We never saw these birds the first several years we lived here, but they arrived one Spring 7-8 years ago.  We quickly constructed some bluebird nest boxes and they have been returning ever since.  These photos were taken April 7, 2010, on or near the bird feeder.

(They kinda’ look fake, eh?  But I assure you, they’re real!  Mighty purdy birds they are.)

Normally I’d just put a link to an interesting article, but in this case I don’t think you can get to it unless you’re a subscriber.  So… I’ve taken the liberty to post a copy (pdf file) of the article — at least until I’m asked to remove it.  It’s an opinion piece from the Feb 18th issue of “The Economist.”

A lot of people, especially my mother who turned 91 on Feb 19th, think our country & political system is in a mess.  Well, I say — it’s ALL relative.  If you read (or watch) only the main stream U.S. news, then “Yes” — we certainly are ‘in a mess.’  I think it’s extremely refreshing to read an article from ‘the outside’ (outside the USA, that is), that expresses an opinion that what we’re experiencing today in America is “American Democracy at Work.”

Personally, I find this article extremely refreshing!

High Country News article “Charles Bowden on The War Next Door“

This isn’t something I planned on writing about, nor referring to, but I found this article disturbing.  As an “Old Fart,” I’ve been observing our so-called “War on Drugs” (WOD) for over 40 years.  I must say… it doesn’t appear that we’ve made much, if any, progress over that time period.  I had primarily noticed that I hadn’t seen much news lately on the WOD (until I saw this article).

I don’t know… seems to me it’s time we try something else… no matter how ‘off the wall’ it is.

Anyway’s… Wikipedia has a nice write-up on the WOD here.  There’s even a “WOD Clock” website.  Amazing…

Is it:

• a 1964 TV series about a Bottlenose Dolphin?
• a punk band in San Francisco, CA in 1979?
• a 1995 TV series (remake) about a Bottlenose Dolphin?
• a 1996 movie about a Bottlenose Dolphin?
• one (of a pair) of diving fins?
• one (of a pair) of flip-flops?
• a stinkin’ acrylic contraption with a fake tooth; that hurts like hell; and that you wear when they’ve removed a REAL tooth from your mouth?
• an enhancement device that attaches to the top of your cordless mouse?

If you picked the next to the last one, you are correctamundo — and that’s what I’ve been wearing since the oral surgeon removed my upper front tooth exactly two weeks ago.  The mouse helps keep it properly positioned in my mouth.

    
Logitech Cordless Laser “Flipper” Mouse

Aren’t I just the cutest little thing you ever saw?

Hey Baby… are you busy tonight???

Is it just me, or my ears just too damn big?

There I was, just getting used to finally enjoy being outside in my own yard, without giving a care or thought as to whom (or what) was quietly sneaking up on me, just to bite me in the ass (or leg, or any body part within reach of his snake-like neck)…

Yup… George the “mean” goose is back.  He only lasted 8 days at his new home, which was complete with lonely female goose & loving kids.  After 5 days, he wouldn’t eat or come out of his new dog house.  The owner called my wife stating that “George just seems really sad.”  (Too bad I didn’t answer the phone, so I could tell her that I’ve been REALLY happy since George’s departure!)

Oh well.. they say geese mate for life, and apparently George has a ‘thing’ for my wife.  So now he’s back.  If only he’d just terrorize the goats & leave me alone….

A bit of good news today, which is nice, seeing as I lost one of my upper front teeth at the endodontist this past Tuesday.  (er, uh… I didn’t actually lose it… the endo-douche pulled it out)  Anywho’s… George, the big, mean goose that’s been terrorizing both me and my son for the past 8 years… is going to a NEW home!  Why, you might ask?  Well… he finally started attacking my wife, who is the proper ‘owner’ of all our pet farm animals (goats, chickens, guinea hens, etc.).  And when I say a new home, I really mean that.  George is going to a farm that has a single female goose.  George used to have a mate, but she died a few years ago.  Her death has nothing to do with his meanness… he became a vicious little shit when he was only a year old, and has only gotten worse over the past 7 years.  During most of that time George was sweet to my wife, and only directed his hostility toward everyone else (mainly me & my son).

Anyway’s… now I can freely roam about in our yard or barn without worrying about who’s trying to sneak up on me to bite the shit out of my leg.

G’bye George!  I won’t miss you!  NOT-ONE-SINGLE-BIT!!!  Have a great life & I hope the coyotes and/or foxes don’t get you!

(Actually… I lied.  I really don’t mind if the coyotes or foxes DO get you)

• Intellectual Property (IP)
  • Watch out for ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement).  Don’t know what it is? Google it.
• Copyright
  • From US Constitution: “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”  We’re WAY beyond “limited” now… it’s frakking ridiculous!
• DRM
  • I don’t think so!  No.  Never Again.  Uh Uh No Way.  No.  No.  No.

I’ll have more later…

It’s about time, too.  Of course, the fact that I just bought six new keyboards (3 mini, 2 compact, 1 regular) has given me the urge to type… and type… and type.  And I’m really sick of typing into a text editor & deleting the file when I’m through.  I think it would be MUCH more meaningful to type here & make other people sick, too.  No?  Oh well, I’m sure I’ll eventually get tired of these new keyboards and this blog will probably cease to exist.  Seeing as I’m probably the only person looking at it, I don’t suppose it will be missed.  (boo hoo, I’m soooooo depressed)

I’ll have you know that I also gave a great deal of thought & spent considerable time trying to come up with an interesting and/or intriguing tagline, but… I got nuttin’.  Maybe later…