Summer

Mid-Summer

I guess it is more or less the middle of summer.  Out here on the plains,the weather can shift to cold and then to hot and back again in a matter of a week.  However, life goes on and projects need to be done.

The world is spinning around and everyone is deciding whether or not to participate in the heated debates of the day.  Funny how people who have no knowledge of the past seem to feel as though they can speak about it and tell everyone their version.  Then the listeners agree with them, cheer them, and march with them.

I remember the marches, sit-ins, riots, shootings, "Hell no, we won't go!", Vietnam.  And the civil rights marches and riots.  And the burning down of the towns.  That was 1960's and the 1970's in the news and on TV.  No social media though, Al Gore hadn't invented the Internet yet.

When winter arrives, the marching will stop.  Everyone will stay indoors and mix that with Covid and the flu, well, the next big issue.  This virus will go on forever.

Projects

I have been collecting all of the parts and pieces necessary to make solar power happen on the farm.  My background includes heavy electronics such as radar, computers, power generation and distribution, and a Navy Electronics instructor.  So solar and wind power is not a stretch.  I have a few good books from Amazon (love it), and have done much studying on the internet (love it).

The posts are cemented into the ground and done.  The rack to hold the panels needs to be built and pivoted on the posts.  The rack will be adjustable for height only.  This will be set 4 times a year on the change of the seasons.  In the summer, the rack will be near horizontal.  The power generated will run the shop and provide lights for the barn and tractor building.

Next phase will be more panels and that will allow more capability such as emergency power for the house.  The generator will then be used to recharge batteries and other property needs.  A wind mill or two is also being planned so that near 24/7 power generation can be accomplished.  

Funny thing about solar panels, when the sun goes down there will be zero solar power.  Same with wind and wind mills.  Go figure.

Along with the power projects is a new steel roof, furnace, tankless water heater, and plumbing. Oh, and the vehicles.  I am switching all water supply to PEX tubing and parts.  So much better and easier to install.

So what do I do?

I am no longer active duty Navy.  I write software and lead some other programmers when needed or figure out how to solve technical problems at work.  It requires experience that only comes with years and not weeks of training and hands on.  I am in my 60s and look forward to retirement someday.

With the virus out and about, I work at home.  This saves me 2 1/2 hours of commuting a day.  Holy crap!  Imagine what you can do with 2 extra hours per workday!  Either you keep your train of thought on the current work and finish a tough program or you knock off work and go do a project for home.  Or, you make dinner and watch a Hulu flick (not affiliated with Hulu).

Sadness

I found out this past week that a man and fellow Chief who ran a long time blog I read, has passed away.  He will be missed for his insight, wit, and knowledge.  He always said to stay away from crowds.

In retrospect, crowds of people are causing a mess this year.  We will see if crowds of people cause a problem next year or maybe there won't be enough people to make a crowd...

You never know what tomorrow will bring.  Keep your eyes open, your wits sharp, and be aware of your surroundings wherever you are.

Fair seas and following winds.

Chief

Been Awhile

Been Awhile

It has been several years since I last posted to the blog.  I didn't loose interest, I felt that the management of the company I used to work for went looking for issues and this caused me to censor myself out of fear that I could lose my job.  I have since moved on and now work for a good company.

Since my last post, a new job presented itself and I took advantage of what was given.  I can't complain because I have much of what I worked hard to achieve.  My ability to learn quick and easily has allowed me to take advantage of cutting edge technology and move within the company.

The Virus

So this year we all find out what a super pneumonia looks like.  You take a non-violent little virus and amp it up, viola COVID.  So what is in it?  Depending on where you get your information the virus has a little HIV, a little human ready receptors, an ability to cook your lungs and collapse your organs.

It can attach and attack quickly or may take weeks to manifest into a sickness.  While you are cooking virus in your body, the virus is escaping into the atmosphere and infecting others by you breathing or coughing.  With humans ability to be anywhere on the planet within a few days we have super spreader capability.

The Mask

Many "smart" people were advocating that Americans didn't need to wear a mask.  Now many "smart" people are advocating that we should be wearing a mask.  Were they wrong or right in the beginning?  I say they were wrong and they had a reason to prevent others from wearing a mask.

The establishment knew that there was not enough to go around.  As soon as I heard that there was an outbreak and it was going global, I purchased a few boxes of masks and gloves.  My wife and I started putting away sanitizer product and adopted a cleaning method for mail and packages.

In the beginning we wore a mask and gloves.  People looked at us strange but we were protected.  Today we wear a mask everywhere we go and carry hand sanitizer as well.  Today the U.S.has caught up to where we were several months ago.  We have not been sick.

As a fellow Chief has said many times, "Stay away from crowds."  Crowds carry the virus and crowds catch the virus.  Much news is portraying age of the crowd dictates who gets it and who doesn't.  I will continue to wear a mask and stay away from crowds.  News media puts out what they are told and much of it is misleading.

The Turmoil

Somewhere during the long struggle that was/is The Virus something happened that changed the path of ourselves forever.  Many events have occurred and many people are hurt.  I don't know where all of this will go and when society will return to a normal level of peace.  But when have we had peace in our time?  The U.S. has been at war with nations of the world for as long as it has been a nation.  Such a shame that we couldn't figure out how to stop it internally as well as externally.

However, bringing war within our borders for the sake of societal change will result in a conclusion to the U.S.  Look at old Russia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, The Middle East.

Many people are not educated today in the history of yesterday.  Therefore, the people of today with education of today know not what they do.  And it is the doing that will result in our nation to cease as a free land for all peoples.

If the U.S. was/is such a bad place then people from all around the world would not try to come to America.  If America and the beliefs of its' people are so wrong and backwards, then the world would not call upon America to help.  Everywhere tragedy and disaster has struck, America has sent ships and planes and help and money to try and make a difference.

The Path

We are inherently good.  Doesn't matter who we are.  Only the evil thinks of evil first.  The good ask "How can we help?".  What can we do for you to ease your pain and suffering.  Can I buy you a meal?  I see that you can't afford your food,  can I pay for your groceries?

Have you stopped at the store and purchased a couple of bags of food and taken it to the food bank?  Try that sometime.  We take food to the local community shelter and give them cash when we can.  We do the same for the animal shelter.

Today, we see that our society is becoming dangerous.  It is no longer a peaceful struggle for solving day to day issues.  It is a time where any problem gets escalated to the level of manic and all of these problems create strife that can't  be overcome.

People don't see conclusion, don't see solving the problem, only see battle for change.

We are inherently good.  Stay away from crowds and wear your mask.  Sanitize your hands and ask someone that can't afford a meal today if you can help.

Fair winds and following seas.

Chief