Long Lunch

Dear Citizen:
More from my lunch guest.
"Seems like we have been eating lunch for a few weeks, colonel?"
"We have, but I have not been idle--I am looking at news and taking the political temperature."
"Have you read the latest polls and analyzed the statistics?"
"I have but I feel like Mark Twain when it comes to statistics." He laughed, "There's lies, damn lies and statistics!"
"One poll says the our country is fed up." I responded.
"Check out this poll." He smiled.
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/upload/mass_elections.pdf
I passed him more lunch.
Be back soon
Be well
A Journeyman

A Guest for Lunch

Dear Citizens:
Yesterday as I was firing up homemade chili for my lunch there was a knock or more like a pounding on the back door.  Those of you who know where I live know that my backyard adjoins a large wooded area so a guest from the woods is a rare occurrence.  I opened the door to President Theodore Roosevelt. (Those of you who also read my blog remember I've met the former President before.)  He smile his big toothy grin and announced in a loud voice, "I smelled those chili peppers and meat from far away and decided I needed some."
"Please come in Colonel," I said taking his coat.
"What do you want to talk about?"  He sat down at the table.
"Pardon me sir, you showed up here to eat my Chili."
"Bull feathers, son, I would not be here unless you wanted to talk about some topic."
"Well'" I hesitated, "Racism in american politics has always bothered me."
"Its troublesome but not your number one problem now."
"What is worse than that?"
"The lack of civil deference in the governing bodies of the Congress."  He looked up from his bowl, "Unfortunately we will always have some racism on something close to it, it seems to be be built in to us, but we don't have to act in such an unkind way toward each other.  You have an opinion, I have one, we discuss we vote, we go on."
"That seems simple enough.  A very Jeffersonian way."  I said.
"Federalist, Whig, Democrat or Republican, the bottom line is we are all citizens."  He took a last spoonful of chili.  "Put the verbal theater behind us and solve the problems."
More tomorrow

Happy Birthday you all

Dear Citizens:
This week we celebrate a number of birthdays.  Last Sunday was my grandson's and next Sunday is my son's.  Today is Epiphany and the birthday of a wise lady I work with and the birthday of Mr. Sherlock Holmes.  I have any number of wise people to rant about but today I have chosen Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
The new movie Sherlock Holmes shows the detective from a refreshingly different viewpoint and I enjoyed it. Nothing in the film was non-canonical except possibly for the gas lamp with 221b on it.  (b meant upstairs, 221 would have been the correct address)   
Play the game with me a moment--Holmes was a expert boxer, a single-stick fighter, a practitioner of Baritsu (a variant of  Jujitsu), a violinist, a partaker of drugs and fair pistol shot all shown in the film. 
Most of his adventures were chronicled by his friend Dr. John Watson.  When he seeks to leave Mr. Holmes with a client the detective replies: "Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell."  Holmes knew a good Boswell when he saw one even though he chided in the Red Headed League. “I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures.” 
My point is that Watson could create and embellish a Holmes in the stories that was taller and neater, etc, than we saw in the film and Holmes counted on his Watson to do just that.  For a few hours or days let us all "Play the Game" and create something a bit better then we find it.  

221B Here dwell together still two men of note Who never lived and so can never die: How very near they seem, yet how remote That age before the world went all awry. But still the game’s afoot for those with ears Attuned to catch the distant view-halloo: England is England yet, for all our fears– Only those things the heart believes are true. A yellow fog swirls past the window-pane As night descends upon this fabled street: A lonely hansom splashes through the rain, The ghostly gas lamps fail at twenty feet. Here, though the world explode, these two survive, And it is always eighteen ninety-five. – Vincent Starrett play the game even if it is for only a few hours and be well A Journeyman

11th Day

Dear Citizens:
I need more down time this year, so I will continue to celebrate Christmas through Epiphany.
(Sometimes I get the counting of the twelve days of Christmas all mixed up--so forgive me if today is not the 11th day.  Tuesday is the twelfth day and Wednesday is Epiphany (Sherlock Holmes birthday) if my holiday accounting system is up to snuff.)  
I just could not, for the life of me, work up a good rant today.  Too many new toys, movies and goodies to play with-- 
Had Lunch with the wife.
aaahhh
Just finished putting up the train around the Christmas tree.
And I read this
http://edgeofthewest.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/some-notes-on-tr/
Be well
a Journeyman

Happy New Year

Dear Citizens:

Happy New Year

Be well 

Quick check--

We've had a new administration for almost a year.

Please note

None of my guns have been confiscated, my Federal taxes look to be the same or possibly less and my Country has not been stolen from me.
Maybe my conservative "NO" friends misjudged the situation.
Forgive them and Be well
A Journeyman
PS--remember to eat your stewed tomatoes and black eyed peas--it will keep you from harm and having your guns confiscated.  Trust me.