Spring

I took this on my way to get the mail between rain showers. Spring is here, new leaves and blossoms are out, the ducks are swimming in the ditches, and the birds are everywhere.

Martin Luther Goes Viral - Lapham’s Quarterly

Martin Luther Goes Viral - Lapham’s Quarterly

Why It's Cheaper to Go to Harvard than a California State School - The Atlantic

Why It's Cheaper to Go to Harvard than a California State School - The Atlantic

The Future of the Euro - Philipp Bagus - Mises Daily

The Future of the Euro - Philipp Bagus - Mises Daily

Jean and Wasi

IMG_9515
Originally uploaded by Jeachin

Corporatocracy: Ron Paul Says US ‘Slipping Into Fascism’

Corporatocracy: Ron Paul Says US ‘Slipping Into Fascism’

Wash. Army commander removed during PTSD probe - WRIC Richmond News and Weather -

Let's hope the story comes out on this. Wash. Army commander removed during PTSD probe - WRIC Richmond News and Weather -

The Most Unhappy of Pleasures - The Atlantic

The Most Unhappy of Pleasures - The Atlantic

@jeachin | Webstagram

@jeachin | Webstagram

http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CMD=SUBMIT_ARTICLE_RATING&EXPANDED_TOPIC_TREE_NODES=&ARTICLE_IN_NEW_WINDOW_FLAG=false&ARTICLE_ID=12495&RATING=4&CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION_ID=1&TIMEZONE_OFFSET=

http://answers.usa.gov/system/selfservice.controller?CMD=SUBMIT_ARTICLE_RATING&EXPANDED_TOPIC_TREE_NODES=&ARTICLE_IN_NEW_WINDOW_FLAG=false&ARTICLE_ID=12495&RATING=4&CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION_ID=1&TIMEZONE_OFFSET=

More Than Human? The Ethics of Biologically Enhancing Soldiers - The Atlantic

More Than Human? The Ethics of Biologically Enhancing Soldiers - The Atlantic I'm not sure I go along with a lot of this.

Now I Am Old

I am officially old now, the Social Security Administration just made the first deposit into my account.

Libertarian Centralizers - Ivan Jankovic - Mises Daily

Libertarian Centralizers - Ivan Jankovic - Mises Daily

Washington's Governor Signs Gay Marriage Into Law - National - The Atlantic Wire

This is an important step for the state. The next step is to get out of marriage all together. If couples want to partake in the sacrament of marriage, go to a church. If they want the other "benefits of marriage" draw up a contract.Washington's Governor Signs Gay Marriage Into Law - National - The Atlantic Wire

Jäger-Topf Hubertus (for my gran)

Former American and Australian prisoners of war warming up before a stove in the 24th Division medical clearing station after being returned to U.S. lines by Chinese Communists, February 10, 1951., ca. 1900 - 1982

Former American and Australian prisoners of war warming up before a stove in the 24th Division medical clearing station after being returned to U.S. lines by Chinese Communists, February 10, 1951., ca. 1900 - 1982

Earth Station: The Afterlife of Technology at the End of the World - The Atlantic

Quite a story. It is hard to believe that a place like this is hid away so close to a place like Carmel By The Sea. My children and I fed the gulls and watched the otters on the beach by Carmel in 1978 without knowing anything about the history that was so close. but I guess that is the way things are, we never know the history that is taking place around us, we are to busy staying alive.Earth Station: The Afterlife of Technology at the End of the World - The Atlantic

Panda cub in tree

Panda cub in tree
Originally uploaded by Official San Diego Zoo

Stunning Animated Time-Lapse Map of Red-Blue America 1920-2008 | Ecopolitology

Stunning Animated Time-Lapse Map of Red-Blue America 1920-2008 | Ecopolitology

It's Confirmed. We are Being Attacked by Aliens! | Ecopolitology

It's Confirmed. We are Being Attacked by Aliens! | Ecopolitology

A Sailor moves a BRU-41 multiple ejector rack.

A Sailor moves a BRU-41 multiple ejector rack.
Originally uploaded by Official U.S. Navy Imagery

A Vibrant Time-Lapse Tour of Lake Tahoe - The Atlantic

A Vibrant Time-Lapse Tour of Lake Tahoe - The Atlantic

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, at his headquarters in the European theater of operations. He wears the five-star cluster of the newly-created rank of General of the Army., 02/01/1945

GEN Eisenhower was my dad's favorite general and president. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, at his headquarters in the European theater of operations. He wears the five-star cluster of the newly-created rank of General of the Army., 02/01/1945

'The Battle Hymn of the Republic': America's Song of Itself - The Atlantic

'The Battle Hymn of the Republic': America's Song of Itself - The Atlantic

George Washington: Gay-Friendly Father of Our Country

Not sure I agree with the last couple of sentences, but this article suggest that Washington was not concerned with gays serving in the military. George Washington: Gay-Friendly Father of Our Country

Home & Garden | Cluttered home? Here's how to fix it! | Seattle Times Newspaper

Home & Garden | Cluttered home? Here's how to fix it! | Seattle Times Newspaper

Where Did All the Workers Go? 60 Years of Economic Change in 1 Graph - The Atlantic

Where Did All the Workers Go? 60 Years of Economic Change in 1 Graph - The Atlantic

Where the Trees Are

This link is to a map showing the forest in the U S.Where the Trees Are

Andy Rooney in 60 Seconds!

To celebrate National Curmudgeon Day.

Sergeant Major: 12 changes to expect in ’12 - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Sounds like the late '70s and early '80s. There is always a rebuilding process after a long war because in war you lose good NCOs either in combat or because they get wore out and leave the service. Sergeant Major: 12 changes to expect in ’12 - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Four Weeks In

Four weeks into retirement and things are fine. Haven't done much, but then that's what retirement is about, right? Still waiting on the VA to pick me up as a volunteer. And I have done some blogging, more than the last two years combined.

Japacanim (Black-capped Donacobius)

Japacanim (Black-capped Donacobius)
Originally uploaded by Bertrando©

Cool looking birds from Brazel.

Gingrich-Romney battle dominates the final debate before the Florida primary

Gingrich-Romney battle dominates the final debate before the Florida primary

Sharp-shinned Hawk, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Sharp-shinned Hawk, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Special Ops Are Spared as the Army Cuts 80,000 Combat Troops - National - The Atlantic Wire

Hope this is not a mistake. It takes awhile to rebuild fighting units.
Special Ops Are Spared as the Army Cuts 80,000 Combat Troops - National - The Atlantic Wire

Dying Honeybees: It Was the Insecticides All Along | Use Celsias.com - reduce global °Celsius

Dying Honeybees: It Was the Insecticides All Along | Use Celsias.com - reduce global °Celsius

IMG_0333b enhanced

IMG_0333b enhanced
Originally uploaded by City of Oakley

INTERIOR OF THE CHEESE HOOP, ONE OF THE SPECIALTY SHOPS IN HELEN. IT IS LOCATED ON ALTE STRASSE (OLD STREET), A COBBLESTONED CUL-DE-SAC IN THE MIDDLE OF HELEN'S MAIN STREET SHOPPING CENTER. THE VILLAGE OF 270 HAS NOTED INCREASED DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM SINCE 1969 WHEN RENOVATION OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICT WITH A BAVARIAN ALPINE THEME WAS BEGUN. SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT HAS RESULTED IN NEW FACILITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND AN ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST, 09/1975

http://media.nara.gov/media/images/16/10/16-0938a.gifINTERIOR OF THE CHEESE HOOP, ONE OF THE SPECIALTY SHOPS IN HELEN. IT IS LOCATED ON ALTE STRASSE (OLD STREET), A COBBLESTONED CUL-DE-SAC IN THE MIDDLE OF HELEN'S MAIN STREET SHOPPING CENTER. THE VILLAGE OF 270 HAS NOTED INCREASED DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM SINCE 1969 WHEN RENOVATION OF THE BUSINESS DISTRICT WITH A BAVARIAN ALPINE THEME WAS BEGUN. SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT HAS RESULTED IN NEW FACILITIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND AN ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST, 09/1975

What Kind Of Flower Are You?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Lessons from Atlas Shrugged

The Great Ice Storm of January 2012

We are not use to all this snow and ice. Normally in the Puget Sound area it snows an inch or two and then the rain comes and washes it away by morning. Not this time, we got eight and a half inches of snow. This time the air above was warmer than the layer at ground level causing freezing rain and a good half inch of ice on everything.

So far we have been luckier than about a quarter million of our neighbors who have lost power. We are prepared if need be with generators, food, and water. No TV though, the ice on the satellite dish is to much for the signal to get through. Now to do but to find a good book, cuddle with a couple chins, and wait for the warm rain.

The tree in these pictures was damage in 1996 during our last bad ice storm, but it survived even though it was deformed. Now it is damaged beyond saving.

IMG_9660
Originally uploaded by Jeachin

Broken Japanese Pine

Broken Japanese Pine
Originally uploaded by Jeachin

This tree was damaged in 1996 by our last bad ice storm. It bent over from the ice and never straighten back up. The trunk was parallel to the ground for about ten feet. Now the top which was about fifteen feet high is gone.

Classic Hollywood Guide to how to react when you screw up a scene

Contact the U.S. Congress and the White House | USA.gov

Contact the U.S. Congress and the White House | USA.gov

Thought For The Day

"Borrow trouble for yourself, if that's your nature, but don't lend it to your neighbours." — Rudyard Kipling, British author and poet (born 1865, died this date in 1936).

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 47.13°N and Longitude 122.36°W (Elev. 400 ft)

7-Day Forecast for Latitude 47.13°N and Longitude 122.36°W (Elev. 400 ft)

NASA - 2012: Shadow of the Dark Rift

NASA - 2012: Shadow of the Dark Rift

Nutmeg

Nutmeg
Originally uploaded by Jeachin

Nutmeg is warm and comfortable inside with the snow coming down outside. We have about six inches of snow right now, and she is only about six inches tall! Good thing that snow in the Puget Sound area is rare!

Meme

Meme
Originally uploaded by Jeachin

This is what Japanese Chins do on snow days. Most other days too.

It's Not Idaho But You Can Still Grow Potatoes

This article has a couple of ways to grow a lot of potatoes in a small area. Now that I am retired and can spend more time doing things I'll give it a real try.

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Reading for Vets

http://maketheconnection.net/events/retirement-aging?experience_id=7&story_id=72

Sixth Day Into Retirement

Here it is the sixth day of retirement, and I haven't done a thing. This can't go on, I must become a productive part of the community or die. It isn't as bad as it sounds, I have been taking my wife to a few places for shopping and appointments, and I did go get my hearing aid fixed (one of the puppies decided to use it as a chew toy about a month ago). Today we are taking Skiddles our little intellectuality challenged Chin to the vet for some more test. He is having a harder time controlling his legs and balance. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.
I still have big plans for retirement; go to the gym on a regular basis, volunteer at Madigan Army Hospital and the VA hospital at American Lake, volunteer at the Nisqually Nation Bird Refuge, start the garden, clean up the yard, organize the house, go fishing with the son and grandkids. I just need to get things rolling. I can't wait until after the tax season or inertia will set in and I'll get old fast.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. – Les Brown

@photooftheday | Webstagram

@photooftheday | Webstagram

AKC Japanese Chin Female Puppy/Very Tiny 2.5 Pounds - NWsource Classifieds

AKC Japanese Chin Female Puppy/Very Tiny 2.5 Pounds - NWsource Classifieds

January 3, 2012

This is the first day since March 25, 1972 that I haven't had to get up and go to or go look for a job. So I still got up at 5:00 am like every other day! Habits are hard to break! Doing the laundry today.

First Flock Over The House In 2012

First Morning of Retirement Picture

Retired

Today is the first day of my retirement. This is something I have planed for years in the back of my mind and now I can start to engage the plan. For the first few months I'll work part time doing taxes for H&R Block. This is mainly to fill in the time until I can set up the volunteer work I want to start. The plan is to spend two or three days a week at Madigan Army Hospital and American Lake VA Hospital and maybe at the Nisqually Bird Refuge. Come spring time will go fast with work in the garden, fishing with my son, bothers, and grandchildren, and Rainier and Mariner ballgames.

I started today with a 1.2 mile walk (more of a stroll because it took me 23 minutes to complete) and will start going to the gym with my son latter this week. My weight was 195.2 pounds this morning and that needs to come down about 40 pounds. The gym and yoga should handle that issue and get me back to a 34 inch waist.

With my work as a dog show roady for my wife and her Chins, house and yard work, and my new activities I should be able to stay out of trouble. And maybe I can squeeze in time to do some blogging.