Mass Deportation

 So, Trump has said that his administration will deport a lot of people who are here illegally.  What might that look like?  It's a legitimate question.

I think we have to put these migrants into two categories  The first, the people who came here looking for a batter life.  Second, the criminal element.  The criminals will self-identify, get arrested, andthe justice system can have its way with them.

Those who came here looking for a better life are more of a political minefield.  We don't want to go hose-to-house, Gestapo tactics.  But, the fact is that while the criminals are a drain on the justice system, the hopefuls are a drain on the social systems  The schools, the hospitals, the state and local agencies.  My solution would be to simply turn off the welfare tap.  Give then notice, like 30 days, that the freebies have run out, and that after 30 days they need to find a place to live, a job to hold down, and food to eat.  After 30 days they run the risk of homeless starvation.

So, the question becomes; if we shut off the welfare tap, no money, no housing, no nothing, how many of these multi-million migrants will self-deport?

MAGA Halloween

 From Termite, a Halloween costume, designed by Joe Biden, to scare liberals.

A garbage bag and a MAGA hat.  Perfect.

Another Week

 It's Wednesday, and next Tuesday is election day.  In another week, this shit-show of an election will be over, for better or worse.  I'll be glad to see it gone, and I hope that the orange man prevails.  But, in another week, we'll know.

I see that Kamala got Julia Roberts to do an ad letting women know that they can vote.  What a remarkable idea, women voting.  I'm not a woman, but I was raised by one, then married for over 40 years.  I have a passing familiarity with the gender.  I suspect, given the odds, that one of those women at some point voted against me.

In each of those relationships, the lady might ask me about the issues  I've had some remarkable conversations with my ladies about politics, but I have never thought that I could tell then how to vote.  I've een involved with women who were staunch conservatives, and others who were ding-bat liberals, and yet others who didn't let politics enter into their world view.  Each was alluring in her own way.

Regardless, I would never tell anyone how to vote.  I would recommend to everyone that they go vote.  Make the effort.  Pull the lever, or check the box.  Go vote.

Early Voting

 Running my errand this morning, I drove past our polling spot in Pineville and noticed that they were fairly busy. When I got back home, I checked a statewide news site and found this article.  Early vote totals are low?  What is up with that?

BATON ROUGE — Early voting numbers show a decrease in voter turnout in Louisiana as compared to the 2020 election, with fewer Black voters heading to the polls ahead of Nov. 5.

Well, ain't that a kick in the pants? Black turnout is low?  Maybe they are waiting for November 5th? Interesting.  There are some down-ballot races, Congressional seats, that could benefit from a large black turnout.

We shall see.

Optimum Sucks

We use Optimum for our TV and internet.  Originally Cox Communications, they sold out to SuddenLink, who sold out to Optimum.  At least in our area, they are the only game in town. 

They suck at what they do.  When things are working, it works great, but their service staff has issues that are the bane of their customers.  Earlier in October, they switched over from analog to digital for basic cable services and caused monumental problems in the area.  The old analog was working fire, you understand, but they wanted to swap over to digital.

This morning, grandson comes in from work and tells me that there is a wire down in the driveway.  I went out to check, and he was correct.

Well, technically, it's not down yet, but it is hanging pretty low.  So, I called Optimum and spoke with Bobby from Mumbai.  He scheduled me anappointment for a tech tostop by on November 1st, between 5 and 8 pm.

So, I got in the van and went to the local store, who told me that there was absolutely nothing they could do to help me, but they did give me a card and told me to call a number.  Bobby again, from Mumbai.

It's Monday, we have a wire down, and Bobby can't get anyone here until Friday.  That is horrible customer service.  Which is why Optimum sucks.

FLOOD RELIEF Roswell NM: Please help get the word out!!!

At lunch today, my elder son told me that a town he recently lived in, Roswell, NM, recently suffered catastrophic floods as the result of a 100-year rainfall event.

I haven't heard anything abut it, but son was telling us about the destruction and flooding in what is generally known as a desert town. A link here that talks about the  flooding.

I've been to Roswell a couple of times.  It's a quirky little town, best known for aliens and they capitalize on that legend.  Still, it's hard to know that people are suffering and see no news on it.

Too Close to Call

 The polls have tightened and the big prognosticators are telling us that the presidential race is too close to call.  Maybe so, we've seen this before.

During the 2000 race, with GW Bush vs Al Gore, I was blissfully single.  Meeting Belle was still a year away and I was playing the field.  There was this one gal, we'll call her Maggie.  She had one adult daughter, worked as a recreation director at a local nursing home, and drove an SUV.  On her SUV was an Al Gore bumper sticker.

For myself, the motorcycle had a Bush bumper sticker. Needless to say, Maggie and I had some interesting conversations about the political climate. I realized that she, being an artsy type and a liberal, that she had never dated a conservative. Or a motorcyclist, nor probably a redneck.  I was exotic.  She was smitten.

So, there we were, from different worlds, in the midst of a presidential election.  So, a friendly bet was made on the outcome of the race. We would watch the returns together, at her place, and when the result was announced, the bet would be settled.

Imagine our chagrin, when about midnight, the race was too close to call.  No one knew.  Hanging chads in Florida.  The race could not be called, and would eventually go to the Supreme Court.  What a disaster.

George Bush eventually became president.  Maggie and I parted ways shortly after Christmas.  Not because of political differences, but because I realized that she was a conniving harpy and I simply walked away.  

I met Belle a month later, at a Super Bowl party.

Negativity

 I don't know what the Dem camp is thinking, but it seems like this week, they've gone completely negative on the campaign trail.  Whatever the question, it's Donald Trump's fault.

Just this morning, I've heard Trump described as Hitler, a dictator, a fascist, a misogynists and a racist.  I don't believe I have ever heard such unhinged negativity from a major campaign.

I know that POTUS wields great power, and that Kamala was only the VPOTUS, subject to being over-ruled by Biden, but she was there, still holds the office, and has to take some responsibility for the past four years.

I have already voted, so this turn of events has no bearing on my vote, but I am appalled at the turn.  Kamala is reportedly going to make her closing argument at a major speech on the ellipse in Washington next week.  It will be interesting to see what she has to say.  I hope, for the good of the country it is a concession speech, but I have no rational expectation that her oratory will rise to greatness and heal a divided nation.

A Pot of Beans

I have cooked, at this point in my life, probably tons of beans. Inexpensive, filling fare that will fill a family's belly.  When I was po' folks, raising a hungry family, a pot of beans went a long way toward balancing the family budget.  Now that I'm a bit more comfortable, a pot of beans is a comfort food.

A commenter notes:

I've read that a pot of beans was often made on Mondays (laundry days), the meal basically cooking unattended for the most part.

That is true.  But, there are a couple of considerations.  First, beans will scorch, that one bean laying ont he bottom of the pot will scorch and taint the entire population.  Stir occasionally, to get the beans off the bottom.  Second, you will have to add water, so keep a little pot on the stove to add hot water when neded.  Adding cold water to the pot kills the simmer, and you want those beans on a low simmer. 

Aeasong is important, to your taste.  All that beans NEED is a bit of salt, but add what you like.  Those are your beans, so make them like you want them.  A bit of meat helps.  I like to use sausage, but I've also used bacon, or salt pork, or even browned hamburger.

I used to soak my beans overnight, but not anymore.  I've never seen the value, and nowadays I simply put the beans in a crock pot before bed, turn it on LOW, add plenty of water, and go to sleep.  When I get up to make coffee, give them a stir and add a little water.  Taste the broth and adjust he seasoning.  They will be ready for lunch.

Tuesday Chores

 Started the day doing fence maintenance.  Like many suburbanites, we have a privacy fence, six feet tall with red cedar dog ear pickets.  Every so often, twice a year or so, it pays to walk the fence with a pocket full of screws and take care of loose pickets.  It's an easy chore.

After lunch, we went to Sam's Club to make a supply run.  We didn't need much, paper products mainly,   Belle did find a bottle of wine she wanted to try.  Before we left, I put some brass in the tumbler.  It's time to take it out and reload some ammo for this weekend.

About dark, I'm going to cut up some sausage and put it in the crock pot with a pound of red beans.  Turn it on low and let it go all night.  Tomorrow, all I'll have to do is make a pot of rice.  It's been an easy Tuesday.

Just Monday

 Got up this morning, had to run to the pharmacy, the bank and the grocers.  Got that done and got home.   Ate lunch, a ham and cheese sammich with potato salad.  My sister-in-law made it for yesterday and I think it was better today than it was yesterday.  Some things, like gumbo and potato salad are better the next day.

A friend called, and I helped him mount a scope on his hog rifle.  It's a Ruger Mini-30 which now sports a nice Vortex 1-4 scope.  Perfect for the hog woods around here.

This afternoon, a club member called.  He had made something for the club house and wanted to bring it over.  He's a welder by trade and a blacksmith by nature.  He had welded a bunch of horse shoes together for the club.

 A Peacemakers' sign, made from horseshoes.  I think it looks just fine. We may move it, but I think that it looks grand.

Ten Commandments of Gumbo

 There are rules about Cajun gumbo that have been passed down through the generations.  Like all commandments, they are sometimes broken, but with repentance, these transgressions can be forgiven.

1 Thou shalt never use tomatoes in Cajun gumbo. The Creoles sometimes slip a tomato product into their gumbo, but Cajun gumbo hath no tomatoes.

2 Thou shalt not use Un-Cajun Sausage.  Louisiana makes plenty of sausage.  Andouille and smoked sausage work just fine.  The one exception may be Conecuh sausage.  It's made in Alabama but tastes like it is made in Louisiana.

3 Thou shalt not use store-bought roux. Just don't.  Take your time and pride of craft to make your own roux.

4 Though shalt always use a bowl.  Don't put gumbo on a plate.  Only Philistines and Yankees would commit such a sin. 

5 Thou shalt only use a wooden spoon.  When you're cooking roux or assembling the gumbo, a wooden spoon is an absolute necessity.  We might use a metal ladle to dip it out for serving, but the wooden spoon is critical for a good roux.

6 Thou shalt always adhere to the "gumbo to rice" ratio.  It's simple match.  Two parts gumbo to one part rice.

7 Thou shalt always have filet available.  Filet, or ground sassafras is a gumbo staple.  Some folks like it, some folks don't.  But it is a sin to make gumbo and not have filet available for those who like it.

8 Thou shalt not mix chicken and sausage with seafood.  Just don't.  If you want a seafood gumbo, make it.  If you want a squirrel or a duck gumbo, make that too.  If you use catfish, it is called a court-bullion.

9 Thou shalt not tell people where the potato salad goes.  Some like it in a separate plate, some like it in their gumbo.  It's personal taste, and none of my business.  Nor your business either.

10 Thou shalt always stir counterclockwise.  I don't know where this one came from, but I always stir counterclockwise.  It just always been like that.  I'm sure it is a minor transgression and has no detriment to the gumbo.

If you get down to New Orleans, all these rules might not apply, but the Creoles have been thumbing their noses at the Cajuns for years.  But, just because someone ignores the rules don't mean that the rules don't apply.  Repent and prosper.

Gumbo Weather

 If this cool snap has done nothing else, it has certainly lifted our spirits from the doldrums of the summer. I went to the grocers this morning, and ran into three people who were making preparations to make a gumbo.  Which is exactly what I was doing.

When the weather gets cool, folks all over Louisiana get a twitch, a compulsion, to make gumbo.  I have a small whole fryer and four leg quarters in the pot, along with a stick of butter, four bullion cubes, with salt and pepper, starting to make the stock I'll need.  I have cut up three pounds of good sausage and have chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to add to the mix.

When the chicken gets fall-off-the-bone tender, I'll dredge it from the pot and set it aside to cool.  After lunch, I'll gather my implements and make a big roux.  After the gumbo is assembled, I'll let it cool and put it in the fridge.  I have called some friends, and after church tomorrow, I'll put it back on the stove to heat, and make a pot of rice.

The basic recipe is here.

We Voted

 Early, in-person voting started today in Louisiana.  Belle and I went tot he polls and cast our ballot for the presidential election, a congressional election, and a state constitutional amendment.

We vote at Kees Park in Pineville.  When we got there the line was out the door, approacking the parking lot.  After we voted the line had gotten tot he parking lot.  Belle and I have been early voting for several years and this was the longest line we had been in.  Plenty of machines and workers, the line moved smoothly and we were done in about a half hour.

It was not a bad time at all.  If they'd let me, I'd do it again tomorrow.

Exultation

 Evidently, the Jewish world is celebrating the death of Yahya Sinwar, the political leader of Hamas.  This asshole was the planner for the October 7th attack last year and was the prime target of the IDF in Gaza.

From all accounts, Sinwar was a truly evil peckerhead and got the treatment that truly evil peckerheads so richly deserve. He didn't get a bomb dropped on him, or a missile to the forehead, he got shot by the IDF.

Nobody is going to miss this asshole.  I mean, hell, his mamma named him Ya-Ya.

Interesting Question

 Some of us were talking last week, and a question was posed: If a citizen is forced to commit a justifiable homicide.  A purely justifiable case of self-defense.  Is that citizen required in law to notify the police?

We all agreed that if you have to kill someone, calling the police is a good idea, but that wasn't the question.  Are you required to call the police?

This question was posed to a retired state trooper with 20+ years of service, and to me, a guy who carried a badge for 37 years. The two of us were stymied.

Let me be clear, in any situation of self-defense, there are only two roles. The victim and the bad guy.  You, as a good guy/victim want to call the police, if for no other reason than to have them come and remove the corpse.  But, the question remains, are you required by law to call the police?

Cool Snap

 On the way out the door this morning with my first cup of ambition, Belle told me that I might want long pants.  She was right.  It was cool and breezy on the back porch this morning.

Before I left to run errands, I put on a flannel shirt for the first time since last winter.  It's nice outside, cool and breezy with temps in the 50s. My first errand was to take the dog to the groomers, where he will come home shorn this afternoon.  He'll freeze his little butt off, but Belle is looking for his sweater.

We'll have warm weather again, but this little break sure feels nice.

Gerrymander

 According to the latest Louisiana census data, the state is 31% black.  With six congressional districts, the recent Democrat governor wanted to add a second minority district.  The legislature was unable todo so without some severe gerrymandering, but they drew it anyway.  Louisiana's 6th district stretches from Baton Rouge in the southeastern part of the state, to Shreveport, in the northwestern part of the state.

PawPaw happens to live in the new district, so I'll be forced to vote in that district.  I just pulled my sample ballot, and learned that thankfully, there is one Republican on that ballot, Elbert Guillory of St. Landry parish.  Guillory is black, but he is a registered Republican in a field of Democrats.  My choice is simple.  I'll push the button for Guillory, and hope that he prevails and represents us well.

Would I Ever

 The conversation came up this weekend.  Would I ever vote for a black woman?  The answer is, yes I would.  When that woman's political philosophy, mental acuity, and moral values align with mine, I'd vote vor her.

Two examples come quickly to mind.  Condoleezza Rice and Candace Owens are examples of women that I would vote for..  Both of these women have political philosophies that align with mine.  Intelligent, conservative, tough, and smart enough not to run for office, I think these ladies are great.

Would I vote for a black woman?  Sure, the right black woman.  The current pretender is not in either of their leagues.

Walz Fumbles

Tim Walz, trying to be a guys guy, fumbles with his shotgun during what appears to be a staged pheasant hunt.  The clip is early inthis video, 

The shotgun in question is a Beretta A400, a thoroughly capable sporting shotgun.  I've never used one myself, being more of a Winchester, Remington, or Browning guy, but with a little familiarization, I'm sure I could do a better job than that.

Walz is a poser.  We've all known them, the guy who talks a good game, but when it's time to go downrange and get stuff done, he's a ghost. I'm not voting for that guy.

Well, That's Done

 It helps when you have a good crew and good equipment.  A little more than three hours, and we were rolling up extension cord and putting tools away.

Elder son got out the Go Pro and took some footage.  I'm betting that it shows up online in another week or so.  When it does, I'll let you know.  Using a mini-excavator to demolish a deck should be some good B-roll.

Now, on to other things.

After the Storm

 Catching my breath between chores, I'm watching the news, and I recall my little place on Bayou Derbonne in southern Natchitoches parish.  It was an old house when I bought it, but the fellow who built it knew the land and put it on a high spot.  We never got flooded out, but several times we were flooded in, surrounded by backwater that would build after a deluge of rain and not be able to run off.

We never got flooded during the storm.  It would take several days for the creeks, streams, bayous and rivers to become inundated and the water would start crossing the roads and bridges.  When we got flooded, it was always nice weather. Sunny days.

Some folks in Florida are experiencing that now.  Milton has passed, but the rivers , streams and bays are full.  The water can't get out, so it backs up. It is simply another challenge in this string of days that we call life.  This too will pass and life will start to get back to something close to normal.

Still Here

 We're still here, not ignoring y'all.  This week has been beset with challenges around mu little acre.  Things that take a little planning, a little prep, and a little work, before the project swings into full force.  I have to get a big piece of equipment into the back yard and things needed to happen before that time.  Stuff moved, stuff mowed, stuff chain sawed.

Tomorrow morning early, the crew and equipment will arrive. The work should be done in several hours and we can move forward.  Luckily, the weather is supposed to be wonderful.  No chance of heat stroke.

At my advanced age and state of decrepitude,, I like to tell people that I can still do a full days work, it just takes me most of the week to get it done.  Y'all have a blessed weekend.

Wednesday News

 Looking at t the morning news, we break it down into two categories.  1) Kamala can't hold a press conference or a prime-time interview.  She is just incapable.  or, 2) Nonstop Milton coverage.

I did find one interesting, heart-warming story about a fellow using a mule train to get supplies to cut-off people in North Carolina.  19th century technology still works, and the mules are getting a little exercise.

Pray for Florida, but don't forget to pray for North Carolina.

Cable Woes

 Around here, Optimum is our cable service provider.  They are indeed the only choice if you want cable TV.

Belle watches TV, keeps a set on in the bedroom all night.  It's white noise.  This morning at 1:00 a.m., the cable went out.  No biggie, just a distraction.  When I awoke this morning, I started going through all the diagnostics and resetting everything.  I got the tech guy on the phone and he went through his diagnostics.  After half an hour on the phone, I was told that my cable boxes went out and that I had to go to their store to get new ones.  So, I yanked out the boxes and went to the store.

When I got there, the place was slammed. Full of irate customers.  Turns out, they scrambled all the channels this morning at 1:00 and switched systems.  After an hour waiting in line, I finally got to the desk and got two new cable boxes that were exactly like the old cable boxes.  And a new channel guide sheet.  Belle's favorite channels have all changed spots and she is going to have to keep those sheets close for a bit until the memorizes her favorites.

So, my day is shot because Optimum thought it would be hilarious to screw with everyone's channel lineup.  They are cocksuckers, I tell you, cocksuckers.

Meme

 This is something that the political elite will call misinformation.  Dangerous, false, and it was certainly photoshopped.  That doesn't make it any less relevant.

We have another strong hurricane bearing down on Florida. Where is Kamala?  Where is Joe, where is Mayorkas?.

Milton

 we awake this morning to find that the tropical disturbance in the Gulf has been named Milton and is heading to Florida.  Here is the cone.

It is due to hit the west coast of Florida on Wednesday and this cone may change.  Keep the affected folks in your prayers.

Opening Day

 Today is the opening day for squirrel season in north-central Louisiana.  It's almost a holiday and everyone who wants to tramp through the woods are chasing those bushy-tailed tree rats.  Grandson Lucas went out today and got his first squirrel.  This a momentous occasion.

To make the day even cooler, he used a shotgun that has been in the family a long, long, time.  

That is his great-grandfather's shotgun.  A Remington Model 11 that has taught four generations of hunters how to stalk the squirrels.  It's in 20 gauge and has been lovingly maintained in the family for many decades.

Well done, Lucas.  The old man is smiling down on you today.

Remembering

 I've spent some time this evening watching citizen journalists reporting out of the disaster area that is western North Carolina, and my heart moans for those people.  My memory floods back to the twin disasters of Katrina and Rita that hit Louisiana like a 1-2 punch in 2005.

Eastern Louisiana reeled from Katrina, and two weeks later, Rita slammed into western Louisiana.  New Orleans was virtually destroyed and many small communities across the coast were lost in Rita.  Just when everything seemed out of control, the government sent in Lieutenant General Russel Honore and told him to fix the disfunction and bring relief to those hut the most.

Honore took charge.  His command style was results oriented.  He had no time for bureaucrats or delay.  Results were all that mattered.  He'd tell people things like "Don't get stuck on stupid." or "You're looking at a calendar.  I'm looking at my wristwatch."  LTG Honore got things done.

North Carolina needs someone like Russ Honore. Someone with mission orders to take charge, tighten up the bureaucrats and get relief flowing.  I note that North Carolina is home to several fairly prominent military billets.  Places with helicopters, field kitchens, field hospitals, worker bees, and the ability to rad a map. Those assets could go to work tomorrow if POTUS would simply put someone in charge.

Two Pulls

 Being a country boy, I've owned chainsaws my entire adult life and I truly hate the damned things.  Noisy, oily, and dangerous,  I have never been comfortable running a chainsaw.  My latest chainsaw was one I bought at the local power equipment store, and it's a good one.  Echo brand. I've had it for 10-ish years and it still starts on the second pull.

For that, I give credit to my Dad, who said that there are several things that we must do for our small engines so that they run consistently.  1) Good, fresh fuel.  These days I run True Fuel in the chainsaw.  40:1, although the book calls for 50:1  That little bit of extra oil doesn't hurt a thing, and might actually help.  Then, when you're done, drain the fuel from the tank, and start the engine, letting it idle until if runs dry.  There may be a little fuel left in the lines, but not enough to gum things up.  And 3), give it a little cleaning before you put it away.

The chainsaw has been around for 10-ish years, gets run maybe twice a year, and still starts on the second pull. I changed the spark plug and filters maybe two years ago.

When this one gives up the ghost, I won't buy another gas-operated saw.  The electric ones are so much nicer, and probably better for my applications.  They still need bar oil, though.

Tropical Update

 In this, the first week of October, with nearly 60 days left in the hurricane season, we turn to the National Hurricane Center for their 7-day outlook.

That's not too terribly bad.  Two storms in the Atlantic, both predicted to be "fish" storms.  One cautionary area in the Gulf that bears watching.  I can live with that.  It is no time to be complacent, but I'll take good news when it comes our way.

1916

 Following the utter destruction that hurricane Helene left across the south, we're hearing moans about climate change.  Maybe the climate is changing, but if so, it's doing it awfully slowly.  History tells us of a similar flood near Asheville, NC in 1916.

It’s hard to believe the great Flood of 1916 that ravaged Western North Carolina took place over 100 years ago. The Flood still lives on in the hearts and minds of Asheville area citizens, and it is still known as ‘the flood to end all floods’. The Asheville Citizen, using a borrowed gasoline engine to run its presses, described the devastation caused by The Flood in its July 17, 1916, edition:“Exacting an unknown toll of death, with a property loss exceeding three million dollars, Asheville today is absolutely isolated from the outside world, is a city of darkness void of ordinary transportation facilities, and finds herself helpless in the grasp of the most terrible flood conditions ever known here.”

I say this not to minimize the human suffering in this present calamity, but to remind us that these things have happened before. 

My grandfather told stories of a big flood that happened in the 1920s and my parents remember the Red River flood of 1945.  Floods happen sometimes.  It's sad, but we write thigs down so that we can remember them.

Panoramic Sunroof

 I was watching a short on YouTube, an ad for a car, and one of the features was a "panoramic sunroof".

I admit that I have always been baffled about a sunroof in a car.  I've had vehicles with them in the past.  Belle's vehicle has one now, but it has never been used, except when they demonstrated it to her at the dealership.

Does anyone actually use a sunroof?  I've never seen the utility.  It adds complexity to the vehicle and puts a hole in the roof, which I've always thought was a bad idea.

Honestly, does anyone use a sunroof?

Reap The Whirlwind

 The big news today is that Iran has launched hundreds of missiles at Israel.

So far, the missiles seem to have done little real damage, kudos to the Israeli missile defense systems.

Biden has ordered the US military to assist Israel in the missile defense.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the airspace over Jordan is very busy.

Iran has called the thunder, I hope that they are ready to reap the whirlwind.

Strike

I see that the east-coast Longshoremen are on strike, and that is not a good sign for the supply chain.  America's economy these days is all about logistics, moving stuff from the manufacturer to the consumer, and that is supply chain.  If the docks aren't moving containers, the whole thing starts to slow down.

I understand that the sticking point is about automation. Machines moving stuff rather than people moving stuff. So, the question becomes, how long this temper-tantrum will last, and how much will it cost us.

I'm not anti-union, I'm anti-stupid, and I'm not convinced that this strike is the smart way to go about it.