It is a glorious day in northern Utah. It is 89 degrees, light breeze moving the leafs on my trees, and all is right with the world. Maybe the last part of that statement may be overly optimistic but life is pretty good. The bride and I had a contractor come over to the house today and give us a bid on installing new carpet and hard wood floors. I guess we are going forward with this because I saw her write the check for a down payment. I am not going to say how much because I don’t k now how to spell numbers that big. But I am sure it will be beautiful when complete. I had an ATV accident about four years ago and was hurt pretty bad. Since the accident my back has gotten more painful with time. I have now been to four doctors and received the same diagnoses from each. There is nothing they can do for me. So I am on pain management. This does wear on me but I am glad that I can get the medicine I need to help me cope. I am not really complaining seeing how it wouldn’t change the facts. Just venting a little, I know there are millions of folks that would love to trade places with me and my heart goes out to them. There is going to be a gun show on the 16th of June and I plan on attending. I have decided that I cannot live without a single action 357 magnum. Why you ask? I am afraid that I cannot answer the question because I don’t know. But I got money and I want the gun. To most the guys I hang around with this is reason enough to buy any gun, or fishing pole, or whatever we decide we need. The only hiccup I can see to my plans is the possibility of my granddaughter’s birthday party. She turns 6 on the 17th but her party may be on the 16th and that trumps any plans for a gun show. I bought her a very nice child size pink 22 caliber rifle for her birthday present. I know she will have fun with it when she goes camping with her parents. Yes it will be used with adult supervision. Take care all.

I had a wonderful l Memorial Day. Yesterday turned beautiful. The bride and I were invited to some friends for a bar- b- que. I brought some strawberry wine that was really good which I am sure helped bring out a lot of laughs. Today has been quiet, I have spent most the day straightening up the house and doing some laundry. I am going to meet the bride at a local restaurant for dinner, and then we will head for home. Tomorrow I need to start working on my wood pile or go fishing, one of the two.

It has been awhile, and I guess I just been lazy. Winter is gone and spring time in Utah crazy at best. Last week we were in the 80’s then we dropped into the 50’s, and tomorrow it will be in the 70’s. I would not be surprised if we got snow again before it is done. But I love it here. Had lunch today with a guy I went to school with all the way from elementary through High school. We talked about old friends and had a great visit. He is a long haul trucker so he comes through the area from time to time and it is fun to talk about the old days.

the jackass is at it again

As folks headed out to happy hour last Friday evening, President Obama signed an executive order that could potentially give him the power to institute martial law in the United States in times of peace or during a national threat. The National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order will give Obama power over “resources and services needed to support such plans and programs.” Many Americans were shocked to find out that this order gives the president practically unlimited power over US citizens and their property. All in the name of national security of course. In the order it states, “in the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States actions are necessary to ensure the availability of adequate resources and production capability, including services and critical technology, for national defense requirements.” According to a White House press release, the US “must have an industrial and technological base capable of meeting national defense requirements and capable of contributing to the technological superiority of its national defense equipment.” In the order the Secretary of Agriculture can allocate material such as “food resources, livestock resources, and the distribution of farm equipment and commercial fertilizer.” The same goes for all forms of energy, health resources, transportation, and even water resources. According to the White House press release the purpose is to “delegate authorities and addresses national defense resource policies and programs under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (the "Act").” The sneaky tactics couldn’t have come at a worst time, especially after the newly signed HR 347 or the “Trespass bill” and even more terrifying the National Defense Authorization Act that allows the president to detain and torture American citizens without due process. Although many see this as another power grab by the Obama administration this isn’t the first time that a US president has signed an executive order such as this. His new motion is just an update to executive orders signed in 1994 by President Clinton, which invoke similar powers in a time of crisis. Even Clinton’s EO 12919 was an amendment to EO 10789 which was issued by the Eisenhower administration back in 1958. Therefore lawyers claim that this Executive Order wouldn't grant the president authority he didn't have before signing it. William A. Jacobson, an associate clinical professor at Cornell Law School said to WND.com, “If someone wants to make the argument that this is an expansion of presidential powers, then do so based on actual language.” “There is enough that Obama actually does wrong without creating claims which do not hold up to scrutiny,” Jacobson added. But that's exactly the language of this order that terrified too many of those who bothered to read it in full. Even if the president never uses this power, the fact that he has such unlimited authority over Americans and their property doesn't sound comforting to people assuming they live in the land of free.

Another year has come and gone. Some friends had a nice dinner party me and my buddy Allan ( he is about 12 hours older then me). A very nice time with very good friends, not much more a man can ask for. The bride and I are headed up to Park City today for lunch. My daughter just stopped by and dropped off a birthday present for me, a big bag of coffee beans. Granddaughter Ava colored a beaitiful picture as a present. It will be hanging on the fridge in just a minute. This is going to be a good day

Our youngest granddaughters had a sleep over with us last night. It was fun but tiring, they left about an hour ago. The house gets so quiet after they leave. The weather is turning cold again. Just looked out the window and a rain snow mix has started to fall. Looking forward to spring, want to get a garden in the ground and do some fishing. I have kept myself pretty much house bound this winter. I need to get out and start doing fun stuff. I'll admit that my buddies have invited me along on some adventures but have opted out, my bad.

The Entire Campaign in One Cartoon

Went to a gun show today with a couple of freinds. as guns shows go this one was just ok. No real deals on guns and one table every thing was marked 50-60 percent high. we didn't bother to talk to these people. I don't deal with folks that gouge. But it was a fun day hanging with my buddies. I did pick up some 12 ga buckshot and a couple of magazine for my AK 47. Tomorrow we will watch our two youngest granddaughters while mom and dad hit the slopes snow boarding. I am sure Ava and I will spent time baking brownies or cookies. She loves to bake with grandpa.

Nasty wind storm. winds 40-60 mph with gust up to 90 mph. from the safety of my house I can see 1/2 dozens fences blown down. The house across the street is going to need a new roof and their siding is flapping in the wind. I won't go out and check my place untill the wind has died down. please pray for my neighbors.

It was nothing but fun.

My buddies (Jim and Nate) and I headed for the desert yesterday to do some shooting. I was more then pleased with my new AK 47, it shot great. It is so easy to field strip and clean I understand why it is the most popular firearm in the world. As we were leaving my house we drove past a trash can with a 20-25lbs pound pumpkin sitting on top. We had to stop and grab it for a target. It turned into mush by the end of the day. We always pick up our trash after shooting but there was not enough pumpkin left to pick up. Anyway we figured it is bio-degradeable or it will be jackrabbit food. The bride is out of town visiting our youngest son and his wife. She seems to be having a good time and I am sure she is spending a bunch of money. She will be home Tuesday and her sister is coming for a visit Wednesday. I was given orders to make sure the house is clean and in order, so the next few days are planned around the goal of a clean house. There is no rest for the retired.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Welcome the newest member of the family.

Had a root canel today, not as much fun as you think.

relaxing evening, nice fire in the fireplace it just doesn't get much better then this.

Not sure what I did but I was taking my snow blower from my shop to the garage (the snow blower I just put new belts on), and it started to smoke, squeal, and do stuff that didn't seem altogether correct. I have taken it back to my shop and disassembled it and started a head sratching session. I think I'll figure it out but I am not sure what I did wrong the first time. Somebody please pray for me!!!!!!

leaving Thursday to spend the weekend with my son and go to the Changers -Broncos game this Sunday

Mom was placed on hospice today. They give mom as little as a month. She went to the hospital yesterday morning. It appears she had a small heart attack, a stroke, and she has pneumonia.

I guess I should catch up my blog. The bride and I had a great time at the high school reunion. We also made time to get together with some old friends, just a wonderful vacation. Been busy doing retired guy stuff, going out to breakfast and lunch with other retired guys, going to the gun range, fishing, and drinking coffee. Spent today replacing a couple of belts on my trusty snow blower, plus changed the fuel filter on my truck. There is no rest for the retired. Tomorrow we will be attending our youngest granddaughter’s birthday party. Little Lea is 1 year old. Time does march on.

The bride and I are headed for San Diego in the morning. It is time for our 40th high school reunion. Where does the time go?

I was reading in the paper today there was an article about two illegal mexicans driving around a neighborhood stealing anything they could from open garages and unlocked sheds. Found out this was my neighborhood. My buddy across the street saw four cop cars in front of his house this AM. It appears this is where they stage the arrest.