Keep Your Distance

Not for nothing, but I'm down with this social distancing thing. I like people keeping six feet away. Can't smell their breath, can't get cooties from them, no need to shake hands.... all stuff that I used to endure in the old days before the Kung Flu. Close talkers.... my all time pet peeve.... is a thing of the past. And I don't even mind the mask..... you don't feel grubby if you didn't shave before going out anymore. And I will bet you dollars to donuts that most everytime I have contracted the common cold, it has been from some snotty nose store clerk who had just sneezed moments before fondling my credit card, or handing me my change in germy bills and coins. So the new norm.... social distancing... is a welcome development here. #RANTOVER

Power and the States

So as much as the MOAM likes the Prez, sometimes he can get quite annoying.  Like at yesterday's press conference where he debated with some Lefty media types that he has the final power in directing the economy to open up..... Don, I believe that you may prevail in that Constitutional point, but that is not the issue.

Power  is not something that you say you have.... You either have it, or you don't.   If you believe that you have the power to tell Governors what to do in this Wuhan Flu issue, then use it.... or don't use it.  Talking about it means that you don't really believe that you have it.  And it gives the Libbies all sorts of crap to whine about.

We are very fortunate to have such a hard working and competent President.  In so many cases, your actions speak louder than your words... and as much as I appreciate your candor and openness, some words are better left unsaid.

And by the way, speaking about stupid statements.... did anyone notice Governor Cuomo say today that he needs the Federal Government because his state is Broke.... $10 Billion in the hole.   Which means that the other states have to bail out Cuomo.  Because the Federal Government is not some separate entity with a bottomless pocket.... it's simply an association of the fifty states.   So all of the other states have to pony up because Cuomo can't manage New York.   #RANTOVER

The Power of the Press

Last night on 60 Minutes, I watched as the President was bludgeoned by the Main Stream Media over his response to the COVID 19 crisis.  So this evening, the President replied with a scathing press conference where he demonstrated the false and unfair coverage of the Corona Virus actions taken by the administration.

As usual, Trump was repetitive and awkward as he defended his actions.   While some may conclude that his manner is obnoxious ..... he can afford this because he is right.   America has met this challenge with unprecedented efficiency, which many Americans will reaffirm when they get a thousand dollar direct deposit into their bank accounts next Wednesday.

We will never know how many lives have been saved due to Donald Trump..... all the while with a hostile press cheering for his failure and lying about his achievements.

I never thought  that I would see the Press as a agent of resistance and obstruction, but that is their obvious role in this national issue.

Viral Questions.

Is it me?

Or does it seem to you too that many Dems seem downright enthused that the US Death Rate has eclipsed Italy?

And doesn't it seem funny that the only people who claim that the Malaria Drug Hydroxychloroquine doesn't work on the Wuhan Flu are the Libs and their MSM outlets?

And that the Hospital Bed crisis never materialized, but this is not being publicized?

And the death toll projection from 2,000,000 people in the US will come in as a fraction of the current flu deaths?

And isn't it weird that more people are affected in the US than China.... and that NY is locked down but Beijing isn't?

Lots of weird questions out there.   This has been fun, but it's time it stopped.  We have been played.

Mask Advisory.... or Requirement

The cost of freedom is tolerating what some idiots do with their freedom. We shouldn't give ours up because of the cost.

Find the Cost of Freedom

So a curfew has been enacted in the City of Lynn... to go along with mask requirements in Salem, and Social Distance Monitors in Marblehead. It's just a little inconvenience to counter the threat of this Flu Outbreak... Right??? Wrong! History has shown us that when we allow others to restrict our basic rights, and let others make common sense decisions for us..... we head down a dangerous slippery slope that our forebears gave their lives to avoid for us. In a not so distant past, small measures of social control have escalated to Fascist oppression on this exact path. Ben saw it... and our grandparents saw it... We must not be cavalier to a dangerous precedent. Just Look how fast the "Advisories" have escalated to "Required Restrictions".

"Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." `~ Benjamin Franklin. #RANTOVER

Tick Tock

I'm a Conservative.

I know that is provocative to some.... because I live in Massachusetts.   My vote as a Conservative Republican is perfunctory and irrelevant... because the only Republicans who get elected in Massachusetts are not Conservatives.   They are Republicans in Name Only (RINO) and do not embrace anything remotely resembling Conservatism. 

But I vote anyway.  And I speak up anyway.   Because I truly believe that a Conservative viewpoint is an important anchor against the winds of raving Moonbat Liberal, self absorbed , narcissistic lunacy.

Now if I said that last statement in an open forum like Facebook, I would be pasted with a number of monikers informing me of my low level of intelligence and other attributes that are guttural and nasty. Plus the Facebook police would have a clear shot at labeling my statement as Hate Speech.... because they alone are the arbiters of  proper thinking ie.  thinking in lockstep with their Liberal Narratives.

But these self righteous moral high grounders, ie the true haters, are in for quite a sea change.  Because they can't count too well.  People like me are seething, and growing.

I'm a Conservative.  And the clock is ticking.

I'm Back

So Peeps who used to follow this Blog.....  I am sorry that I let it lapse.   Facebook took over my attention and need to express my thoughts, inspirations, and frustrations.

Then last night, I apparently violated their Community Standards regarding Hate Speech.  I think it was because I referred to transvestites as "Trannies" in two different posts.   Is Trannie a bad word?

If so, then Facebook has violated my Community Standards.   So Back to Blogging.  Don't need totalitarian Libbies telling me what to say.  Course, Google here on Blogger might be just as bad.  But I've never had the same experience here.

So.... I'm Back, and glad to be.

Farewell Jeffrey Scott Middleton

Thinking of my friend Jeff Middleton tonight. Met him at Eastern Jr. High School. He was always a leader in school. Very Popular, friendly and congenial. He had honest emotions and shared them with his friends.

We were roommates at UMASS Amherst. Amazing amount of memories that keep seeping out. He left to do community work in Springfield, then started his career at the GE in Lynn.

He was a groomsman in my wedding and I was one in his to his great wife, Kathy. Godfather to my first born, Ryan. Jeff had a grounded love of life with a great sense of humor and a serious reflective side. You could disagree with him and still very much respect his outlook and I knew he felt the same about others.

Like many friendships, we drifted our own ways and saw each other sparingly. Last saw him at Phil Freeman's Funeral and it was sad that such an occurrence had to happen to see him again.

About two weeks ago, Jeff was on my mind all morning as I was working on a construction job. Very weird.... in fact it creeped me out. So I called him during a break and left a VM telling him to call me as soon as he could. I was worried and not sure why. Jeff got back to me the next day and gave me shit for leaving such a voicemail. We had a great conversation for about 45 minutes.... covered a lot of ground and dug up a lot of great memories. It was like old times again.

I hung up satisfied that he was OK. But I guess he was not. Jeff dropped dead this morning in his kitchen of heart failure. His wife, Kathy witnessed the horror. My sincere condolences to Kathy, his daughters, Kryssi and Mari.... and his mother, brother and sister.

There is a sad void in the world of Jeff's family and friends tonight. Rest in Peace Jeff. You will be missed.

Electric Smokers

Was considering buying a smoker and did a little research. Hope this helps.

Mechanic in a Bottle

This stuff is literally unbelievable. Before you bring your lawnmower for repair, pour a bottle of this in the gas tank. Cranks right up.

Lathe

Why would anybody use a wood lathe?






Seems like a lot of money to make spindles and wooden bowls.
Yet I really want this.

The Powermatic Choice

Who has a spare $3,000 to buy a bandsaw? If I did, I would give this one a close look.




A Beauty

Juice Fast

This is the juicer that I bought. Expensive, but robust and will make your juice fast routine a permanent fixture of a healthy lifestyle.

Dream Shop

Best Bandsaw

Chest for the Grandkids.

Very Cool Blanket chest.  Going to make a few of these for the Grandkids.

Morning Ideas

Book Idea - a year of mornings at Grace Oliver.

VAR - complete tool kit in crafted box.

Panel Ripping kit - Kreg Straight edge and ripping jigs, Makita Circular saw, Ripping Blade
Dado Routing Kit - Porter Cable, Dado Gig, Clamps, Bits
Pocket Hole Kit - Milwaukee Driver, Kreg Jig, Bits, Clamps

Vision and Deep Pockets

Starting to get some "Noise" at the 70 Nanepashemet house.  Vision and Deep Pockets are a wonderful combination.

Rain is putting a damper on the Deck Project.  I had hoped to get the primer and a coat of finish paint on the exterior posts, but now will have to back off.  Time to get the attic utility hatch done.... and I can always put another coat of polyurethane on the stair case.

DAY TWO

Day Two of the SAVERS Program.

My body is sore from yesterday's break out run.  Last year I couldn't jog across the the street....yesterday I went two miles.

I'm 65 years old.... don't feel like packing it in.  I am going to live and act like the whole world continues to be a new opportunity

This morning, I will finalize the Florida transfer, then head over to complete the EasyRail holes at 70 Nanepashemet.  When the holes are done, will get to the Post Office,  call Catacutta for the Fireplace stone and head back to set up the deck posts for primer spraying.  Then back to the office until 5:00 when I leave for Andover for a deck estimate.

Two Miles

When I was eighteen years old at UMASS Amherst, I ran a two mile race in 9:44.  Today at age 65, my time was 25:43.

I thank God that I was able to do that.... and hope to improve over the coming year.

Today, Deck sanding and wire railing installation at 70 Nanepashemet Street.

Saved by SAVERS?

Was reading the self help book "Miracle Morning" on my Kindle this morning.  The author, Hal Elrod, advocates getting up in the morning at 6AM or earlier and practicing SAVERS.

S - Silence - Meditation or Purposeful Silence for 5 Minutes.
A - Affirmations or Positive Self Talk for 5 Minutes.
V - Visualization or imagining how you would like your life to evolve for 5 Minutes.
E - Exercise for 20 Minutes.
R - Reading Self Help books for 20 Minutes
S - Scribing or Blogging for 5 Minutes.

This is doable and makes sense.... a lot more sense that Ranting on Facebook about Liberals and the Main Stream Media..... which has been a pastime of mine for the past year.  I've made some like minded friends doing this, but no discernible life improvement.

And that is what I am looking for.... Life Improvement.  Time to pay off  debt, make some bank, and enjoy time with friends and family.

2018 Resolutions

I've let this Blog go for a whole month without a post.

That is inexcusable and hasn't happened for the last ten years or so.

I didn't die or anything..... guess I just got a little too careless.

Last year, I lost thirty pounds.... just by shifting my work effort from a desk to a construction site.   Didn't plan it and didn't change my diet ........ go figure.    That was a bonus.

Anyway.....

I 'm back with a vengeance because of all of you pathetic Peeps whining about what the MOAM 2018 New Year's Resolutions are going to be.

Naturally, last year, I failed miserably at all of my Resolutions.... except for the accidental weight loss.  But Shit Happens!   Then More Shit Happens...... and then the resolutions go to.... shit.

This year will be no different.  But that doesn't stop a Mountain of a Man like myself from pandering to the notion that maybe I can pull them off.   It could happen.

So I've spent the last ten minutes or so, carefully crafting some guidelines that I am resolved to act on in 2018.  These are them in no particular order.

1.  Eat more Macaroni and Cheese.   With plenty of butter.   Never deny your need for a heaping plate of steaming comfort with salt and pepper.

2.  Stop worrying about stuff.  The worse that can happen is that you die.... some of my best friends have died..... so if they can do it, I can too.

3.  RANT more often.... on Facebook and elsewhere.  Everytime I think I will curb this, someone thanks me for saying whatever shit I spewed at the moment.  So it is a talent that I will continue to exercise.

4.  Ride my Bike, lift weights and  row my boat more often.  Not just for exercise, but because you can always lay still when you are dead.   Might as well take advantage of the current opportunity to move.

5.  Pay more attention to my wife Joanne when she talks about the kids in her Salem School.   That stuff is more important than any of the crap that I deal with in my job.

6.  Do a bar crawl every Friday afternoon after work.   Getting the weekend started with a little buzz gives you way more perspective about things.

7.  Drink good Scotch.  That should be self explanatory.

8.  Try to live in the moment.  Which is contrary to making Resolutions right?  Stop judging what is right or is wrong.  In the end, God makes the rules, not me.... and his plan takes a long of twists and turns it seems. 

9.  Accept what fate puts in front of you and take action.   Trust intuition.... there is more at force here than science has yet discovered.

10.  Be nice to people.  Even the phucked up ones.

That's all for 2018.  Happy New Year.