Dr. Seuss for the AARP Crowd

This week, I’m off exporing and checking out a business opportunity on the opposite side of the country. The hubs and I are thinking it’s time for a change; try something new, out with the old, in with the . . . well, you get it.

While we’re galavanting in the cold artic air, courtesy Alaska and the Great White North, known as Canada, I leave you with this little ditty. Enjoy!

Fun fact about me: I’ve been in the work force, and thus paying taxes, for 34 years now.

Word of the Day: Muggins.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, November 2014. Artwork courtesy Google Images.

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You can’t hide from Mother Nature

If you’re similar in age to me, first of all, I’m sorry, but in keeping with my thought here, you probably remember a commercial that ended with “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” I don’t remember what the ad was selling but I remember that catch phrase.

Photo courtesy Google Images

Mother Nature is not one to be messed with and you cannot hide from her. She’s everywhere and she has a temper. No matter where you live you are susceptible to some sort of natural disaster or another. There are earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, volcanos, tsunamis, severe heat in the summer in Southern Arizona, extreme cold in the winter in Northern Minnesota, horrendous humidity in the deep south. Come on, you all know what I’m talking about.

Photo courtesy Google Images

Where I live, the worst natural disaster fear is wildfire, the kind that comes from dry lightning strikes in the mountains. Or – the absolute worst kind – the kind experienced from some rat bastard, ass wipe arsonist. That my dear readers is what I came home to from my 12-day absolutely divine Alaskan adventure (more about that later).

Photo courtesy Google Images

The fire started just a few miles from my house. While my property was never truly in jeopardy, but for the grace of God, the winds moved the quickly spreading flames away from the most densely populated areas. Had Mother Nature decided to “blow the other way,” so to speak, I might have come home to cinders. I am ever thankful to Mother Nature in this instance and again this past weekend for sending the generous amounts of rain that helped extinguish this monster of a blaze.

Photo courtesy Google Images

The beauty in all of this is the camaraderie of like-minded, and similar-situated people living in my little hometown. The community pulled together with assistance for displaced humans and animals for the thousands forced to evacuate. And an amazing display of gratitude continues to decorate our overpasses, city streets and even a small portion of the US Highway 50 corridor that runs through the heart of gold country.

Photo courtesy Google Images

These signs were erected on fence posts along the freeway and hung from overpasses for a stretch of several miles. Let me add my sincerest thank you to everyone involved in helping to put this fire out; most especially Mother Nature.

Photo courtesy Google Images

How does Mother Nature find you where you live? How has Mother Nature most surprised you? I’m anxious to know what natural disaster you’re willing to face to live where you live. But more importantly, what sort of punishment do you think the rat bastard, ass wipe arsonist should have to endure?

Word of the Day: Fatuity

Fun fact about me: I have a great deal of respect for Mother Nature.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt September 2014. Photos courtesy Google Images.

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Heading North by Cruise Ship

So by now you’re all sick of me talking about Texas so we’re going to give that little outing a rest. It’s time to start focusing on my upcoming cruise. That’s right, in September I’ll be sailing on the deep blue sea, headed north to Alaska.

Carnival Liberty docked at Cozemel, Mexico.
Original photo by P. Rickrode

I don’t know about you, but I love cruising. Only on a cruise can you be in a different port every morning, miles away from where you were yesterday and not have to pack your things and move to a new hotel. On a cruise, your hotel goes with you. Stellar!

Now, I’ve been on several cruises, to several glorious destinations: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, but this will be my first journey to Alaska. And the bonus? I can check another thing off my bucket list. You see, it’s a goal of mine to visit every state in our great nation before I meet my maker. So far, with the exception of Alaska, I’ve been in every state west of the Mississippi River and all but the far north eastern corner on the east side. I’ve been as far up as Virginia but that’s it. Some day I’ll visit that last corner of the US.

But, I digress. I’m gearing up for my journey north and in so doing, I’ve been doing some on line research. I don’t want to miss any of the important stuff when I’m in port. Whilst surfing the web, I came across this silly video about cruising that made me giggle. I wanted to share it with you. It’s short and hopefully will bring a smile.

And so I leave you with this question: Have you ever danced behind someone without their knowledge? Would you ever? I think I just might have to give this a go when I get on the ship in a few weeks. Stay tuned for my report (and with any luck a video).

Word of the Day: Zaffer (zaffre)

Fun fact about me: I have owned 9 cars in my life; all but the very first one were brand new when I bought them.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, August 2014. Original photos by P. Rickrode. Video courtesy You Tube.

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