Splash

That's both the title of a movie and the sound of a movie career belly-flopping.

The first time I ever heard of Daryl Hannah was 1984, when she and Tom Hanks made the movie, "Splash." Ron Howard directed the PG rated comedy. I saw it on one of the cable movie channels. It was Ok. I've never watched a movie since then just to see her. I know she's made quite a few, but nothing I can remember seeing.

Now, she seems to be just another LaLaLand doofus.She recently went and got herself involved in a protest over the Keystone pipeline project in Texas.

"It is unfortunate Ms. Hannah and other out-of-state activists have chosen to break the law by illegally trespassing on private property," David Dodson, a spokesman for TransCanada Corp., told the AP, adding they were "putting their own safety and the safety of others at risk."

She spent a little time in the local lock-up.

  

Wood County Sheriff's office mug shot.

 
Evidently this wasn't her first protest against the project. "Hannah was also arrested in August 2011 while protesting a pipeline in Washington."




 

You can take the boy out of the KGB, but you can't...

... take the KGB out of the boy. Vlad (the Mad) Putin runs Russia. Even when he wasn't officially "The President," he was a modern day Machiavelli. While he's been in power he's become one of the richest men in the world. (2012 estimate is $70 billion) He's also a ruthless SOB.

Today's Russian Bear

  
When GWB made the comment about "looking into his eyes and seeing his soul," I puked. Today, GWB says Vlad "has changed." Changed hell. The "real" Putin is just becoming less concerned with what anyone outside of Russia thinks about him. (the $70 billion might have something to do with that)

His current target current target is Tanya Lokshina, a young woman who is a researcher in Moscow for Human Rights Watch. She's rousing the rabble and he don't like it. One bit.

I say, "You go Girl!"

Of Alchemy, Midas and other weird stuff...

If you're a watcher of the spot gold market, you know a lot of folks have made, and lost, a lot of money speculating on the commodity. Now, if you're holdings are considerable, might be a time to consider dumping and running!

A bacteria has been discovered that turns toxic chemicals into 24k gold!

"The details are a bit complicated, says Jesus Diaz at Gizmodo, but basically, "Cupriavidus metallidurans can eat toxins and poop out gold nuggets." I love it when scientists make things simple for us non-scientists.)

 There is a blip on the radar screen, though (isn't there usually?) "Although the Michigan State University experiment was successful, it could be "cost prohibitive to reproduce [this] experiment on a larger scale," says R&D Mag. So don't expect to grow your own gold at home anytime soon." So, maybe my "dumping and running" remark isn't so wise.

He's baaaaa-aack

John Daly, love him or hate him, is one wild and crazy guy. Those of us who love him have gone through all his ups and downs. Man, I think if you made a chart of his highs and lows it would show more spikes and nosedives than the Dow Jones.

This week he's on a roll. And, once again, he's got a shot at finishing high enough to get his tour card back. Yesterday he posted his lowest round in 5 years - 8 under, 63.

That swing isn't text book, but it works for him. (Reminds me of my swing, back in the day. Pictures available upon request.)

BTW, for you sports nutz, that link up there is to a sports site I'd recommend for any and all sports. For golfers, try this one.

Maybe he's found a new career

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps showed up at the Ryder Cup competition. This week he was in Scotland for the Dunhill Links Championship and played in the Pro-Am. (For non-golfers, that's a tournament before the tournament, where amateurs pay to play with the pros.) The TV broadcast caught Michael making a 150' putt. (That's half the length of a football field!)

I Love Dogs

And stories about stories about military dogs or dogs and military personnel. I don't like to hear about brave dogs being KIA or WIA, any more than those of living souls. These are, sadly, the reality of war.

This is from the story about Layka...
"A Belgian Malinois became the first military working dog honored by the 341st Training Squadron for her heroic actions while assigned to a U.S. Special Forces unit in Afghanistan.

Layka, an almost 3-year-old female, was recognized Sept. 12 at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas, for saving several Coalition Forces team members during a June 4 special operations mission." 

This is the only picture I could find of the ceremony. Wish it didn't look like she's in pain and wearing the muzzle. I doubt, though, that she's bogged down with vanity.

What's today's date?

I love Paula Deen

The lady sure can cook. And she's funny. Being from the South, I tend to look around her website looking for a recipe or trying to remember one. (The innernetz has saved me mucho dinero on cookbooks.) She's got more ways to fix more things than a normal person could ever want!

She is of the "You can not use too much butter" cooking school of thought. I've taken a few classes there myself. An example of her funny side: the pic below is offered on her website. It's called a butter warmer. I think those things are usually designed to hold about one stick. This sucker is 1 quart! That's called "economy of size," I think.

I've been know to cook. I don't consider myself to be "A Cook." My tastes are mostly simple and very eclectic. I can "do" Greek, Italian, Tex-Mex, Cajun, Southern Fried (yes, I consider that to be a category of cuisine), Chinese and what I call A little of this a little of that and a lot of the other. (that's when I exercise my "creative side")

I've got a recipe an online friend sent me that I'm going to tackle next week. Maybe I'll write about it next week.

I like a man who enjoys his job

And Guy Fieri does just that. If you've ever watched the cable TV Food Channel, you may have seen his show, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." He visits unusual, off-the-beaten-path, popular in the local area, small Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. (notice how the program title ties in?)

These places are locally (and sometimes not so locally) known and popular eating establishments that have unique or special menus. He interviews the owner, usually in the kitchen while he or his chef are cooking one of the house specialties, talks about the recipe and he samples everything. The man really likes to eat! And he's always entertaining.

Every time I watch his program I get hungry. And frequently go to the kitchen to fix something. If you'd like some of the recipes, he's got them online.

Bon appetit, ya'll.

But what'll it do the quarter mile in?

The Bloodhound SSC

The engine specs:
"The Falcon Hybrid Rocket - a 45cm (18in) diameter by 3.6m (12ft) long unit burning hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene solid fuel and high-test peroxide (HTP) oxidiser - roared to life for 10 seconds, producing 60kN (14,000lbf) of thrust.

The ultimate planned power output of the motor is 111kN (25,000lbf) during a 20-second burn, peaking at 122kN (27,500lbf). This output, when combined with the thrust from the Bloodhound's Rolls Royce EJ200 jet engine, should ultimately propel the car to 1,000mph (1,600kph)."

I don't understand it, but it does sound impressive.

NASA is about to do a little plinking

From a loooooong way off.

Early on, when a kid first gets his hands on a firearm, he "plinks." He* takes shots at any and everything in sight that looks like it might explode or do some other fun thing when the bullet hits the target. He may go through a handful of ammo, but it's part of the learning experience.

Sort of like this one.

Now that the guys at NASA have gotten older and have their hands on muuuuuch cooler firearms, they've decided to take plinking to a higher level. Curiosity, the Mars rover, is about to take a shot at a rock. There's an Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (I told you they had cooler weaponry). But, just like a kid, they "wanna see what's inside it." All done, of course, in the name of Science. And Learning.

The target.

Remember, guys, deep breath, exhale slow, and squeeze, don't pull.

Another one of my "Rules To Live By" goes down the tubes

You just might have this one in your own Set of Rules, too. (You do have a Set of Rules, don't you?)

In keeping with my goal of adding to your knowledge base

I offer this tidbit...

Thinking about carving a pumpkin?

Don't settle for the old scary faces. Let your (or someone elses's) imagination run amok. There are free patterns available.

Three examples shown. 24 more are available.

I am not beliving this!

But, it's on the innernetz, so it must be true. Right?

$180 (plus shipping, naturally) for a bottle of booze? What the hell did they do to make it worth $180? It's available as Whisky, Rum and Vodka and quantities are limited.

Since this blog is Rated PG13 (by me), you'll have to read the story. Also, the folks selling this concoction have a website. Warning: There are NSFW photographs on their site. Tastefully/artistically done, of course.

Shown here are the Rum and Whisky versions.

One of my favorite things

I love maple syrup. I mean the real deal. The stuff that comes from maple trees. Not the imitation. Don't like it, won't use it. My pancakes, waffles and French toast demand it!

With the price of the stuff getting higher than unleaded, I use it sparingly. And rising prices seem to have put  maple syrup in the Highjackers Top Ten. 600 barrels  turned up missing turned up missing and the Royal Canadian Mounties were called in.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Need an idea for his and her Halloween costumes?

I've got a lead on 25 of them  for you.

This was my fave.

Lefty hits the books

Actually he's going to hit a golf shot that could result in a lot of books for kids. He'll take a swing Monday night at Denver's Qualcomm Stadium from one end zone and fire at a target in the opposite end zone.

Depending on the target he hits, "...his sponsor KPMG will donate to First Book, a nonprofit organization, that connects book publishers and community organizations to provide access to new books for children in need."

Will he hit a target? Hey, we're talking Phil Mickelson here, with a wedge in his hands! The only question is, which target will he hit. If it's the right one, First Book will get 400,000 books.

That's the PGA Championship trophy he'd just won.

This is just another example of Phil's charitable acts. He really is one of the "good guys." (In spite of the black hat.)

I can haz sauer kraut?

The guys at NASA are getting excited about hot DOG's in space.

Innernetz Pics

One of my daily blog reads always includes some great photography. The subjects aren't usually tough to recognize. I say usually because sometimes, although the pic is composed well, it's sharp/detailed, I just can't figure it out. And the guy never gives details!

Got any ideas?

My mind is boggled and my eyes hurt

When the new healthcare program was put online for folks to read, I downloaded it. Thinking I'd like to know more about our gummint's plans for my health. After a hundred or so pages (damned thing's 2,000+ pages), I gave up. I couldn't keep up with all the committees, panels, groups, etc., and what they all were going to do.

I ran across an innernetz story that had a link to what they called an Organizational Chart that would make it all clear for me. So, I linked and looked. That's it below. (Click on it to enbiggenate it.)

Toto, I don't think that's a Motel 6

Next time you find yourself needing overnight accommodations in Abu Dhabi, you might consider this place. They've got 50" flat screens but cable TV reception's not mentioned. I wonder if they allow pets?

Not, that's not a painting. Its' an actual photograph.

The drought may give us something positive

My Mama taught me to always try and find something good in anything bad. Your's probably did, too. (I think it's part of some kind of Mama's Code of Rasin' Kids. Maybe it's in a Handbook they use. I asked SWMBO. She won't answer me. She just smiles. Or is that a smirk?)

A dendrologist (That's a tree scientist. Consider that your Word of the Day), says the drought will give us some outstanding fall foliage displays this year. I'm not sure about the timing, but I've noticed some colorful examples already.

A little Friday morning political humor

psssst! Hey, wanna buy a rocket?

NASA may have one for sale one for sale. Maybe as a fundraiser for their next project?

Buyer Beware:  It's been sitting "Beneath a large metal shed, a 150-foot deep silo housed the largest solid-fuel rocket motor ever built. The rocket was tested three times between 1965 and 1967."

I doubt they've been doing much maintenance on it, so it'll be a fixer-upper. I think we've got enough gear heads around here to put together a neat community project. Think of the possibilities.

 

We could get it ready to launch, painted up with some cool paint work, and hold one helluva PR event. I think folks would come from hundreds of miles to watch. You just know all the TV networks would send broadcasting crews and on-air personalities to cover the launch.

I'm thinking we could also get a lot of mileage from a pre-launch contest for suggested targets. I've got a few ideas already.

10-9-8-7-6.....

And I thought beer was just for drinking!

Except for the beer bath and hair rinse ideas, and then I found six more more today! Actually just 5 when you deduct the dumb bath idea.

The above pic is because we have a local distributor and I like the guy. Oh, and I've been known to occasionally partake of the beverage. (Think maybe that plug will get me a freebie?)

Military Humor

There have been a number of things photographed and videoed by military folks posted on the innernetz that have caused a lot of controversy. My military experience only put me in "harm's way" very briefly. From what I've been told and read, I can only barely imagine the stress these folks are under.

My impression of that stress causes me to think I somewhat understand their need to relieve the pressure. Their relief is often found in humor. At and among themselves, their situations and their living conditions. This video is just a minute, 33 secs. I had to stop and replay in a couple of spots so I could "get" the humor.

If you'll go to  YouTube and type Military Humor in the search box, you'll find hours and hours of clips.

You think a Kansas tornado is scary?

How about this thing bearing down on folks in Australia! There's also a video on the page.

My mind was just blown

Hint:  The Final Fronter

I am a Dog Person

Or a dog's person. I keep getting it confused. If you like dog pics, especially Patriotic Dogs (now that's a combination), you might like these. these. I usually don't like it when folks "dress up" their pets. I just made an exception.

 

I like to watch thing go BOOM!

I guess it's the little boy still lurking within. I just watched  30 explosions in 2 minutes. Fun, fun, fun!

I wanted to post the video,or at least a screenshot, but the site won't let me. I you're curious, on the page I linked, they've another dozen that'll suck up some time.

Today's technology makes for some really neat videos.

  

For gun lovers

I know we have a large number of firearms enthusiasts around here. I thought maybe they'd enjoy looking at this big, bad baby. The story, if you're interested, seems to be about a (rare) smart decision by our Fedrul Gummint.

2,000 new millionaires a year!

That's right. The oil bidnezz in North Dakota is hopping and may be annually turning 2,000 plain folk into into millionaires. I'm not sure I'd like to move up there. The center of the activity, Mountrail, is about 80 mi. from the Canadian border and I'm guessing their Winters are a little colder/snowier/icier than ours. No thank you.

I'm happy to hear we're pumping large quantities of black gold in the U.S. of A. The "greenies" aren't showing me a lot of progress toward getting us off our "dependence" on the stuff. Until they get the price of electric cars down where Joe Plumber can afford them, and the distance traveled between charges gets waaaay over what it is now, we're going to keep using the old faithful gas-powered jobbies.

Toto, things look good in Kansas

"Kansas will see employment growth of 1.8 percent next year, regardless of who wins the White House, as business picks up after the uncertainty of the November elections, economic researchers at Wichita State University said Wednesday."

The university's Center for Economic Development and Business Research is painting a very rosy economic picture  for us. I've heard a lot of rumbling about the new Guv... good and bad. Some say his expense-cutting is harmful, some say his actions are positive. That's nothing new. Differing opinions usually come from both sides of the aisle... and the ox that's gettin' gored. Me, I'm just happy to be reading good news!

College Football

Growing up in the land of the mighty Southeast Conference (we called it the only "real" conference), I was a fan of the Tennessee Vols (first), the Rebels of Ole Miss, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns and the Ramblin' Wrecks of Georgia Tech.

Since moving to Kansas I've had to stay neutral about KU and KSU. I've got my wife's family who are grads on both and, while the majority seem to be KSU alum/fans, my friends in town also root for KU. So neutral I'll remain.

This weekend is The weekend. The Jayhawks will be in Wildcat Country for the annual intrastate game. ESPN sees it as a little lopsided. No matter, spirits are up and anticipation is high.

Enjoy the game!

Computer Maps

I've been a big fan of Google maps since they were first developed. The quality and accuracy keeps getting better. And more accurate. You still get the occasional mis-direction, but nothing's perfect.

I've been sending them correction notices about places they've noted on local maps for almost 7 years now. They've updated most of them, but some are still wrong.

When I moved to Seneca I was disappointed that the satellite view of our part of the world wasn't so hot. It's gotten better, but it's still fuzzy when you zoom in. The street views are getting better. A couple of folks have told me about seeing what they thought was the Google camera car traveling through town.

Today I learned Nokia has entered the mapping bidnezz. Naturally, I searched for Seneca. Damn! It's a better map and the satellite view gets waaaay better when you click on "custom map." That feature isn't available yet for us, but try it and take a look at the view.

Here's a screenshot of the map. It spills over the column I know, but I wanted you to see the detail it has. When you're using their map and zoom in, more street names become legible. To the East, notice they've named the river correctly.

Last Night's Debate and Big Bird

Maybe I should have tried watching more of the debate last night. Seems I missed the highlight of the evening. Romney talked about PBS funding and set off a firestorm on the innernetz. Twitters were twittin', gifs were being giffed and Facebookers were liking a new account.

I'm not sure if all this helped or hurt him. Probably depends on which "news" program you watch.

Need a Halloween costume suggestion?

I don't know if you can get it yet at a costume shop, but how about a Dracula Dinosaur? Maybe you could make your own.

Somebody to go shopping with

If  Larry Ellison ever invites you on a shopping spree, I suggest you go. This dude has a line of credit I didn't even know they have a card for. I can't begin to imagine what color it is.

Larry seems like a guy I could hang with. He's got a nice boat and a neat car, too. I think I'll see if I can find his e-mail address and ask if he needs a new BFF.

Hidden Powers of Your Mouse?

This lady seems all agog about her 'puter mouse and it's "secrets."  Maybe you'll learn something you didn't know. I did. Wish it was something I could use.

Eco-Science is confusing

I've been hearing for years about methane gases building in our atmosphere and becoming a serious problem. Methane is emitted every day, naturally. Always has been and always will be. Unless we eliminate natural gas (the stuff you use to heat water and cook); cows, goats and sheep (they belch it, fart it and those patties they drop emit it); landfills (where's all the kitchen refuse going then?), wetlands (aren't we fighting to protect those?) and rice paddies (got any idea how many folks depend on rice as a main part of their diet?).

If you like "studies," here's one for you. Ancient Roman and Chinese folks were producing "man made" methane long before the Industrial Revolution (that's when humans started building machines that produced air pollutants).

There weren't as many of them (folks) and they weren't as efficient or ingenious as we are today and their inventions weren't as sophisticated as ours, but they were beginning to produce some of the cause of "Global Warming."

Here's something else I found interesting -- ice core samples taken in Greenland are showing evidence of high methane emissions. If these samples are trapped in ice, doesn't that mean they were frozen over? If they were frozen over, does that mean Greenland wasn't always covered in ice? If Greenland wasn't always covered in ice and is now melting, doesn't that indicate a normal cycle of Nature?

Ice cores from just about every place I've ever thought of as frozen, have contained evidence of all kinds of flora and fauna. I always thought that meant some millennium things were froze up and some millennium they weren't.

I know "man" is putting a lot of stuff into the air that we'd all be better off without. I question whether it's the Gloom and Doom Scenario some would have us believe.

Kirk to Scotty -- Full Warp Speed Ahead

If you understand scientific terms like: Quantum Vacuum Plasma Thruster and ring of exotic matter or have an interest in sci-fi, you might enjoy this. NASA (I thought "somebody" killed this agency) is actually working on a space ship drive capable of Warp 10! (That would out-drag a Chevy)

But, getting your space ship moving at 10 times the speed of light seems to be a tad dangerous. There just might be the possibility of an explosion that "...would explode with a force of some 17,000 megatons, equivalent to several global nuclear wars all in one..." Yeah, sounds like something that could really mess up your day.

Meanwhile, back here in my little piece of the world, I'll stick to movies, TV shows and books for my space travel.

Tonight's Debate

It's now 39 minutes since they started. I planned to watch and, maybe/hopefully learn something. Jim Lehrer has completely lost control and I've lost interest.

Don't we, the voters, deserve more than talking points and 2 guys ignoring, basically, the questions asked and the opponent's answer? Why do candidates think if they keep saying something over and over and over, we'll eventually agree with them?

They argued debated tonight about "studies" by economists. Hell, try getting a group of economists together sometime and see if you can find a consensus. Lot's of luck with that! And we keep hearing every year about this economic theory/plan versus that economic theory/plan only to find ourselves deeper in debt. Nothing working. Including people.

I had a comment...

...from an online friend saying he enjoyed music clips from YouTube. I got to thinking about my high school reunion coming up later this month and some of my musician buddies. A few did quite well.

The guy on this video wrote and recorded the song. It was "covered" by Willy and Waylon and I can't count how many other C&W artists. I think there was even a version with the Chipmunks! The lyrics have been revised to fit a lot of situations, but the melody lingers on.

Ed's discography includes dozens of songs performed by other artists and will be familiar to most of my readers.

I've got stories about the boy, but not now.

Speaking of bugs

As I was earlier -- Since I'm new at this blogging thing, I didn't realize I'd been using a very large type. I've changed it.

I didn't point to a feature, if you're interested -- you can receive e-mail notices for new postings. Go to the bottom of the page and you'll see a box marked "Join this site." Click it and enter your e-mail address. I'd be happy to have you following.

I just had my first "Comment." Happens to be from an online friend that writes a blog I follow daily. One of my blog projects is to add a listing of the blogs I follow regularly. If something sounds interesting, you 'll be able to click on the name and go to the site.

If you're new to blogs and don't know about "Comments," here's a quick lesson. You can add a thought about the subject, add information or ask a question. Real names are not required. You can make up a "screen name." But, your real e-mail address must be entered. This is to keep out spammers.

Your address will not be published and I will never reveal it. If you have a website and want folks to know about it, you can enter the address and your screen name will show up as a link. Feel free to promote yourself.

Update:  There's a "Follow by email" box in the upper right side of the page.

The Magical Kingdom of YouTube

The YouTube phenomenon has been praised and condemned. It's got a lot of crap, yes, but I've spent more hours than I like to admit on that site. Most of them enjoyable.

What are you looking for? Humor, politics, Super Bowl commercials, music videos, controversy? It's probably there.

While I was with the Chamber of Commerce I posted any and everything I could find about Seneca. Type “Seneca Kansas” in the search box. You'll find not just my postings, but videos taken by local folks, visitors, and commercials for some of our local businesses.

Want to re-live the Main St. restoration? Watch a parade? Visit some of our local points of interest? How about the annual Car Show? They're all there.

Type in “US Air Force or Navy or Marines,” etc. and you'll find a lot official and very un-official clips. I especially like those posted by our troops. During their breaks from being shot at, troops stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq have created some really funny and creative stuff.

And if it's new and hot, like “Gangnam,” somebody's done a video.

Need instructions about building, repairing or installing something? Check YouTube. Somebody's very likely put together a video.

Your Federal Gummint is on the case

This story stinks.

The little old lady from _____?

She's not from Pasadena, but she's still driving at age 102! And she's been at since she was 8. I think I was still on a tricycle at 8.

"She owns several classic vehicles. In addition to the Packard, she includes a '66 Cadillac DeVille, a '75 Cadillac Eldorado convertible and a 1931 Model A in her collection. The one she still drives the most? Her everyday car, an '03 Cadillac DeVille. Occasionally, she still changes her own oil.

'Before old age overtook me, I could scoot under the car very nicely,' she said."

Old folks... gotta luv 'em!

Zombie Bees attack Washington!

No, it's not about Washington, DC (one can only dream), a new movie or TV show. Seems it's Washington state and it's seriously bad news for beekeepers.

“The infection is as grim as it sounds: 'Zombie bees' have a parasite that causes them to fly at night and lurch around erratically until they die.”

The bad news isn't just for beekeepers. Fewer bees doing their pollinating thing mean more crops failing. The list of crops is a lot longer than I would have guessed.

A small fly is the source of the problem. A female lands on the back of a bee and injects eggs into the bee, where they hatch. (Remember the movie, “Alien?)

”San Francisco State University biologist John Hafernik first discovered zombie bees in California in 2008.

Hafernik now uses a website to recruit citizen scientists like Hohn to track the infection across the country. Observers also have found zombie bees in Oregon and South Dakota.”

Penny Post Cards

You many not remember, but once upon a time you could go to the Post Office and buy and and mail a post card for a penny! (Maybe that's why they called them penny post cards?) Or, you could find them in stores for a little more. Of course you did get a picture on one side.

Here's a link I found that features pictures of old cards. You can click through the states and find pages for particular areas. This is the link to Nemaha County. There's only one for Seneca. It's the old water works that you've probably seen in black & white, but this one is in full color!

If you'd like to contribute a picture, there's a link on the page that'll give you the instructions.

Everybody knows

Soon after moving to Seneca, I began having trouble with a few things. Like going to the Post Office to buy stamps and finding everyone at lunch. (never had that happen before) Same with a few other businesses in town. Tried to call The Mission... no phone listed in the phone book. Tried to call the Pony Express Museum... same thing.

The list goes on, but I think you know what I'm talking about. I began thinking of my problem as the “Everybody Knows Syndrome.” It's a common affliction suffered by newcomers. I once thought about publishing a little booklet for newcomers, titled “Everybody Knows... except You because you're not from around here and didn't grow up learning these things.” I think it would have been a best seller.

My problem was market identification. I identified that there aren't enough folks moving into our area. Well, to be honest, I also just never got around to it. If you like the idea, take it and run. It really doesn't have to be a booklet. Probably just a single-spaced, typed page. But it would be a full page.

Along with that idea was my idea (also not pursued) for the “NFAH Club.” As in Not From Around Here. New folks would get together occasionally and discuss things they'd had problems with “around here,” things they'd learned “around here,” you know, sharing experiences. Like a support group.

So, if you're talking to someone "new to these parts," cut 'em a little slack... don't forget "Everybody Don't Know."

The Courier's “News from years gone by”

I enjoy reading this part of the paper. Not that I don't enjoy the other parts! But these old stories that Matt pulls from the microfiche files at our library tell interesting stories about our community's past, enlighten us about the habits and goings on of ancestors and give insight to a simpler way of living.

Through these snippets I've learned about: feuds between one town's newspaper and another's; coal being mined nearby; the number of hogs and bushels of corn or wheat shipped to market by local farmers; town bands entertained at just about any event wanting musical interludes; town baseball team rivalries; colorful descriptions about ne'er-do-wells and editorial admonishments directed to those not conducting themselves in what might be described as “upright.”

Any and everything was reported on. No topic was off limits. And I guess this was expected by the readers. After all, they did call them “news” papers.

My first “real” job was delivering the afternoon newspaper. Yes, we had morning and afternoon papers back then. And most households subscribed to both. Dad left for work informed of whatever went on the previous night and came home to catch up on further developments. It was a way of life.

To this day I still like the feel of a newspaper. I do get the bulk of my information on the internet, radio and cable news, but I'll never be without a newspaper.

The Keystone Pipeline

In the past few years Seneca and Nemaha County have enjoyed a windfall called The Keystone Pipeline. The construction crews have added a lot to our local economy. I've tried to get some idea of just how much, but can't find a source.

We were expecting the planned addition to the pipeline to generate another windfall. The concern about the possibility of harming Nebraska's water supply has changed TransCanada's plans. They're re-routing it. For more information, click here and here.

This link is to a map of the revised route. You'll see the new route is West of Hanover.

If you uses Google, here's a search page that has a lot more information – type in: keystone xl pipeline map+kansas

The US Department of State has announced that they expect to make a decision on the Keystone project by the first quarter of 2013. Following the decision, TransCanada expects to begin the construction in the first quarter of 2013, with an anticipated in-service date in late 2014 or early 2015.

If you'd like to join a “fight” to insure the pipeline is built, you might consider visiting this web page:  I am not supporting what these folks are doing and I'm not saying I'm against their efforts. I'm just passing along information you might find interesting or useful.