JANUARY MUSINGS

"OF COURSE I TALK TO MYSELF,

SOMETIMES I NEED

                  EXPERT ADVICE."

                                                  Random Thoughts

          I have had many people who ask me "how I can come up with ideas to write about on a regular basis?"  It is not always an easy thing to come up with a good answer for.  I can only establish the rottenness of the political class so many times without people throwing up their hands and run screaming.  Some do anyway.

     Can it be the mood I am in?  That does not sustain a readable line for very long.  However mood does play a part.  For example:  I have a doctor who actually talks with me and not at me, as a result I am spending more time in new places trying to figure out how I can get back some of what is missing from my spunk.  Trying to find out where my get up and go got up and went.

      After answering the latest repeat of my health history and getting the question "do you feel depressed" seven different ways, you might say my mood is not sterling.  While my arm aches from the attempts to draw blood gases, the news on all stations is all reporters standing in snow, windy, blizzard saying stay inside.  The view outside my window are varying shades of gray.   You might say the mood is not rosy.

     My computer is doing very strange things like it is trying to edit my thoughts.  You could say my mood is not good.  There could be other things also.  Just as the pronouncement of the Emperor (aren't you proud I did not call him Der Fuhrer this time) that the economy is wonderful and employment is at an all time high. Our local economy has just suffered the loss of a couple companies and others are laying off workers.  This puts a whole new pressure on everything from the retailers, schools, tax base, and where the new jobs are going to be found?

     Then there are the communities that just received the news that the Wal Mart store that moved in is moving out.  Or St. John getting word from Cincinnati that they will no longer have a grocery store.  This could put strain on a mood.

     Rest assured that the two parties will be battling each other in a decidedly distasteful way for the next few months.  It is a wonder that anyone can be in a good mood.

     Well I am going to do the American thing of watching the playoffs and hoping the Super Bowl is worth watching.  I am not in worry of where my next meal is coming from.  The electricity is on and I am semi-warm.  I do not have to get out of the house for anything other than going to church.  I am reading a good book.  So I must be in a good mood.  Don't ya think?

ARTISTS OF THE RED HILLS

"TO SEND LIGHT INTO THE

                        DARKNESS OF MEN'S HEART-

                SUCH IS THE DUTY OF

                THE ARTIST."

                                                Robert Schumann

     Art is something that has an appeal to many if not most people.  We like to surround ourselves with things that marks our interests and identities.  It is a part of not being included in the boring sameness that the world would love to put you into.  Many, especially myself, do not like to be categorized into rigid definitions.  Some to the point of being almost radical about it.

     If you come up on the hill and look at our place you will see the walls covered in things that interest us and define what we love and are comfortable with.  A formal decorator may be abhorred at what they see here.  I prefer to call our style organized chaos.

     You will see here our love of the outdoors, history, the west, wildlife, family, and things made by hand by ourselves and others.  Most see what we do.  Those who don't really don't matter they can like or not like what they see.

     Looking out of our windows at these Gypsum, Red, or Cedar Hills as they have been called, is like looking at a work of art that is ever changing.  Those who wonder why we are here come and see and go "OK we see now".

     I have been neglectful in the fact that there is a new art museum in Pratt.  I always have the intention of stopping by and seeing the latest traveling show and just have not made it.  I will be getting there now however.

     There is a showing of four artists from Medicine Lodge or having ties here.  Earl Kuhn, Elisa Stone, Caroline Norton, and David Vollbracht will be showing at the Vernon Filley Art Museum in Pratt from February 6 until April 8, 2016.

      This is a chance for everyone to stop by this wonderful new museum and see the art of some great artists.  I am sure that the opportunity to purchase some of their art will be provided.

     Norton, Kuhn, and Stone all have studios in Medicine Lodge.  There is a great art heritage in this part of the world and at one time I had been trying to open a gallery on Main street.  I have always had the dream of downtown Medicine Lodge turning into a thriving artists colony.  We are close, it is just not so obvious.

     There will be a reception where you can meet the artists on Saturday Feb. 6t at 6PM.  Members get in free and admission for non members is $10.  I will be becoming a member.

     In the South Gallery Room will also have a guest artist photography exhibit.  DENNIS HODGES "A SENSE OF HIS SOUL" from Jan. 14 to March 18.

     The exhibition is sponsored by the Pratt Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

     For information on the Vernon Filley Art Museum go to:

                             www.vernonfillyartmuseum.org 

WEATHER

"IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE

SUNSHINE, YOU HAVE TO

WEATHER THE STORM."

                                      Frank Lane

     Today is projected to be the last nice day for a while and I am at the point in my life that I begin to see the advantages of being in Tucson in the winter.  We have been very fortunate here on the hill this year.  We had one brief icy stretch and that is when the generator decided it was a great time to throw a bearing through the pan.

     If you want the definition of nervous have the weather people start flaking out about one of the worst snow storms in history.  So bad no weatherman could agree on the path it would take and who would get hit the hardest.  And have the electric contractor say the new generator has been shipped but we don't know where it is.

     I am sorry that Oklahoma and Texas got nailed so hard but I am also sorry I cannot wipe the grin off my face about the weather staying south.  It has been a wild year for weather around the nation but we have had it pretty good so far.

     Now that the generator has been found and is installed we relax a bit.  But I have to say that my favorite part of winter is when it ends.  When I was younger (and dumber) I used to enjoy getting out in the snow with the four wheel drive.  Not anymore.

     We always say cavalierly that in Kansas 'if you don't like the weather just wait'.  I am getting pretty good at waiting.  It gives me time to catch up on my reading.  And I am making progress on my new book.  And it lets my mind wander on the pressing issues of the day.  And when you are opinionated that is a good thing.

     With the nicer weather the wild things have been more active.  The other morning we had nine deer walk past the house.  Yesterday there was a big old dog coyote messing around east of us.  At breakfast this morning there were two coyotes fooling around south of us.  The snow geese made it in and are ready to head back north.  We have thousands of geese that stay around us in the winter.

     So those who don't see the little things out of their window freak out about climate change, we say well wait it will change again.  Always has.

DON'T LOOK ETHYL

DON'T LOOK ETHYL

"GIVING MONEY AND POWER

TO GOVERNMENT IS LIKE

         GIVING WHISKEY AND CAR

                  KEYS TO TEENAGE BOYS."

                                                            PJ O'Rourke

     As the song says "DON'T LOOK ETHYL" so we as Kansans must bring our children in from the outside, lock all the doors, lay in stores for the storm, because it is time again for the Legislature to go into session.

     Now is the time that social media is going to go wild and neighbor will be pitted against neighbor.  The storm clouds are a gathering and the predictions will be like the last two major storms.  A DUD.

     Do we really expect for things to get done in Topeka when the majority of the eligible voters do not bother to even get out and have a say as to who goes and represents us.  Many leave any input as to their concerns with the editorial page, Facebook, Tweets, or lecturing at the liars club table at the local coffee hole.

     Griping about taxes going up and not even taking time to study on the issues seems to be a pastime.  We can count on the NEA to put uniform talking points out to members.  Be sure that the Farm Bureau and many other Ag organizations will be looking after their members concerns.  Local legislative bodies have already had their meetings and aired their want lists with the regional representatives.

     The news organizations will have their full time reporters looking for anything that can be turned into a headline haunting the halls of the capital.  Excuses will be many and predictable.  The latest studies will be held in hand pointing out that people are leaving the state faster than we can bring them in.  One side will be crafting elaborate proposals to problems and the other side will be fuming because they have no power to do much but fume in front of the cameras.

     There is going to be one constant.  The need for infrastructure repair and development will be recognized as critical.  And then the DOT fund will be raided as a slush fund and projects will be delayed all over the state.  Accept maybe around Wichita and Kansas City.

     Every county has a state DOT project that is slated for building, rebuilding, or maintenance but with the reality that counties such as mine with 4500 residents have little clout over metro areas of over 500,000.

      Not to say that projects in the big cities do not need to be done.  Drive in there once and you will be delighted when the construction is over.  But there are other things just as important.

     It is the fact that so much is being demanded from our tax dollars from the same people who don't want to, or who are not paying taxes, that something has to give.

     It is amazing to me how many political campaigns for Governor and the Legislature have promised not to steal funds from KDOT, that have turned around and done that very thing.  After one of our former governors I had at least two KDOT people tell me "that the program that had been in place had been delayed at least twenty years to recover from.  That was two administrations ago.  Projects that were approved by the Congress twenty years ago have not been designed yet alone funded.

     So DON'T LOOK ETHYL the folks are streaking in Topeka and no one is safe until they go home.  If they go home this time.



NEWS DIVERSION

"A LICENSE IS WHAT YOU GET

                 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT STEALS

                    YOUR RIGHTS AWAY FROM YOU

                               AND THEN SELLS THEM BACK."

                                                     Mark Edge

     You are about to be bombarded with a lot of 'news' from Oregon about the take over of a federal building.  It has to do with the Federal Government taking excessive aim at a rancher family who has been operating for generations.  You are going to be polarized and intentionally given bad information, from many sides, so that public opinion will be on the side of the government.  Early stories have already proved this.

     Before you knee jerk and condemn what is going on out there stop and actually understand what has happened and what you would do if your family was threatened in the same way.

      You have to go back to the hundred year old mismanagement of public lands by the collection of federal agencies that are charged with 'protecting and managing' the public lands in your name.  Forrest Service, BLM, Park Service, FWS, and others.  The battle that has created the most massive fires in history destroying forests that have been set up for destruction and private lands that have been earmarked for seizing.

     The family in question had done legal controlled burning to improve their grass and also to stop the approach of a massive wildfire coming from the federal properties that they neighbor.  One fire got out of control and went on federal land for a few acres.  The other was purely in self defense. 

     As result the rancher and his son was charged for arson in Federal Court.  Despite the facts of the case and the common sense of those who understand the conditions and reasons, both were convicted and sent to federal prison.  Upon release another judge decided that they did not do enough time and are sending them back for much longer terms.

     This case should have never been even been considered being file let alone tried and a conviction being brought.  Also the Federal Government had given the family a deadline of Dec. 31 of 2015 to pay over $100,000 or face losing much of the multigenerational ranch as result.

      Bringing up to date a group led by Rancher son Ammon Bundy, who had stood against the federal swat teams sent out in Cliven Bundy's families dispute, has led the effort to seize and confront the government.

     Reporters who actually know the history and the problems that have occurred as result of the federal agencies hostile treatment of land owners and permit holders have been covering this as well as can be but the national news media is drowning out the actual facts of the case.  The actions of the group forcing a showdown is not going to help the cause very much and this has all the earmarks of a great travesty.  Not only for the people involved, but for the people who are going to buy into the medias coverage and allow the government to use extraordinary measures to make examples of anyone who has the courage to stand up to the bully from Washington.

     I ask you to withhold judgment until the actual truth of the case can be told and not the popular line.  At this point in time it will serve as a great diversion for the coming year of political wrangling.

     I pray that the situation will back down, as in the Bundy standoff, and that no one is injured or killed.

2016: OH WELL

"NEVER ARGUE WITH AN IDIOT,

                BECAUSE BYSTANDERS CAN'T

               ALWAYS TELL WHO THE

          IDIOT IS."

                                           Mark Twain

     Another year has passed on and we are all looking forward to a fantastic 2016, well maybe.  We have the wonderful chance to be lied to by candidates, incumbents, and the press about how wonderful they are, how bad their opponents (and their party) are, and how stupid we are.  After all they talk right in front of us on every interview, their advisors talk about the strategies, and we are sitting there listening to it all.

     What is amazing is that we do this and so many just validate their plans by doing just what they say will happen.  Given the examples of the walking around education of students, voters, and people on the streets who do not even know who the pilgrims were, they may be right.

      The rioting (it don't qualify for protesting) on university campuses who a level of education that is defiantly not what mom and dad paid for.  Since I do not have kids I am just amazed that so many parents are so happy to shift the kid off to college and fleece their savings, and indenturing the kid for decades paying loans, that it is still desirable.

      The throwing of money into schools without a real strategy has turned out a huge drop out rate and illiteracy from most inner city schools.  Yet it is also in a degree happening down into more affluent and smaller systems.  The education game has been turned over by states to corporations who have a stake in creating conditions that kids have to be tested more frequently because it makes them more money.

      The dead set attitude that a kid cannot do any kind of work until he reaches sixteen or seventeen has become institutionalized.  The knowledge of how to get up on time, show up on time, look presentable, and be paid as to the effort put in is a thing of the past.  Basic skills that should be instilled by parents at a young age are now subject to special programs so those who cannot go on to higher education can function in the factory environment.

      Critical thinking and values are subjects of ridicule in education today.  The protected position of professors who have well thought out positions and no practical knowledge dominates the collegian scene and any free thought, speech, or questioning is derided.

      Simple basic knowledge of how world history and US History are a foundation for what we enjoy today is not a subject taught without critical slanting.  History is not an opinion it is to be a record.

     As we go into this year be prepared to be ridiculed for your faith, history, simple logic, and wanting straight information not slanted by pundits, theorists, consultants, and those who would call you an idiot and teach your children to think for themselves and not be bullied for any reason.

      Be prepared for those who support the status quo to continue to subvert the Constitution, history, news, Bill of Rights, and continue to call you an idiot at the top of their lungs.

PEACE ON EARTH

"CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON NOT ONLY

OF REJOICING BUT OF

REFLECTION."

                                          Winston Churchill

     It can be difficult to be in the Christmas spirit with all the goings on in the world.  There are so many that will have their Christmas harmed because of the terrible losses that an avowed enemy of those who follow the teachings of the Christ.  The thought of love and peace are so foreign to those who will not receive the joy that is freely given.

     The Christian in the Mideast and other countries have become again a persecuted and martyred people.  The very earliest Christian communities have been turned on by their neighbors and those who set in pews thinking that actually dying for your faith is a real possibility are having a hard time actually talking about it.

     It is so easy to go and set in a pew and hear about those from hundreds of years ago being martyred and being restless in the seat thinking of getting home and opening presents.  What would the fair weather Christian do when the sign of the Nazarene is painted on their door?  How would we all react when it is demanded that you deny your faith or suffer torture and death?

     We get so tied up in the political happenings and the everyday problems that we take for granted and think we are having a bad day.  Do we stop and just be thankful for what we have been given and the life we have?  Would we do so if it all had to be put on the line?

     I get up and see the sunrise over these hills and the problems seem like something out of a movie that can be turned off and just talked about down at the coffee shop.  Looking out the window and seeing the deer and birds gives a sense of well being.  Seeing things that most do not see in their everyday lives gives me pause to be thankful for everything that I have been give through no merit of my own.

     I was born in a country that was fought for and created by thoughtful and God fearing people.  It has paid the price for its existence by the blood of its sons and daughters time and again.  It has been torn apart and had growing pains.  I live in a state that is full of interesting people and so full of wonders that it cannot be all fit in a book.  But it's beauty is subtle and those speeding through it sometimes miss it.  Even those who live here sometimes miss the wonders of Kansas.

     We have people who actually care about their neighbor and do something when required to come to their aid.  If the story would make the news more the quiet kindness of our people would become matter of fact and mundane.  So it is only presented as one piece among all the negative just so the viewer would not just throw up their hands and turn off the bad news and negativness all together.
     For all the angst and anxiety that people deal with on a daily basis if we did not have a bit of redeeming news we would all become total skeptics.  So at least a couple times a year we are able to take refuge in the fact that a baby was born in a stable.  And thirty three years later was hung on a cross so we would have hope and peace.  For all the things that worry and upset us as people the only chance of Peace on Earth is within our hearts.
      As the hubris of the human specie grows to the point to think that it has the power to affect the weather and have power over nations and individuals we get to stop and realize that we don't.  That whatever drives the worries of people is not affected by themselves except when they accept that God is still in charge.  And however things end it will be on his terms and time line.
      So I would like to take this time to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  And this is my View From the Hills.