Blessed to have Attended

Jameson and the Republicans

A nice pour of Jameson over ice, and watching the Republican National Convention is a good combination.

               

So far, the RNC has been very interesting with the controversial speech by Melania Trump with passages pulled from Michelle Obama's previous address, the strong appearances of the Trump offspring, the gloves off remarks by Guiliani, Christi, and Gingrich.  And of course the self centered speech by Ted  Cruz who has shown his colors and would rather have H win and appoint three Supreme Court Justices, than overcome a bruised ego.

Trump scares people.

I think it is because they see that he can stir the emotions of people and is not easily controlled.

He sees through the phoniness of the Left and will take decisive international action which scares mushy Liberals to no end.

And he is not affected by contrived narratives that are designed to deflect and subtefuge the real issues of racism, debt, and security threats that affect our country.

OK Peeps... I'm close to giving the nod to Trump..... and not just because Hilary is so disgusting.

Almost time for one more pour.

Perfect Plagiarism

Melania Trump apparently copied a few lines of Michele Obama's speech last night in the talk she gave at the Republican National Convention.

The lines were not memorable,  Something about your word being your bond.... which would have been a lie anyway coming from M OB........ but Libbies are all shook up and well they should be.

The controversy has caused the media to squarely compare Melania and Michele.

Not a fair fight.

Whichever Republican speech writer pulled this off knew what he or she is doing.   Now the intelligent and well spoken Melania is front and center.

Secret to Happiness

Peeps....
I'm feeling generous and magnanimous this Mid-July Saturday morning.

And because this emotion is a rarity for your MOAM, I have decided to mark the occasion by giving you hapless Peeps an important lesson for attracting happiness into your life.

A lot of affirmations are really good, but way too long and I can never remember them so that I can live by their advice and solace.

The mantra that I use is a lot simpler.

This is it Peeps.  Remember it because it freaking works.

"Live in the Present. Think Good Thoughts."

Whenever I find myself spinning out to a mentally stressful state, I notice that I am not concentrating on whatever is happening in my immediate present.  I am letting my imagination soar with scenarios that have not happened.... or I am regretting things in the past that I have absolutely no control over.

If I then revert to attend to whatever my current senses are experiencing..... driving my truck, spreadsheet number crunching, blogging, cutting wood..... whatever..... the stress  diminishes.  And if I then fill the void with a positive good thought about the present situation, I actually feel at ease and a content feeling engulfs my body.

Screw you if you think I am weird.... this shit really happens.

But there is a catch.

The catch is that it is hard to maintain yourself constantly "Living in the Present, and Thinking Good Thoughts."   Your ego always kicks in to skew your thoughts with emotions geared to self preservation and self aggrandizement.

I mean, if you could constantly stay in the present and think good thoughts you would transform into a Christian Saint or Hindu Guru.   And there are not a lot of those types out there in my humble experience.

The key is to counter your negativity whenever you notice it and resolve again to "Live in the Present. Think Good Thoughts."

Try it Peeps.   It works.

Getting a Gun

An old friend of mine from High School, who is an articulate voice for the Liberal position (i.e. a rarity) recently put a tongue in cheek FB posting were he said he wants to get a gun and name it "Old Ironsides".

I don't know the depth of Jim's position as an anti-gun, anti-2nd Amendment advocate, but I decided to take the Danvers, Massachusetts resident at his word.

If you decide to get a gun, and you are from Danvers, MASS.......

First you have to take the Massachusetts Gun Safety Class and get a certificate.  That takes an eight hour day and costs money.

Then you have to apply for a concealed weapon carry permit at the Danvers Police Department. The PD will do a detailed background check and take your fingerprints. The wait is one month minimum on this. 

Then the decision to grant the permit is at the personal discretion of the Police Chief.  in some cities and towns, this discretion means that you will have no chance to get a permit based upon the Chief's personal beliefs.  

But  if the Chief grants you your permit, it costs $200 and is mailed after a few weeks from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Then you can go to a licensed gun store. The store clerk will run an FBI check right there in the store check  before you can make a purchase. 

Then you can only purchase a weapon with a magazine "Legal in Massachusetts" capacity of seven rounds and it cannot be an automatic weapon. 

Then you can buy ammo if they have any because the Federal Department of Homeland Security massive purchases has created a shortage and many dealers cannot find ammo to sell. Good luck on that. 

Then and only then, Jim, you can call your gun "Old Ironsides" and protect your family.

Our Prez BO recently inappropriately stated at the memorial service of five slain Dallas police officers that it is easier for a kid to obtain a Glock than to find a book.

Not sure where he gets his facts (other than pulling them out of his Liberal ASS) but it's way easier to get books in Massachusetts.  As a matter of fact, you can't buy a Glock in Massachusetts.... even after going through the extensive process.

Tufted Titmouse Tabulature

There has been a Tufted Titmouse at the feeder today, along with a number of other Titmice.


Probably not my favorite bird, but definitely my favorite Bird Name.

Say No to Chicago.

Peeps....

Many of you may recall that I had supported Seth Moulton as our Congressman in the 6th Essex District of Massachusetts.

Naturally, the Nanepashemet Nod secured the election for Seth.  My hope was that even with his Liberal leanings, he would not be a typical Democratic Kool Aide Drinker and would have the ability to cross the aisle and compromise with Conservatives to end Congressional gridlock.

But it seems that I may have misjudged.

• He doesn't like Trump, which is fine, but he calls him Hitler.... a stupid, immature and bad move by Seth.
• He not only aligns with the Evil H, but campaigns in NH for the disgusting, immoral candidate.
• He walks out of a moment of silence on the House Floor.
• And he joins the 2nd Amendment issue by misrepresenting assault rifles in a move that divides rather than unites us on the issue of gun control.

I'm disappointed.... but not yet willing to completely give up on the young promising leader.

He now is calling for Federal Background checks and removing the right to purchase firearms by people listed on the Federal no-fly list.

On it's face, I agree with Seth W. Moulton.

Background checks cannot be disputed, but If bureaucrats like FBI Director Comey can erase your 2nd Amendment right by simply adding you to a "no-fly" list, you better have a trustworthy system of due process to enable you to dispute and resolve your "listing" and restore your rights. People don't trust Liberals to incorporate this, and it seems to be a slippery slope for eliminating our essential right for self-protection.

Evil H has already made clear that she wants to take our handguns. And this loophole to eliminate our rights would fall right into manipulating hands like hers.

The inaccuracies that Liberals put Assault Rifle debate is a smokescreen.

Democrats have ignored instances where total gun control is in effect..... like in in Chicago where guns are banned.
But the stats by the Chicago Tribune below illustrate that this is a foolish and faulty policy in eliminating our right to self protection granted to Americans by the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution

Chicago YEARLY TOTALS JAN. 1, 2016 - JULY 10, 2016 - 2,0541 shooting victims. JAN. 1, 2015 - DEC. 31, 2015 - 2,988 shooting victims.

Don't make the whole country like Chicago.

A Missed Opportunity

Once again race relations is in the news as the tragedy in Dallas unfolds.

Police apprehended a Black suspect and in an ensuing struggle, he was shot four times and died.

Some believe that the Police felt that he was trying to draw a pistol.

Others believe that he was murdered by the police brutally for no reason.

Then snipers killed five, opening fire on police in Dallas.

In the meantime, the carnage continues in Chicago where a person is shot every two hours.... living in a City where guns are outlawed.

When Obama was elected some 7 1/2 years ago, I distinctly remember the feeling that even if I did not agree with his Liberal politics, that race relations would finally cease to be an issue in this country.

Not by a long shot.  His leadership, or lack thereof, has exacerbated any improvements in this area, and we so much worse off than when he was elected.  The phrase "Black Lives Matter" has been invented during his tenure.  Such a travesty that people legitimately feel that they have to express their feelings on race in this matter.  

Obama hasn't drawn people and races together.   He has pushed them apart with a one sided ingrained ideology.

Electing the first Black President should have been a healing event.

Seems like we missed a great opportunity.

Eight Year Motto

It's Latin for "Don't Let the Bastards Get you Down."

Probably will come in handy for the next eight years or so.

Potential Waste of Time

So Hilary dodged another bullet today.   Even better than when she was under fire by Serbian Snipers.  FBI Commish Comey said that his above reproach investigation did not uncover enough to indict.   If you think that Comey is anything less than a Kool Aide Connoisseur, then you are a sadly mistaken witness to this rigged of all justice systems.   When he was dancing around the designation of the Orlando assholes as terrorists, you had to know that the Evil H would yet emerge again despicably scott free.  Then, Wild Bill's chance meeting with the Secretary of the Justice Department, talking about their grandkids for a half hour, sealed the deal.

If you can't smell the stink, then hightail it to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, because you definitely have a diminished sense of smell.

Peeps.... I know the alternative is a boorish, ego-maniac who is capping out his career by reaching out for the POTUS Gold Ring,  but at least Trump is not evil.  Being obnoxious in other situations might be enough to cast him aside.

Hillary on the other hand, is an evil manipulator, who will stoop at nothing to maintain a power base that she uses to enrich herself right in front of her sheep-like followers eyes.   She has been fined, fired and sanctioned for her dishonesty so many times that to recite the litany gets too long to believe.
Peeps.... I will hold my nose and support Trump before voting for such a morally repulsive congenital Liar.   Can you imagine eight more years of Clinton largess?  It would be such a waste of time.

A Cherished Holiday

Peeps......
It's Friday July 1st.  Monday is the 4th of July.
A magical weekend here in Marblehead, MA, where the birth of the United States was a hard fought ordeal with great personal sacrifices.  Men from Marblehead served prominently under General Washington at Bunker Hill, New York and Trenton, and Marblehead privateers served admirably on the seas harassing British Shipping.

The Town suffered greatly with the loss of men and commerce, and when Washington visited after the War, he remarked how worn and delapidated it looked.

He was gazing at the same Old Town structures that we see today, totally refurbished and commanding premium residential prices.  George would be impressed at the present condition of the homes that he lamented about.

We never leave the Town during the Fourth of July.   It becomes busy and crowded culminating with the Fireworks in the Harbor, and there is an undercurrent of excitement, friendliness, and basic contentment.  The sacrifice of our ancestors is the cause of of this.  I hope that in some cosmic way, they can sense that we appreciate what they did.

America was born as a tainted country.... burdened by the existence of slavery.... but with an underlying sense of the goodness that ultimately would be brought by freedom.  The economics of slavery shackled the nation.   Washington and Jefferson knew it was immoral but could not equate the way to divest of it.  Nonetheless, they extolled the virtues of Liberty, even as the hypocrisy of slavery remained.

Now it is gone.... with deep scares that still have not healed.

So it is that our country still has flaws that we must continually address,   And we differ in our view of what these flaws are, and what measures must be done to correct them.

But the beauty of our country is that we have the freedom to debate, argue, insult and cajole in the pursuit of each individual's conception of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Your MOAM is not adverse from engaging in a little insulting and cajoling from time to time.   I have my distinct ideas  of what is best for the nation.  And I feel free to try to negate those who I think are detrimental to our continuing health and prosperity.

But I cherish the fact  that I have the right, born from the blood of my ancestors, to execute my freedom to express my opinions.

Happy 4th of July Peeps.

It is a holiday that is huge in its importance to our way of life.

Listening to your Garden Grow

So many of you persistent Peeps have been asking the MOAM about the status of the Aquaponics project.

Normally I ignore such annoying inquiries.... I mean... get your own freaking project.  Don't be bugging me about mine all of the time.

But I realize the leadership position that being a Mountain of a Man is.... and that many times, it is my obligation to stoop to the cravings and dispositions of those less fortunate.

So WTF.... here is the aquaponics status.

The project is the FREAKING BALLS!!!!!!  Even better than I had envisioned.

• The fish are thriving in the fish tank.
• Then plants are blasting out of the grow beds.
• And the Bell Siphons are draining the beds like a finely tuned Swiss Watch.

It is completely satisfying to watch the system operate in harmony with the siphon drains periodically pouring into the fish tank in random fashion, and the swirl filter pipes pouring the fish fertilized water back into the grow beds, whose water levels rise and fall in a predictable format.

The sound of water spilling into the grow bed and fish tank, and the gurgle of the bell siphons at the end of their periodic vacuum cycle adds a nice dimension.... like listening to your garden grow!

Last Thursday, Joanne made tuna fish sandwiches for lunch.   She makes them special.... chopping up red onions and celery, when I'm usually too lazy to add anything but Hellman's Mayonnaise.  When she was done, two small bottoms of celery stalks that had been in the refrigerator were left.   I took these, nestled them into a grow bed, and this morning, new celery plants are quite visibly sprouting.

We are on the second crop of lettuce on plants that have been cut back a few weeks ago.... tomato plants have to be strung up because they are too big to stand on their own, and pepper plants are filled with green peppers.  Zuchinis are just around the corner.

The fish seem vibrant and full of energy.   They are still very wary of me, but I hope to gain their trust and friendship soon.

I spread coffee grounds around the perimeter of the beds, and this seems to have repelled the gopher that harvested my conventional garden plants around this time last year.

Some tweaks have been necessary.  In order to keep the bell siphons kicking in regularly, the volume of water pumped from the fish tank has to be aggressive.  I am on my second 1000 gph pump and have to change out pumps and check the inside mechanism when the flow slows down,  Then the rate of flow overpowers the swirl filter and I had to install an overflow valve that returns excessive water back to the fish tank.

And the rate of evaporation has been greater than I had expected.  Boston is in a dry spell and it hasn't rained much lately.  When the water in the grow beds is drained, the pea stone grow media drys out quickly.  Tap water has to be introduced into the swirl filter to keep the level in the fish tank up every couple of days.

Also the solar system powering the water pump is only reliable when the panels are exposed to direct sunlight.... about four hours a day.   If I want to use off grid power twenty four hours a day, I have calculated that I will have to add six additional panels to the two that are now in service.  Maybe this is a project to take on in the fall.... but until then, the solar system will only be supplemental.

I haven't yet trimmed out the tanks with pine so that the galvanized tank support pipes are still exposed and unsightly.  That will get done sometime this week.

Next weekend is the 4th of July.  We will stage a photo shoot then and you can judge for yourself.