Kinkikali

Pak it in

Earlier this summer, the US  Secretary of State Hillary R Clinton tripped over to Pakistan.  She came loaded down with gifts for Pakistan.  These gifts, worth hundreds of millions, are to keep Pakistan in line and on our side.  Much of it was and is for “water projects”.  Given the arid state of Pakistan, “water projects” have a useful ring to it.  But just this week, the weather turned rough and the rains came.  Pakistan now sits in deep flood.  It is kind of interesting that one day “water projects” are announced and then within an omen’s twist “water projects” are all down stream, all under the bridge.

Duly Noted

Earlier this year, before the Gulf Spill, the petroleum industry ran a TV commercial that awed the viewer with deep sea drilling potential.  It was all glamorous stuff with a single primary well having multiple “tentacles” running along the seabed to other wells. Then came Earth Day and an explosion and the rest is floating in its long voyage to the Gulf Stream and beyond.  That commercial strangely has dropped out of sight. Just shows that sexy sales pitches often end up in oily ditches.

Monkey Business

The recent Gulf Coast disaster brought up the spector of monkey business.  Remember a few years back, the mere threat of a potential hurricane in the Gulf sent oil prices spiking.  Then a few weeks ago,  a rig explodes, burns, and sinks in the Gulf.  And the prices just sail on unchanged.

The economy, like politics, has become a crap shoot.  Reasoning does not necessarily apply. So many principals and assumptions to which we have anchored our beliefs on seem to have become just so unstable.

NH Mountain Hiking

Every now and then there are websites worthy of note.  Such is NH Mountain Hiking (http://www.nhmountainhiking.com/) produced here in NH.  The man behind this grand endeavor is one Fred Shirley who happens to be my old scoutmaster from the 1970’s.

Fred has lead an exemplary life, raising a great brood of fine children, giving of his time for community (getting the moniker Saint Fred), and working loyally (in our country’s defense) for Sanders for many decades.

Now retired Fred has combined passions of hiking, photography, and community service with his website. 

I have had bad experiences with hiking in the past—but never under Fred’s tutelage.  I look forward to joining a hike with Fred.  He was calm, deliberate, and responsible back in the 1970’s.  He can only have “improved” with age.

Please check out the website and enjoy!!!

April 1st

On or about November 1st of each year I plug in the heat tape to keep the water inflow pipe from freezing during the winter.  Each April 1st I unplug the thing–having spent electricity and money for my Cardboard Castle (being polite).  Not only does my electricity bill drop, but I go on to the most welcome Lava Lamp Mode. 

I have a cheap lava lamp that is better quality then the house it resides in.  It stays off all during the long, cold winter.  Last night I turned the sucker on.  The furnace off, the heat tape unplugged, but the lava lamp bright and all right, I enjoyed, no savored, the start of warm days ahead.

The lava lamp relighting tied with the last of the ice off Emerald Lake.  Four tiny pathetic “piles” of snow remain at Wooglin.  None is left on Melody Lane.  And to add the glee, PSNH is scheduled to take down a tree that has been a bother since the day I purchased my little piece of…

Spring is here and most welcome.  Please stay warm weather.  Global warming is most welcome too.

Spring

Despite a mild, tame, and comparative easy winter, I am still so much ready and happy to welcome spring and warmer days ahead. Today is between St. Patrick’s Day and the start of spring.  The mornings are cool, but quickly warm up.  And the sun is strong and sweet.  Yeah, yeah, yeah…go snow go.  The leftover snow is sickly and a joy to see in such a sorry state.  The ice is ready to follow.  Cheers to spring and all that comes—until the frost gets pushy.

Ice Out Wooglin

Lake Winnipesaukee has its annual ice out when the MV Mt. Washington can make the circuit of ports without bumping into ice.  Wooglin has its own form of ice out when the walk from home to head of the driveway (where the Union Leader box sits) is ice free from end to end.  That day happened on Tuesday the 9th.  There is still snow on the ground and ice on the pond.  But the snow is dirty and the ice has open water pools.  Spring is just waiting to bust out all over.

Winter Solstice

Not being a fan of cold and dark, icy roads and obscured views, I look forward to the winter solstice more than any other date.  From here, actually a few days away, comes longer and brighter days—albeit at a slow rate at first.

Come late January days feel better; by mid-February the countdown gets close.  St. Patrick’s Day marks spring beginning.

October 23rd and Winter

For the last five years I have tested a theory: That the weather on October 23rd of any given year will reflect the winter ahead.  For instance and warm (60’s) and dry day will mean a mild low precip winter.  Why O 23, well its my birthday and that time of year assures a degree of uncertainty that January or July would not provide.  The results have been mixed–spot on for two years, mixed on two, and way off on one.

Today O 23 has coolish temps (50’s), but very sunny and dry, with little wind.  Come mid-April 2010, check back to see the results.

Leaves Alone

September is still new.  But the leaves are already turning.  One landed on my front stoop, all red and quite dead.  Fall is falling.  Dress appropriately.