and the power of starting new life on a strong path into the future – and celebrate that for a month?

I have little to no problem accepting that people have behaviors along a spectrum and wish everyone a long and fulfilling life, but a month-long celebration for LGBTQIA+? Give me a break.

Planning for the coming recession? – The idiocy of shutting down a whole economy, printing out millions of blank checks to everyone here and there, telling a nation to stay home from work, breaking up the supply chain, and then while at it spend trillions of dollars on pet causes; is it anything but a cause for disaster?

Now the spike in inflation (officially May 8.6% – most likely higher) is the highest in 40 years, and the 13th straight month with rise over 5%.

It’s actually funny to watch Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wiggle around trying to unpack the blame for the downward spiral away from her boss and his inflationary policies.

USRowing Youth National Championships, Sarasota, FL – I’ve gone on and on about to the point of driving the family bonkers – hence, it’s enough. Now just some photos for those who hadn’t seen anything about the event. But winning a silver second place by one tenth of a second fighting off 18 nationally represented teams is quite special.

Fini –
• An exclamation point to the whole weekend

• Flying soon? Let me know whether or not you experienced the newest ‘double-decker’ seating arrangement.

• Good times with George and Sandy who made the jaunt north from Naples. Thanks guys!

• Sarasota: After dinner – by the beach – it was drumming into the night

• Boating. Only in America

• Waiting for sunset at Nokomis Beach, FL

• Pop’s Pub in Nokomis, FL. With Jason, Cathy, Marcia, and me. A super fun evening, great food and drinks. And special thanks to the two guys who kept supplying the ladies with shots.

• When a downpour happens during a rowing race, the racing never stops. The beach did clear of people, but the cheers and ringing cowbells stayed active.

• With the seeming food shortages and looking ahead. Should I begin stocking up on ‘Fromm’ or do you think ‘Taste of the Wild’ better? Asking for a friend.

• Even during races the training and warming up continued

• This week it was announced that Dr. Fauci tested positive for Covid. Remember when this same Doctor was quoted as saying; “when people are vaccinated, they can feel safe that they are not going to get infected.” I will let both Sandy and George know, as just this week they are getting over a bout of Covid – btw; they’ve both been jabbed and boosted.

• I know that with all that’s happening it’s easy to forget that we are still holding January 6 ‘political’ prisoners in prison in DC. They have not been formally charged and by not having a ‘speedy’ trial are being denied their basic human rights.

• Dr. Simone Gold, JD, MD, founder of America’s Frontline Doctors and conservative voice on the handling of the Covid epidemic was sentenced to 60-days in jail for entering the Capitol Building (the peoples house) without an invitation January 6. Does the photo taken during the January 6 occurrence depict an out-of-control rioter?

• Seeing this side of Florida is not very common. Cathy, Jason, Marcia and I took some time to explore and were glad we did.

Ciao, and be well till next weekend. Wish all happiness and to all the Dads recognition for their role in all of our lives. Keep on storming the castle. Pray for Peace.

Dirk