A very short, disappointing Autumn

Here it is not quite November yet and they're talking about snow--as much as 8"-starting tomorrow.

I just finished blowing a significant accumulation of leaves out of the driveway since a snow blower's biggest enemy is a mix of heavy, wet snow and leaves.

Generally, it's been a disappointing autumn here in Newtown, CT. Many leaves fell from the trees before they turned and the colors on those that stayed were not as vivid as usual.

Oak and beech leaves are the last to turn and fall. Right now they're pretty much at their height and look nice enough but not like past years.

The maple and birch trees have been bare for a long time now.

I think the problem is a combination of the hurricane and other heavy rain storms that hit our region in rapid succession.

So here it is, winter bearing down on us. At least the snow blower is serviced and running and I have an ample supply of wood with more waiting to be picked up but the usual fall cleanup will have to wait until spring. What a mess it's going to be!

Happy Halloween!

Coldest morning of the season

This morning the temperature in Newtown, CT was 35 degrees at 6:30 A.M.--the coldest morning of Autumn so far.

There are frost warnings for later in the week.

Thus far it has been a disappointing season.

Fall colors were not up to their usual standards. Many leaves have already fallen leaving all the maples and birches bare.

The Farmer's Almanac is calling for winter with below average temperature and precipitation. I hope they're wrong!

Another one of life's little annoyances

First, let me state unequivocally that I am very grateful for my good fortune. I am blessed beyond any expectations.

Yet...I like many of you are constantly encountering little annoyances here and there that tend to put a cloud over what would otherwise be a fine day.

Take this morning for example. Yesterday, first thing in the morning I called my doctor's office to make an appointment and arrange for blood work.

The secretary said she'd fax the blood work prescription to the lab so that when I showed up there it would be ready.

Past experience made me emphasize that I'd be going first thing in the morning (today) and please, please don't forget. Oh, no, Mr. Stockwell. As soon as I hang up I'll tend to it!

You guessed it! I get there this morning and surprise, surprise, no scrip from the doctor's office.

I left a short, terse message on their answering machine leaving no doubt that I was quite annoyed.

I'm not going to be able to get there now until Tuesday. I hope it gets there by then!

Back to being a student

I recall during my teaching days that I used to emphasize over and over again that my students could expect to be and should be life-long learners.

No one knows everything and in a changing world there's always something to be learned.

I don't just pay lip-service to that advice. I follow it myself.

Last night was the first class of an Adult Ed course I started on photography--a skill I hope to develop (excuse the pun).

I'm not only interested in photography. I also know I could be doing it better. I have an iPhoto library of about 2400 pictures and at least half of them could be much better shots.

The camera I have can be used in either auto mode where I do nothing or manual mode where I configure all of the settings as I see fit.

As I learned last night, my camera isn't a particularly good one--but it's good enough--for now.

This is about my 6th Adult Ed class. I've taken other classes on landscape architecture, Adobe PhotoShop and web design skills.

I've also taught Adult Ed--or as it's now fittingly called "Continuing Education".

It's a great, no pressure, inexpensive way to learn new things.

I've posted many pictures I've taken on my web site (georgeswebpage.com). There will be more. Check them out.

Three years and counting.

This being the third anniversary of my kidney surgery, the CT Scan and blood work results are in and all is well.

No more CT scans or contrast dye. For the next two years it will be a renal ultrasound and a simple chest XRay.

When I've reached 5 years out, I'll be officially released.

I'm one of the lucky ones (so far).

More lunacy from the right

The Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Baptist minister from Dallas, has started a firestorm on the right. His claim that Mitt Romney is not a Christian due to his Mormon faith is of course absurd.

Here's yet another example of far right, lunatic fringe thinking that we run into over and over again in politics.

Perry was of course right to quickly distance himself from the remark, but... It's that 'but' that's going to be his downfall. Moderate republicans don't like the 'fringe' any more than the rest of us.

These people are the most dangerous force in this country today. They will use every opportunity to jam their religion down our throats and think nothing of labeling those who resist as evil sinners.

The media needs to stop giving them a voice. Ignore them. They won't go away but at least they won't be bothering us any more.

Rest In Peace, Steve Jobs

As I sit here listening to the Today Show, I'm typing this piece on an iMac. Not far away is my laptop, a MacBook Pro. Behind me is an iPod and an iPad. Somewhere else in the house is another iPod and my wife has yet a third one in her office.

And I don't regard ourselves as the kinds of people who have to have every new gadget that comes around the corner.

Such was the legacy of the single most influential and innovative man in the world of consumer technology.

Thanks, Steve. You've left very big shoes indeed to fill at Apple Corp.--a company by the way that was very nearly extinct less than 20 years ago and is now the most valuable company on earth.

The Games Boys Play

My two grandsons Cole and Nicholas are brothers. Cole is going to be 4 in a few days and he's the one with the binoculars. Nicholas is 2 1/2 so they're pretty close in age.

Yet, they're about as different as you can get. While they both like to play with cars and trucks, Cole loves tools and gadgets and Nicholas loves sports.

When we go out to play, Cole heads for the shed where he puts on my leaf blower ear protectors and his plastic chain saw. Nicholas heads for some kind of ball...soccer, baseball, basketball.

Eventually they both end up on the swings or in the sand box but their differing interests are very obvious.

There is no reasonable explanation for this except that they were simply born that way.

So the question of the role of nature vs nurture continues.

Good bye, Monroe Patch

A little over two years ago AOL bought a web site called Patch. Patch is a media company that specializes in on-line community issues. There are about 100 Patch sites in Connecticut.

About a year-and-a-half ago, the editor of Newtown Patch stumbled across the blog site you are now reading. She then viewed my personal web site (georgeswebpage.com).

As a result of this I was asked to contribute at first a twice weekly column and then a once weekly column.

Not long after that, I was at a picnic which was attended by the editor of Monroe Patch. He learned that I grew up in Monroe and asked me to make a weekly contribution regarding the 'old' days in Monroe.

Both of these columns are paid columns so my status is technically a freelancer.

Patch, like Huffington Post, also has bloggers who are not paid.

As the months progressed, AOL was hoping to make Patch profitable or at least self sufficient. But progress has been slow so this week the Patch upper management cut the budget of local units.

As a result, the Monroe Patch editor had to eliminate my column. The good news is I'm still writing for Newtown Patch--for now.

AOL is in a bit of trouble. Fewer and fewer people think of it as the go-to web site when they first log on. Its purchase of Huffington Post drained away resources and Patch has yet to be profitable.

Some people in upper management have been leaving and the company is in turmoil so it's anyone's guess how much longer I'll be able to hang on as a freelance writer.

In the meantime if you haven't already, check out a Patch site about or near your community. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Irony abounds!

How's this for irony: Republican candidate Rick Perry is in trouble over his stance on providing education for children of illegal immigrants?!

Who'd a thunked it? A conservative-from Texas no less-taking an almost liberal-like view of such a controversial topic.

You have to give him credit, though. He stands up for what he believes in. Now let's see him squirm out of his view of social security being a Ponzi scheme.

Don't Ask. Don't Tell.

As anyone who has ever been in the military knows or even if you have some familiarity with matters regarding the military, you know that the armed forces are rooted in tradition.

Most traditions are difficult if not impossible to change. But two days ago the military turned one of its most solid traditions on its head--don't ask. don't tell.

In case you didn't know, it was once illegal for homosexuals to be in any branch of the armed forces. If it was discovered that a person was gay, they were immediately discharged.

Thus the philosophy of don't ask, don't tell. The military didn't ask specifically what your sexual preference was, and you in turn must keep your mouth shut about it.

During the two years that I was in the army (1964-1966) I knew of very few gay men. None of them was obvious about it and none of them ever bothered any of the other men.

We knew or at least suspected they were gay from where they hung out when they were off duty. Beyond that, they were just like everyone else.

It was never discussed and it never caused a problem.

I'm not sure how the 'brass' feels about the passing of this old, silly tradition. I suspect there are a fair number of old-timers who predict the ruination of the military.

That, in my view, is ridiculous. What difference does it make what a person's sexual preference is? So long as they leave others alone, it shouldn't change a thing.

If you want to talk about disruptive influences, how about the one that allows women to serve in combat units? You don't think that's caused its share of problems?

But that's a story for another time.

In the mean time, anyone who wants to serve his/her country may.

Happy Birthday, Courtney

Yesterday, September 14th, was Courtney's 5th birthday. Courtney is the 2nd of four grand children. Her sister is 7.

Courtney started kindergarten this year but I still go up to my daughter and son-in-law's house every Thursday, sometimes to get Courtney off the bus and then a few hours later we pick Brooke up from school.

So Courtney and I spend a few hours together.

Today we played the usual game--school. Except this isn't your ordinary school. This is chore school. That's right C-H-O-R-E school.

Today I learned how to clean the kitchen table, vacuum the play room, wash dishes and dust.

How she came up with this is anyone's guess. Very likely she and her older sister Brooke invented the game together.

Next time I'll describe the games Courtney and Brooke's cousins Cole and Nicholas have invented for when I'm with them Mondays and Wednesdays.

You can always count on new adventures with grand children.

This day marks two occasions...

The first one we all know about--9/11.

I'm sure you, like me, remember clearly where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news of the terrorist attack.

I was on my way to school only to discover it had been canceled for that day--not because of the attack. It seems a delivery truck somehow snagged the power lines going to the school and pulled them down.

I was told at the school to go to the central office to help phone parents to inform them of the cancellation.

It was at about 8:45 on my way home when I heard of the attack on the World Trade Center. I stayed glued to the TV for the rest of the day.

The second occasion is in marked contrast to the first. I was at my 50th high school reunion last night. There were only about 52 people in our class so it wasn't a big crowd but there were surprisingly more people there than I anticipated.

It was a very nice evening and fun to reconnect to all those 'old' friends of so long ago. We plan to do it again in 5 years which will put us well into our 70s. We'll see.

Profit over honor. Never a doubt.

Labor Day-the official holiday established by the Federal government to honor the American worker.

Yet, observe. Every store is open. No holiday for those workers.

I remember a time when everything except health care professionals and emergency workers was closed.

No longer. Profit is more important that honor. I say do away with the holiday. It has lost its meaning.

Back to School

Watching Brooke & Courtney board the bus yesterday brought back a lot of memories of our own children as they started that first day of school.

Brooke, 2nd grade, looked after her little sister, Courtney, who started kindergarten.

Later that day, Courtney and I picked up Brooke from school. They both reported having a great first day.

Hope the whole year is great for them.

It all also reminded me of my teaching days when on that first day I'd greet a lot of nervous students.

Days like that are part of the things I continue to miss even after 7 years of retirement but I'm happy to report I've moved on to equally exciting endeavors.

All of which takes me to my favorite piece of advice for anyone anywhere: stay calm and carry on.

Happy September 1st

Where have I been for almost a week? Dealing with Hurricane Irene. That's where.

Actually, the level of discomfort and inconvenience caused by the hurricane was very minimal for our household. Incredibly, we never lost power but we did lose cable (Internet, TV, Phone). But even there, I was able to keep up with what was going on by using an iPad that had 3G capability.

For the uninitiated that means I could connect to the internet or check my emails by using a cell tower. Oh, I had my cell phone too.

So, all in all, we were in great shape. But there were a lot of folks who weren't so lucky. You can read my upcoming column on Newtown Patch to learn more.

In the mean time, cheer up. In less than three weeks it will be Autumn and then before you know it hurricane season will be over...but then the snow starts.

Life in New England.

Thanks, Dick.

Former VP Dick Chaney was on the Today Show this morning selling his "tell-all" book.

Thanks, Dick--not for writing the book which I will absolutely not read--but for confirming to the world that you are indeed a deranged lunatic who pretty much called the shots during the 8 years this nation suffered under George W. Bush (and you...and Karl Rove).

Now, for God's sake, go away.

Is this the apocalypse?

Hurricanes? Earth quakes? What's happening? Is this it? Is this how we're going to go? Oh no!

The Coming Political Season

Well, it has pretty much started and there will be no end to it until after November, 2012. The screaming, name-calling, accusations, insults, hostility, you name it-from both sides-whether you're a democrat or republican.

Every single morning show has someone on with an agenda and the evening news? Forget about it.

There's no escape except to leave the TV off, stop reading newspapers and magazines and definitely do not look at newsy web sites.

But who can do all of that? No one. There's no escape.

On that note, it's off to a Bed & Breakfast in Vermont for two and a half days. That should help.

Rick Perry for President (NOT)

Rick Perry is the governor of Texas (remember the last one?). He has just announced his intention to seek the republican nomination.

Now before I go any further, let's be completely clear about something. I couldn't care less what religion a person chooses to follow. Every single person has the constitutional right to worship as they choose. I don't care if you're Christian, Jewish , Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucius or if you worship ants. It doesn't matter AS LONG AS you don't try to shove it down my throat.

When that happens, then we're going to have a problem.

Now, back to Rick Perry. It is my belief that, based on his words and actions thus far, he will attempt to do exactly that.

We already have enough people--mostly republicans frankly--trying to tell you how to worship, who to marry or what to do with your body. We certainly don't need any more.

The irony of all of this is it's the republicans who are always telling us they believe government has become too intrusive and they want less of it. Then they go on to tell you what to do or not to do.

Enough! Stay in Texas, Rick. They deserve you.

Web site ideas

I need some ideas on how to make my website more interesting.

There are two particular links that draw very little traffic: The Month Page and Potpourri.

Thank you for any suggestions. I appreciate it.

georgeswebpage.com
george.stockwell@gmail.com

Who's Responsible-Part II

This morning's first news item was the report that the credit rating of the US has been downgraded.

This, no doubt, is due to the recently completed debt ceiling fiasco that we all watched pretty much because nothing else was being discussed.

Are we headed for a double-dip recession? Well, in spite of what you've been hearing, no one knows.

But one thing I do know for sure. Tea Party Republicans would love to see one. Furthermore it is the Tea Party that would have happily watched the US economy go over a cliff had there not been a deal on the debt ceiling.

This group is in my view nothing short of white-collar terrorists. They pose more of a threat than anything else to this country's economic health.

They need to go.

Your ears are big...so you must be wrong!

Ad Hominen. A Latin phrase meaning, roughly, attack the person, not his idea.

I've been getting firsthand experience with this ever since I started writing a column for Newtown Patch (newtown.patch.com)

Most of my pieces are fairly innocuous but from time to time, as most recently, I touch upon political issues.

That's when the loons squirm out of the woodwork and play their games.

Rather than stick to analyzing the logic of my position, they proceed to tear me apart personally.

When this happens, I know I've won the argument.

So, who are these people? Sad to say, the overwhelming majority are those whose political persuasion is anchored firmly on the far right--or what I've come to identify as the lunatic fringe.

It's not bad enough that they're abusive. The problem is they're also loud--very loud.

Sad to say, Congress is also full of these types. They're known largely as Tea Party Republicans. But let's face it, the left has their share too. Witness Al Sharpton.

Nothing can be done about the 'fringe' on the national level. They have the right to voice their opinion. But what about the people in my own town who comment on my Patch pieces? What's the appropriate response to them?

Silence. That's what. Rule number one: Never, EVER, engage the fringe. It's a no-win endeavor. It just encourages them. It's like jacking up the volume on a Bose speaker.

Eventually they'll go away. They have to sleep sometime.

Another great day with my two little buddies.

Cole decided completely on his own to find the vacuum cleaner, plug it in and clean up the family room. Little brother Nicholas of course had to help (by the way, notice where he tosses the guitar. Cleans like his grandpa!)

Next project? Build a sandbox.

More from Courtney

Today while I was typing a story about beetles that Courtney was dictating to me, she abruptly stopped, looked at me and asked, "Grandpa, how come the hair in your nose is so gray?"

Her older sister, Brooke, who was listening to all of this burst out laughing.

I replied that the reason was because I was old and that I guess I had better do some trimming.

Grand children.

Warning! Lunatic at large.

Spotted at 3:30 P.M. on Friday, June 22, a lady in about her mid thirties running up a steep grade in 98 degree/75 percent humidity weather.

She was visibly struggling, beet red and gasping.

I almost stopped but figured my concern may not be well received.

This is not the weather to be engaging in such activity--unless, of course, you want heat stroke.

A busy weekend

July 15 thru 17 was a very busy period for the Stockwell household.

Grandma & Grandpa hosted Cole & Nicholas for 3 days while their mom and dad, Pete & Jen, went to a wedding in Buffalo (which Peter grumbled about for several days).

When they returned Sunday evening, Mike & Becky and the girls were here.

The girls wanted to play with the boys and Mike helped me put longer poles around the garden so the fenced could be made higher.

It seems the deer have figured out a way in so it was time for a new plan.

They ate most of the lettuce, some of the squash and cukes.

I'm hoping to salvage the rest.

And now, Monday morning, it's off to do grocery shopping with the girls.

Why is it I always seem to spend more money when they go with me?

The Death Penalty

Every time I start having doubts about the morality or value of the death penalty, something comes along to complicate the issue.

The latest horror was a story about an eight-year-old Hasidic Jewish boy who got lost walking home from a New York City day camp.

He stopped to ask a man for directions. The man took him to his apartment, killed him and dismembered his body. But, incredibly, before doing that, he stopped at his dentist's office to pay his bill and then took the boy to a wedding.

From there he took him to his apartment and did the rest.

The killer's attorney is arguing insanity. If found to be legally insane, he'll be institutionalized until deemed sane enough to stand trial--in other words, never.

Make no mistake about it. Too many innocent people have been put to death. But with modern forensic techniques such as DNA testing it is now possible to be more certain than ever that someone is guilty.

The killer in this case was identified through a surveillance camera and he later confessed. The boy's body was ultimately found in his apartment.

The whole argument regarding his sanity is absurd. Of course he's crazy. But I don't care. He's not fit to inhabit the earth with the rest of us.

Honey, I can't find the ...... (fill in the blank)

Lucky for me, yesterday was a warm sunny day here. As such, I was able to get out into the yard and get the mowing and various chores done.

The reason why I needed to be outside was because inside there was a veritable storm going on.

You see, it seems my wife decided to 'reorganize' and 'rearrange' the shelves and closets.

This bodes ill for me because now I have to go through another round of not being able to find anything.

Oh, she always makes sure she tells me the new location of various necessities but I've been on automatic for so long, it doesn't sink in.

By the time I remember what she said, it will be time for another round of 'reorganization'.

It's for this reason that men can never find anything. Whatever we're looking for, you can be sure it's been moved.

Here are some of the things I've had to spend extra time searching for:
camera, glucose test kit, old hat, old sneakers (which I fear are destined for the trash heap given the fact they're the source of the odor in the closet that we thought was a dead mouse in the closet walls), notebook where I jot down random thoughts, spare reading glasses...well, you get the idea.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go grocery shopping but I can't find my wallet or key fob...

An Observation about the Casey Anthony trial

I am not going make any judgments regarding whether or not justice was done in the Casey Anthony verdict.

I was not there, day in and day out, listening to the testimony and neither by the way were any of the talking heads you hear on TV and radio decrying the horror of the verdict nor were any of the outraged people criticizing the jury.

Rather, my observation is about the judge.

I feel very uncomfortable watching him. He speaks very slowly, mispronounces words and generally looks and sounds very nearly incompetent.

For example in watching the televised sentencing, he repeatedly pronounced the word 'specifically' 'pacifically'.

Does anyone else have a problem with that 'specifically' or the judge in general?