National Debt

Our federal government has a budget problem and at least one of the political parties is trying to reduce spending on those who have nothing to do with the bulging debt. It makes no sense to give tax cuts, start wars, run up the bill and then cut services to those in need. If the Bush tax cuts were never approved we would have a much different financial picture. We have two wars that are not paid for. If there had been a mandatory tax increase with each war we would have never gone to war. It there had been a draft we would have never gone to war. Public opinion wouldn't have allowed it to happen.

In the proposed federal budget $703.1 billion for defense, but then add in: counter terrorism activities of the State Department, Homeland Security, CIA, NSA, Veterans Administration, debt payments of previous wars and benefits for retirees, then we are over $1.2 trillion. Heck the Army even sinks millions into NASCAR sponsorship. We need to stop the wars and close many of our foreign military bases and let those countries provide their own defense. A bomb dropped in war is money blown up.

Competent People

I'm always appreciative of competent people, whether it is my doctor, a nurse, a clerk, a bartender or what ever. I'm talking about people who are good at their job, are cognizant of what is happening around them as they work, stay focused on the task and do it with good cheer. All too often I see crabby people who don't like or want to work and bring down everybody around them. Right now the the song "Don't worry be happy" pops into my mind. The competent workers anticipate problems and deal with them quietly and quickly. They make the customer or patient feel comfortable and they perform the necessary task as efficiently as possible. Now I'm not suggesting that many doctors or nurses or bartenders are not competent except that sometimes they forget the good cheer. I could also be accused of this especially when I'm working on the house. We are never too old too learn.

Health Care

My health insurance through a group plan went up 10 percent a year for three years and thirty percent this year. Recently I was able to find less expensive but still costly insurance outside of the group plan. As long as private for profit corporations are the only option for health care, premiums will go up. Profits and high paid CEO's drive the cost up and are more important than providing health care. This nation will continue to pay the highest rates in the world under our current corporate rule. My guess is that a large percentage of the population annually pays more for health care than income taxes. Oh and we did get a tax cut last year although few people are aware of that.

Sweet Smells

Here are some pleasant natural fragrances that I enjoy. The fresh smell of water in the air right after a thunderstorm; a recently mowed lawn or hayfield. Salt sea air as the fog rolls in on a summer night. Spring time at home when the ceanothus or buck brush is blooming on the back hill. A spring time bike ride when the local flowers are blooming. The Tahoe and Sierra pine trees. The musty smell of my grandmothers cellar from long ago. Iowa farms as long as there are no cattle or hogs. Lastly, chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, okay maybe that last one is not a "natural" fragrance.

Thunderstorms

I was ready to take a Tahoe bike ride this afternoon and decided to cancel after seeing a dark gray sky and hearing some thunder. It was the correct choice. The skies flashed, threw ice cubes and then dumped. Coastal California where I live most of the time rarely has thunderstorms and I kind of miss them. Here in the mountains I find them refreshing as long as I'm in a sheltered place. Even a tent will do and that has happened on occasion. Most of the time these storms are a minor delay in a nice day. After the storm moves through it leaves a fresh fragrance like the day has been washed clean. Of course the flash (no delay) boom is a little scary and should be respected.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone Park is the American Serengeti. I don't remember the park ever being so lush and green and overflowing with wild flowers. It is like a huge salad bowl for herbivores of which there are plenty. Deer, pronghorn antelope, elk, bison, along with black bear, grizzly bear, coyote, wolves, bald eagles, I saw all of them in a four day stay plus various other birds. This park is truly a national treasure and should be preserved in eternity. Thank you to President Grant who gave Yellowstone protected status and President Teddy Roosevelt who started the National Park system.

We saw elk but not the large herds we have seen in previous visits and we know that moose are there but we didn't see one. The highlights were the grizzly bear that walked around the car and watching wolf pups play on a hill side. I hope my experience is available and cherished by future generations.

Cycling

True to my history as an athlete and a P.E. teacher I love to ride my road bike for the exercise and the joy of being out and around. The simple reason is it makes me feel better. A more complicated reason is it's a chance to feel like an athlete. Throughout my life I have watched good athletes retire from competition and sit in the rocking chair so to speak. Not for me, the athletic experience is one I fondly reflect on and one that I want to continue as long as possible.

Today's ride was a leap forward. Because of winter and an injury I had to stay off the bike for a couple months. The result was a loss of leg strength that became readily apparent climbing hills. Even the smaller hills brought complaints from the quadriceps, however a little work in the weight room and more work at climbing and the body, even old bodies adapt and get stronger. Some days I'm glad the ride is over, today I reached my mileage goal but I could have easily (mentally and physically) added more distance. I guess the endorphins were working.