Cowboys and all that stuff
Topic: cowboys and other dreams
I would guess that every boy and some girls born in the thirties went to the movies on Saturday morning and watched the cowboy movies, and in their moments of daydreaming wanted to be just like that guy on the screen. I was no different, of course I wanted to be a cowboy. I dreamt of filling my saddle bags with beans and whatever they ate and riding my horse kicking up dust, riding wherever we wanted to, not having to contend with traffic lights and all that kind of city stuff. I never thought at that time of having a cowgirl with me, but like the picture, a dog would do just fine. I used to like Gene Autry the best in the movies. I don't quite know why, because when I see an old movie of his now, he seems to be singing an awful lot and I'm quite sure I would have grown bored with that real quick. But whatever, he was my fav. My father in law also wanted to be a cowboy. He also wanted to be in the merchant marines, but he too grew up as do we all. Then those old dreams become gist of stories to tell our grandchildren or whomever we can get to listen to us.

Politics
Topic: Politics
To be a politician these days I think you would have to have the skin of a bull elephant and be forgiving as God. To have to run the mean, hateful, malicious gauntlet of a political campaign these days, with innuendos about your intelligence, your morals, and your honesty constantly being questioned would leave a normal man tattered and beaten and unsure of anything. But the chosen of the two major parties go on their daily mission, dragging their poor families along to smile, mouthing the party line, because shame on he or she that doesn't. Do not try to be independent of thoughts other than the parties. Because they know, having gotten to the pinnacle of their political life that to do so would mean finish. You must follow the Republican or Democratic line because you have no choice. The day of the maverick or independent politician is long over. Look at poor Ralph Nader, a good and honest man who has worked his entire life for the benefit of the citizens of the U.S. He has not the slightest chance in hell of making a dent in the vote count, and why he doesn't bail out is beyond me. I think even Ralph Nader is having an ego trip to the betterment of which major party candidate, time will tell.

Look at today's news about the well respected, by me also, John McCain, whose loyalties were questioned four years ago by his opponent for the nomination, and who has maintained a quasi-independent stance since, while remaining a good Republican gaining respect from millions of Americans, all of the sudden grabbing that same former opponent in a bear hug on a political stage looking like any other political sycophant. I am disappointed in him, but you can be assured that he too has his political price. My guess is the full party backing in his own run for President in four years.

I am an advocate of term limits, for the purpose of bringing back independence to our chosen representatives. Let them espouse original thoughts and not become a Charlie McCarthy to the heads of the committees who have been in the senate for thirty or forty years. Wouldn't it be nice to not have all the Republicans have to become ideologues like Rush Limbaugh or on the Democratic side, Ted Kennedys, but who might, just might represent the majority of us in the middle.
But have no fear it will not happen. In order to be elected you have to have the financial backing of one of the major parties or forget it. But wouldn't it be nice.

baseball and other games
Topic: baseball
Yes, it can get worse. Six straight loses. And my bud in Seattle is about to put the noose around my neck in our chess game. Oh well the weather is nice anyway, although it doesn't know it's August. It's really cool, not cool as in rad, but cool, as in brrrr.

baseball
Mood:  sad
Topic: baseball
My gosh, what the heck has happened to my beloved boys of summer? For those of you who don't know the phrase, 'boys of summer', was a term used for a book title some years ago by Roger Kahn referring to baseball players. My boys of summer are the Cleveland Indians and they were beginning to look like the surprise of the baseball year, when all of the sudden reality comes back to hit them right in the face. They ran into the Texas Rangers, not a great team, but one who obviously has the Indians number this year. They can do no wrong and the Indians can do no right when they meet. I think when they play again tomorrow it's only the Minnesotas followed by the Yankees. It can't get worse, can it?

cemetery visit
Topic: cemetery
Hazel and I made a cemetery visit today to do a little housekeeping in the children's section. Afterwords we were in no hurry to get home, so we decided to drive around a little and see if we could find some relatives to say hello to. On one sweep around we chanced upon a solitary old man sitting near a new grave. He was dressed neatly with a white ball hat and a white shirt. He was sitting facing a new grave, slumping over. As we watched from a distance, the slump became more exaggerated and we could watch no more. We left him alone to finish his visit. We both agreed, as we talked about it later, that the old man probably would not have to be alone too long before he would join her. It seems to work that way often, especially if the man is the survivor. Hazel and I have been together as kids and now old folks for over fifty years, and if I am the one left here alone, I am sure it would work that way for me. The loneliness I think would be unbearable for me. Hazel and I still talk to each other constantly every day and when the silence comes, if it comes that way for me, I would not want to stay long here alone. Hazel, I am sure, will be waiting to catch me up on all the news.

Here is the picture I sort of promised last night.

On the Road and Punta Gorda news
Topic: On the Road
All is well in Punta Gorda, if you can forget having to put your house back together and having to deal with builders, repairmen, insurance companies, and people trying to make a quick buck out of someones misfortunes. But everyone is well, but no air conditioning, or electricity at all, no running water, just about all the stuff we take for granted on a daily basis. But the kids, after having the bejesus scared out of them are back to normal having a good time on the beach as the parents have to find housing for about a month. But if someone asks them 'how was your weekend?' think of all they will have to say.

Here at home, we decided to do a little hiking today and try one of the trails we discovered near Kenyon college a week or so ago. As I think I mentioned, Hazel and I used to be 'walkers' and prided ourselves on logging in quite a few miles. But time and circumstances change things, (is that what is otherwise known as s--- happens?). I now have scrap metal in my hip and Hazel since having to undergo a meniscus repair on her knee has developed blazing arthritis in the knee, so we have had to scale back our hiking to a walk, but if you want to do it badly enough you'll do it, and we really do enjoy it even though we probably go about a fifteenth of the distance we used to do. Anyway we walked up a trail through 'Grassland' going up hill. Above the Grassland is what they call their Pine forest. We could not make it that far as the joints were screaming, but next time we will.

I want to share a picture Hazel took in the Grasslands that I think is quite pretty.

Well, it won't let me for some reason; only nerd's with more knowledge than me would understand, so I will show it next time, I hope.

Topic: punta gorda
As you know the hurricanes ground zero was Punta Gorda where my son and family live. They survived with no injuries except property damage. The town was pretty much torn apart though. I am sure the army will arrive today to assist and whatever else they will have to do. My son etal are going to a friend in Naples where they have water and did not get hit too bad. They will need a place where they can have a quiet moment or two and attend to themselves before they face what will be a large task getting things back in order.

Topic: punta gorda
We're a bit concerned today about the storm in Florida. This is our sons first storm since moving there and we don't know if they will stay home and ride it out, or get out of there as the governor is requesting.

3:38p.m. Now we are really worried. I contacted them and they are going to ride it out and they have upped the storm to category 4 and they live in the Port Charlotte area, right in the path of the damn thing.

Mohican State Forest
Topic: Mohican State Forest
We took ourselves to Mohican State Forest for a little walking excursion. It was a beautiful day, warm with a little breeze on occasion. Our legs were tested now and then as the terrain is a lot of ups and downs. In some places on the lake side of the trail, if you were a little inebriated or just stupid, the fall could be a tad hurtful. In some places it is straight down almost to the water. On the other side of this rail fence was one of those places.

Below on the lake the boats were pulling things, people, or just going bat out of hades. Looked like fun.

Back near the lodge was this bridge that was begging for Hazel to pose on it, so I coaxed her and she reluctantly agreed. Isn't she cute. Just above here was the lodge where swimming, shuffle boarding, and wine drinking was going on. We think we may book a room next month and enjoy a few of what they offer.