October Weather

Usually Fall is my all time favorite part of the year.  This year, however, it seems to be soggy and not fit for being outside.  Even my quick trip to Sullivan two days ago was not totally dry.

The drive across Illinois was semi-sunny and almost a perfect fall day.  As I crossed over the Wabash River, I got to thinking about times before I left for college.  Fall generally included rides in the country to admire the leaves.

After I arrived at Mom's and unloaded my truck, we got into her car and headed West (and then South).  Yes - Merom, Indiana.  What fond memories that place holds.

All who were young are very happy that our parents don't know everything that we did or were involved in while learning "right from wrong" through our youthful mistakes.  For me, Merom is one location that brings up some "youthful" antics that are best not enumerated here (or perhaps any where, now that I think about them - such as church "camp").

On the plus side, I was very happy to spend the fall day with Mom.  Who knows how many more such fine days we will be able to share.  We both had a great time, the leaves were beautiful, the weather warm enough, and the company superb.

We ended our afternoon drive with a stop to view the Halloween decorations.  I love Halloween - it probably is my favorite of all the ones that we celebrate each year. 

Not only decorations, but one of the best pleasures of a fine fall day - building a leaf pile to jump in and play.  A perfect day after all. 

The rain didn't return until I was back in Illinois, almost two hours away from Indiana.  Fall really is perfect - isn't it?

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." - Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)

Musings 101

Hunting season is now upon us.  No wonder the deer are closing in on my house.  I checked outside about 6 pm the other day and the deer were surrounding the house.  They really are cute - aren't they?    Of course they are in the front (read "tall grasses") when the sun goes down.  Nothing like pulling into the drive at twilight and seeing several pairs of eyes staring back at you.

Well, the pundits on both sides have spoken re: Peace Prize.  I guess I beat the rush with my last post.  Nice to be justified by the full political spectrum (including, I might add, the President himself).

Birthdays this week:  Uncle is 92 and Mom is 87.  Both are remarkably healthy for their ages.  When life spans such as these are encountered it makes you wonder if (a) you will be in their statistical set and (b) if so, what will you be like at that age.  I hope my health is great (although that isn't too likely - I don't eat ice cream 5 or 6 days each week, don't drink 2% milk every day, and don't balance my dinners daily), but I would also hope that the brain functioning remains ahead of the curve.  Guess we will have to wait another 25 years or so to see if that comes to pass.

"Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternatives." - Maurice Chevalier  (1888 - 1972)

Nobel Peace Prize

What a morning wake up - call from my neighbor.  I could not believe what she said - and, in fact, I thought she was kidding.  Nope.  The Peace Prize has been awarded to our current president.  I understand that he was a surprised as I was.

No coffee for me this morning.  I pondered what the committee granted the prize for - just what accomplishment was in accord with the requirement of the prize? 

Research into the Nobel Peace Prize revealed the following:

On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will, one part was dedicated to "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."  [The Washington Post - Friday, October 9, 2009 6:50 AM]

So I attempted to recap our new President's accomplishments that meet this requirement.  All I can come up with (other than his bow to the King of Saudi Arabia) is his sweep around the world to apologize for our country.  I have mixed emotions:  on the positive side it is great that this country's leader is honored in this way, but on the negative side it seems that the committee has lost its bearing in the purpose of the prized (I guess we should have seen this coming with the award going to Al Gore for making a movie that is inconsistent with the scientific understanding to date).

For once, I think that Saturday Night Live expresses the current level of understanding that many in the US have at this point in time.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mMR9Ztva58  We clearly are missing the "bigger picture" and the other 104 nominees just could not compete with the "potential" of our president.

Enough said.

"I can forgive Alfred Nobel for having invented dynamite, but only a fiend could have invented the Nobel Prize." - George Bernad Shaw

Harvest Moon

What perfect timing - the "Harvest Moon" has arrived along with the farmers in the fields picking corn and beans.  The Farmer's Almanac says this about the early October full moon:

Full Harvest Moon - October.  This is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.

When I was returning from Shelbyville this evening (about 6:30 PM) the orange moon was rising over the corn fields in a clear sky.  When I pulled into my driveway there were three young deer (see "End of Summer" photographs) in the tall grasses.

Today I hung large balls of dog fur on the young trees out in front (I used hairnets).  Hopefully, this technique will keep the deer from molesting the trees and save the ones that have survived the first year plus in the ground here.  I will put balls of cat fur on the remaining trees after I acquire more hairnets. 

Tomorrow it is back to the job hunt, but not until I complete some "engineering" work for JPL.  The project has lingered for more than a year.  I hope we are more careful in selecting our clients in the future.

"There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls" - George Carlin

Precision versus Accuracy

What a fun day - I went to an All Women's gun safety class. The day started as you would expect in a room of strangers (there were seven class members, three instructors, and a couple on lookers - club president and spouse). It did not take too long (like the first break), and we started getting to know a bit of each other's backgrounds. There was a night nurse (Sara Bush hospital), an EMT, a retired waitress, and two daughters of policemen. Most had brought their own hand guns.

The class began with the normal discussion of the types of handguns (there are two: revolvers and semi-automatics), what is ammunition (and what exactly is a bullet), and how to handle guns in a safe manner. When the topic of gun transport came up (it is in the NRA handbook), the class fell apart. The laws in Illinois were explored (with great animation), and then it was time for lunch.

Following our indoor time, we headed to the range for practice with a wide variety of hand guns. Everyone tried multiple types and calibers. We then each shot a target. Although I didn't hit the center, two of the instructors complemented me on my "grouping." One said that precision (i.e., being able to get most of the shots to land within a small area) was better than accuracy. Accuracy can be improved by re-sighting (i.e., gaining more experience). I was more than happy.

"Amendment II - A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - US Bill of Rights (1789)