What if?

 

A Dark Day.

What if out of your country's entire population only 530 individuals, 404 men and 126 women, were allowed to cast votes in the presidential election? That is exactly what some of your country's government representatives are advocating. There are currently 530 US Members of Congress.  If that Congress can vote to overturn the results of your election, those 530 votes are all that counts.  In this election 155 million individuals cast votes,  155 million cast votes whittled down to 530 counted votes. Does that sound like government of the people, by the people, for the people? 

Cold Weather Gear...

 
I got some new cold weather gear for walking.  Sone JR gave me a really warm jacket.  It is made by Dewalt and has a warmer with a battery.  [I have let the batter run down, so I did not use it today, but the coat is really, really warm and I did not need the battery.  I love the coat, but am not so sure about the batter and warmer.] Then I have my toboggan, gloves, neck warmer and the mask. I could not ware the mask over my nose, as it is too thick to breath through, but I did wear it on my chin which helped keep the toboggan pulled down. The gloves were soft and warm and the neck warmer worked great. The boots are ones I bought yesterday.  They are Sketcher boots.  I did not know Sketcher made boots.  They are lined, very warm, and comfortable to walk in.

I started out at 7:30 when it was 32 degrees.  I stay nice and warm all the way.  This is the meek hill with gray dog in the background.

I went on over to where the hill starts down to Snow's house. If you enlarge the pic below, you can see Helen's house on the hill in the distance.

Terry was feeding his cows as I returned.

It was 32 degrees still when I got back home at 9.  My watch said I had went almost 4 miles.  I know it is 1 1/2 miles to Eva Bell's house, so I am thinking more like 3 miles.

 

After Christmas

 

I am always glad when Christmas week end is over.  I know so many love Christmas, but I feel Christmas for little children is magical but for adults not so much.  Expectations are often miles higher than reality.  This was a reality photo of our sunrise today.  Going to be another beautiful day.

Yesterday, I connected my phone to my big computer so I would have access to my phone photos.  I usually connect the phone to computer via usb port, but wifi is easier.  I just wonder if I delete photos from my phone, will they be deleted from my puter.  I will test that out later.

Hannah opening her Christmas Chromebook.  I got them both Chromebooks they can use for school work and play.  Their school uses chromebooks in their classwork. They are less expensive than windows computers, so I got them each one.

Robert with the boots I bought him.  

Another view.

Opening boot box.

And these are the boots his Dad got him.  I told him he could take mine back and get whatever he wanted, but he wanted to keep both pair.  They are both good Ariat boots.

Today I am taking them to Branson to spend their Christmas money.

Christmas 2020

Hannah cooked ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and brown-n- serve rolls. It was good eating on my fine china at my table that is behind the people in the picture. Robert and Greg had gone to the store and made it back just after we started eating.

I went up and got Helen's chairs. I hate to admit this, but they do match my table. Both are a dark walnut finish. For now at least I am keeping them. 

We had a good day. It has been brutally cold but today is shirt sleeve weather. I guess I will have to go walk.

On second thought

Sister Betty's hat is not exactly like mine.  She did not like the top knot so she did surgery in it. Now it is a not top hat.

Perfect for walking in the cold

I got this for me and myself for walking in bad weather and for work when it is so cold. I got Sister Betty a set like it in shades of tan. The hat, gloves and neck piece are all lined. Really warm. Helen will be green with envy.

A beautiful day

 

This is Saturn and Jupiter taken with my big camera, two little dots.

Eagle flying over Norton's house.

On his way down to the bluffs along the creek to roost for the night. At least that is where I think the go to roost.  She was headed that way.

Kids enjoying the nice weather.

Once in several lifetimes

We saw Saturn an Jupiter tonight. I made the kids go out and look. It was neat to see.

Merry tree

This is my actual Christmas tree. The one I posted last week was actually Sister Helen's. I have a big tree, but this year I wanted a table top tree. I like it better than the big tree we've had the last few years.

No Problem..

 Made it to work just fine, but started late at 7 O'clock.  The schedule was to start 2 hours later than usual, but Kathy said I could come in whenever I wanted to.  So, just like any other day.

Our road out by the Walnut tree that is not.

Meek Hill from in front of Dick Newberry's house.

And the Meek Hill.

Cold, snow, but we can still go.

Family out in the cold...

I told you so...

 See, no snow.

Not now, maybe later...

But probably not. It is too warm for snow today, and moisture is supposed to move on by tonight. My window theometor say 36 now.

But my real theme here is editing images in Android. I have learned a few things about images on my phone, but for most things I have sent the image to my computer for major edits. I knew I could do a screen capture on my phone, but had not tried to figure it out. I have even accomplished this a few times by accident. I knew I could ask Hannah, but I refuse to go there. So today, with help from Google, and a lot of hunt and peck, I captured this KY3 weather image for Green Forest, wiped out the ad in the middle, added my own text, and moved the text window. I could not change the text size, and decided that was likely with the default image edit app.

Anyway, we might get some snow today, but it will not accumulate as it will melt as it falls. Tonight is supposed to be very cold, but the snow will be long gone by nightfall. Or, so they say.

And the court said...

 

Our beautiful tree

Eureka!

After an update, my Fitbit now recieves text messages! And even emails too. So, maybe my watch and your watch can talk to each other.

A Bright, Bright, Sunshiny Day

Greg had the  wheeler fixed for the kids. The Boy is enjoying having it back.

Yesterday we went to Branson shopping for Hannah's birthday. Shopping is her favorite thing. It worked out for me as I and her Dad had given her some money but I told her I would pay for an outfit and new shoes in addition to the money. I mostly sat in the car while her and her friend shopped. She was supposed to text me if I needed to pay for something. She ended up just spending her money as that was easier. Usually we mostly use my money, not hers. She even gave her last $3 toward the tip for lunch. All in all, a good day for all. 

Walking with new watch

I got my new Fitbit last Saturday, November 28. Yesterday, I made 10,000 steps with it for the first time. In better weather, I get close to 10,000 most days, but not with the weather we have been having.

Hannah's basketball games for yesterday and today have been cancelled. She says for weather. She texted me around 1 yesterday to tell me game cancelled. I told her I appreciated her letting me know.  She said she texted because she wanted food when she got home and was afraid I wouldn't cook if I thought she was not going to be on the buss.  It's all about Hannah.

Lands of Lost Borders, A Journey on the Silk Road

 By Kate Harris.  For the last few days I have been trudging through this book.  If you can believe it, the story is about biking the Silk Road.  It is not exactly an exciting read, but I made it to the end.  At least reading it was, I am sure, easier than living it.

Kate Harris Website

Above is the author's website which has a 10 minute video covering 10 months, 10 countries, 10 thousands km.  I think watching this before tackling the book would enhance the book. Much of the book is  dreary misery; the video not so much.

Buy a Goat...

 I did.

World Vision, Gift a Goat

Sister Betty's kids have bought some kids, making me want to buy goats.  At World Vision, you can donate goats, chickens, other animals, or good old green back to help families around the world.  I have wanted to do this before, but just not followed through.  Now, the company I work for will match 100% of our donations to thousands of non-profits, up to a $ limit per year. Today, I chose to donate to World Vision [a $ amount, but I prefer to think it it in terms of 10 goats and 8 chickens].  So, now I am part owner of several animals in the third world.  Astrid will be green with envy. 

Bertha would be proud.  Money can't buy everything, but it can buy me a goat.

 

Black Friday watch

I got a Fitbit watch. I am pleased with it, but I can't get it to receive messages. It does notify when I get a call. And the steps to miles is pretty accurate. I know it is a mile from my door to cemetery Lane and that is what it said. This is my third step watch and it is the first one that did not eat over state the steps to miles. All in all, I am pleased with it.

Visiting Family

What do you see? I see 2 barefoot kids and a Dad with his work boots on, even on holiday.

Today the kids and I are going to visit Sister Bet. We plan on enjoying a fun day.