Returning to Eastern Standard Time

I always confuse Daylight Saving Time with Eastern Standard Time.  Which one are we returning to in a few days?  Well, the answer is Eastern Standard Time.  Daylight Savings Time happens during the summer months.

There are several  theories attempting to explain the DST system. One is that by turning the clocks ahead in the spring farmers would have more time to get their work done.  That of course is ridiculous.  Farmers long ago didn't care what the clock said.  They worked from sun up to sun down. Period.

Another theory was that DST was adopted during war time to conserve energy and increase productivity thereby saving money.  That one is a little more plausible but equally wrong.

A third explanation I've read and actually believe over the others is that it was completely arbitrary.  It's thought that Ben Franklyn started the custom because he simply liked having longer evenings of daylight.  It had nothing to do with saving time or money or increasing productivity. 

So Saturday night we set the clocks back.  News people keep saying how nice it will be because we'll supposedly gain an hour of sleep but I find that to be untrue.  For me it just means I'm going to be awake earlier until my body adjusts to the change.  Let's face it, can anyone really force themselves to sleep an hour longer?  I suppose some people can but not me. I'm awake the same time every morning no matter what.

If I had my way I'd leave the clocks the way they are now all year and call it Eastern Standard Time.  At any rate, don't forget to change them or you're going to be showing up everywhere an hour early-or is it an hour late? Whatever.  You're going to be out of step!

And on and on it goes...

Yet another school shooting.  This time a thoroughly deranged young man wielding a hand gun of some kind wanders into a high school in Marysville, Washington and opens fire.  He hit 5 students killing one before turning the gun on himself.  It has been reported that one of the students he shot was a girl with whom he had tried to date.

Everyone interviewed said he was a popular young man, a freshman at the high school, played sports and was generally liked.  Undoubtedly more will come out as investigators try to make sense of this but everyone is wondering why on earth these things continue to happen. 

As expected, gun control advocates are asking anyone who will listen what's it going to take while gun rights advocates are saying when are we going to turn our attention to the real problem of mental instability. 

I come down squarely in the middle.  Both groups are right.  Not enough is being done to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them and clearly not enough is being done to identify troubled people.

I know one thing for sure-there are way, way too many guns in this country.  I also know I don't see any hope of this ever changing. 

Reminder

1)Don't forget: To view recent and past photos, video and other items of interest visit georgeswebpage.com

2) Thirty two degrees this morning-the coldest morning since last April.  Yes, it's coming. But I'm ready.  New wood stove is working beautifully.

A Suggestion Regarding Ebola...

  About 100 years ago this country was dealing with a massive influx of immigrants.  The vast majority were processed through Ellis Island in New York.  Part of the procedure was a medical exam and if anything suspicious was found the new arrivals were placed in a 21 day quarantine.

The screeners looked for things like TB, cholera, small pox, typhoid or any other infectious disease.

While many of these diseases are no longer prevalent, we now find ourselves dealing with an entirely new kind of threat-Ebola.

So my question is, why aren't folks arriving from western Africa also being quarantined?  Is it a violation of their rights?  I shouldn't think so.  We need to start using common sense!!

Happy 7th birthday to grand son Cole

Happy 7th birthday to grand son Cole.  For more birthday pictures of Cole and other things see georgeswebpage.com

What is Chris Christie doing here?

New Jersey governor (R) Chris Christie is set to make another visit to our state.  His purpose is to raise money for gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley.  He'll meet with residents of Greenwich which is already heavily republican.

Aside from being a fellow republican to Foley, as everyone knows there's been an ongoing feud between Christie and Governor Malloy.  They are constantly sniping at each other.

My problem here is not necessarily that Christie is coming to the state.  Fellow elected officials always visit other states to support colleagues in their party.  President Obama is even coming here to raise money for Malloy.  Interestingly, Malloy is not going to be there.  He is basically dissing the president.  Politics is politics.  It always has been and always will be.

So what's my problem, you ask?  Basically it's that Christie is such an obnoxious blowhard that he's just too much to take.  It's bad enough we have to hear from him on national news where he's constantly being asked if he's going to run for president(of course he is!).   But now he has to come here, right in our faces, by way of a New Jersey state police helicopter of all things.

Stay home,  Christie. You're a jerk and we can take care of ourselves in Connecticut.  I would add and shut up while you're at it but I know better.

Thus endth my rant for the day.

A Note to My Devoted Reader(s)

October 2014
I started my web site georgeswebpage.com  in May of 2005.  I started this blog in Janurary 2008.  My original intention for starting a blog was to serve as a forum where I could express my opinions on various matters.  The blog therefore coexisted with my web site

It seems  that over the years the lines of distinction between the two things have become blurred. Many things that would normally appear on my web site make it here.  In an effort to restore the two endeavors to their original purpose, I will from now on only be posting pictures, video and albums of various items of interest to my web site.  Very few will appear here. 

So if you've been reading this blog to see pictures of family, nature and other things you'll have to go to my web site from now on.  Just click on the 'photos and photo albums' link at the top of the page and you'll be there.  From there you can reach this page by clicking on the appropriate link.

Thank you.

Heading Home

This is our last full day in Florida.  We didn't get the lanai floors tiled but at least we arranged to have it done in our absence and ready for our return in November.

As it happens it was a very good thing we were here this week because our new upstairs neighbors were having work done and the contractors did something to cause a leak into our master bedroom bathroom.  It hadn't gotten to the point where a lot of damage was being caused because the water was running out of an A/C duct so I just put a bucket under it.

The owners were extremely cooperative and the contractor looked at it soon after I reported it.  They too were very cooperative and in fact they were working late into Friday night to repair the problem which required the removal of some newly installed tile.

I will have a 'do' list waiting for me when we get back here.  The water shut off valve is not working and one of the overhead fan lights needs a new pull string.

It's always something-whether it be in our house or now our condo.  But I guess I shouldn't complain since we're lucky enough to own two places.

So it's back home to beautiful autumn weather and then....well, you know!

Day Two-Sunny (Not) Naples

Well, here we are, day 2, Naples, Fl.  It has been cloudy with off and on thunderstorms for two days.  This happened last year at this time also.  So why, you would logically ask, do we continue to come down here this time of year.  Well first, we had some work to arrange on our condo-which brings me to an observation about the work ethic and general approach to business of many of the people here.  It's definitely different than at home.

Some time ago we had gotten an estimate from a tile man who was referred to us by our home watch person (who I'm happy to report is extremely competent). Before we left I emailed him and left two phone messages to set up a time when we could get the work done.  Nothing.  So we went to plan B-an estimate from another tile company.  We went out to see them and were told by the lady there that she'd give her boss a copy of the estimate and the message he should call us to set up an installation date.  Nothing.

Now we're to plan C-yet another company but higher price of course.  Anyway, they'll be out next week to do the work.

The second thing we have to do while here is check on the construction of a friend's house.  That we'll probably do tomorrow.

That's the news from Naples.  Oh, except for the fact that we remembered on the plane that we forgot the keys to our condo.  Fortunately we were able to get a hold of our home watch person who let us in.  Then my daughter-in-law went to our house at home and Fed Exed the keys to us.

Exciting, isn't it?

Visitors

In the 28 years that we have lived in our current location there have been three political candidates who have bothered to make the long walk up our steep driveway to talk to us.  The first was a few years ago-Chris Lyddy.  The second person was Kim Fawcett who is running for a seat in the CT senate and the third was just yesterday.   We were sitting on our front porch when we spotted a young man walking up our driveway.  He introduced himself as Matt Cole and told us the position he was running for-Newtown's representative to the CT House of Representatives.

 There are probably many people who would advise us to count our blessings.  Who wants people knocking at your door all the time but I believe they should be commended for making the effort.  It is my opinion that a visit from a candidate  is more meaningful than being bombarded by negative ads from so-called “independent” organizations.     

By the way, for what it's worth all three candidates were democrats.  I wonder if that's just a coincidence or if the republican counterparts to these folks think because Newtown is a republican town, they have the election locked up so why bother.  

There's still over a month to the elections.  Maybe someone will show up today.  What are the odds?

The demise of the wallet?

Corresponding with the release of the latest iPhone, The Today Show ran a piece suggesting the demise of the wallet.  It seems the iPhone is now configured in some way to allow its users to pay for things thus eliminating the need to carry both cash and credit cards.

Several men were interviewed and the overwhelming majority agreed they stopped carrying wallets a long time ago.

In light of this I decided to take inventory of my wallet to see what I could do without.  Here's what I have:
1. Some cash, two credit cards and a blank check.
2. My drivers license
3. My Medicare and Medicare supplement cards
4. My dental care card
5. My CVS Caremark card
6. My organ donor card
7. Two lists of my medications
8. Several small pieces of paper with passwords and PINs on them
9. A list of important phone numbers
10. My AARP membership card
11. My Audubon membership card
12. Four pictures-one for each of my grand children
13. My Stop & Shop discount card
14. My Allstate insurance card
15. A few of my wife's and son's business cards

That's about it.  Can I do without most of these on a daily basis.  Sure but then I'd have to remember to get those I do need from time to time and that's not going to happen.  So for now I guess I'll hold on to my wallet. 

Sorry, iPhone.  Maybe next year.

A Big Day in the Stockwell Family

Two anniversaries to celebrate today. Sandi and I were married 47 years ago and Pete & Jen were married on this day 8 years ago.

It's been an extraordinary journey.

Happy Birthday, Courtney

Courtney was 8 years old yesterday so the kids celebrated with one of the last swims they'll probably take for the summer.  In another photo Brooke & Courtney proudly display the quilts they each made for a neighbor who is having twins.  Also shown is their grandma who assisted them.  In the third photo Courtney & Brooke pose in the rocking chairs they got for their rooms.

Don't forget to check out the links on georgeswebpage.com

REMINDER

Don't forget to check out the various photo galleries on georgeswebpage.com.

Things We Remember

In looking back  over 70 years and putting aside personal milestones such as marriages and the births of children etc, I can recall exactly what I was doing in about 4 cases. 

The first big one was the death of John F. Kennedy.  The second was the first space shuttle disaster.  The third was the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. And the fourth was the shooting at Sandy Hook School.

Today marks the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attack of 9/11/2001-an event this nation will never forget.  Thirteen years later, we're still fighting terrorism. Who knows when it will end.

Observations

Cooler weather and shorter days are certainly not the only signs of autumn.  Leaves are slowly changing color and my driveway is filling up with acorns falling off the big oak trees next to it.

More animal activity is also evident.  We have more birds coming to the feeders including many humming birds and of course the deer.

I wonder if they agree with the Old Farmer's Almanac which is predicting a colder, wetter than normal winter.  Yuk!

Along with school, fall sports have also started.  Brooke is playing soccer but we weren't able to get to her first game.  She scored 3 goals.

Cole and Nicholas have started fall baseball.  We were able to get to their game Saturday and watch their great hits.

Courtney has not signed up for a fall activity yet but I think there's something in the works.  Stay tuned.

Hackers-1, Morons-0

Did you hear the hullabaloo being made over the hacking of Apple's iCloud?  In case you don't know what an iCloud is it's a bunch of remote computer servers where people send all kinds of data so they don't have to risk storing it locally.

Well, it seems a bunch of celebrities posted pictures of themselves in the nude for private sharing.  Someone else came along, hacked into the private room and reposted the pictures for all to see.

Yes, such actions are criminal and outrageous.  But....had the celebrities not posted the pictures in the first place, they couldn't have been hacked, could they?

Just goes to show, boys and girls.  Watch what you put in the internet.   It's there forever.

The Loss of A Pet-November 2001-August 31, 2014

Yesterday, my daughter's family lost their beloved dog, Lacey.  Lacey had been ill for the past few months but she was comfortable and seemed to derive enjoyment out of life.  That all ended yesterday when she started having seizures.

In many ways Lacey seemed like our dog too.  There were many occasions when she stayed with us and of course we saw her on the frequent visits to my daughter's house.

Losing a pet is not a trivial thing.  They become an important part of a family.  We'll miss her.

Time To Vent

It's been a while since I used this forum to rant about some of life's little annoyances so I don't feel too bad about burdening the reader with these since you too might share my feelings.

Two things bugging me today.

First, the continuing saga of 'no common sense'.  I regret to report that this seems to be  especially obvious among gun rights enthusiasts.

Here's the thing. I learned to shoot a firearm when I was about 8 years-old. It was under the supervision of my father and it was on a low caliber .22 single shot rifle.  Later, about 10 or 11 years old I guess, I acquired a low caliber 4.10 single shot shotgun.

I used them to shoot tin cans & clay pigeons which were flung in the air by my older sister using a mechanical contraption.  It was great fun.

The case of the 9 year old New Jersey girl who accidentally shot and killed her firearms instructor in Arizona is a tragedy that should never have happened.  The weapon she was being taught to shoot was a high caliber, fully automatic machine gun produced by the  Israeli army called an Uzi. 

The idea of teaching a child how to use such a weapon is so profoundly over the top it simply defies description.

Common sense, ladies and gentlemen.  Where is it?

Second, the two worlds of Charter Communications.  First, there's the bizarro world of their billing department and telephone support.

Take the phone support part of it for example.  This morning I called for an appointment to have a cable drop installed in another room in our house.  When I got the automated service, the recording told me there were reported problems in my area and they're working on it.  Thanks for calling. Disconnect.

Idiots.  I called back and finally got a human to talk to.

About two hours later a service technician appeared.  Enter Charter's second world.  Their service techs are pleasant, competent people who got the job done.  He even took it upon himself to make some changes that would improve our service.

I've never had a problem with Charter's technical side but their billing and phone support stink.

Thus endeth my rant for today.  Thanks for listening.

Can summer be over already?

(Don't forget to check out georgeswebpage.com)

Can summer be over already?  Well, maybe not from a meteorological standpoint but for all practical purposes it is.  Vacations are over, kids are back to school and there's definitely a hint of autumn in the air.

People are fretting about reports of the coming winter but to me that's ridiculous.  It's only August.  Frankly they haven't a clue.  Still, whatever the winter has in store for us, it requires being prepared.

So on to Autumn: beautiful colors, pleasant temperatures and eventually falling leaves.

I'll be watching all four grand children today but tomorrow it's back to school for them and lots of others.  Hope it's a good year for one and all-especially little Nicholas who's starting kindergarten.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Have you heard of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that's making its way around the world?  Well, I got caught up in it myself when my daughter-in-law challenged me to do it.

The way it works is that if you don't do it, you have to donate $100 to the ALS foundation.  However, if you do it, then you can donate as much as you want.

As a result of all of this, the ALS foundation has raised millions and millions of dollars OVER their usual amount for the same period.

Anyway, here's a video clip of me fulfilling the challenge.

Kids At Play

 Don't forget to visit georgeswebpage.com

Pictures of a recent trip to the newly opened Dickinson Park-Courtney, Cole & Nicholas.

More Good Stuff

What a wonderful surprise I rec'd in the mail yesterday.  A book from grand son Cole who is going into first grade.  The book is titled All About Colors and the last page says "I dedicate this book to Mr. Stockwell."  The wonders of being a grand parent keep rolling along. Thanks, Cole.

New Design

Please not that the photo gallery page of georgeswebpage.com has been redesigned and simplified.  Try it out and leave a comment (see 'comments' link in navigation bar). Thanks.

georgeswebpage.com

Courtney's Project

Today a little girl made a lot of old (and one person not quite as old) very happy.  She took upon herself the task of creating pictures for each of the participants in my Tuesday discussion group at Masonicare. She thought it would be nice to give them something to spruce up their apartment/rooms.

They loved it as they always do when I bring one or both of the girls with me. 

Nice work, Courtney.  You're a sweetie.

Courtney Day

Brooke's at soccer camp so Courtney and grandpa are spending the day together.  Courtney loves to do various science experiments.  Here's her latest.

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY georgeswebpage.com

Back to Normal-sort of

 Don't forget to check in at georgeswebpage.com

The week with our two little pals has drawn to a close.  It was great having Cole & Nicholas and I have renewed appreciation for all those parents out there raising a family.  With the exception of an occasional vacation where grand parents kick in to help, there are very few days off-and it's not easy.
Here are some pictures of our last day together at the new Dickinson Park playground.

A Week With the Boys

 Pete & Jen are in California, so we have the boys for the week.  That means get them up, dressed, breakfast and ready for camp with bags packed, lunches & snacks made, swim suits and a set of dry clothes and signed permission slips where appropriate.   Then it's off to camp to be picked up at 3 P.M. after which it's a snack, an activity of some sort, workbook pages, dinner, baths, stories and what ever else needs to be done.  Then the next morning it's all over again.

I wonder how single parents do it?!?

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to our terrific son, Pete. 

Happy August

Welcome to the Dog Days of August.  Ever wonder how that expression originated?  Click here to find out and learn more about the month of August.
georgeswebpage.com/almanac