11/30/21 Tuesday 8am St. James mass/rosary Thaddeus, lifeguard re
my swim cap, lemonade stand Beverly hills, 9am to 1 fed ex office
Xmas cards ready, called assurance talked to Joy in Philippines -
very enjoyable conversation, she's a Christian, not catholic, very
intelligent and aware of what's happening around the world, she's
home schooling her children, I promised to pray for her.
She helped
me with hotspot access. Tether is now working. #PrayTheMovies:
“Clifford Big Red Dog”, clerk called me brother, paramount pic, not
animated? Partially animated. Dog only. Dog catcher. They missed
the red pup. Harlem. “She calls me food stamp.”
Honeycomb cereal.
British mom, were you ever a child? Meter expired. man living in
box truck, Clifford starts roaming, Casey Porter illustrate job
funny, magic school good luck, uncle Casey baby sits, cheerio
rubbish, mc looks like Laura Ingalls, central park, collecting cans
for school, animal rescue, dog in backpack, 745 in morning?. Pray
for Joy in the Philippines, "I smell dog. You are a super super.”
#PrayTheMovies: “Encanto” in 3D each child is a magic gift,
"looting term used for urban dwellers?” Looting? Looting social
justice, peaceful protests. Trigonometry they don’t have an agenda
except the truth. 491 windmills equals 1 power plant, weak frail
cognitive.
They’ve propped up Biden like a puppet. Bruno. Miracle,
Encanto is it too late for a miracle / who is Bruno /? Thank God for
persecution" (A Jones, operation Tiger) The girl with a storm cloud
over her head. 1st corona virus jan21 2020, Fauci gain of function,
2nd vision, you must embrace, Isabella sister, #PrayTheMovies:
family reconciliation.
Back up the hill PV lib dictation 12/1
December 2021 830 am walk PV , 930 PV lib homeless Asian man
peeing in the bushes --family walks past him as if they don't even
notice. Warm morning, low cloud, see Catalina peaks only, dictation
at PV complete.
3
12/2/21 Thursday very dizzy--everything spinning at 3 am. I awoke
and sat up & everything was spinning --I felt dizzy & lightheaded,
could not even remain sitting up, laid back down fell back asleep--
scary moment.
I thought maybe I had caught a dose of covid finally,
but around lunchtime as I was trying to cook a meal on my portable
stove I noticed my can of butane was empty even though it should be
almost full.
I realized that somehow the switch had gotten stuck on
and it drained the butane during the night as I was sleeping right
next to it--all windows closed. That explains everything. Could have
been deadly I suppose--not sure -- tried to research the subject-- it's
definitely not good-- not sure if actually deadly-- maybe brain
damage though. --either way I call it a "near death" incident.
Drove
to Garden Grove, still managed to donate blood at 8am. Domonique
at blood center not so good. Seemed like a prima donna. Started
telling me about getting a job as a firefighter-still waiting for
security clearance. Then the gal who unhooked me was a jerk too.
They let me sit there for several minutes.
I made a complaint later
on. Never saw either of them again, thank goodness. Shopped at
Walmart after blood donation. Still a bit woozy from the butane.
Garden Grove library--don't come here much anymore. There's a
nice duck pond here. And for the first time I noticed an exercise
area next to the community center.
Right next to the covid clinic
station where I get a free covid test after library. Then I go around
to the various stations and do a little outdoor workout.
#PrayTheNews: Supreme Court re Roe V Wade (pray4 the unborn),
pf. Domonique. After Garden Grove drive across town to Costa
Mesa for evening mass at John Baptist Catholic --been coming here
for many years now.
The lead priest Augustine is a pretty good guy
from Wisconsin. A few others not so great. One is very supercilious.
12/3/ Friday morning mass at JBAP 830 am --they're back indoors
now. The good priest is leading the service today. 930 am stop at
McDonalds for an Ice Tea.
Their self-serve soda fountain is open
again. Heard about deal for a .37 cent whopper at Burger King--and
managed to download the app and complete the order--and drove
4
down the street to BK for a whopper at 1030 am --gave a dollar tip.
Whoppers are pretty good. 1130 am Newport Beach library--
working on NEW QR central blog --associated with AmeriPrayer I
am creating QR codes for every single blog, also edit CBF blogs 330
pm, then 530 OLQA,
12/4/21 Saturday 830 am OLQA, guy walked
up to me asking if I had an air compressor said he just got a flat tire
but didn't want to put on a spare. I said sorry no. He walked away.
Seems like I've noticed his car before. Something seemed out-of-
place. He also was dressed like a chef. Creepy stare man after
restroom, plus lady in back-- she always mentions "Woodward &
Bernstein" during prayer request time.
Somebody is putting up the
Xmas tree outdoors. 930 am stop at fed ex office -- printed the QR
codes to add to Xmas Postcards. Cool day bit of sun, 10am back at
NBPL working on CBF blogs-- so many, checking the width and
fonts etc. Baylor defeats OK State (close game to the last play).
Now
Alabama defeats #1 Georgia 41-24 (they will play again in the
National championship. Will anything change?) Later, Michigan
demolishes Iowa 42-3 to win the Big 10 championship. But
Michigan will get blown out by Georgia 34-11 in the orange Bowl
BCS game.
12/5 Sunday 830 mariners are now having an inside and outside
worship option., 1030 St. John Neumann Irvine (haven't been here
since they were worshipping outdoors in the parking lot)) 11:15
ralphs grocery bread & cheese & water,
also passed by Shepherds
Grove church (parking lot full. Are they growing?) 12:15 to 3:15
NBPL complete CBF blog updates, everything should be up to date,
better widths & fonts, layout, feeds, labels, etc. QR Xmas cards
progress adding "hope all is well.” These cards take about a month
to complete 20 by hand-- you can only do so much at a time with the
colors and large print.
#PrayTheNews: sports: Lions defeat Vikings
on final play-- their 1st win of the season. That's a low blow for
Minnesota who should have done better this year. Buccaneers win,
Chargers win. 12/6/21 Monday 8am mass OLQA, leaving NB
southward, do laundry in Capistrano/Dana. MNF Patriots defeat
5
Bills, Prayer Vis; AZ/CA white couple, swim Encinitas, 2pm blood
donation- 1st time here. 12/7 Tuesday 8 am mass at Borromeo
church by liberty station $3 coffee thru Ocean beach to La Jolla.
It's drizzling as forecasted. #PrayTheNews: remember Pearl Harbor
80th. 2 ospreys on pole by Sea World.
People have such a strong
need to categorize others, esp. the less education/more ignorant--the
more they need categories which make them dangerous when they
encounter something not in their box of categories-- at which point
they become fearful--may do or say something rash.
They actually
become dangerous in word or deed like BH boy, or laundry boy, and
it forces us to change ourselves to appease their ignorance-- drags us
all down to the lowest common denominator. #PrayTheMovies:
"Wolf": notes: man crawling in forest thinks he's a wolf.
It’s a
mental institute where people think they are animals "species
identity disorder.” One of them looks like Ed Durkin, somebody I
knew from Chaminade University. The female lead character is the
daughter of Johnny Depp-- definitely looks like him too. Left early,
boring.
#PrayTheMovies: Moved over to “The Chosen" Christmas movie
"Go tell it on the mountain" . Is Phil Wickham mildly
autistic? Jordan Feliz one voice children’s choir "What child is
this?" Brandon Lake Gratitude?
Matt Maher "Hark the Herald.” Is
this an LDS production? Bonner Family 'how great thou Art" 1st
Noel maverick city music. "Wonderful" by Cain. La Jolla Library.
They moved the computers out to an open area. "Breath of Heaven"
by Leanna Crawford? The end of the film is a narration of the birth
of Jesus, sort of.
12/8/21 Wednesday 815 mass Solana, St.
James/Leo, school day very full left early, Solana library 10am,
added link to QR central for AmeriPrayer 1 & 2, King of Blog for
King of God (kingdom of), and several alternate links for maps, reel
prayer, and #PrayerBooks, as well as storyboards, after Solana 130
swim at Encinitas, nice lag there, 230 Encinitas library --all the SD
county libraries close at 4pm now-- so freakin early. They really
turned belly up after covid.
6
12/9/21 Thursday 8 am blood donation. Gal will be Indio manager
pretty soon, 10 am Pt Loma library to 2pm QR blog & storyboard 1
& 2, For the Kingdom 1 & For the Kingdom 2, added link to
storyboards on Drives as well, changed titles from "Mega" to
“storyboard. “Been raining all day & night
12/10 Friday 930 to 1130
Coronado library edit & dictation, 1230- 33 imperial beach library
more storyboard progress, 8am Immaculate conception Old Town
12/11 Saturday 8 am Immaculate Conception (cold, see breath
waking up). In general, if it's 45 or less you can see your breath
(depending on humidity etc.).
Sunny blue sky now. I still feel
lightheaded periodically ever since the butane incident. 930 Kearny
mesa library by airport turned out to be closed --not sure why.
Security guard not clear-- maybe budget? Go to Walmart instead
1030, then back to Encinitas around 1230 --the SD county libraries
are closed on Saturdays too. Work on Xmas cards from 130 to 330.
4pm St. John church.
12/12/21 Sunday Slept near Sea World. 9am Presbyterian Pt Loma-
- love the architect here. 2nd time attending. 1030 Park Hill Church-
- this is a popular gathering--the pastor is the brother of Phil
Wickham, his name is Evan.
Not sure if Evan has any musical
propensities as well. 1230 almost went to Captivate church but
parking too difficult. 130 mission beach swim. Junior surf contest in
progress. 530pm over to the Catholic Church in Pacific beach--used
to come here occasionally -- my presence this time seems to cause a
stir amongst the local deacons.
It's these deacons who often grow up
in the church that can be a pain sometimes. They have a sense of
entitlement/ownership. So they see some people as a threat rather
simply a person attending the service. It's animal instinct in some of
them, rather than spiritual. LOMP - Loma ocean mission pacific
(south to north)
12/13/21 Monday 7am blood $55, 9 am Vons -power
outage just as I stepped up to the self-checkout, cloudy day-- great
grilled cheese. Nice Xmas party at Pt Loma Library-- I could hear
the Xmas music playing for the kids. But don't like some of the
7
security guards here. Not sure why they think they need them at
every San Diego library. Made storyboard progress.
#PrayTheNews: sports: Rams defeat Cardinals. 12/14 Tuesday refill
water bottles. Will be rainy all day. North Univ Library 1130
pouring rain. Big puddles.
#PrayTheNews: Kentucky tornado kills
60 #PrayTheMovies: Westside Story, clearing out the NYC slums
with wrecking ball. Old bathtubs, sinks, graffiti, gangs. paint cans,
choreographed dancing, cops arrive, white boys the jets versus rival
gang Puerto Rican sharks "I’m scared of myself" you were upstate,
here's Maria with cross on neck, tranquillo, big dance at school--
then a fight.
The white guy angers Puerto Rican for liking his sister.
"Speak English" Sharks vs Jets. Rita Moreno, "He's a Pollock.”
"You’re crazy" see Pelosi text message -- repubs need to subpoena
the Pelosi texts. "You are not my boss”, one looks like Tony Priest.
All the clothes hung out to dry. Where's the rumble? Switchblades.
He takes Maria to a museum.
Are you "packing heat" 15 years
Attica. gimme the gun. Finally fights back. Knifed in heart. Cops
arrive. 2 dead from knife fight. Colorblind society, blood worker,
one looks like Elliot Vanderlugt. Yo No Soy Americano. Yo Soy Rico.
"Geno shot Maria, She's dead" no he didn’t. Geno kills tony --
shoots him in the back. Yes he did. La Jolla library-- special event-
dropped in for a few minutes-- re climate change- a bit ridiculous.
12/15/21 Wednesday slept in La Jolla 8 am mass at St. Mary Star of
the Sea, 930 La Jolla library, 1230 storyboard, and new CA mask
mandate coming again.
Prayer Vis: all black La Jolla 12 AMC 2nd
time in RR- SAME bl guy, strange. Rita at blood (a bit ornery),
homeless with cart at Immac Conception (also not good), lady dude
& thanks for coming not so good either at Del Mary library 130--
330. Afterwards took walk on beach - lots of dogs.
After del mar
scenic drive la jolla , bird rock, pacific beach, sea world, 12/16
Thursday 630 am blood, 8 am immaculate conception old town,
university library 930 to 1053 , got too noisy as elitist with wife
talked loudly to library as if nobody else existed- a virtue signal
8
conversation. I walked out after expressing my annoyance. As soon
as I left they left. 12/17 Friday slept San Clemente 947 am 1st Xmas
postcard to TT12 from Dana Point most of day at NBPL kingdom
of blog , Reel Prayer, New Book of Prayer, AmeriPrayer (May 2020
to March 2021) add maps link also travel pics.
730 NB Xmas boat
parade smaller than usual. F-word lady in computer lab.
#PrayTheNews: 33 killed Philippines typhoon. 12/18 Saturday 830
OLQA , Woodward & Bernstein lady loud again 9am NBPL added
clickable pics to kingdom blog.
NBPL -storyboard progress, Xmas
card progress (need to add small QR’s as well), swim at CDM, very
calm, briefly warm, 5pm OLQA, add this “my legacy” to Xmas
cards at Kingdom Blog
12/19 Sunday 830 am mariners Irvine, Doug
fields preaching, 1030 Neumann church, drive by good shepherd
schuller church, 12 noon swim with fins (reactivated toe pain,
remember I can only swim with fin on right foot in the future). back
to NBPL Kingdom of blog progress QR kingdom, created cutting
edge Xmas cards blog, almost OLQA 530.
12/20/21 Monday slept at GG , 7 am blood donation, tried to give $5
tip to Angeline (nice)- but she didn’t want it (maybe they’re not
allowed to take tips?). Much better experience this time at blood
donation–didn’t see either of the 2 jerks.
The guy from Czech is also
better now. He immigrated from Czech –didn’t know any English
upon arrival. He says they learned Russian as a 2nd language back
in the day– now they teach English. He speaks pretty good English
now. Shop next door at Walmart- frozen lasagna is always good.
Also Mahi Mahi. Exercise at GG.
Back to NBPL after exercise. One
fin swim overcast day. Much colder today freezing when I got out of
the water, turned car on for heat for about 15 minutes. XMAS Card
progress, scribd download progress –Can only do 20 per day.
OLQA 830 AM Bernstein lady showed up late–does she always show
up late?
She’s still requesting prayers for the “Woodward &
Bernstein family” – she’s been saying the same thing –like a script
for 3 years now. Seems strange. The Watergate scandal uncovered
9
by Woodward & Bernstein was back in 1972? Is she mentally ill? 12
noon, #PrayTheMovies: at Regal University “Spiderman, No Way
Home” (they remodeled this theatre, right next to UCI) black gal
behind counter tried to charge me full price despite it being discount
Tuesday.
She kept treating me like a fool as I kept insisting on the
discount Tuesday price. I left a review mentioning it. Hopefully
management will notice it. Spiderman’s identity revealed. The
public want peter parker arrested for child endangerment “you
can’t hold us all here” stark industries. “No charges will stick”
protestors. New house, ‘Am I being too pragmatic.” Back to school.
What exactly did he do that they are all mad about? What did I
miss?
All 3 rejected for admission to MIT. snow mansion. “They
shot an episode of the equalizer here .” New spell “they will all forget
you were Spiderman.” He objects to all. So Dr Strange tries to
change it mid-spell, not so easy. Something goes wrong. Invites the
bad guys. “Please Scooby doo” an octopus, torture rack, Otto
Octavius,
I’m not your peter” wizard dungeon. Norman Osborne
charade, new electric guy, Darby bugle ... Alex jones..? Jane -
Michelle jones actually, Willem Dafoe, Peter stops strange from
reversing the spell, the fabricator, somebody hates spiders, and
Dafoe is a goblin?
#PrayTheMovies: DON'T BUILD the TOWER of BABEL. Cracks
in back. Now there are 3 Peter Parkers. “Dressed like a cool youth
pastor.” Tom Holland broke hose x2. I was in the Avengers. What’s
the A band? Statue of Liberty. Black Spiderman? Parker is #1,
spider kills Dafoe but Dafoe killed parker #2? (No they don’t die),
new spell..
Back at coffee shop girlfriend doesn’t know who he is.
New spell erases all memory ‘All will forget” (this time it works).
Character looks like Joe Boeve. Jamie Foxx, Tobey Maguire. Post
credit scene.
12/22/21 Wednesday: 830 OLQA 930 Lomas park terminated covid
test because they weren’t there. The app was wrong. 1030 back at
NBPL scanned Xmas cards. 11 to 1230 swim at CDM - a bit of
10
sunshine breaking thru. Signed up for covid test at different location
this afternoon. Sent 1ST BATCH Xmas cards (Timmer, Redlands,
Theule Wilkins) from CDM post office. Including #StraightPride
#ProtectUnborn “Enjoyed Tetons, Yellowstone, glacier, cascades, Mt.
Rainier”
Kingdom of Blog , got covid test at Quail Park Irvine, also
signed up for auto service with Good Samaritan (spoke with
Sharon) 2nd batch of Xmas C sent at 315 from Bristol PO (heynen
piers mae holwerda VG).
Batch3 at 4pm from King Street USPS
Santa Ana (including M Peters at B Ball “Don’t worry, don’t want
any money” )5pm batch 4 Xmas to MacQuarrie & Engelhard from
GG usps. 12/23/21 Thursday 7am blood donation. Angelina nice
again.
More Xmas C after donation to Barb W, Dieks, BrianJen,
Pettinga, added “fellow Eagle Knights” and ‘Stock up on food. Be
prepared” remembering great coaches: Vanderkamp, Frieswyk,
Arnie Baker, and teachers: Boelema, Bokhoven, TenBroek, Stapert
(RIP), Mereness, Gundy.
Also on Barb card “You left GR so quickly–
couldn’t develop relationship Can we laugh about it now?” also
added “Because we know how much you care” to Diek card & Eagle-
Knight-Maroons “How about Kirk Cousins!” ,
and to Brian Jen
“Keep reading the Bible” plus “Camp Optimist, Edgelawn, Gulf
Shores, Cobmoosa, Farrels Ice Cream Parlor, Eastbrook Mall
(actually meant Woodlawn Mall), Campau Lake, Griswold, Betsy
Bowman (added smiley face), Yesterdog (that’s for Audra, not sure
Brian even knows about Eastown), Donny Hudson, Brian Tuttle,
#StraightPride.
Also added to Pettinga “Tell Cindy I’m not a bad guy.” And to Barb
“Do you ever hear from the bad axis?” also “stock up on canned
goods”, also added cross sticker. Also to Mandeville Teri. Sent from
USPS holiday station Anaheim 1136 am.
130pm another Batch–to
Nyhuis, Sister Family, Clarksville from Brookhurst Center station
USPS Anaheim (pouring rain). And now at3pm from Stanton PO,
next batch to VandenBosch & Calvin English Dept “I did my best
sir” & “remembering Brown, Kopple, Ericson, Kuyper, (all RIP) and
still alive I think: Schmidt, Netland, Timmerman, & Baron. , now
11
615 pm at St. Bernard bellflower –supposed to be an evening mass
but all doors locked –but I can see people inside. Strange. Passed by
Chicago Ave. Later drove all the way to Los Feliz and next morning
9am at Griffith Park Observatory – blue sky sun briefly.
More
Xmas cards: to Byles & DeKams from Los Feliz usps 10am added
“remember good ol days; teachers, teaching Rick how to ski at
Canonsburg, Millbrook, Seymour, Holland beach, Pando, saw article
re ray hiking Appalachian in M.live, and “Are you going to Coachella
again?” leaving Griffith park saw solo coyote casually strolling thru
grassy area near the Greek Theatre –not to scared of being seen
apparently.
Also noticed my C-test results–came thru just around
the time I was wondering if I would go to the Holiday show–need a
negative covid test to be allowed in–, so I got my negative test but
then I went back to the holiday show website which a week ago said
it was STILL ON –now it said it was cancelled to spectators. Good
grief. I did all the work to be allowed to attend and then they cancel
at last minute. Should have figured.
Anyways, I drive over there figuring I will watch outdoors which
they say you can do– on the jumbotron.-- it’s always an inspiriting
event–, and so I did on Christmas Eve afternoon right outside the
Dorothy Chandler pavilion.., Afterwards I attend 1st Xmas Eve
service at good ol St. Brendan 6p - haven’t been here in a while.
Father Pat is gone. New priest– don’t know him or them. Left a little
early and went to Episcopal Beverly Hills for 8pm service. Stayed
most of it, then left to go to St. Victor for 10pm service. Good
morning, now it is Xmas Day 2021 morning service at St. Martin in
Brentwood 8am, Then over to St. Paul Apostle for 11am – cold
inside–they are SO PARANOID here re covid–they open all
windows and doors to keep breeze inside church.
NFL: colts vs
cardinals, browns vs packers. It stopped raining but a cool 50
degrees. #PrayTheMovies: Finished watching Godfather movie (had
to finally watch it after hearing it being talked about every year
around Xmas– now I know what it is all about) , also finished
“Miracle on 34th Street” and “29th Street’ – all good Xmas movies,
12
although godfather is a gangster movie (not so great for kids).
Exercise & walk by St. Paul Apostle Westwood, lady by the nativity
scene for a prolonged time– still there when I came back from walk
around block.
12/26 Sunday 2021 Friday was Xmas Eve, Saturday was Xmas Day
& Sunday is the day after Xmas. When Xmas is on a Saturday you
get an extra dose of church especially if you have a “church circuit”
like I do. Rained more overnight, still cold & wet. 730 am tried to go
to S.P.A church again but the creep was standing outside the door so
I turned around and left.
This guy never goes away. And they don’t
know what to do about him. His behavior at the church isn’t bad
enough to ban him, he’s just an annoyance. I go to Bel Air
Presbyterian for the 9am service. There’s Kim Dorr again–she’s
been around a long time.
Also Drew Sam preaches a sermon. Great
pianist Sanborn plays “Go tell it on the Mountain.” Then I go back
to St. Martin Brentwood– actually starting to like this church better
now– decent people here in general. Less of the monkey business
you have at St. Pauls or even the episcopal BH.
Monday the 27th of December 2021 donate blood at 7am, rain cloud
drizzle. 10 am now at Buena Vista Burbank library, also got an ice
tea at the nearby McDonalds Tuesday the 28th Finbar church
Burbank 8am it’s been a while. New priest here too. Back to same
McDonalds–this time the power goes out just as I enter.
It takes
them about 20 minutes to “reboot” the cash registers– everything
computerized takes a lot longer to start up again. They can’t make a
sale until full reboot. I sit and wait. Blind lady comes in and orders a
hot tea & gets upset that they didn’t put the tea bag in the cup. She
starts yelling about it. Tried to do water refill at CVS next door but
the water was sold out.
Tuesday 28th Bongino had covid. Just for
kicks, I Tried to pass by Central Casting but the road is closed. Now
at AMC 16 in Burbank Tuesday discount for Matrix Resurrections.
Notes: breach...freeze, we will shoot... Raise your hand... One little
girl... Chase... She kills them. Dirty cops? Fake cops? 2 ladies blue
13
hair lady “bugs”, one looks like Carol Mutschler , or Beth Boyd.
Another looks like Wesley Snipes. Thomas Anderson? “Neo” “I am
Morpheus” pray for clarity wisdom re covid hysteria. Red pill vs
blue pill. I missed a moment. Keanu Reeves -. This is not a john
wick film? I didn’t see the 1st Matrix. “Free will or destiny” tiffany
is her name. How we met. She’s a soccer mom. He’s a computer
programmer for “Binary.” He’s in therapy– the therapist is played
by the guy from doogie howser. “I’m a game show host– fame
predictions... Then you... Wayne who? Back to the matrix “it’s a
stock get rich quick scam” looks like Frank Sisung. Smoking.
San
Francisco high rise for therapy, Matrix movie continues. Wayne
Allan Root on radio. Blue pill prescription double take. Value of
adaptive anger. He’s a game designer. Somebody named Trinity.
Neo looks like the dude. Black cat meaning of. “Lost distinction
between reality and fiction” Am I Crazy? “We don’t use that word.
Sublimated anger. You disliked my cat. Prayer vis: entry store
sonital. On ledge of sky rise “free my mind” Jude is not your friend.
To Tokyo on train.
#PrayTheMovies: Don’t let your mind get warped by sci-fi
infatuation. I had mega prayer session near Finbar Burbank.
Hollywood, Burbank, eagle knights, bad axis, Pettinga, Calvin,
“Your brain is hooked by the matrix?” The hippy at Del mar library
“I’m done fighting.” Awakens. Exomorphic particle. Lots of Af
Americans here. Consumerism fragments society, weaponized
culture, taxis stew post-modern abstract aft, deconstruct meaning,
critical theorists. Slow moving drama– getting a bit boring. Jessica
Yuli Henwick is bugs- she’s British.
Why did they leave Fishburn
out of this one? Apple explodes. The analyst is a double agent. The
black actress looks like PV library hoody lady. BOSLWSPEGG
Naboj Icadooh (yes this means something, to me). Erase immune
system?
No matter how sophisticated science becomes, they cannot
give the breath of life. Only GOD can. I did Naboj Icadooh last
night too. People driving at windows. She hates the name Tiffany.
She wants to be Trinity again. After Matrix Burbank Central
library– briefly. Asian man living in a tiny truck next to me. How
does he do it– so small? Prayers4.
Also the “Thank You lady”,
prayers 4. Refill H20 Glendale. Casa Verdugo library – man
snoring. Another kid mocks him. Changed pin for my Glendale
card.
12/29/21 Wednesday 8am holy family Glendale next to
National Guard. Cool morning. Supposed to rain by noon or so.
Bandfest at 2. On the radio guy says that dead insects are a big
problem on the energy windmills. They become so thick it slows
them down until they are cleaned off. Really?
Now at bandfest–
come every year– it’s been wet before but never pouring rain so
hard like right now. 1st band from Arcadia, then Waukee Iowa, now
Mira Mesa San Diego, now Downington PA. Morgan Zegers is
filling in for Seb Gorka. She’s a sharp gal. Ben Ferguson filling in
for Mark Levin. #PrayTheMovies: “ French Dispatch” , unique,
Henry Winkler, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Ed Norton, Elisabeth
Moss, Del Taco $3.
12/30 Thursday 7am mass at St. Philip. I glared at the virtue signal
check lock person. What a jerk. Enter church pouring rain. He
double checks his door locks in the church parking lot in pouring
rain at 7am. What a jerk. $1 coffee at Carls (very small). Now at
MCD editing narration. Now 10 am at Bandfest always 1st is
PCC (Pasadena city college, always in red & white), 2nd from
Homewood Alabama,
3rd Bands of America – long session lots of
energy– still drizzling but not pouring like yesterday. The bands of
America is a collection of honors band individuals from across USA.
O’Fallon is the last band to play. I think one band got skipped. Guy
talked past me to the other guy as if I was invisible. I stopped in
briefly at the Hill Street library— hippy jerk employee made a deal
about having a mask on. He handed me a mask.
I stood up and said
“I’m sick of this mask stuff...” and walked out while yelling a few of
my feelings about it including “LGB.” Civil disobedience mask
defiance. Now at 99 cents,bought some chia, lettuce, chips, & onions.
Listening to Hanks Old Time Radio app– really enjoy this free app
on Simple Radio– this episode is called “The Sealed Book.” Some
15
people try to profit off these old radio shows – bundling them
together & offering subscriptions etc. – but they are all free in the
public domain. You can find them on YouTube and other places for
free. Don’t need to spend money on them. Bandfest final session 1)
PCC, 2) Band Directors of America – unique group– all older men
& women who have been band directors – and they do pretty good
in the rain. An extra-long segment too. Air Force Total Force band
is good as well.
Now O’ Fallon? Did they play
twice? #PrayTheMovies: New movie at Pasadena discount theatre
called “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” I wasn’t expecting
much but there’s actually a lot of covid symbolism or parallels in
this film, including the name Raccoon from which you can also spell
Corona (minus one o & c).
Coincidental? I think not since there’s
nothing about the animal in the film. And it’s also about a big
pharma company gone crazy– the Umbrella Corp - the T-virus
creates zombies and the vaccine makes things even worse.
Michigan State wins Peach Bowl –great ending.
New Years Eve–
very tired after blood donation. Drove around Rose Bowl- nice day
finally. No rain. Ohio State & Utah fans arriving for tomorrow’s
game after parade. Alabama easily beats Cincinnati at the Cotton
Bowl 27-6 no doubt about it.
Meanwhile: Now Michigan is playing
Georgia at the Orange Bowl. -it’s a blowout– final score 34-11 -
Wolverines lose. Georgia moves on to BCS championship game to
play Alabama again. Stop in at Ralphs grocery for some instant
coffee & grab some unsweetened apple sauce as well.
Now I am
parked for the night by Afters Ice Cream– my usual spot– ready for
8 am parade tomorrow. I haven’t missed attending a Rose Parade in
person since my first year as a student at Fuller Seminary -not far
away- in 1996. Movies I’m reviewing now include Noah with Russel
Crowe, also “All of Me” with Steve Martin & Lily Tomlin, and “The
Illusionist” with Ed Norton; and “Blue Chips” with Nick Nolte (also
Shaquille O’Neal, & even Larry Byrd).
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1/1/22 Happy New Year 2022!! It’s 8 am I’m walking to the parade
route on Colorado Ave– the stealth bomber just flew over– pretty
cool. Now I am waiting for the parade to reach us– it is about 830
am – not here yet– takes a while to make its way thru the 5-mile
route. It doesn’t reach us until 8:52.
I’m standing by the Michaels
store. There’s an extremely tall guy standing in front of everybody–
either no self-awareness or simply self-centered. He must know he’s
blocking people’s views. And he has a huge face mask on – nobody
else is wearing them here outside. His looks like a dog snout - it
sticks out so far.
Annoying–. I try to avoid getting him in my camera
view as I am filming the parade. There’s always one or two oddballs
that stand out every year. I remember one year when an Asian
group made a point of running out to get a picture with the pooper
scoopers every time they came by behind the equestrians.
IT was funny once– but they did it every single time the entire
parade. The joke was quite old by the end of the parade. So I’ve
been filming the parade every year– originally with some pretty bad
camera phones. It’s gotten a little better.
I keep trying a few new
little things– avoid the shady spots from tall buildings– that’s why I
stand a few miles from the start– less tall buildings. And now
camera phones have “pause” option on video cam– which makes the
filming much smoother.
There’s also a guy with a shirt that says
“Arizona Ranger” on the back. He’s with his wife or girlfriend.
They've been in front of me the entire parade. I didn’t notice them
too much nor they me– or so I thought up until one point when the
lady turned around and just stared at me for a moment– not sure
what the stare was about – good or bad? She didn’t say anything.
Then she turned back around and never looked back again.
Whatever. That song “Voodoo in the vibes” funny. Here’s the
Homewood Band- near the beginning of the parade, Also Animal
Kingdom float – impressive (I remember the great TV show with
Marlin Perkins). There doesn’t seem to be a rule for the float riders
& marching bands about masks. Some wear them. Some don’t. I felt
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sorry for the cheerleaders in the LAUSD band– all required to wear
masks for the entire 5 miles while walking & cheering etc. That’s
wrong. And so unnecessary. IT doesn’t help anybody. Literally.
Honda Believe/Achieve rocket man float. Levar Burton is the grand
marshal.
Here’s the Downey rocket & tiger float. Now the UPS Rose
& Shine float– mother duckling reading a book– good one. Now the
Alhambra yellow school bus float– says “School Rocks” on it. Now
the OSU Buckeyes band. Here’s the Rotary float owl. LA cruisin
Wetzel pretzel route 66 surfer float.
Lunquist UCLA pharma float
says “ImPositive” on it– I don’t like pharma trying to normalize
vaccines and viruses as if they are the heroes to save us. Next float
says “Courage to Hope” Lions Club. Now Sierra Madre Toucan
Rain Forest float & Bands of America. Now the Marine Band &
large USA flag.
Here’s the Jesus float by the Lutheran church
(always similar but not exactly the same every year). Trader Joe’s
has a fruity float with watermelon, banana, etc. which says “You are
Invited.” Here’s the royal court. And now the Utah Utes
cheerleading team.
The AMC float is very impressive and got the most views on
YouTube – it’s a giant movie theatre screen showing actually film
clips and a few chairs with people watching. #9 Oklahoma State is
now playing #5 Notre Dame at the Fiesta Bowl “
No. 9 Oklahoma
State pulled off the biggest comeback in school history, storming back
from a 21-point deficit to defeat No. 5 Notre Dame 37-35 “Wow-
Midwest teams don’t do very well in the post-season bowl games.
Here’s the Western Asset float including 7 seas, wise man,
astronomy etc.
I was going to go the Cal Tech Beavers basketball
game after the parade, schedule for 2pm on New Years day, but now
I notice it’s been cancelled. Wonder why. Here’s the Burbank self-
built float -=- knight and dragon– nice. And now the Mrs. Meyers
“seeding tomorrow” float.
San Diego Zoo Safari park has a great
entry. Here’s South Pasadena float “Sky’s the Limit.” And the
Stealth Bomber again as the Rose Bowl game kicks off– got a
picture this time. The La Canada “old dogs new tricks “float is
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impressive- lots of moving parts including a mechanical
skateboarder. “Who says we can’t” is written on the float. Now
editing Rose photos, uploaded all the video segments and put titles
on each one. Fun watching which ones get viewed the most. It’s
amazing what you can deduce from what attracts people out there.
You can imagine the amount of meta data the Big Tech companies
get from all the trends & viral videos etc. They have a massive
amount of data that tells them so much about demographics and
much more. Managed to make it to evening mass at St. Philip
church 530 pm. Good priest here. Homeless fellow changing his
clothes in the hallway as I enter. And cocky too. Good grief.
1/2/22 Sunday 8am St. Andrew Catholic– beautiful interior. 10 am
Christian Science- another beautiful Pasadena building– always
interesting. 1 pm made it back to Redondo Beach and managed to
have a brief swim on New Years Day– cold but great– refreshing.
The fish were flying while I was swimming– very cool. NFL in
progress: Vikings lose to Packers without Kirk Cousins who tested
positive for covid.
Antonio Brown walks off the field mid-game –
coach says he’s fired. Buccaneers come back to beat the Jets. 1/3/22
Monday 8am mass at St. James plus rosary, 9am at 99 cents story
grocery shopping. 11 am another swim plus exercise. Parked by
Ruby Street. 1230 to 130 meal prep, and 2-mile walk. Weirdo asked
me for money 130 to 3 pm. Good meal of pot pies mixed with
hamburger.
1/4/22 Tuesday 8am mass St. James & rosary, the regularly rosary
guy isn’t there anymore–. Rose photos loaded to scribd. 1 pm
another swim– small waves. Haven’t seen big waves here in a long
time. 1pm to 3 - meal and then exercise at Veterans Park. Post a few
tweets.
#PrayTheMovies: “American Underdog” about Kurt
Warner– kind of interesting– not overwhelmed by it– even though I
should be supportive of it as it gives his Christian testimony. He’s
originally from the Iowa City– Cedar Rapids area – coincidentally.
Movie starts with him as a kid pretending to be an NFL
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quarterback. He attended University of North Iowa – but didn’t
play much even in college– did finally start his final year- got called
bot drafted by packers but they cut him right away. So he played
arena football for a few years...then got a chance with the St. Louis
Rams. –and the rest, as they say, is history.
IN his 1st year with the
Rams after the starting QB gets hurts Warner steps in and leads
them to Superbowl victory. Wow. The movie also is about him
meeting his wife Brenda a single mom at the time– and one of the
two is a special needs child- blind –because he was accidentally
dropped as a baby by his birth father.
The movie is based on the
book “All Things Possible.” I remember seeing Warner and/or his
wife at the Crystal Cathedral one time. Maybe that was when they
were promoting the book.
#PrayTheMovies: he has a college roommate- they go to a bar– even
though Warner wants to stay home & watch football clips. He learns
how to line dance and meets Brenda. Still waiting to get drafted. She
won’t till him her name. The bar is named Wild E Coyote. Warner
looks like Dan Brink. He says “Football is the only thing I’ve ever
been good at.” She leaves.
Next day he goes to her house– meets
Zack the son. He fixes the kid’s radio. “Can I be blunt” she asks.
“Call next time.” He walked to her house– several miles. Warner
was born in 1971 in Burlington Iowa – 80 miles south of Iowa City.
He also played in Amsterdam Netherlands for a year with NFL
Europe (now defunct).
He won the 2000 Superbowl 23-16 versus
Titans. Eight years later with the AZ Cardinals he lost a Superbowl
vs Steelers 27-23...another close one. He’s nicknamed “NFL’s
greatest undrafted player.” After NFL he coached high school
football in Scottsdale. Brenda was in the marines. Her parents were
killed in an Arkansas tornado.
After Packers cut him he worked at a
grocery store in Iowa for a while– then he went to play for the Iowa
Barnstormers arena football – and did fairly well. HE’s been
sponsored by Amway later in life. Good fit. Packers coach Mike
Holmgren was the one who cut him and didn’t really give him much
of a chance. But Warner says it was a good thing because otherwise
20
he would have sat behind Brett Favre forever. He starts getting $100
bonus for every TD in arena football. He’s becoming an arena
football star. But Brenda is not happy. They fix the relationship.
Bruce McGill plays the part of the coach of the Barnstormers team-
He was in the 1978 Animal House movie. Wow. Anna Paquin plays
the part of Brenda. She’s from New Zealand & Canada.
They
finally get married. They lose the arena championship game but he’s
approached by Dave Gillis of the rams after the game– said they are
interested. Dennis Quaid plays the part of the Rams coach (Dick
Vermeil) 1999 is his 1st year with the rams leading into 2000
superbowl victory.
Interestingly, the QB who got hurt Trent Green
was also from the Cedar Rapids area. Marshall Faulk was the
running back. Ray Lewis on the opposing team. Wednesday take a
walk and exercise PV.
January 6 2022 Thursday swim at RB–supposed to be warm but it
was very foggy– couldn’t see very far as I was swimming. Started
new Xmas card blog called “Cutting Edge Xmas Cards” Finished
editing of AmeriPrayer IV. Placed on Amp Drive. Good waves at
RB on January 7 after 8 am mass– foggy again. Made it to
Bellflower overnight- thanks for the donation to Mustard Seed
ministries. Deposit check. Helps.
9am stop at grandpa grandma
cemetery. Blood balance is 500. Foggy again even in Bellflower.
Roseton street–pray for Templemans. San Berdoo gas for $4.09 not
far from Redlands (managed to also get gas back in PV for $4.25-
surprisingly low for that part of town).Finally sunny.
#PrayTheNews: Ted Cruz has angered a lot of people with his
terrorist comment re patriots on Jan6. He apologizes and tries to
clarify but Tucker Carlson won’t let him easily off the hook.
700
were arrested for #January6 activities– out of about 1 million there.
Most did nothing wrong really. A few more serious- but nothing
even close to that of a terror attack. And it was the patriots who died
at the Capitol, nobody else. And nobody had guns. It was a frame
job- entrapment – sickening. IT seems to have been orchestrated by
21
the FBI themselves among perhaps other federal agencies. I was
there but left early – never came close to Cap Building. I might have
been entrapped as well if I had, but my phone had mysteriously died
so I headed back to my car instead. Now in Redlands passing by
Kimberly Crest – took that tour once 11am.
Check oil & fluids– ok.
Now arriving in Palm Springs– their annual Film Fest is about to
start– oops– guess not– they just cancelled it. Because of Omicron
outbreak... really? Nap by the rite-aid. Send the Spee Xmas card–
somehow this fell thru the cracks– glad I found it– they’ll get it 2
weeks after Xmas. Better late than never. Right.? Now at 355 movie
at discount theatre. Not a bad action film.
#PrayTheMovies: “355” movie “The title is derived from Agent 355,
the codename of a female spy for the Patriots during the American
Revolution.” – all the main characters are women. South of Bogota
Columbia, jungle plantation, armed guards, drug lord, Mr Patron,
he’s here.
Kid shows him the drone. The new drug technology
untraceable, master key, he’s been infiltrated, federal agents, raid,
shooting, “freckle films”, escape, federales federal agents. Back in
Wash DC, NSA, Annette Benning is one of the actresses. Young
couple kick box training.
Now in Paris, pretending to be a couple on
honeymoon, he actually likes her, “you are my best friend. I don’t
want to mess this up” disappointing gratuitous love scene. This kind
of stuff is not scintillating anymore. Chase motorcycle gunshots, “Do
you have the drive?” there’s only cash in the bag. Fist fight, Regal or
regency Cathedral City. “Dial it down” my mission “I’m not a child
anymore.” she replies. Lupita Nyongo another actress. They could
start World War 3, blind spot, girls fight, gun fight, seafood market,
bag taken, “con migo” “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
Now
in Morocco. “I’m not an agent. I’m a therapist” women with ice in
their veins. Power grid down, mission accomplished. Can’t be yet–
still in 1st hour of the movie, power grid down, we need exfiltration.
Auction, shanghai, the guy’s still alive. Naboj icadooh. Twilabd.
Hear My Prayer Lord.
The bad guy looks like Bobby Schuler.
Who’s the Lady in red? Decoy drive. They’re killing their loved
ones. Where’s the driver. Red china girl lady has glasses that tells the
others where she is. Finally she smashes the drive. Should have
done that much earlier. Now in Palm Desert at Holiday Inn.
Sat. 1/8/22 745 am mass at Sacred heart. Priests talks about
wanting to study in Rome but being assigned to Ottawa (Canada)
instead. “We must decrease so he can Increase” 830 hiking B & G
trail. 11am palm desert library – created link to AmeriPrayer IV –
put on Kingdom Blog, book sale at library, masks required.
Updated library card. I remember the one lady– nice. 1 to 3pm
maps evangelism at college of the desert (COD) -- took alt exit 1st
time –drove by baseball field– kids playing little league game.
430pm now at Sacred Heart for 530 mass, the priest waved on his
way in– I thought it was the deacon but it’s Fr Gregory Elder - one
of the few married Roman Catholic priests. He also has a Ph.D. and
was a professor, as is his wife, Sara Elder. And they have 2 adult
kids. He’s a colorful preacher. Back at holiday Inn, no Mexican
music tonight like last night– that was horrible -2 hours of Mexican
music– and not the kind I like. Next to Best Western.
1/9/22 Sunday 8am start the day at Desert Springs church I like the
music here, but this is definitely a senior citizens church. I feel like a
kid here- and I’m 54 years old. They have plumbing problems here.
No running water in the restroom.
Mark Brewer is the pastor. Now
at the Palm Desert Presbyterian– full service - like it here. Its right
next door to the Episcopal Church where they held the Betty Ford
funeral 930am – which I attended as well.
And the trail to the cross
up on the hill is right behind us. So I do the hike to the cross after
the Presbyterian service. Not too hot in the desert in January– it’s in
the high 60’s low 70’s – perfect actually. 2nd good hike in 2 days
here in Palm Desert. Trying to get back in decent physical condition.
After the cross hike 1pm went back over to the PD library.
Starting
AmeriPrayer 5 dictation – 2 hours typing. Lot easier writing books
on an actual computer keyboard than on a smartphone –which I
was forced to do during covid lockdown- no libraries open, and I
only use library computers after my laptop was stolen. Some NFL
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games on the radio- mostly meaningless– last regular season games
of the year. Except the very final one- Raiders vs Chargers does
have meaning. And it’s a good one– into overtime, the Raiders win
by a field goal. That was a thriller.
Monday 1/10/22 745 mass again at Sacred Heart. Bing Crosby
himself helped start this church in the late 50’s. Back at BG trail
hiking again– pleasantly surprised by a herd of Bighorn Sheep – at
least 10 of them– one with a collar- lots of young ones- a bit leery of
humans. One moved quickly and started a rock slide. That was fun
to see them. Took a few pics. 1030 am back at Palm Desert library at
College of the Desert - this is Riverside County library. Continue
working on AmeriPrayer V until 1230.
Then back to the BG trail –
another loop hike from 2 to 4 pm- it’s about 2.5 miles I think with
plenty of elevation. Pray for the 2 ladies– one seemed to be having
knee problems. And the creepy Latino who pulled his shirt over his
face as we passed each other going opposite directions.
Not many are stupid enough to wear masks hiking outdoors but
there’s always a few who like to create covid drama on the trail one
way or another. Same thing at the library– right now as I’m
typing a new patron enters and proceeds to wipe down everything at
the computer she’s about to use– the keyboard, the computer, the
chair, the table– these people are IMBECILES acting like they care
about being clean– but they’re idiots. I can understand wiping the
keyboard once– but really the only real thing you can do to fend off
germs is wash your hands AFTERWARDS. Simple as that.
These
types of people are the ones that fraudsters prey upon– creating fear
& panic - even fraudsters in the government. They can always
depend on these pawns. Now 5pm McDonalds – ice tea taste good.
Now listening to BCS championship game:
Georgia vs Alabama–
it’s a good one– entertaining– and Georgia pulls away for the win,
despite having lost to Bama earlier in the season. Last minute
Georgia interception wraps it up. Final score 33-18. 1/11/25 Tuesday
745 am mass - it’s Fr Greg Elder again. He mentions his son in law –
24
not yet baptized? Was a soldier in Afghanistan? #PrayTheMovies:
Now new movie called “Being the Ricardos” about Lucille Ball and
“I Love Lucy” and the “red scare” that happened to Lucy– she was
accused of being a communist because she checked the box on a
voter registration many years prior. Palm Desert mall theatre
discount Tuesday $6. Only 2 older couples in the theatre.
Notes:
“You Cuban dimwit ““being the Ricardos “ movie. I was passed out.
My husband or cover with another woman. Were all tense. Jess
Oppenheimer, Monday “table read.” Philip Morris sponsor. But
she’s smoking a chesterfield. Could she at least smoke a ..., 20 years
ago. Says sge accidentally checked the wrong box on voter
registration.
“They invented the whole thing?” “Love you back- you
know- not really. “You are kinetically gifted.” Does Desi really love
Lucy? I’m pregnant. She loses an earring in the grape stomp.
Motherhood too salacious for CBS.” “You can’t have a pregnant on a
TV show.” “I didn’t check the wrong box” she was communist
sympathetic.
Desi spends more time on the boat than at home– he plays cards
with his buddies on the boat and also unfaithful. Nicole Kidman
plays the part of Lucy. She was born in Hawaii in 1967– so she is
American born but their family moved to Australia at age 4– I think
she has Australian nationality now. Not positive. Lucy gets a part on
“The Big Street.”
Another actress looks like Joanie from Happy
Days. Such a big drama about ‘Guess Who?” Lucy doesn’t like it.
BOSLWSPEGG. “Don’t patronize me” #PrayTheMovies:
Hollywood repent! She gets Bill & Ethyl on set at 2am... was she
obsessive compulsive? “Save my marriage.” Lucy smokes a lot. Now
she’s on “My Favorite Husband” CBS radio. Headlines in
newspaper “Lucille Ball is a Red” – in big red letters. Lucille Ball a
red? No. Just a redhead.
“If they boo you, then we’re done.”
#PrayTheMovies: never socialism. Funny how Hollywood expects
people to embrace socialism if not communism– but the stars they
are filthy rich. He talks to FBI on phone “she’s 100% clear” says J
25
Edgar Hoover (fiction). Synch: 1st song I hear after the movie is
“Lucille” by Little Richard. #PrayTheMovies “Hero” (filmed in
Iran)... High cliff starts the film=-- not sure... Maybe archeology
site? Why show this? Kids playing, he meets his girlfriend. They try
to sell something at a coin shop? Kind of confusing beginning. He is
temporarily out of debtor prison. Kid playing video game– won’t eat
dinner.
They are praying to god–”Have pity on us & give us a
miracle” – are they Muslim? Presumably. But some are smoking. So
maybe not. So they found a bag of valuable coins and now are trying
to find the owner who lost them. “If he doesn’t pay I’ll denounce
him” this is apparently a cultural thing: “to publicly state that
someone or something is bad or wrong: to criticize (someone or
something) harshly and publicly.:
to report (someone) to the police
or other authorities for illegal or immoral acts.” basically to “GO
PUBLIC” – tell police or media etc. to try to shame a person. They
find the person who lost the bag bug don’t get her name or ID or
anything. They just trust and verify but then she disappears with
the bag. So some people start doubting.
Meanwhile the media is celebrating him as a Good Samaritan and
he even gets a reward from a local altruistic organization. And an
offer of a job. But the rest of the movie is about overcoming the
doubters. And his interactions with the man who he owes money
(the creditor vs the debtor).
He also has a special needs child. When
the movie started in palm desert it was just me and another man–
then 4 kids came in– this is a serious movie– not sure why the kids
want to see it– and they are noisy and running around– in and out–
the other guy finally goes and complains & an employee comes in
and gives them a warning.
Eventually the kids leave altogether.
Then the other guy leaves halfway thru. I watch the whole film. Not
bad. It got some awards including recognition at Cannes Film Fest.
At the end of the film the main character makes another altruistic
act: he agrees to give up the reward to a lady who is trying to save
her husband from getting hanged. So he goes back to prison for this
because he still has not paid off his debt. One character looks like
Kurt Pfaff (rabb). Rahim is the MC. He shaves his head at the end. Pray
for grace and gracious community.
1/12/25 Wednesday. 745 mass-
here’s Fr Greg or Craig again–
looked him up– he’s a rare “married priest” – says his son-in-law
was in Afghanistan (presumably military) but not yet baptized? Not
Christian or Catholic? 830 leaving CV. 845 stopped at O’Reilly and
got the battery checked-. Gal said it was good, also alternator &
started checked good.
Now driving thru Indio, past the fairgrounds,
passed by CVHS where I started my career as a teacher–. Where
there used to be an empty field– size of a football field- is now ALL
full of portable classrooms. 10 am rest area– radiator is good.
Cotton gulch 1017, past exert to Joshua Tree, Mecca, & 29 palms.
Haven’t been to Joshua Tree in a long time.
Here’s the General
Patton Museum 1022– did the tour there once–. Indoor and outdoor
exhibits. Chiriaco Summit exit 173, hayfield road 1026, gas is $4.19
in Thermal– glad I will make it across the border to get gas for $1
less. Starting to ‘pray the plates” again. Red Cloud Road 10:31.
FutureNews.news is the new A Jones site. I listen to him
periodically. I am not a groupie of his. Sometimes he’s too far over-
the-top. Other times he hits the mark. Not all good. Not all bad.
Eagle Mountain Road & Hillock Ditch 1036. Tex Was 1037, Fixed
seatbelt. Solar Panel Lake, Lake Tamarisk, been there. There is a
lake with some water and a resort of sorts, but the blue you see from
the highway is actually mostly solar panels– not water. Desert
Center with the headless palm trees.
Rice Road 10:40 177 highway.
Quartz Ditch 1043, Ghost Ditch 1044, Palen Ditch 1045, Rollie Ditch
1044, Corn Spring Road 1047, Meta Ditch, Oban Ditch, Aztec Ditch,
Sutro Ditch, Copa Ditch, Alta Ditch, Rubble Ditch 1055, Beehive
Ditch, Arco Ditch 11am, Mud Ditch, Ford Dry Lake. Tommy
Robinson on A Jones show. Awoke at 2am by lights– not for me
(palm desert). Gale Ditch 1109 McCoy Wash, Isora Ditch, Mesa
Verde Ditch, Palo Walla Ditch, City of Blythe 1122, Cibola NWR,
Bongino implies he took over for Limbaugh but Buck Sexton &
27
Clay Travis got the Rush song? Apparently the two shows split some
parts of the Limbaugh show at different locations. So it’s both.
Ehrenberg AZ $3.68 gas. City of Parker is a bit south. Here’s Dome
Rock exit where you can car camp on BLM – did that once. Now
begin the saguaros.
I’ve become non-statist. I don’t have a
permanent state identity. Quartzsite 153 – time change? Tyson
Wash. AmeriPrayer 5 begins officially. Radio announce said
something about Bullhead City, sounded like Bonehead City. Funny.
#PrayTheNews: re filibuster voting rights– Biden’s bill – got shot
down– thanks to Sinema & Manchin. They’re talking about Nuclear
fusion now– saying it’s “not if but when” Enter Maricopa County
144, harqhahal & Valley Road
#PrayTheNews: coal use is
increasing worldwide not decreasing. Nuclear fusion equals “sun on
earth” they say. And “no meltdown no mess.” #PrayTheNews:
Djokovic Australia Open– he gets turned down – sent out of the
country0– now allowed to compete. Sad. Australia has gone plumb
crazy.
Rest area at 230– plus free water for water bottles-. Always
nice. It’s not so easy to find free water these days anymore. Lady at
rest area taking selfies with a funny pillow. Not sure what that’s all
about. 60 miles to Phoenix. Tonopah 244pm,
City of Buckeye gas for
$3.39 at 259pm at Loves in Tolleson. Total $76.48 for 22.5 gallons. I
always shop around using gas buddy. IN this case I saved 11 bucks.
Arriving in Phoenix stop in at Litchfield Library– 1st time here. Get
a guest pass to use the computer. This is a Maricopa County library.
1/13/22 Thursday slept in the Litchfield area– Hampton Inn –
Goodyear AZ. 8am mass at the AQ church– always try to come here
1st when I arrive in Phoenix. However, this morning there’s a mix-
up and no priest is here at 8am.
By 825 somebody comes up and
announces that there was a schedule mix-up and that a priest is on
the way and “Please be patient.” Onward. Wing Wam Golf course
looks nice. Did some laundry and temporarily put my shoes on top
of the vehicle. Not sure if I drove off with them still on top of the car
or if somebody took them off the top when I went inside for a few
minutes.
They were not special shoes or anything but still. Maybe I
drove off with them still on top but when I backtracked I didn’t see
them anywhere. So maybe somebody will enjoy my old shoes. I’ve
been planning on buying some new shoes anyways– given I’m
heading for east coast mid-winter. Will need shoes for wet cold snow
probably. In fact an hour later I found some new shoes for $12
bucks at Walmart. Nothing special but sufficient.
Then I drove all
the way to Mesa AZ to donate blood. My new mobile phone service
not so reliable–. Keeps dropping. I have to restart the phone to
reconnect. Frequently. Now at Red Mountain library. McDonalds-
several refills- dine -in. was very dehydrated. AZ people are very
down -to-earth.
Friday 1/14/22 slept near Holy Cross church in mesa and attended
morning mass at 830 am. Like this church. Listening to Frost &
McCarty radio show from Traverse City (no, I’m not in Traverse
City). Heading eastward thru Apache area and Superstitious
Mountains. Highway 60 thru Miami & Globe AZ.
I remember this
area from last time– including a place called “Christmas” that I
went thru a few days before Xmas. Now Mike Gallagher on the
radio 960 am. Everybody’s talking about Biden’s very terrible no
good week. Which one?
I like the “fuel range” gadget on my console.
I know how far I can go with the amount of gas I have. Drank some
hi-protein chocolate milk to refuel. Good. Now at Gonzales Pass 934,
Picketpost. Chrystal Frost says she went to Interlochen School &
Teacups? Oh, I guess that’s TCAPS (Traverse City area public
schools) Boyce-Thompson Arboretum City of Superior. She
mentions “weaponized incompetence” Tonto Natl Forest and “Top
of the World” 953. Gila County 956 great bouldering opportunities
here.
I think back to some of my older vans that I didn’t dare turn
off too often–they might not restart– that kept me moving
sometimes– too many restarts in a short period of time created
problems for some of them– I still have that superstition even
though my current vehicle is fine. I can rely upon it to restart
frequently. I used to love rock- hopping. Haven’t done it in a while.
29
Pinto Creek Construction 1032. Pinto Valley Mine. City of Miami
1038– the school here is named Bullion – they may have found some
gold around here but apparently more silver and copper. Maybe
they’re still mining copper here.
Angry pickup driver roars past me.
Yawn. Some punks in pickups are tiresome. City of Claypool, now
city of Globe at 1049, historic downtown– everybody has renamed
their downtown area “historic” even when it’s mostly boarded up
and dilapidated. Funny.
San Carlos Apache Reservation 1109. City
of San Carlos & Lake? Old wet highway. I see the lake– decide to
take the loop around it– didn’t know it would become a “primitive
road”-- partially paved. Lots of holes etc. Had to go very slow. Not
much recreation around the lake. You can primitive camp and
there’s a primitive boat ramp...no boats out there right now. Maybe
decent fishing here at the right time. Colorful “soda canyon” area.
Music on radio “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga. I met her once outside
the Jay Leno Tonight Show– back when I used to hang out around
there– became a frequent attendee. Leno even recognized me after a
while. This is Injun territory. There’s also the Coolidge Dam here. A
few workers doing something. No tourists out here.
I finally make it
around back to the main high way 127pm. Now thru the City of
Geronimo – maybe not a city– but an area or community. Now City
of Bylas. Now Fort Thomas at 147pm, Klaus Schwab often
mentioned by A Jones re “The Great Reset” – Jones plays a cut of
the Dutch Prime minister who responds to a reporter that he doesn’t
know who is Klaus Schwab, but the PM actually wrote a foreword
to Schwab’s book. How ridiculous. Now City of Pima 2pm, City of
Safford 230-330 nap.
#PrayTheNews: Mancow is running for governor of Illinois.
Thatcher AZ $25 gas $3.39 gallon 7 gallons. Safford 343 pm. Now
city of Solomon 347, City of Duncan, City of Franklin. I pray for
each city as I pass thru– and often take a short video clip for
evangelical purposes on YouTube. Now entering New Mexico at
330m. On the radio Neil Diamond & B Streisand “You don’t buy
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me flowers anymore” also a song by Skeeter Davis. For some reason
I wondered to myself “Why does my heart keep beating? “ Why
can’t science make a human being? Only GREAT GOD can do so.
City of Deming 630pm, City of Lordsburg now interstate 10-
darkness.
I hear that Snowstorm Izzy is heading for the east– will I
get stuck in it? (turns out mostly media hype– I did go thru some of
these areas– maybe a bit south- but no problems– although I will get
bitter cold weather on the day I arrive in Wash DC.. keep reading).
Gas Stop: 9.5 gallons for $28.45 at $3 per gallon in Las
Cruces.ENTER TEXAS 8pm. Texas has lowest gas prices– as low
as $2.79. PTLMUG. #PrayTheNews: NFL: Zimmer gets fired by the
Vikings. Was he the problem?
1/15/22 Saturday, Slept in El Paso wake up 40 degrees. That’s still
warm compared to what it will be. Bright sun. In eyes going
eastward. Fort Hancock 820 am, 510 miles to San Antonio. After El
Paso it’s a long stretch of open land, mostly flat. Later a little more
colorful.
See lots of Texas Ranger police along the way. McDonalds
coffee $1.49. Texas Prayer. Thru a checkpoint: “Are you an
American citizen? Yes. Anybody in the car with you? No. “Have a safe
one.” Now central time zone? 919 am Allamore 912 am, another TX
ranger I waved. City of van Horn. Sul Ross University? Rest Area
1013 another ranger 1030, & another 1040, Boracho Exit 1047.
Another ranger City of Pecos -
interstate 10 and 20 split here. One
goes to San Antonio. I’m heading to Dallas Fort Worth. City of
Pyote 11:12 or 1:12? 6 hours to Dallas. Rest area nap 145 to 215 City
of Monahans 223, City of Odessa/Midland more gas : $3 /gal 13/4
gallons total $40. A long industrial area here. 322. City of Stanton?
354 City of Coahoma 530 City of Westbrook 549 Colorado City 550
plus prison prayer.
NFL: Raiders vs Bengals on radio. Now Big
Springs at 515– did a little sightseeing trying to see the actual big
spring. 520pm. Tried going to McDonalds but drive thru line too
long per usual. McDonalds drive thru is always busy now. Rarely
quick & easy. I think some people go thru McDonalds drive thru
because they are lonely. I often hear long conversations. Myself– I
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am quick and to the point and get annoyed when people talk too
much at the drive- thru Sweetwater 625 pm Wasp Museum looks
interesting re Women Airforce Service Pilots (or 'WASPs'). Maybe
next time. This is not a sightseeing segment. This is a straight shot to
Washington DC (more or less- I may pause here & there depending
on timeline). Bengals defeat the Raiders 26-19 close game.
Now
Abilene TX 735, SUPPOSED to be in 20’s tonight. Yikes. Now
Patriots vs Bills on radio. Patriots will lose. City of Baird 756.
Now Sunday January 16 7am donated blood in Fort Worth area.
Exit there at 9am, go to St. Patricks Cathedral church in downtown
Fort Worth for 930 mass. Nice building.
Here’s City hall. 1130 fuel
City 13.5 gallons for $2.84/gal total $38.56, Saginaw TX. Now Blue
Mound road. There’s also the Kimball museum in Fort Worth. I
drop in. very nice 12 to 1240. Also stroll thru the Botanical Garden -
the Japanese garden is especially nice. Here’s Will Rogers building.
Is Fort Worth more blue collar than Dallas? NFL: Buccaneers are
blowing out the Eagles. No surprise. Here’s the Van Zandt cottage.
Stop in at the Amon Carter museum of American art – also nice.
Near the stockyards & the cowgirls hall of fame. prayer Vis: 1)
American Art lady & guy guards a bit overbearing. 2) Mom yelling
at kid at Japanese garden. Now Cowboys vs 49ers on radio. Leaving
Ft Worth at 330 no toll in I-30 City of Arlington. Is Russia more
powerful than China? Debatable.
Surprised to see Holy Trinity
Catholic Church is full mid-game of Dallas vs 49ers. Not everybody
in Dallas is a die-hard Cowboys fan. 49ers will go on to eliminate the
Cowboys. I parked in the parking lot at the church before anybody
else arrived– which seemed to cause suspicion of a church worker.
So I moved to a street spot. Ridiculous.
What a day: 2 museums, 3
churches, blood donation. 3 football games on radio. Ending at Holy
Trinity mass and a memorable moment. Now leaving Dallas towards
Shreveport. So far only cold. No snow. City of Forney 643 pm, City
of Terrell 650pm, City of Canton 722pm, City of Kilgore 828 pm,
City of Longview 836pm, TurnBackAmerica.com. City of Marshall
858 pm, City of Waskom 914 pm, slept at the Louisiana Welcome
Center Rest Area.
January 17 2022 Monday: Driving again at 754 am cool morning,
no snow, no rain, sunny blue sky, City of Shreveport at 756
municipal rose garden, Elvis statue, no stop=- remember the sights
from last time. Here’s the Independence Bowl along the interstate.
Frost on the fields,
Geese flying in V. 5 v’s. Reminds me of goose
hunting with Jack Holwerda & Rick Byle a few times. Ark-La-Tex
region. On the Radio: Old time radio “Endless road” something
about a burro jackass donkey. What’s a burro she asks? It’s a
donkey. It’s a jackass honey. “Webster parish at 826 am. I am a
child of “50’s parents” (parents who were kids in the 50’s– they
have special characteristics).
City of Bienville parish 841,
Grambling State Univ– drove thru there last time. Here’s the
Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum. City of Ruston & LSU
(Louisiana Tech Univ, not Louisiana State), on the radio they’re
talking about the few players who won both a college football
championship and a superbowl: they mention Joe Namath. What
about Kenny Stabler?
I stop in at the Walmart in Ruston Louisiana– stock up on food total
bill $160 because I bought new pillow too for $30 plus power
steering fluid. Something didn’t make sense about that. $45 on
credit card. Should have been $37? Or did I buy something else?
But the workers there turned out to be lousy. Except for the one in
the automotive section. Also broccoli, cauliflower, mustard, lasagna,
corn, peas, apples, pecans, applesauce, walnuts, water, etc. But
something didn’t add up on the receipt. Also the shoes I wanted to
buy wouldn’t ring up– they kept saying “no sale” but the clerk is
supposed to be able to override this: she either didn’t know how or
was playing dumb?
Started a survey on twitter as to why people
went thru with an abortion. If we can figure out the “primary
reason” we can try to eliminate this– or minimize it at least. Why
not at least adoption? Is J a cross-his-fingers Christian? Coca Cola
museum.
Gas $36.81 1149am west Monroe 13.19 gallons $2.78 Full
tank range 672 miles Natchitoches road. Synch: duck dynasty at hi
noon. Honk wave. Big bend cammo shop. Jan6 wouldn’t have
happened without FBI involvement. They enabled it to happen. But
then it was NOT what they wanted– no real violence except for
violence by the Capitol Police against the patriots themselves.
Likewise now they’re saying the alleged so-called Witchmer
kidnapping plot wouldn’t have happened without the FBI either.
Bayou Lafourche 1244. Cop in white unmarked. Julie Kelly book re
Jan6. Phil Rob education? Swamps west Monroe gators Boeuf
River? 1250 attorney named Christian Creed? Poverty Point World
Heritage Site. Pink Floyd “The Wall” on radio “We don’t need no
education.”
#PrayTheNews: Prager criticizing Judge Harvey Silverman of
Pasadena. City of Vicksburg 2m Mississippi City of Tallulah and
women’s prison. City of Delhi 115 pm, Tensas River 121 Cotton
fields, project Hood Pastor Brooks. Lunch from 2-3 in Vicksburg.
Clinton MS 325 lots of civil rights history here Big Black river 308
City of Bolton 318 ,
MLK Day 2022 (L.A. PARADE cancelled
again. HBC truck aggressive tail gating license plate V47-60Z
Canada near exit 31 highway 20 east 320 pm, 3 deer on the very
edge of I-20 406 pm, Sent email complaint, Sikh temple. Beautiful
full moon, finished Rose Parade (a P-Kok production with peacock
Icon, K.O.K. ministries (King of Kings). Jackson MS 234. City of
Pearl, & Brandon prison 346, City of Chunky 532 pm,
Gas in
Median Mendia? $2.79 City of Toom Suba 3 more deer NFL :
Cardinals vs Rams, now Hwy 80 Entering Alabama at 619City of
Cuba AL, passed thru Selma on MLK Day 815pm, lost internet
connection at Holiday Inn, onward to Montgomery, Selma to
Montgomery 54 mile march NPS visitor center 9pm cst, synch: 91%
at 911 pm, Jessie Kelly on radio re John Yancy war hero Korea.
Halftime Rams vs Cards, LA leads 21-0, City of White Hall.
Tuesday the 18th National Memorial for Peace & reconciliation
806am, frosty morning– white grass. Slept in Montgomery AL,
here’s a Dollar Store warehouse or headquarters? Sign for
MooSeum (Alabama agriculture museum). MLK home 1043. F.
Scott Fitzgerald home 1045, Alabama State University – they’re not
a real rival of Alabama U. Fine Arts Museum in Montgomery is
very nice. Legacy Museum. MLK Church (Dexter), Alabama
Museum & Capitol.
Old Bama town. Hank Williams Museum, Civil
Rights Memorial, Rosa Parks Museum, National Memorial for
Peace. 106 Week of prayer for Christian unity Jan 18-25, City of
Shorter Alabama 1153. Carver Museum. Booker T Washington
Home is nice, stately. This is Tuskegee University. Historic black
college? Why did the entry guard ask if I was a student there?
Maybe they have a few whites. Not sure. Just before I arrived there
I saw a dead deer in a front yard– looked like it had been there a
while, and like something had chewed on it. 2 dogs sleeping nearby.
I thought they were dead too at first. Looked like a murder scene. I
honked & the dogs didn’t move. Then I pulled into the nearby
driveway and one of the dogs lazily sat up and looked my way. Cars
in the driveway– seemed like somebody was home. Why do they let a
dead deer remain in their front yard? Only in Louisiana.
Here’s the Tuskegee Airmen field operated by the NPS-. Not much
to see- a few signs re the history. The historic district is mostly
boarded up. That’s a new thing– every city now calls their
dilapidated downtown area the “historic district.” Here’s Briggs &
Stratton- headquarters? (No I guess not. Maybe a production
facility).
Walmart in Opelika– tried to by 2 new pair of shoes– once
again the same brand rang up “no sale” like what happened near
West Monroe. But this time the clerk knew exactly what to do– she
put in the number and I was able to make the purchase. Previously
the 2 different clerks either didn’t know what to do or were playing
dumb– but the clerk at customer service surely would have or
should have known. I think they were being racist towards me. They
were both black. Got gas in Auburn AL for $2.97 10 gallons $30.
Bad decision– could have gotten it for $2.85. Now at Auburn
University 1pm. Chattahoochee River 246 Entering Georgia 303pm,
35
added power steering fluid 328, over the Chattahoochee into
Georgia. City of West Point & Lake, City of LaGrange 313, City of
Hogansville 342, City of Grantville 348, City of Newnan 353 Fulton
County 408 #PrayTheNews: Blank said “Nobody cares about the
Uyghurs.” Slept in Atlanta.
1/19/22 Wednesday Thru Atlanta “take custody of the eyes’
“Covenant eyes” on Relevant Radio. McDonalds at 7 am,
added oil. City of Suwanee 737. A Jones non sequiturs re 1)
they’re decapitating childrens’ genitals; & 2 they’re coming at
us with bioethics (he meant bio warfare).
Jentzen Franklin
church 736, 1st patch of snow I see 745, Hoschton Georgia 8am
City of Jefferson 809 am Ty Cobb Museum nearby. Ernst Van
Diver Highway, billboard re 12 injured bears near here. Exit
for Clemson University.
Dekams new address 109 Sagratti
56128? WHAT’S that a warehouse? Hartwell Lake enter South
Carolina 10:13 now eastern standard time. Gas for $2.83 at
10:43 $28.60 ten gallons. So many cops along the road around
here. City of Clemson and University 1030am, lots of students
going to classes. Moe Joe Coffee.
City of Central SC 1110 am
City of Norris SC, pastor Lon on radio (Lon Solomon?) City of
Liberty, City of Easely 1137, or 1148, City of Greenville High
noon Fluor Stadium City of Spartanburg 1253 pop 35000,
giant peach or “peachoid” 2pm BMW headquarters? No again.
Another production plant. South Wesleyan Univ 1115. Middle
Tyger River? What was the Tuskegee experiment?
Funny
somebody just mentioned it on the radio & I just drove thru
there earlier. Eric Clapton on radio “I get off on 57 Chevy’s”
Wofford College, Converse College Exit to Cowpers
battlefield– revolutionary war something about the historic
Scruggs House #PrayTheNews: re Malik McDowell NFL – strange incident. Rest
Area nap lunch to 315 Enter North Carolina Kings Mt. Also
revolutionary War. City of Kings Mt. 520 City of Lowell 336 Joe
36
Piscopo sitting in for Gorka again. Dale Earnhardt Blvd 419. 91.1
FM WYFG good Christian station Song re “Only a Prayer Away.”
City of Concord 301, City of Kannapolis, evangelism (EV), song:
“Born on a Bayou” CCR” and ‘Leroy Brown” by Jim Croce. City of
Archdale 506pm, overhead electric signs warning of new storm
tomorrow as I approach Virginia. It never happened as far as I
know– it got bitterly cold- but dry- no snow or ice.Easy to confuse:
there’s a Charlotte NC, and a Charleston SC, & Charlottesville
VA. I love Charleston– so historic. Here’s city of Greensboro NC
511. Here’s High Point University– never heard of it. Deep River
511, Cape Fear Basin. Gas for $3.05 Greensboro 520pm, Fill gas
now have 724 mile range.
Popcorn Burlington– decided to start
driving again thru the night to avoid the storm later– that
apparently never actually happened. Now 749 pm, near here is Duke
University in Durham. Also UNC (Chapel Hill), as well as NC State
(Raleigh). Very close together. It’s a Wolf Moon! Got a few pics of
it- the first full moon of the new year.
ENTER Virginia 847, Roanoke River 851 near the Brunswick
Byways – too bad I’m driving at night. Took 4 hour nap at rest area.
Now 2 am driving again. I rarely drive at night if I can avoid it.
Petersburg 227 am. Here’s Johnson Smith University. Here’s Philip
Morris in Richmond –with a gigantic Marlboro Cigarette in front of
it. Oh.
This is an actual factory here I notice as I just googled it.
There’s an old article from 1993 about touring it. Not sure if they
still do. Next time I‘ll try to drop in. 1/20/22 Thursday Happy
Birthday to who? Arthur Ashe Blvd. Here’s PoWhite Parkway.
Later I noticed something called PoHick. Both in Virginia Good
grief. Why don’t they change these names for self-respect?
Kings
Dominion Amusement Park. #PrayTheNews: Tonga hit by tsunami
after underwater volcano. The James River cuts thru Richmond.
Quantico 415. Gas for $3.05 no receipt 352 am. Thornburg VA.
Near Fredericksburg, Rappahannock River, 4am, blood donation
$65 Birthday message from MijNil. Now Driving by the National
Mall Wash DC, I can hear a Cincinnati radio station from here
37
WLW 700 AM radio. I see them setting up for the march for Life
tomorrow. I will be there. The SFLA conference in 2 days will
require a negative covid test for entry. So I schedule a free test at the
CVS lab- and drive by there in advance to see where it is and
parking details.
Later I come back and park at the meter with the
intention of paying in a few minutes – but first I crawl in the back of
my vehicle to take care of a few things– and the next thing I know I
see somebody by my front windshield– in less than 10 minutes
parked there I had gotten a $30 ticket.
I yelled to the meter maid
telling here I had just pulled up. She responded “There’s no way I
know how long you have been here” I wanted to yell a few more
things at her. These people are so robotic – seemingly devoid of life
passion compassion etc.... They kill the spirit of life. I bite my
tongue– bit the bullet and retreat back to my vehicle.
In the long run
coming here to this spot of the city would turn out to be a bigger
blessing because only a block up ahead there is one of the only free
parking spots in the entire DC area – and when I came back later I
would find an empty spot that I used for 3 days– helping me avoid a
lot of headaches and hassle and more meters or parking garages for
the next 3 days. So Praise the Lord. But it still annoys me. But I was
blessed too.
Did some evangelism near Constitution Ave 350 pm. Here’s the
Trump Hotel. Massachusetts Ave 4pm, Mt. Vernon Square. Thumbs
up to guard. Dept of Labor Bldg., Independence Ave, Hubert
Humphrey Building 412 pm, Disabled American Veterans
monument. Capitol Building x6. Buzzard Point.
Sad thing re Wash
DC is how many will happily settle for mindless jobs. Here’s
Nationals Stadium – baseball team. also from here I see the
Washington Spirits stadium (women’s pro soccer) aka Audi Field?)
Here’s Washington Navy Yard: “ The Washington Navy Yard
(WNY) is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United
States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore
establishment of the U.S. Navy. The Yard currently serves as a
ceremonial and administrative center for the U.S. Navy, home to the
38
Chief of Naval Operations, and is headquarters for the Naval Sea
Systems Command, Naval Reactors, Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Naval History and Heritage Command, the National
Museum of the United States Navy, the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate
General's Corps, Marine Corps Institute, the United States Navy
Band, and other more classified facilities.” -Wiki-
Now passing by
Maya Angelo School, Minnesota & Pennsylvania street. Prince
George County. Marvin Gaye recreation area. 1st Baptist Highland
Park is a big building. Here’s Redskins Stadium (or former
Redskins, (they just announced their new name is the
Commanders), aka RFK Field or Fed Ex Field among others? 507
pm Maybe Bank of America Stadium too. I see different names in
big letters on the stadiums. Back by Independence Ave. Here’s the
USA Botanic Gardens 543.
1/20/22 continues: found great SL spot on 14th & D new Southwest
Federal Center & Holocaust Museum & Abe Lincoln Park– and
short walking distance from National Mall. One of the very few all
day free spots in Wash DC. Lucky me. This trumps the unfair $30
parking citation.
Prayer Vis: extra black & tall gray. 12 noon
arriving at the March for Life Rally– TONS of people here already.
It’s High noon. Singer Matt West on zoom. 1pm started walking
toward SCOTUS & Cap bldg. We saw a Supreme Court justice
peeking thru the window.
Signs I saw: 1) I am the post-Roe generation was very popular, 2)
Love Gives Life, 3) What about Innocent unborn babies rights? 4)
Abortion Takes a Human Life, 5) Choose Mercy, Choose Life, 6)
Argentina banner, did they come all the way? 7) Abortion Stops a
Beating Heart 8) God Says to Protect the Weak, 9) Pray to End
Abortion 10) Jesuit New Orleans Pro-Life Club
11) Former Fetuses
United for Life 12) Catholic Central from Grand Rapids caught my
eye 13) pro-Life pro-Vida 14) Killing Children Should be Against
the Law 15) Calling Murder a Choice DOESNT Justify it 16)
There’s Still a Plan for the Unplanned 17) I’m Glad My Mom Chose
Life 18) Build a Wall around Planned Parenthood. It’s Time to
Trump Abortion
19) Catholics are Pro-Life, 20) I’m NOT a choice
21) Americans were born to be FREE. If only they were FREE to be
BORN. 22) Every Life is Sacred; 23) God Loves Babies 24) 24)
Father Forgive Them, They Know Not What they Do; 25) Women
Deserve Better than Abortion 26) The Future is anti-Abortion 27)
Jesus Loves the Unborn 28) Right to Life Long Island 29) Stop
Hating Each other because you Disagree 30) LOVE THEM BOTH
(widespread )
31) Unborn Babies Feel Joy 32) Unrepentant Killers -
Lake of Fire 33) Wilmington For Life 34) a Person is a Person No
Matter How Small 35) I Regret My Abortion 36) Dismantle Roe 37)
Ask Me About a Free Ultrasound 38) Diocese of Toledo 39) I am
NOT a choice 40) Babies Lives Matter 41) Stop All Abortion 42)
New Jerseyans For Life
43) Face it: Abortion Kills a Person 44) I
am pro-Abundant Life (good one) 45) It is a Poverty that a Child
Must Die so that You May Live as you Wish (Mother Theresa) 46)
Missouri Blacks For Life 47) Love Life, Choose Life 48) After Roe,
There is Life 49) Equality Begins in the Womb 50) Colorado
Christian University 50b) Women’s Rights are Human Rights. No
Human has the Right to Take a Life;
51) Mt. St. Mary Seminary 52)
Former Fetuses United for Life 53) Abortion is Only Legal because
the Unborn Can’t Vote 54) Covid Jabs are Abortion Tainted.
Watched the marchers arrive at SCOTUS building. This event is
MUCH bigger than West Coast Walk for LIfe. I talked to or AT a
few capitol police about Ashley Babbitt.
One of them was very
defensive. Me thinks he doth protest too much. I mentioned Michael
Byrd too. A few people started chanting “Michael Byrd should be in
jail.” Bitterly cold. The lake in front of the Cap Bldg. is frozen.
Bought coffee for $2.10 at the NPS cafe. Made it back to the car and
slept well– starting the car a few times thru the night for heat.
8am
walking– taking bus for $2 over towards the zoo area– which also
happens to be the Students for Life conference area at the historic
Omni Shoreham hotel. Signs show some of the events that happened
here including the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, etc. For many years I
40
went to the West Coast Students for Life conference at the St. Mary
Church –but a few years ago they ended it– not sure why– because it
was always full of students. This conference in Wash DC continues–
and much bigger– and former VP Mike Pence is one of the speakers.
I was actually planning on going to the zoo, and maybe the
conference but I saw so many people heading to the conference I
just joined the flow.
I had already gotten a covid test– thinking they
would be checking it– but they didn’t. So much for that. It’s become
a farce everywhere. People going thru the motions of saying they
will be checking your “papers” etc. just to please the mindless
bureaucracy. I saw Mike Pence speak-. Pretty good. Lots of passion
from Pence.
Some republicans have denounced Pence after the
Election Fraud transition but I don’t think he had much real choice.
The truth will come out in due time– every day we hear new
revelations that are incontrovertible. After hearing numerous
passionate speakers at Students for Life including Trent Horn,
Kevin Roberts, Kristan Hawkins, John Seago, Chelsey Youman, Liz
Wheeler etc.
I walked over to th nearby zoo –the Smithsonian
national zoo. So cold– a lot of animals were not on exhibit. But the
pandas were walking around– pretty fun to see them. I didn’t stay
too long. Nice thing is– it’s a free zoo. And I found a free city bus as
well– not the metro but the “circulator”-- maybe supposed to be one
dollar– not sure, but my paper dollar didn’t work so they sad go
ahead. But then I also saw a sign that said the bus is free right now?
Which is it?
After the zoo I took “the circulator” over to National Mall and went
to some of the museums, including Hirshhorn Futures Museum
( bad bag lady guard here but I got the last word at the snarling
oversized bully lady). Also strolled thru the Smithsonian Castle– I
guess it is formally known as the Smithsonian Institution Building. I
thought I saw a cross on top– made me think it was a church at
first. after this I went over to the National Gallery and appreciated
some of the art work. – The underground people mover was cool
too. From there I was pretty tired so I walked over to nearby St.
41
Dominics Church– as I entered I saw hands on the door– and a
black guy disappeared inside– as if he had been watching me
approach. I just sat down and prayed for a while-. This guy was
roaming around the church- not sure what that was all about– he
wasn’t a security guard but looked a bit down & out. Prayers for
him. Went back to car- and past the holocaust museum. NFL game
starting: Titans vs Bengals. Interception on very first play.
1/23/22 Sunday Morning 8 am back to St. Dominics for morning
mass. IT’s near the Spy Museum. Still very cold. Now walking to
the Vaccine mandate protest– #DefeatTheMandates 1030– 1st stop
at Washington Memorial where they are gathering with their signs
and from there will walk to the Lincoln Memorial. Lots of people
here. That’s good.
I leave early over to the Lincoln Memorial past
the Lincoln Reflection Pool – which is frozen– and solid enough to
walk on – even jump on- at one end, but the other end not so sturdy.
People DO ice skate here sometimes- even though it is technically
illegal. NO signs saying “Stay off the ice” but I looked it up on
internet. Now at Lincoln Memorial– lots of security on top of the
memorial looking like they’re expecting trouble– but as usual– we
are the peaceful ones–. They are the ones looking for trouble. Not us.
Same thing as January 6– that was a scam - not an insurrection-, or
if it was an insurrection it was engineered by lefties posing as
patriots– against Trump. Those of us patriots who are the real deal
were looking for a 10 day inauguration postponement to investigate
election fraud. IT was the LEFTIES who did NOT want this to
happen. They engineered an “incident” at the Capitol.
And you
notice the only ones left dead were patriots- not any of the guards or
police. The one officer who did die happened to coincidentally have
a stroke the NEXT DAY. And by the way, they say he was a Trump
supporter too. Good grief. And the lefties are still acting as if they
were the victims. They’re still ALL alive and well. Anyways, I did go
to the BIG rally where Trump was speaking but never made it over
to the Capitol Bldg. because both my phones mysteriously died.
I
needed to go back to my car to recharge the phones. It may have
been due to the cold– bitter cold as usual in January in WashDC.
So I walked around the Lincoln Memorial while they were singing
the National Anthem and some of the guards actually walked
around it too watching me from atop the memorial. I just wanted to
get a picture from different angles. I had to wave them onwards so
they weren’t in the photo. Ridiculous.
Talking about looking for
trouble where it isn’t. Anyways, there is SO MUCH goose poop on
the back side of the Lincoln Memorial – it was like playing
hopscotch walking around it. Won’t do that again. One of the
speakers is Dr Aaron Kheriaty – a psychiatry professor from UCI –
or was at UCI– he just got fired for refusing to get injected. He’s
also outspoken about his Catholic faith. Seems like a good guy. I’ve
heard him speak a few times over the years in southern Cal. And
now here’s Dr. Robert Malone– another wise guy who is warning
about the danger of the injections.
He’s actually one of the founders
of mRNA technology– and they’re trying to silence him. The
speakers repeat that this is a money grab by Big Pharma – it’s all
about the money. Not about our health. I believe it. Stayed for a
while at the Mandate Protest– then left a bit early to go donate
blood. Bruised arm the next day. Scheduled payment to Cap1.
Monday Jan 24 gas for $2.95, total $42, plus free air near 5- Forks
Battlefield & Cottage Farm Petersburg VA. While getting gas a bl
man in pickup did some virtue signaling. NFL Bucs Lose to Rams,
Chiefs Defeat the Bills, 49ers Over the Packers, Bengals Take down
the Titans.
Now near Richard Bland College of WIlliam & Mary.
Stopped at the Walmart– picked up some brown organic eggs,
cranberries, veggies, cheese, water, chips, salad material, turkey
pepperoni, new sweatshirt– had to take it to customer service
because it wouldn’t ring up. Also laundry detergent. 11:15 south out
of Petersburg, John’s Hole Swamp 1120, Passed the Richmond
Philip Morris before Petersburg with the giant cigarette in front. It
always catches my eye. I guess they used to have tours here...- not
sure if they still do. Sometime if it’s warm when I’m passing thru I
43
will stop in. took a break by stony creek park 1145 to 1210 my arm
is bruised. Sign says “Burn headlights when using wipers” – wow –
that’s old English – Burn headlights? City of Jarratt 1221 blue star
highway, Rotterdam Swamp 1227 City of Emporia Greensville,
City of Skippers Virginia 1245, Entering North Carolina
1250 Roanoke River City of Weldon, still snow on ground , Historic
Albemarle Highway, Halifax County.
#PrayTheNews: Federal Gov
warms Americans to leave Ukraine. Olympics about to begin in
China. City of Halifax. Underground Railroad trail near here.
Tavern built in 1790 – looks new. City of Enfield Fishing Creek
147pm, City of Battleboro 157pm, Nash County 150, Here’s a Pfizer
location (boo hiss) -- production plant, Rocky Mt. NC. City of
Sharpsburg NC 227, City of Wilson 239, Whirligig Museum
(outdoors) is pretty cool 3pm, Toisnot Swamp, City of Fremont NC
328, City of Pikeville 233, Botanic Garden 309.
Some people say “Sir” or “boss” to try to control you– to make you
serve them. Their use of salutations is not intended for respect but
for manipulation. City of Goldbsoro 346 & Goldsboro Bridge
Battlefield from Civil War. Very slow train crossing. Wayne
County. University of Mt. Olive. “The University of Mount Olive
(UMO or Mount Olive) is a private university in Mount Olive,
North Carolina. Chartered in 1951, the university is sponsored by
the Original Free Will Baptist Convention and accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges.
[4] A member of the NCAA Division II Conference
Carolinas, its sports teams compete as the Mount Olive Trojans.” -
wiki-. City of Faison 423 pm, City of Magnolia 444pm, City of
Burgaw 522 pm, City of Rose Hill 452p, City of Wallace 5p, City of
Warsaw 435p, world’s largest frying pan is covered up, Morgan
Zegers on Gorka show re fighting socialism, sound sharp, very
intelligent , Young Americans Against Socialism see
https://yaas.org/. Also Gorka has a new site
https://gorka.locals.com/. Now near Moores Creek Battlefield 532p,
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Clay Travis wife lives in Michigan? But he lives in Tenn? Huh?
Enter. Tuesday 2022 January 25 slept near Wilmington NC, here’s a
national cemetery, here’s Museum of the Bizarre, North Carolina
was a confederate state. Bridge over Cape Fear River. now city of
Leland NC 832, and City of Belville 834 #PrayTheNews: Ukraine,
Taiwan, World War 3, China, Russia, Malta (covid), Tonga
(tsunami ), Brunswick County,
923am paid the DC parking ticket
$30 (Cit No. 8232649062, date received 1/20/22 at 2:10pm, Officer
Kibler (black female, I saw her & talked to her). Shallote Township
Park 10:11. Pulled into McDonalds at 930 to take care of business–
suddenly 2 workers were putting a new post in right in front of my
car. I hear somebody say “Is anybody in there? “Good grief. I tried
to park where I wouldn’t be bothering anybody. Brunswick Golf
Course, Crow Creek Golf Course, River Hills Golf, Eagle Nest Golf.
Entering South Carolina 1025am,
2 hours North Myrtle Library 12-
2 dictation. Barefoot golf 2:12 I guess there’s no helmet law here in
SC. now at North Myrtle Beach AMC – discount Tuesday for the
Scream Movie- not my type of movie– but I do #PrayTheMovies:
and sometimes must go to a film whether I want to or not. Here’s
the notes: house girl phone, no answer, Tera would you like to play
a game. Hello? Is Christian? Tell her Charlie called. “Elevated
horror.” This isn’t Amber. About “Stab Movie” – she dies? Sister in
boyfriend.
Now in Modesto CA. theatre employee. Tara is alive but
bad shape. A ghost in face. Vince the greaser. Bi-racial couple. Stab
movie. Now at hospital. Sister visits Crying. Sam is Tara’s sister.
Vince has switchblade, old school greaser – outdated. Doesn’t work
anymore. They visit the victim at the hospital. Sam ghosted the
family at age 18, Other guy got woman pregnant. The Dad was behind
me. Heard the whole thing. I didn’t know. He didn’t know. Ghost
face stabber now attacks at hospital. Real Father Billy Loman a
serial killer. Bi-racial couple of course. Gotta have that in movies
these days. I’m Sydney Prescott of course, Woodsboro County.
45
#PrayTheMovies: Thou Shall Not Murder. They say Sam is the
killer. “She’s psychotic”- no she’s not. Amber a killer. And Sam’s
(Samantha) boyfriend Richie. Sheriff Hicks son was killed too.
Samantha show up. Why Modesto? Looks like east coast, not
Modesto area. Why nobody in hospital?
Why is the hospital empty
and all dark? Not realistic. He thought he killed ghost face but he
didn’t. So this was Scream 5? I hadn’t even heard of it until now.
The 2 killers want to re-write the movie. We had to bring back the
legacy characters. Then Sam slits the throat of Richie to end it. Yay.
It’s over.
This mall in Myrtle Beach is a ghost town. Nobody here. How do
they stay in business? Spring break crowd pays for the whole year?
There is a cool old school video arcade here with pacman, and
pinball, and other old school video games– but not asteroids– my
favorite-. I used to play it at Stop & Go at the corner of Alger &
Eastern back in the 70’s.
I got pretty good at it and was able to
“Turn it Over” many times, but Cam VanderSloot was the king of
asteroids. Wonder what happened to Cam? Nice family. After movie
went to Fed Ex Office and printed some new Christ cards. The QR
codes aren’t working for some reason. Still in Myrtle Beach.
#PrayTheNews: Flint Michigan is going into perpetual “virtual
education” because of covid phobia. Ridiculous. Waterways Hills
golf course 447, here’s Doug White Avenue. And Joe White Avenue.
Now leaving Myrtle Beach, entering Garden City 517. There’s a
restaurant chain here called “California Dreamin.” Passing Murrels
Inlet 527– stopped here last time – cool wharf area.. Circle K gas
10th Ave $2.93 for $38 total, 13 gallons. Guy on radio saying we
should call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and “DEMAND
AN INVESTIGATION” re mandates in the military especially now
that DOD whistleblower attorney Thomas Renz and others saying
there’s been a “1000 % increase in neurological problems in the
military , and 300% increase in cancer, as well as 300% increase in
46
miscarriages.” Pawley Plantation Golf course. Slept at Holiday Inn
north of Charleston in Mt. Pleasant South Carolina. Police
sometime during the night left a note on my car saying my car was
an invitation to thieves because there was too much visible thru the
window. Hmm.
This doesn’t seem like an area where thieves prowl.
But I appreciate the friendly note. Now across the beautiful bridge
to Charleston – just in time for 9am mass at the cathedral. After
mass I drove around, past Colonial Lake, alongside the Battery,
Here’s Charleston College (lots of students walking to class) I notice
a horseshoe was coming off the horse pulling the buggy for the
tourists and alerted the drive who couldn’t see it. He said thanks
and said he could “hear it.” Didn’t seem too alarmed about it. Past
the tourism office – somebody glared at me. Fort Sumter
monument.
Now walking the Charleston Bridge to halfway point–
makes it 2.5 miles total. Saw the Philip Simmons house. Back at car
parked by College of Charleston and walked thru the campus–
historic architecture here as well– like everywhere in Charleston-.
This is the “oldest municipal college” in the USA– founded in 1770-
but didn’t start as a municipal college. Started as private.
Here’s the
famous Cistern at the campus. Nice grassy area with old
architecture. A few people fencing– ie playing with swords. Also
could see the Citadel– another historic building– but still used as an
active military college. Stepped inside the Grace Episcopal
Cathedral- , now 224 pm, overcast day rested a few hours.
Now back at Grace Cathedral (episcopal) for Wednesday evening
mass at 530pm. Waited a few minutes because of the watcher
standing in front. After episcopal I drove to Daniel Island for the
event at the country club where a speaker was talking about efforts
to save old Charleston architecture.
Hope they continue to preserve
it. Found a hotel for the night. Thursday January 27 7 am donating
blood again – this time in North Charleston. Bal now 900. Over the
Wallace River 935, Caw Caw Park 940, Edisto Beach 950, Christ
Plant on the radio, City of Jacksonboro, Chehaw River 1014,
Harriet Tubman Bridge 1017, Port Royal Sound 1027. Sheldon
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Church Ruins – built in 1751, burned down in Revolutionary War.
Remnants remain. Poco Taligo River 1035, Now we’re in South
Carolina “low country.” Tulliffiny River 1040 Blue Heron Park is
peaceful. Here’s the Great Swamp 1114am, City of Switzerland?
City of Hardeeville. Widening project on highway 17. Bagshaw
Swamp 1115am, Bahama Swamp, Savanna NWR. High noon mass
at Cathedral, leaving Savannah 130 pm. Ogeechee River 151p past
the Georgia Botanic Gardens– should stop in there some time..
Good lunch smoked turkey sandwich.
Pulled thru the McDonalds
drive-thru in Ridgeland SC at 1107 and ordered an unsweetened ice
tea. Paid for it at the 1st window. Then waited at the 2nd
window...and waited...and waited. I finally honked and the gal
opened the window and said “Can you please be patient. Blah blah?
Really? Be patient for an ice tea? That’s a 15 second order to fill.
I’ve NEVER waited more than 60 seconds for an ice tea at
McDonalds drive thru. SO I finally just left. I paid and didn’t
receive. Ridiculous.
#PrayTheNews: Breyer announces retirement from SCOTUS. Or
did he? Apparently he did NOT announce it, but somebody leaked
it– and they’re trying to force him out. Just north of Riceboro City
at 221– nice fishin spot here. Remember that next time.
Prayers for
the man pulling 7 wagons – tied to each other. Sign on the back said
“Please help.” Here’s a dead boar at 207. See them once in a while
down south in places. City of Midway. City of Chatmann 222 (or
community). Search: Fort Morris (Revolutionary War). This section
of hwy 17 is part of the “Liberty Trail” City of Retreat (or
community) 223.
Here’s the “smallest church” (stopped here once)
near south Newport (or Townsend GA). Cathead Creek 253.
Darrien Creek. Back on I-95. Butler River. Champney River. Buck
Hill Swamp 237. refill water at rest area. City of Brunswick FL 315.
Numerous large water crossings. S Brunswick River 318pm.
Virginia & Georgia were 2 of the highest slaves states (numerically
speaking). Canoe Swamp Creek 330. Bush family robbed Howard
Hughes? That’s what somebody is saying on the radio. Crooked
48
River 339. Book called “The Inheritance: Poisoned Fruit of JFK”s
Assassination” being discussed on the radio. By Chris Fulton.
Amelia River 408p. Now Entering Florida 345p Hiked around
Egan’s Creek Fernandina 415-515 – too cold. Local dude dressed
like he thought this was Alaska. Drove thru “historical American
Beach” 530 - the only Florida beach to allow blacks back in the day.
You can drive on American Beach– if you have 4 wheel or all-wheel
drive.
BEAKS wildlife sanctuary 550. Leaving Amelia Island. Thru
the Talbot area. Fort George Island 558. Batten Island 557. Bridge
over Sisters Creek 6pm. So much open wetland space that will
always be here. Beware plummeting iguanas in Florida because of
cold. They just stiffen up– can’t move– can’t cling to branch– fall
off. They’ll come back to life when it warms up. Clapboard Creek
Bridge 605. Blount Island.
1/28/22 slept in Jacksonville. Friday. It rained all night. Cool &
overcast. Basilica noon mass. Mustard seed message. Karpeles
Museum Jacksonville. Unique. Jax county libraries want $2 to use
computer. Most libraries offer free computers. BJ gas $3.09 if
member.. I didn’t realize it but guy at next pump waved his member
card for me – so I could get cheaper gas, 19 gallons $60.
How many
car dealerships does Coggin own in Jacksonville. His name is all
over just about every car dealership. Saturday January 29 2022 730
am mass, Basilica. Italian priest. Hwy 1 toward Augustine. Long
night. Sore hip, Jacksonville– now towards St. Augustine. the
McDonalds in J-ville was not yet open at 8 am... So I tried the Bk
across the street and they were out of coffee and out of orange juice.
Problems in J-viIlle. J-ville is not a tourist friendly town. Duval
County is huge.
#PrayTheNews: Australian Ash Barty wins the Australian Open –
good for Australia morale. Here’s another Coggin dealership. It’s 37
degree at 7am in J-ville. Passing near by the World Golf Hall of
Fame. Arriving at Augustine 920 am, now St. Johns County. Tried
to go to a Flagler College basketball game but they take cash only.
Funny – these days you never know– some places are cash only,
other places are card only. Walked around old town Augustine.
Now
2:09 pm... did some maps evangelism, they pray the rosary at 430
now to the basilica for 5pm mass in St. Augustine– beautiful
cathedral. Man in old school tan overcoat with wife came in and sat
in front of me. Made me feel uncomfortable. Left early. Now leaving
St. Augustine 6pm. Moultrie Creek 603. Not a lot of fence or gated
communities around here. Nice. Canada Truckers for Freedom
getting some attention (anti- mandates).
Ezra Levant talking about
it on the AJ show. Boston area hit hard by snow storm. I am
listening to a Boston station way down here in north Florida– its 14
degrees up there. And 2 feet of snow. Passed thru rest area and it
was totally full– people use it on a regular basis to sleep in their cars.
Wow. I Slept in Sanford near Blue Springs holiday inn, Seminole
County.
Sunday January 30 Donated blood in Orlando suburb at 7am, then
Made it to downtown Orlando for 9am mass at St. James Cathedral.
This is the only day of the week when parking meters are free. From
St. James I walked over to the Episcopal for 10 am. But suddenly
noticed my credit card was missing – so I called it in – thinking I put
it on hold – until I hopefully found it again=- which I did 30 minutes
later– in my shirt pocket–, so I called back to reactivate it –and they
tell me they had cancelled it– I needed a brand new one. Good grief.
Not this again. I argued and yelled etc. but they would not or
literally could not reactivate it. Ridiculous. Problem is waiting for a
new one-. Last time this happened I was in Vancouver WA and had
to wait almost 2 weeks for what was supposed to take 5 days. They
will expedite but require customer to pay $16. I demanded they
waive the expedite fee since it was their fault but they refused again.
They are so greedy. I’ve been a good customer for so long and make
my full payments on time– rarely carry over a balance. Well that’s a
good customer for me, but not for them– they don’t make any
money from customers like me. A good customer is a bad customer
–ironic. Damn them. I hate them. I really do hate them.
I think it’s
allowable to hate a faceless organization – it’s not un-Christian. I
hate faceless organizations where no single person has any
accountability. The one time I tried to use the procedure to contest a
fraudulent charge– they failed me on this as well. I should change
credit card companies. But aren’t they all the same? After Episcopal
walked over to Downtown Baptist– they were having communion.
1030am.
Then to the Presbyterian at 1115– didn’t like the
preacher’s style– he’s talking about Saturday Night Live, and he’s
all over the map in his unprepared sermon, also mentions being
covenant Presbyterian- (more conservative, that’s fine with me, but
he seems loosy goosy). Left early. Also wondered why there are
police in the sanctuary. Here and also at the Episcopal? Police
officers inside the church during the service have a bad chilling
effect.
After Presbyterian I walked towards Eola Lake and noticed
the Greek Orthodox across the street. Beautiful inside. The sermon
had just started. Liked it. Love the beauty. Afterwards back over by
the lake briefly– the Disney Amphitheatre is nice. Still kind of cold.
Then I stopped in at Orange Library – the main library– they want
$5 dollars to use a computer. Ridiculous.
Then I went over to the
orange history center– paid the $6 entry fee. Enjoyed the history
and especially the dragon exhibit. The gal at the entry was nice too.
Noticed Orland Magic have a game tonight at the Amway Center.
Of course Amway & the DeVos family has a little bit of special
significance to me because of their Grand Rapids history. Their son
Doug was a few years older than me– same high school. And they
are Christian Reformed (or were). Not sure if still. And they still
own the Orland Magic.
So I got a cheap ticket for $15 bucks and
went to the 7pm game– 1st time inside here... Big photo of Rich
DeVos (RIP) on the wall inside. 1st half– looked like Dallas was
going to blow out the Magic but Orlando creeped back. And at
halftime it was nearly a tie game. Nonetheless I was bored and left
early and more interested in listening to the Rams vs 49ers game.
And the Rams win. This is the Year of the Rams! Although even this
doesn’t excite me much– all the pro sports in southern Cal have
51
become way OVER PRICED- especially NBA & NFL- IT’S not
much fun to live there. MLB is still fairly reasonable but Dodgers
are getting a bit outrageous. Lately. SO Rams will play Bengals in
the Superbowl at SoFi in L.A. 2nd consecutive year the home team
will be playing at their home venue in the Superbowl. Last year-
Tampa at Raymond James stadium.
Monday January 31 – started the day at St. Margaret in Winter
Park for 8 am mass, 11 am to 1 pm, also to the Walmart. Then I
went to the Maitland Library– a suburb of Orlando to do some
dictation. City of Casselberry nearby. After Maitland library– 1st
decent warm day in a long time– went over to Lake Lotus - Sybelia
and cast my line briefly– there were some gigantic fish in the
shallows– maybe carp-.
But couldn’t get them to bite. I waded in the
water. NO swimming allowed h ere. Not sure why. Enjoyed the sun.
Drove around the area. There’s a Birds of Prey center here– closed
on Monday. Spent rest of day doing maps evangelism.
Tuesday Feb 1 slept at Winter Park again at the Hampton Inn.
#PrayTheNews: Russia not actually about to invade Ukraine says an
“expert” on the AJ show. Others disagree. 8am back at St. Margaret
for morning mass. Drove past the Winter Park golf course-so close
to road– I wonder how often golfers hit the nearby cars.
After mass
I stopped in at the Morse Museum from 930 to 1030- paid the $6
entry fee-. Black guard snapped at me to put my mask back up after
I sneezed. I said “c’mon girl. You can see I just sneezed. It was the
mask tickling my nose. Give me a moment. You’ve been following
around just waiting to snap at me for something haven’t you? She
says no.
I mention the harrassment to the Asian lady at the desk. She
says she’s sorry for that. Will talk to the girl about it. They have a
nice Tiffany collection here. IN fact it’s all about Tiffany.
From there I go over to the Rollins College Museum. As I drive up
to the open parking spot a heavyweight black fellow yells “Hey Bro”
– not sure that’s so appropriate but that’s how they use salutations
52
to try to control people around them. I walk around the Rollins
College museum for a while and then I go over to the public beach
on Virginia Lake and cast my line for about 15 minutes– nothing
biting. Warm enough to enjoy the water – swimming allowed here–
so I do so– wow – so refreshing– needed that. And a shower here
too. Wonderful.
And I lay on my towel on the grass in the sun
warming up afterwards. From there I go to the Fed Ex Office
Shipping location and pick up my new credit card that cost me $16
bucks to get expedited. At least this time I didn’t have to wait 2
weeks.
Then I went to the NAVY FCU and made a withdrawal and
transfer and also $220 payment to my auto insurance company.
That covers almost 6 months. Then I was intending to go to a
Tuesday discount movie at Altamonte AMC but I got there and was
so tired I decided not to.
2/22/22 8am mass & ground hog day. Leaving Winter Park. Now
driving thru Winter Garden 928 am. There’s a big lake here
(Apopka) and a nice wildlife area – which I will go to later– Listen
to good debate on the radio Mike Gallagher vs Mark Davis. Re
Whoopi Goldberg. Here’s Fuller Cross Road.
Driving past
Montaverde Academy School – nice campus. Had pastrami
sandwich with pickles, tomatoes, mustard, cucumber, a little lettuce
on Oat bread. Good enough. #PrayTheNews: CNN chief Zucker just
got fired for not disclosing a relationship he was having with an
employee. 10 am walked around the Oakland Nature Preserve. Not
much here. But nice boardwalk. This is Lake County.
City of
Ferndale 1137. This must be one of the few places with hills in
Florida? IN fact I google it as I’m driving. Britton Hill near
Tallahassee is the highest point at 345 feet. And Sugarloaf MT. at
312 feet is the 5th highest– that’s where I am. Keep going. Minneola
by the Lakes.More #PrayTheNews: Jim Harbaugh interviews for the Vikings job.
But it’s not going to happen. Make it around the lake to the Apopka
North Shore wildlife drive on Lust Road (no joke) – it’s an 11 mile
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drive but closed on weekdays except Friday Sat & Sun. but you can
walk in – so I did– about a mile and back. Saw a few alligators
including one of the hugest I’ve ever seen right near the entrance.
Alligators must spent 90% of their lives sleeping.
This is a premiere
wildlife spot. Stayed here until 130-. Heading south again. Thru City
of Windermere 154pm Here’s SeaWorld Orlando 321pm. Grande
Lakes Resort looks nice. Shingle Creek Trail- by Hunter Creek MS-
saw some nice birds by the creek. Slept at Hampton Inn by
DisneyWorld.
Thursday Feb 3 2022 8am mass at Holy Cross church– masks
required here unlike most other Orlando churches. I’m so tired.
Didn’t sleep well. After mass to McDonalds ice Tea Dr Pepper. And
then to GatorLand– it says$29 on their website, but I got charged
$35 at the entry. Not sure why. Didn’t contest it at the time.
This is
an incredible place in terms of number of alligators. There’s
different areas for different age alligators – and they lay on the
docks some on top of each other. As I said they must spend 90% of
their lives sleeping. People have a primitive instinctive fascination
with alligators, me too. Wish they announced their show schedule–
the times.
I missed the alligator “jumparoo” show at 1045. Just
happened to arrive at the other show on time. And the next one, but
had to wait until 430 for the next jumparoo show- which was
actually rather boring. They barely jump. They simply stick their
necks up for a half a chicken. They also have white gators here &
Nile crocodiles as well as other crocodiles. & Salt water crocodiles.
But mostly gators. Cool splash pad at gatorland too. TYGER.
After Gatorland I went back to McDonalds and enjoyed several free
refills of mostly unsweetened ice tea, mixed with a few other
flavorful drinks. 2 little girls playing and screaming nearby– so
happy with laughter. And their parents weren’t hovering over
them. It made me happy. Friday 2/4/22 slept at Holiday Inn. 9am
mass at Corpus Christi. City of Celebration FL– huge wild turkey in
the parking lot– beautiful. I walked right up to it and it was not very
54
afraid. Bad purse lady at Corpus Christi. Some of these ladies and
their purses. Good grief. You ever walk into a place not having the
slightest concern about money or thinking about money let alone
wanting anybody else’s money– and then you notice a lady
conspicuously move their purse or pull it tighter. Probably 99.9% of
the time nobody cares about their purse, but they’ve just “virtue
signaled” that they are a little red riding hood and you are the big
bad wolf.
A lot of times it’s unethical and at church it is definitely
un-Christian. I’ve written about this before. Ladies should not bring
valuables to church if they are concerned about theft. The church is
supposed to make people feel included, not excluded. I think God
will hold these ladies accountable in the end time. I gave the lady a
long hard stare after she did her virtue signaling and I think, I hope,
she felt ashamed. I don’t want your damn purse or any of your
money lady.
There was a strange silence after the reading of the gospel– usually
after which there is a brief homily or sermon. But both of the 2
elderly priests just sat there silently. Then one of them looked at the
other and said “Oh, is there going to be a sermon? I thought there
was going to be a sermon” Everybody laughed. Then the other priest
stood up and said a few words. That was the sermon.
After the mass
I went to the nearby Osceola county library– just happened to see it
and decided to stop in. It’s surrounded by a nice golf course. Spent
about 90 minutes doing dictation narration. Leaving at 11:15am,
back down the main street out of town (highway 192 – like a mega
28th street.
Anytime I call a road or area “a 28th street” I am
referring to the 28th street in Grand Rapids– which is a long strip of
commercial businesses, car dealerships, fast food restaurants, etc.
Most cities have one– big or small. This one is big. Add the tourist
shops as well. Here’s a place where you can shoot a machine gun.
Here’s a giant orange tourist shop.
Here’s the military history
museum. On the radio somebody said “the vax mandate is a purity
test” – politically speaking. It proves your devotion to the democrats,
or that you are a lukewarm republican who wants to go with the
flow. Here’s a popular fishing lake–Lake Tohopekaliga (Toho for
short). Lots of bass boats. They say it’s one of the best in the world–
and host fishing contests here.
Driving around it. Pull into park
called “Brownie Wise.” Sit for a moment in my car and then get out
to look around. As I step out an elderly man & wife pass by and the
guy looks at my license plate– I usually hate it when people start up
a conversation based on your license plate or “where ya from.” I try
to avoid that kind of “compartmentalization.”
I’m NOT really from
there but... blah blah... I grew up here and here & lived here and
there, etc. So many of us in this day and age have moved around so
much we do NOT identify with the “where ya from” conversation
that some of the older people do who were born and raised &
remained in the same place their whole lives. They limit themselves
AND others in such regard.
It seemed like he was trying to make
sure my license plate tag was current as well. He stared so closely
and long at it. What is he? A retired cop? Good grief. He was trying
to act friendly. Mentioned his son in Oregon and driving out there
& going thru Jackson WY etc. That’s enough of that. Not much to
do at this park. No area for shore fishing either.
Driving back out I saw a medium-size turtle by the side of the road,
like a dinner plate size– looked like he was trying to dig a hole-.
Googled this later and it says they do this either to lay eggs or stay
cool. I’m thinking he was trying to stay cool– this was an unusually
hot day for central Florida for this time of year. Girl on scooter at
the intersection made me flash back to the scooter gal who got hit
hard by a pickup truck last year in the Tampa area.
It happened
right in front of me. She easily could have been killed. She needed
an ambulance and it wouldn’t surprise me if she had numerous
broken bones. I prayed every day for her for a while afterwards.
Hope she pulled thru. It wasn’t her fault either. It was totally the
driver of the truck– although he tried to claim the scooter didn’t
have a headlight. I think it DID.
Impossible to know for sure after
the fact since the scooter was shattered into 100 pieces all over the
place. Passing by Disston Sugar Mill Ruins. Now my AC is not
working. Not this again. It runs hot the entire day, but the next day
it’s working again. Only quits working when it’s hot? City of St.
Cloud 1243, gas for $3.49, 25 gallons, Lake Kissimmee at 215. Bald
eagle?
Cypress Lake & Wild Florida– the competition for
Gatorland. Horse circle– that’s called a “mechanical hot walker.”
I’ve seen them before but never actually being used. There were 4
horses running round and round in a circle. Here’s a farm Sprinkler
spraying over the road – free wash again. Went thru it on the way in
as well.
Had to stop and wipe off the mirrors so it wouldn’t be
speckled with water drops. Is this Lake Marian now 240 pm? Fun
Fact: They say the minimum speed for cruise control in most cars is
25 mph. Some parts of Florida such as this are nothing special in
terms of geography. Could be in the middle of Nebraska for all I
know if I had landed on a parachute. No offense to Nebraska. Now
entering Indian River County 310p, 2 more bald eagles – in nests by
road. Maybe not Nebraska.
Actually every state except Hawaii has some bald eagles. Some many
more than others. See Bald Eagle Population Estimates (For 49 U.S.
States) - Wildlife Informer. Here’s Fort Drum Marsh conservation
area.. Now arriving at Vero Beach 341- this is where the Dodgers
used to do their spring training– the ball field is still here and still
used for various baseball and other events. Got gas for $3.17 using
the GetUpside app. 16.57 gallons for $56 at 4315 20th St. on 2/4/22.
Finally made it to the beach and enjoyed a beautiful swim in the
wavy Atlantic ocean– big enough waves to body surf–and water so
warm you don’t even think about getting out because you’re cold.
But not many swimming like me. Most just walking. They think it’s
still too cold. Slept at Hampton Inn. So humid.
Saturday Feb 5, 2022 730 am mass at St. Helen, and then I came
back at 830 for their 2nd mass. Then I went over to the Walmart.
Drizzling overcast day but not cold. Sunday Feb 6 – big church day
today. I use Sundays to try to visit as many churches as possible
when I am in a new area. I like to get a few protestant (Methodist,
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Presbyterian, Lutheran etc.) and a few catholic, and if possible an
episcopal and orthodox as well. I start the day at 730 mass at the big
Catholic Church, St. John of the Cross. From there I leave early and
catch the 8am Episcopal – listened to the homily. Cop at the entry–
not sure why. Leave a little early and go to the 9 am at 1st Baptist–
heard a full sermon based on 2 Chronicles. & took some notes. Left
a bit early and another guy exited right on my heels. That always
feels weird when that happens. 945 am Methodist contemporary
service– too many greeters– feel like you’re entering on a red carpet.
I like to enter and exit inconspicuously. This setting is too small. Not
comfortable. I leave and a guy sort of watches me in the hallway–
trying to act like he’s just milling about– but he’s definitely been
assigned to be ‘security.” I walked down the wrong hallway looking
for the restroom and had to double back. Awkward. The guy just
stares. Why doesn’t he ask me if he can help me?? I see the restroom
and duck in. Then I come out and leave.
From there I go to the gigantic community church– all these
churches are in walking distance of each other– like a block or two.
It stresses me out that we can’t get all people to come together as the
Body of Christ. It must break God’s heart too. We need UNITY.
This is a United Church of Christ (UCC) -- I feel comfortable here–
because there’s a lot of people and nobody immediately identifies me
as a visitor. I listen to the sermon and then go back to the Methodist
for the traditional service at 11– more comfortable here. Finally,
after this I go to the Catholic church by the beach – near Riverside
Park. This is a nice setting too.
Afterwards I go over to the beach
and take a nice body surf swim– great exercise. Take a nap. Then
one more church service back at St. Helens– that’s like 7 or 8
church services in one day. Not bad. Slept at Hampton Inn Vero
Beach.
Monday Feb 7 heading south, cast my line at Indrio Savannahs
Preserve. Saw some bass jumping but nuthin bitin. Onward another
little natural area called the Moore Preserve with a disc golf course,
aka Lucie Heritage preserve– with a boardwalk - near the Indian
River. 10 to 1030 onward entering city of Fort Pierce 1034. One of
their most popular areas is the Jetty Park along the Indian River–
lots of people fishing on the pier.
Tourists walking. Some on the
beach. Saw lady catch a glittery silvery fish kind of diamond shaped.
Walked around there then went back to the south causeway area–
where there’s a bit of a beach and fishing– I cast my line a few times
and also took a brief swim 12 to 1230.
Across the channel is the Navy
Seal Museum which looks cool but it’s closed on Monday. Surfers
also on the north side of the jetty, not south. Looked like decent
waves from a distance. This is all part of Hutchison Island I think,
from Jetty Park on the north end to the Bathtub Reef on the south.
Here’s Bear Point Sanctuary 1255.
John Brooks Park Beach 1256,
Frederick Douglas Park Beach (waves) 1257.Tons of public beaches with
free parking along here. Middle Cove
beach, Blind Creek Beach 119pm. Walton Rocks Beach 122 (dogs
allowed. I went swimming here and one of the free roaming dogs
followed me into the water. The owner came chasing after him to get
him to turn around. Funny. Nice dog. Reminded me a bit of my Lola
2pm. Hermans Bay Beach (City of Jensen Beach?).
Normandy
Beach, Dollman Park Beach, Waveland Beach, Jensen Beach,
Plantation Beach, Chastain Beach, Vitolo Family Preserve 116 pm,
feeling a bit lightheaded.2 osprey overhead at the causeway. Now
Jensen Beach 249 pm, Bob Graham Beach 252. Riger Shores 254.
Dollman Beach surfing spot 243 pm. Now Nettles Island? Here’s the
Elliot Museum 255. Marriot Resort Hutchison Island (very nice golf
& beach resort, 257).
Fletcher Beach, Clifton Perry Beach.
At Bathtub Reef I took a swim and tried to bodysurf but you get to
the reef and it’s not good body surfing. I asked the lifeguard what
the red flag means and he gave me the official answer “exercise
extreme caution.” House of Refuge. What’s that? Took another swim
at Stuart beach 4 to 430 pm, , now the City of Seawells Point.
Tuesday Feb 8, 2022 7 am donated blood at the Palm Beach
location. 9 am Walmart bought cottage cheese. Then to Palm
Springs Library (the other palm springs here in FL) did some
dictation 10-12. From there I went to John Prince Park– they have a
nice exercise area here. Took a nap and did some maps evangelism.
Military Trail Road is ubiquitous in southern Florida– or
southeastern FL I suppose. Since it was a Tuesday I looked for a
movie theatre to do a movie review for Christians (Tuesday is
discount day at most theatres).
#PrayTheMovies: found the Lake Worth 8- made a mistake of
initially going to a movie called Jackass Forever– thought it was
supposed to be funny– a modern gag movie– but it turned out to be
too gross – overly infatuated with adolescent body jokes. So I
walked out and sat down at a movie next door called “Moon Fall” –
this was much better– not a bad movie.
My thoughts for prayer:
Don’t try to build the Tower of Babel again. The danger of
technology and artificial intelligence is a real thing. Notes from
Moon Fall: the USC son gets in trouble– they stole a car and went
joyriding– The father (main character) finds out from the nightly
news.
Different character: “I’m a nobody mom.” Mom has
Alzheimer’s. Halle Berry also a main character. The plot is that the
moon is “out of orbit” and worldwide catastrophe pending. They
need to find a way to get the moon back into it’s proper orbit. They
decide to take the retired Endeavor Space Shuttle out of the LA
Museum (I remember when it landed and they towed it there– I was
there to watch the drama). But of course there’s complications and
the 2 main characters plus a 3rd end up going it alone. Key word
“mega structures.’
Pray for Hollywood to repent. Priest at mass confessed to us during
the homily that he is occasionally guilty of “adulting” – that was a
good point– lots of people become patronizing parents or just too
“adult” – not real- a passive-aggressive mechanism that nobody
really likes– but causes others to do the same– and suddenly
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everybody is acting like an overbearing “adult” figure – in popular
culture they call this type of woman a “Karen.” Now there is
flooding in the movie. Things are quickly spiraling out of control.
“Highly likely the moon was built by aliens” says the chubby
character.
In a wheelchair the Sutherland character– not Kiefer but
his dad. I remember seeing him and/or son or both at a Hollywood
star ceremony (walk of fame). Here’s the requisite bi-racial couple.
Every movie needs it now. Black- Latino couple in this case. The son
is released from jail. “Just make sure your trigger happy friends
keep their hands off the nukes”, Vandenberg AFB – prepare to
evacuate. Cool CGI (computer generated images) – the oil platforms
above water.
#PrayTheMovies: #2: End of world repent. To Mijnil– this is NOT a
movie– this is REAL LIFE. The “thing” around the moon – some
sort of “beast” seems to be attracted to electronics. “Are you a
college boy” says one character derisively. NOT VERY
REALISTIC: As if cell phones would keep working despite all the
flooding and infrastructure collapse as well as distance from earth..
But they all keep using them even inside the spaceship by the moon.
Birds dying - earth running out of oxygen. There’s some kind of
secret base inside the moon. Something about the ancestors and now
artificial intelligence wants to destroy all biological life. “You’re not
my son.” #PrayTheMovies: re Tower of Babel. One character (the
son) looks like Leif Ericson.
Thinking about my cousins– praying
for them (Brian & Jen, Audra & Brian). Hear our prayer Lord. Not
sure why I suddenly thought about them. Oh, probably because one
of the characters is named Brian. The aliens infused Brian with new
powers. Major meteor shower. Nukes ready to go. “If earth gets a
2nd chance, so do we” (good. grace). The roly poly character looks
like Steve Brinks.
Wed Feb 9 8 am St. Julian, 10 am Flagler Mansion Museum tour
$18. 12 noon- Four Arts Library, Garden, & Museum (new exhibit
not ready until Saturday). 1pm Palm Beach history museum. An old
courtroom on the 3rd floor. Some interesting exhibits on the
entrance level. From there over to the Manatee Center. Last time I
was here it was closed due to covid. Now open. Only saw one
manatee.
Lots of barracudas. 330 to 430 took a walk at Winding
Waters Natural Area. Came here last time as well. This time I took
the full loop. Lots of birds. No tortoises. Holiday Inn for the night.
Thursday Feb 10 7am donated blood again. Then I went to Lake
Worth Beach- they require minimum 2 hours parking at $3 dollars
per hour- ie basically $6 minimum to park.
Nice pier area– and
some waves, – so I went swimming but unfortunately encountered
two overbearing locals– both trying to pretend they were lifeguards–
saying their red shorts proved it. Huh? Say What? I can buy red
shorts too and it doesn’t make me a lifeguard. Felt a bit sorry for
these 2 locals– one looked like Santa Claus- an elderly fellow.
The
other like a hippy from the 60’s. And they were the type of “surfers”
who mostly just sit in the water– don’t do much if any actual
surfing. These waves weren’t strong enough to do much surfing on
anyways. I had to go into FULL ALPHA MODE to get them off my
back as I was just trying to get a little swim exercise.
This was like a
scene from a bad old school movie where some bully jerks at the
beach come along to mess with anybody they’ve never seen before. I
don’t go into full alpha mode very often but it worked this time.
They backed off. Won’t come back here again because of excessive
parking fees as well as the local B.S.
Went southward to Lantana beach– much better here. Went
snorkeling here last time as well. Talked to a beautiful lifeguard
before I went in– she was nice enough. She warned of jellyfish but
the FL jellyfish are just tiny blobs that rarely cause problems–
maybe a little tingle sting in some cases.
Nothing to worry much
about. Not like a stingray. I’ve had enough of that in CA. Saw
mostly schools of Palometa fish - cool looking (aka cobbler, Joe fish,
old wife, & wireback). Only $1.50 per hour to park here and not 2
hours minimum. From there I took a hike at Hypoloxo Shrub–
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known for their tortoises. Saw 2 right away, but nothing more after
that. The 2nd one was pretty good size– half- a basketball or so.
When I put my camera up close it pulled its head back and sounded
like it hissed, but apparently this is the air – not aggression.
Listening to Alex Jones show as I walk– and he’s interviewing the
brother of Justin Trudeau– guy’s name is Kyle Kemper not sure
why not same last name. H
alf- brother I guess. Not sure how it all
works out. But he is NOT in agreement with Trudeau. He supports
the Freedom Truckers. Good guy. Here’s Harvey Oyer Park – drove
thru– along river 130pm. Meters here too. City of Boynton Beach
137pm.
Bongino on radio re Jan6 and the mysterious “dud bombs” – the
person was professional enough to go allegedly undetected and
allegedly uncaught by the FBI but then the bombs failed? Or
intentionally failed? Ie a false flag? Bongino spent 2 full shows on
this topic in depth. Here’s Ocean Inlet– good snorkeling & free
parking– one of my favorite spots.
Nearby is the Hammock beach
and Ocean Ridge– both parking full when I drove thru moments
earlier? After snorkeling Ocean Inlet and seeing some colorful fish, I
walked back to my towel and a chubby lady said “Did you go out by
the new artificial reef?”
No. I hadn't. I didn’t know about it. Will do
so next time. City of Ocean Ridge. New Holiday Inn for the night at
Boynton Hypo area. Still reflecting on the Lake Worth jerks. It will
take a while for that to fade from my memory. But it will.
Friday 2/11/22 830 am start out at St. Thomas More church. Left
early went over to Wakodahatchee Wetlands – just happened to see
it on a search of maps for nearby attractions. Wow– parking lot full
already– traffic cop directing cars-
I thought there was a special
event, but they’re all tourists – many of them with the “big gun”
cameras ( ie long zoom lens) walking the boardwalk– lots of wildlife
– the main attraction being the wood storks. Beautiful big birds
Prayer visualization: santa claus & hippy at Lake Worth, & wow
lag at Wakodahatchee. 830 to 930.
Then I went to the nearby Green
Cay wetlands boardwalk 945 to 1015– also very nice. There’s also
the nearby Loxahatchee NWR- a fee area. I drove thru. Maybe
come back later.. From there I drove all the way to MacArthur
State Park and paid the $4 entry fee, took the long walk over the
boardwalk bridge with my snorkeling gear and found the reef area–
and went snorkeling– the only one– and was a bit underwhelmed.
The reviews I read made it sound as if it was something extremely
special but it was average at best. Much better just a few miles down
the road is a public beach with free parking called Ocean Reef Park.
There’s a wonderful reef right in front with lots of colorful fish.
Enjoyed it very much.
Saturday Feb 12 Train stuck on track – had to take a long detour.
8am start the day at St. Paul of the Cross church in N. Palm Beach
(Riviera) – not far from Macarthur S.P. Then I went over to the
popular Phil Foster Park & “snorkel trail.” They’ve submerged
artificial structures here in a swim area that attracts tons of colorful
fish. You swim from one structure to the next over 100-yard area.
It’s wonderful. The first session of the day around 9am I saw lots of
fish including Angel Fish, maybe Grouper, some sort of large fish
striped black & white like a zebra but NOT the small zebra fish.
Couldn’t find an identification for it online. The coolest fish I saw
was the Red Lion fish (I think). Another interesting thing that
happened was I picked up a colorful shell with a crab in it.
Then I
dropped it back down as I went to the top for air. I watched it fall to
the bottom but it landed upside down– like a turtle on its back. The
crab couldn’t move. So I was planning on going back down to flip it
over, but as I did so I saw a small fish approach the shell and with
its snout– it turned over the crab so it was right side up.
I couldn’t
believe it. Did I just witness a fish commit a random altruistic act?
That was incredible. I also saw a butterfly fish and a blenny fish
(blennies were made famous by the movie “Finding Nemo” – and it
almost allowed me to touch it– not scared). And there were tons of
curious black & yellow Sgt Majors and/or Moorish Idols (they look
similar, probably mostly Sgt Majors). And maybe a Harlequin Bass.
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Then there were some Blue Tangs (mostly blue & black with yellow
tail. Swam past the sunken boat and the hammerhead shark
sculptures. The boat propeller still spun when I flipped it. After my
2nd session I went over to Ocean Reef again and rested in their
parking lot. Then I planned to go back to evening mass at St. Paul of
the Cross but it was extremely crowded so I left. I am 55 years old
and some places in Florida I feel like a kid again being around so
many senior citizens.
Sunday Feb 13 – Superbowl Sunday. 8 am now at St. Ann church
(its pouring rain). 9 am St. Edward church Palm Beach. And 11 am
at Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea (Episcopal) - a beautiful piece of
architecture. The greeters weren’t so great however. Leaving west
palm beach, Passed by Holy Spirit church at 1220 – thought about
going in but there were “greeters” standing out in front even 20
minutes after the service started. Some churches have too many
“greeters’ who apparently don’t think they have anything to learn
from a sermon or from simply being part of the worship service.
I
guess they have reached the top already. No room for growth?
Seriously. Some people become too involved in watching over others
at the church they are overbearing. Same thing with having cops at
church. It ruins the atmosphere. I usually don’t go back to such
churches. I also dislike it when a pastor sits up front and tries to
connect with you by “stare down”-- it’s awkward.
I’ve gotten to the
point where I like to take my glasses off and don’t know if the pastor
is staring at me. My eyes are so bad without correction I can’t
connect with anybody’s eyes or facial expressions unless they’re
practically right next to me. This has its pros and cons.
I reflected on
my life as I was driving thru the wealthy of west Palm Beach and
realized I went full circle from wanting all the “nice things “ in life
to experiencing how ugly it makes people become– to NOT wanting
any of these material things.Now driving past St. Lucy Catholic 1:10pm, City of Highland
Beach. Now City of Boca Raton 113pm. Spanish River Park – they
charge huge fees here– $25 parking fee. No thanks.
Also near here
is Yamato Rock– supposed to be a good snorkel spot– and they are
planning a new park here in the future if the locals don’t block it.
Now South Beach 1:20pm. And Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and
Red Reef Beach. I will be back here in a few days. South Inlet Park
123 now drizzling rain. Deerfield Beach 125pm. City of Hillsboro
Beach 130pm. City of Pompano Beach 136pm. Now Fort
Lauderdale. This is Broward County. Here’s Taylor State Park.
And the Bonnet House Museum. Here’s a building with a sign that
says Huizenga Family Foundation. I googled it – what do you know–
its part of the Wayne Huizenga family (a Dutch Christian Reformed
connection). That’s a nice thing. Now on the highway.
Here’s Outdoor World. 5pm attended mass at St. Stephen
ProtoMartyr in Miramar on my way to the free Superbowl Viewing
event at the Miramar Cultural Center.
Mostly Latinos and a few
blacks. You don’t see black Catholics very often except in the Miami
area. I thought about some of my family and friends etc. who won’t
forgive me for my “carnal youth.” It’s time to get past those things
35 or 40 years later. If they won’t forgive and forget and take the log
out of their own eyes I can’t worry about it. Woe to you who ... re
the SEVEN WOES of Matt 23. Mayor Messner sponsored the
Superbowl event at Miramar Cultural Center. He tried out for the
Cinci Bengals years ago but didn’t make it.
I make this a day of
Super Prayer. Superbowl Notes: 1st half Rams (R1) receive but go 3
and out. Bengals 1st Possession (B1) go for it on 4th but fail– turn it
over on downs. R2 big pass play to Kupp and then a TD pass to
Odell Beckham Jr (who will tear his tendon again later in the game).
Rams lead 7-0. B2 Bengals go 3 & out. R3 Rams 3 & out.
B3 great
catch by Jamar Chase brings Bengals to the 10 yard line but can’t
get TD. Field goal makes it 7-3. R4 Rams score another RD on pass
from QB to Kupp but miss point after. Now 13-3. B4 Bengals
respond with a TD. Now 13-10. R5 Rams get intercepted in the end
zone. Bengals take over but on B5 go 3 & out. R6. End of 1st half,
Rams lead 13-10. 2nd half B1 Bengals receive and on 1st play from
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scrimmage, complete a 75-yard TD pass to take the lead over the
Rams 17-13. R1 Rams throw interception on 2nd play from
scrimmage. B2 Bengals make a field goal. Now lead 20-13 with all
the momentum. R2.On the next possession, Rams respond with a
field goal to make it 20-16. B3 Bengals go 3 & out. R3. Rams go 3 &
out. B4 Bengals 3 & out (getting sacked).
R4 End of 3rd Q, still 20-
16. Into 4th Q Rams go 3 & out. B5. I think Bengals went 3 & out
again. Or did I miss something? R5 Rams go 3 and out. B6 Bengals
3 & out. R6 Rams move it down field and get a TD pass to Kupp to
make it 23-20 with 1:25 remaining in the game... And that’s it.
Bengals cannot turn it around in the final minute. RAMS WIN
SUPERBOWL 2022! Kupp is the MVP.
Monday Feb 14 Valentines Day. 830 am St. Bartholomew church –
black priest, lots of black Catholics in this part of Florida. The
Dolphins play at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miramar– not far from
here. 930 am Took a walk thru the “Secret Woods” natural area by
the New River. Supposedly there are manatees around here but the
viewing area is under construction. Saw numerous ubiquitous white
Ibis as well as turkey vultures. 11am then I went over to the Ann
Kolb Nature Center & Lake Forest Park– walked around– went up
to top of observation tower.
A few other tourists walking around
blindly. Nice boardwalks but not much to see in terms of wildlife. A
man came up on a bike and asked where is the “Great Florida Bike
Trail” – said he saw a sign. I think he mis-read the sign-. It was
probably a sign for the “Great Florida Birding Trail” Then I went
over to north Hollywood Beach– which a few reviews says had good
snorkeling. I found free parking across the street.
And walked to the
beach and at the 1st lifeguard stand I said to the lifeguard “This is
my 1st time here. I heard there’s some good snorkeling. True? “The
lifeguard turned out to be an immigrant from Cuba – and talkative.
1st he started telling me about his own experiences spear fishing but
didn’t think it was very good snorkeling right around here “to be
honest” he said. He also dutifully warned me that snorkelers need to
have a “diver down flag” if they go out too far.
The lifeguards seem
to be trained to tell this to tourists even though if you think thru the
process of how snorkeling is QUITE DIFFERENT than scuba
diving you realize a divers flag is almost meaningless. A snorkeler
only stays underwater for maybe at the most 30 seconds– but on
average maybe 15 seconds per dive.
Snorkelers have much greater
“situational awareness” about what’s happening above water than a
scuba diver. We know if anything is in our vicinity. WE also can
HEAR better underwater without the sound of the tank ventilators.
We can see above water if anything is coming and hear a propeller
as well.
If I see a boat even remotely close to me I wait until I am
sure they are not coming towards me... if they are– I would stay
above water and wave my hands. There’s a very tiny slim almost
non-existent chance of a boat running over a snorkeler. A diver’s
flag is legalistic over kill with hopes of avoiding municipal liability if
anything ever did.
I tried to direct the Cuban-American lifeguard back to any tips
about snorkeling. At least he had a good sense of humor even
though he wasn’t very helpful. The best he could suggest was to try
the Franklin street area or the Magnolia area. I walked down the
beach a ways and decided to at least take a brief swim. Water is
about 74 degrees this time of year.
Warm enough. Warmer than
L.A. ocean water which is in the low 60’s in the winter (sometimes
high 50’s). My experience with asking lifeguards for tips on
snorkeling is pretty bleak. Their minds are rather blank in general.
Let’s be realistic: day after day staring out at the ocean without
mental stimulation from literature etc. is probably not too good for
one’s mental or intellectual growth.
They really should require more
from lifeguards. IT sounds like a “fun” job– maybe for college kids
for a summer or two, but it shouldn’t be a career. Or if it does
become a career they should have growth opportunities. Some of the
lifeguards don’t even seem to swim or surf or go in the water after a
while. I’ve seen some who look fairly out-of-shape.
Listening to 640
am radio at 2pm here in the Lauderdale area– it’s loudmouth Colin
Cowherd taking cheap shots at Aaron Rodgers after the Superbowl–
criticizing his stance against vaccines. Cowherd never played the
game. He just like to hear himself talk and be obnoxious. Now that
Stafford won the Superbowl suddenly Cowherd is riding this
bandwagon and dissing Aaron Rodgers.
Cowherd’s a flake. Weird
name too. Across the street where I parked there’s a canal and the
boat by my car looked like it was capsized– slowly sinking. I could
see lots of stuff on the boat too – like somebody was trying to live on
it but maybe abandoned it. SO I head north – I want to try
snorkeling the Red Reef– but it’s a ways up there. Passing the
Casino Dania– sign says something about Jai Alai.
That’s something
I would like to watch them play sometime.. SO I googled it later and
found this: “Casino Miami and The Casino at Dania Beach are two
places where you can still see jai-alai games year-round. While it's
played almost every day at these two frontons, the sport struggles to fill
a 500-seat stadium.”
Passing St. Sebastian Church 214 pm, Drawbridge up. City of
Deerfield Beach 334p pm, swimming hall of fame here as well. Now
City of Boca Raton which literally means mouth of the rat. IT took
me an hour to drive 18 miles up the highway along Lauderdale
Beach. We came here once in high school or college on a bus with a
bunch of Spring Breakers. Hillsboro Inlet lighthouse 322 pm.
Finally make it to Red Reef Park. Parking is $25 at the beach or
meter parking across the street. That’s a no-brainer. Paid for an
hour and quickly got my snorkeling gear on and found the different
spots where there were rocks or reef– and my perseverance to get
here paid off.
I SAW A SHARK! – not a big bad one but a 4- foot
shark resting on the bottom– probably a nurse shark– and it quickly
swam away when it saw me. My 2nd shark sighting of my life. Also
some other colorful fish. Next to the parking area is also the Gumbo
Limbo Nature center.
I briefly walked the boardwalk but had to
quickly get back to my car before my time expired. And in fact the
scrupulous meter lady came by a few moments after I got back to
my car. Here’s the ubiquitous Military Trail Road again. Sign for
Old Floresta Historic District. Busy traffic 530 pm Pompano- Boca -
North Lauderdale.
Tuesday Feb 15 7am blood donation $65. Walmart 9 to 11 am -
picked up frozen lasagna, veggies, cashews, romaine lettuce,
cucumber, green onion, tomato, Ritz crackers (the new kind. better),
soy silk milk & chocolate silk (both were spoiled by the next day–
had to throw them out– forgot what this Miami weather does to
some products if they’re not in a refrigerator.
Normally even milk
will last longer. Also frozen broccoli, grapefruit juice, and some
summer sausage– makes good sandwiches.. Then to a laundromat at
7326 Southgate in North Lauderdale. $2 for a small load. Did my
socks, towels, shirts & pants. Hazy day– warm, sun breaking thru–
it’s hot when it does. Some guy at laundromat almost backed into
me. I let out a HUGE LONG HONK. He didn’t apologize after
getting out of the car.
#PrayTheNews: Remington gun settles with Sandy Hook victims’
families – doesn’t make sense. But Remington is also declaring
bankruptcy so they can’t pay. But this is how the lefties will
eventually “ban guns” – or new guns– they will find sympathetic
liberal juries to find in favor of ridiculous lawsuits against the gun
companies.
IT’s Tuesday so it’s Movie Review Day (always on
discount Tuesday). #PrayTheMovies: I decide to go see “Death on
the Nile” starring Gal Gadot – who did great as Superwoman but
not always so great in other roles. Here’s the notes: I missed some of
the beginning– a war scene. I thought I was in the wrong
theatre. Man gets killed by explosion. The other character has his
face disfigured by shrapnel.
Next scene in hospital where lady
assures him she still loves him even though disfigured. Now London
1937 night club. Passionate man /woman dancing. Another
woman/friend shows up (Gal Gadot) and ....; now weeks later they
are at the Sphinx by the Great Pyramids in Egypt. The main
character seems to be like a Sherlock Holmes. IN fact he is a
detective. One character is flying a kite while standing halfway up a
70
pyramid. Cataract hotel? “Money is the one thing all women can
rely upon” quips a character. Gal Gadot character is independently
wealthy. Armie Hammer plays a creepy boyfriend. IN reality I don’t
like Armie too much, nor as a character in this film. Prayers for him
to come to know Jesus Christ. Doyles family? Conan Doyle created
Sherlock Holmes, but this apparently comes from Agatha Christie?
Nonetheless they create more confusion by giving one of the
character’s the last name Doyle.
Another character is named
Linnette Ridgeway. #PrayTheMovies: Do NOT steal your friend’s
lover. But wait. That’s NOT actually what happened we find out at
the end. The rival is Jackie. “It’s love. There are no rules” Gal
Gadot is the actual victim in all of this. “When you have money
nobody is really your friend.”
After the pyramids they visit the
Temple of Rameses II on the Nile River – an actual place (would be
fun to go there sometime). While there a large rock almost crushes
the 2 lovers during a spontaneous love scene under the historical
monument.
I feel lightheaded again. The cruise boat in the movie looks too
modern. And of course there is the requisite bi-racial relationship as
all movies in 2022 must now have. The supposed rival shows up on
the cruise. “Maybe the life God intended” says one character. I
think to myself “What a wicked web we weave” (Shakespeare). Gal
Gadot gets killed by a 22 bullet in the head. This is a Who Dunnit
movie now.
Then the Armie Hammer gets shot in the knee by the
supposed rival. OR did he? And now a valuable necklace is missing.
There’s a black girl & lady in the film played by Letitia Wright &
Sophie Okonedo. Sophie is only 53 but they made her look more
elderly. She played an elderly lady. Then there’s another murder.
IT’s getting too difficult to sum it up. New PrayTHeMovie theme is
that it’s an error to believe in marital bliss for life. Marriage is a
covenant not always “somewhere over the rainbow.” Also
#PrayTheMovies: purge the deadly sins. That’s the main thing.
Purge the lust and wrath and sloth and pride envy greed gluttony.
Every day. Say “I blow it out.
Get out Satan now. “IT will work.
When Armie got shot in the knee I noticed his handkerchief with
blood on the knee– too quick. That was a clue. So in the end it turns
out the 2 original lovers had a plan to scam the Gal Gadot character
out of her money. Sherlock (Or Hercules) solves the crime. Leaving
movie theatre in Coral Springs– that was a nice theatre– apparently
an independent theatre that offers $6 dollar movies every day of the
week.
But as I leave there are cops in front of the theatre– like
something just happened. Not sure what that was all about. As long
as they leave me alone it’s ok. Took a walk at the Tall Cypress area–
a boardwalk loop. Then I go over to the Coral Springs Art Museum
which is free – as it should be– it’s not worth any money. Some
interesting “modern art” but very small. Alex Jones says there is
now a movement to ban the word “freedom” – at least as it relates
to the Canadian Freedom Truckers.
That’s a shame what the
Canadian leaders are doing to them and their supporters. It’s
become a dictatorship in Canada. Very sad. Similar in some regards
to the January 6 scam in Washington DC. After the museum I sat
outside on a bench. A lady employee walked by and commented on
the music on the loudspeaker saying “interesting music.” I noticed
the music as well. Some of it from the 80’s. Some I like and
remember.
Wednesday Feb 16 2022 9 am mass at St. Andrews church. 10 am I
walk thru the “Fern Forrest” on the boardwalk. Nice place. One of
the trails is called “Wandertrail.” Afterwards I rest and eat some
salad. Lightheaded again. From there I take the Sawgrass greenway
hike. Saw an animal that looked like a black seal in the distance.
Turned out to be a large black otter. Found a cool empty snail shell–
fairly large. Guy on bicycle pointed to a “black racer snake” as he
rode past. Didn’t see it. Talked to him back at the parking lot about
the otter. He claimed he was a Navy Seal for many years, now
retired.
Mentioned something about seeing 500 kids killed during
the Croatia Bosnia conflict. He actually started tearing up. I googled
it later and found something about a massacre in Sarajevo. Maybe
that’s what he was talking about. How many kids were killed in
Sarajevo? “A memorial with the names of 521 children killed during
the siege was unveiled on 9 May 2010.”
Another guy nearby heard
our conversation about the otter and said that a guy was out here a
few weeks ago with his golden retriever and throwing the ball into
the water for the dog to fetch and it got attacked by an alligator,
who disappeared with it. He says the guy briefly entered the water
to try to save it but then got out and started shooting at it with his
pistol. Then he laid down and cried. Apparently the cops came and
did something– not sure what. How sad is that. Pretty dumb of the
guy.
I moved on– went on up to the Sawgrass Nature Center –
donations requested– I put a few bucks in the box. There was a red-
shouldered hawk in a large habitat, among other injured animals all
in spacious “cages” with standing room (not like boxes) and
vegetation etc. They looked well-cared for. And there was a wild
red-shouldered hawk outside the injured hawk’s cage–. They both
screeched loudly as I approached.
Also near here– I drove by- is the notorious Stoneman High School
where the shooting took place almost 4 years ago to the day. They
had just commemorated the anniversary. I hadn’t even thought
about this school being in the area... But since I stumbled upon it I
made a point of saying a prayer and making a video of it. This is a
fairly comfortable area of Florida- lots of nice homes and spacious
yards – and nothing but open everglade areas surrounding the area.
IN fact I had to drive past Stoneman H.S. to get to the Loxahatchee
everglades national wildlife refuge (Arthur Marshall section).
There’s also an elementary and middle school down the road.
Stoneman H.S. is a beautiful building. There were flowers by a sign
apparently for the 4-year commemoration.
There were 17 victims
from that particular tragic incident. So senseless. I took another
walk at the Loxahatchee – they have airboat tours that launch from
here as well. This is not the Loxahatchee near the Wakadohatchee
where I was a week ago. This is further south.
73
2/16/22 at the Broward county library they gave me a number to use
the computer – not a guest pass- but a permanent number of sorts.
That’s cool. And rare. Obese guy in front of me can’t stay awake on
the computer. Lady to the left of me is an all-day at the computer
personality. She was here last time as well (yesterday).
She just sits
and watches random meaningless videos. Now she just knocked
something off the table and didn’t bother to pick it up. There’s
always some interesting characters at the public libraries.
#PrayTheNews: They’re playing the clip of Biden saying he will fire
those who “talk down” to employees. After he just swore at a
reporter and called him a stupid SOB. Good grief. #PrayTheMovies:
Finished “King of California” movie– that was actually pretty good–
with Michael Douglas.
Thursday Feb 17. Donated blood 7am. #PrayTheNews: Trudeau is
freezing the bank accounts of Canadians who supported the
freedom truckers. This is sickening. Unbelievable. Now driving
towards Miami. Highway jammed at 10:20 I use the time to
PrayThePlates. I see a sign for the Miami boat show happening
right about now. Google it and it’s a $40 admission fee. Really?
Ridiculous.
Made it to Viscaya estate. Self-guided tour. Nice place.
Historic. Afterward I went on over to the famous Miami “South
Beach” and took a swim. Even managed to find a free parking spot
for a few hours near the Jewish history museum. Walked around.
Made a short video. Fairly busy. Lots of tourists. A few surfers.
Warm water and air. Nice day. Took a shower after the swim.
Friday 2/18/22 This is also Daytona 500 weekend. Actually
considered going to it– or one of the related events such as
qualifying but it would require a long drive from Miami back to
Daytona. Over 200 miles plus toll. Maybe next year. Also coming up
is a pro golf tournament in West Palm Beach. Considering that as
well. More reasonable- only about 75 miles.
But I probably won’t.
I’ve been to some great pro golf tournaments including the US open
at Torrey Pines which Tiger Woods won in a sudden death playoff;
and also to the pro-Am at Pebble Beach, among others. They’re
kind of fun, but not great fun. IT’s more of a thing you want to do to
check it off the bucket list. I don’t have this Palm Beach golf
tournament on my bucket list. IT’s not that enticing. After Miami
Beach I encountered a huge traffic jam trying to get back to the
Miami mainland- I finally pulled off into the public parking lot at
the Miami Beach Golf Club and worked on ministry material for a
few hours waiting for the traffic to subside. Crazy. Worse than L.A.
Friday Feb 18 2022 8 am at St. Mary Cathedral. Another black
priest. Then onward towards the Florida Keys. I love driving thru
Miami with all the colorful murals on the sides of buildings. Found a
gas station with $3.31 per gallon. Not bad. Caraf Oil 2810 NW 12th.
$40 total. Sullen cashier didn’t smile or say thanks. Prayers4 her.
Passed by the Rubel museum which is across from the Super Blue
museum–.
And here’s the University of Miami hospital. Now
passing by Loan Depot Park– where the Marlins play. Was here a
few years ago around all-star break. Almost bought a ticket to the
game but it’s too miserable in Miami in the summer– weather so hot
& muggy. Not pleasant. Passing by sign for Barnacle State Park and
also Kampong Botanical Garden. And now Fairchild Tropical
Garden.
Also the University of Miami campus.
Drove thru a few campus roads. One of the fields at the campus is
named after Wayne Huizenga but not to be confused with Alex
Rodriguez Park. I drove past too quick to be sure. Maybe a softball
field? . “He owned the Dolphins, Marlins and Panthers
simultaneously from 1994 to 1998, becoming the first person to own
teams in three major sports leagues.”
Interesting, Miami Hurricanes
have been playing their football games at Hard Rock stadium
(formerly Joe Robbie stadium among other names) in Miramar
since 2008, 25 miles away from campus because the Orange Bowl
was demolished to make way for Marlins new stadium. Onward
thru city of Pine Crest 947 am, Here’s a sign for the Deering Estate–
apparently historic.
Passed by the historic Cauley Square– not much
there. 10:20. There was a man dressed up as Spiderman with a
Spiderman car in front of the post office nearby. NOT sure what
that was all about. It’s always surprising - you think that this far
south the commercial area would dissipate but it actually keeps
going longer and farther than you would expect. And here’s the
Coral Castle– was thinking about paying the admission to see what
it’s all about.
I heard some stuff about it before– a bit on Coast-to-
Coast show– and the mystery of how the heavy coral stones were
moved. Found this later: “Coral Castle's website states that, "If
anyone ever questioned Ed about how he moved the blocks of coral,
Ed would only reply that he understood the laws of weight and
leverage well."[8] He also stated that he had "discovered the secrets of
the pyramids", referring to the Great Pyramid of Giza.
[20] “(Wiki).
There’s also the mystery of the perfectly balanced heavy stone door.
I stop in the parking lot but it looks actually quite small– not sure
there’s that much there worth paying to see. Maybe some other
time. Onward. 1033am. Stop in at Walmart for a few items. Past
Harris Field in Homestead City. Now Key Largo! 1130.
Stop in
briefly at the Laura Quinn Bird Sanctuary (more injured birds
being rehabilitated) 12:15. This is the City of Taviernier 12:18, Are
all of the Keys part of Monroe County? Now Plantation Key.
Islamorada traffic jam. Can’t escape traffic jams way down here.
Bright red on google maps. WIndley Key, Fossil Key, Diving
Museum, Matecumbe Key, Green Turtle Hammock Nature
Preserve, Lignumvitae Channel. Boy Scouts conference ground?
Long Key State park $4.50 entry – had read an article about good
snorkeling here but it wasn’t. Just grass and dirt. No fish. Well, the
article said the good area is by the campground but the campground
was closed and couldn’t really get to that area without a long swim.
French-speaking fellow yelled a question to me trying to start a
conversation– claimed he had moved from L.A.
Something didn’t
seem to make sense. I disappeared into the water. When I returned
he was heading out in a kayak with his friends. There’s not much at
Long Key S.P. although there is a nature trail called the Gold Orb –
took the one -mile loop- not much to see but tiny sand crabs in a
muddy area. Some people find that interesting. Also did some
evangelism for the South Carolina car.
Tea Table Key 1255. India
Key 1256 Craig Key was at 10am. Long Key at 106, City of Layton
at 108. Lazy lady working at the entry booth at Long Key SP
warned about needing a “diver flag” for snorkeling. Oh stop the
drama please. Have they all been hypnotized to say this? Then she
added “be safe” as I drove off. Whatever lady. 230pm leaving Long
Key.
Now at Conch Key 240pm. Some good things are going to
happen later today. Duck Key 242 pm. Grassy Key 243. City of
Marathon is fairly commercialized. 243. A Purple Heart city.
Around this area you will find Aquarium Encounter. You can pay to
snorkel in a tank apparently.
Or you can find the real thing
outdoors. That’s what I like. Also nearby is the Dolphin Research
Center – kind of like a Marine Land or Sea world. There’s also
Curry Hammock State Park. And there’s the Crane Point
Hammock. And there’s the Turtle Hospital. Pigeon Key. And now I
arrive at Bahia Honda Key at 313 pm. Great experience here
finding a gigantic Queen Conch.
Actually found several conchs (pronounced “konk”) but one in
particular was gigantic and beautiful– like finding a diamond. IT
was living– the mollusk inside it. I brought it back to the beach to
take a picture. A lady immediately pounced on me saying “You
can’t keep that.”
I explained I was just taking a picture then I would
put it back in the water. IN USA it’s illegal to keep living conchs.
She was still suspicious of me. But I put the shell on the sand and
indicated I was going to my car to get my camera. When I returned
she seemed more at ease. She was a tourist too but acting more like a
cop at first.
Now she was trying to be nice about it. Whatever.
Anyway, finding this beautiful conch MADE MY DAY! Afterward I
explored the old Bahia Bridge and also snorkeled on the other side
where I saw a few giant stingrays as well as some large parrotfish.
There was a yacht all the way from Traverse City parked in the
marina area. Long trip. I’m running out of room to jot down notes
in this notebook. Big Pine Key 550 pm.
Hope to make it to Key West
for the night. Beautiful sunset going this way. Lots of cars turning
off towards “No Name Key.” Not sure why. Little Torch Key 556 &
Big Torch too. Ramrod Key at 557. Summerfield Key 6pm, Cudjoe
Key at 602. Park Key at 607. Several Saddlebunch keys. Now Shark
Key 617, and Big Coppitt Key. Finally Rockland Key and Boca
Chica Key–. I’m sure I missed some.
Saturday Feb 19 slept in Key West. Rising early I passed by Key
West High School. They have a great mascot- a giant conch- right in
front of the school. Passing by Key West City Hall –there’s a giant
tiger in front. Wonder why. Across the street is the National
Weather Service building. Lots of walkers & scooters. And roosters
– many everywhere. Cock-a-doodle-doo 730 am mass at St. Mary–
one place that has a parking lot. 9 am Zach Taylor state park.
Always love coming here. Rest in the back for a while then grab my
gear and head out for a snorkeling session #1: tons of small Sgt
Major fish as usual, & a chameleon type fish– not sure what it is–
maybe a small grouper– I saw it change colors as it moved into a
new color of rock background– very cool -maybe a goliath
grouper. Groupers can become enormous. This one wasn’t, yet.
Also some parrot fish, as well as a darker shade of maybe parrotfish
but maybe something else. Also some trigger fish- also cool. Went
back to car. The park is getting very crowded now. Rest again. After
a few hours go back for snorkel session #2 on the northern end.
Visibility was not as good now.
After 2nd session I was sitting on a picnic table bench and an old
man just started chatting – talking about his sons going scuba diving
at the lighthouse– and he was griping that he was only snorkeling
here. He didn’t get it. You can take a $500 scuba diving trip on a
boat that takes hours to get there and possibly not see anything
much better than you see right along the shore here. Been there,
done that.
It seems cool to take a long boat ride way out– but it’s not
guaranteed better. On this trip alone ( & I can speak about the
future because I am writing this ex post facto- I will see a shark , a
manatee face-to-face, find a giant conch, and see all the various
small & medium tropical fish. The only thing I haven’t seen is a
giant sea turtle, but they can be seen by shore as well. Even on shore
during nesting season.
So I am very content with snorkeling from
shore in the right spots– just gotta do the research and/or be willing
to explore. Also may have seen some mangrove snapper – nothing
special. Definitely saw some “common snook” – the tell-tale mark is
the well-defined line along the mid-section of their body running
lengthwise. Also very common around here is a brown fish with
white spots– but I haven’t found a name for it yet.
A lot of people
these days use self-serving negative assumptions about others to puff
themselves up. Jesus spoke against this. It’s a sign of being “in the
flesh” (not good). They are poison to others.
Recent personal examples I can think of include the Beverly Hills
library incident, the man’s sons at KW, the sullen one at Miami gas ,
a few at blood DC.
Also the sullen one at dollar store Coral Springs.
The only time I can be a victim of this poison is when I am
“trapped.” That’s when they will “get” you. Maybe in a line. Even
in your car sometimes if you’re not careful. I try to avoid such traps
at all costs. But if and when it does happen you can PRAY your way
through it.
Don’t panic. Don’t retaliate unless it’s self-defense of
course against a physical attack. Just bite the bullet. The pain will
pass and you will grow spiritually from it as you later pray for this
enemy. I hear the loud navy planes from Naval Station Key West
practicing a slow pass overhead.
They do this at air shows too.
That’s how I recognize the sound. I wonder if they ever have air
shows here. Aha. Yes they do. It’s called the “southernmost air
spectacular” and this year it is April 2 & 3. Looks like Blue Angels
go there sometimes too. Maybe I will try to get there next year.
Sleep Key West night 2.
79
Sunday Feb 20 Beware of those who judge you in the flesh and want
to compete with you. Don’t get pulled into it. Passing by Key West
H.S. again on the way to morning mass at St. Mary’s Basilica. From
there I go to the Key West Methodist church– low key– but a few
things make me uncomfortable.
The pastor is Bridget Thornton.
The organist is Dr. Ann McFarland. No young people although the
pastor mentions a youth group in opening announcements. Some of
my notes, verbatim: “We are not God. We believe in total free will,
not like the Presbyterians. God limits His own control so maybe we
should too. Pledge allegiance to the Lord. She mentions Rev Michael
Slaughter pastor of the largest Methodist church in Ohio. Is Jesus
your Lord? She asks. End notes.
Prayers for Desi, Stevie, Ukra,
presby Orlando. Conch lady, scooter girl, WI girl. After the
Methodist I walk over to the Episcopal– beautiful historical
building. Nice thing is parking meters don’t start until noon on
Sunday. The one day with limited free parking in KW. Prayers for
young adult Aubrey Estella baptized at St. Paul Episcopal. After
Episcopal I drove by the ferry area– this is where you can travel
to/from Fort Myers & Marco Island and also to/from Dry Tortugas
among other locations. Then I went back to the basilica for noon
mass (in Spanish).
Left early after macho man sat too close. Drove to Higgs beach–
thinking about snorkeling. They have a farmers market on Sunday–
and live music– kind of busy. Fun atmosphere. The reviews I read
said Smathers beach has good snorkeling but not so much Higgs.
Turns out it is just the opposite.
There are some old wood pilings at
the southern end of Higgs Beach that are excellent for snorkeling. I
saw tons of cool fish. Glad I explored it. That’s why you cannot
always trust random reviews. There’s also a free garden inside an
old fort here. I did a quick walk thru. Later I also snorkeled
Smathers and it was NOT good at all.
Maybe there’s better sections
because it is a long beach but my first experience was
underwhelming. My tire is low on air again. Use four of my valuable
quarters to get some air. It must be a tiny leak. Sleep near Basilica
Key West.
Monday Feb 21 730 am mass. The regular priest is here again. He
preaches about our founding fathers & the constitution because it is
presidents day 2022. Glad to hear that kind of homily– the
constitution is not spoken of enough in churches – even though it is
so abundantly Biblically based. Nor do they teach anything about it
in seminary– sadly so. That’s a big deficit. There’s also the dark
black nun here. – She’s an inspiration. Like her.
Now leaving Key
West. Thru Big Coppitt Key 813 am. Several Saddle Bunch Keys.
Sugarloaf Key “The two main attractions in Sugarloaf Key are the
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and the Perky Bat
Tower.” Cudjoe Key 820am. Listening to the Pirate radio 101.7
decent music.
Here’s Summerland Key: known for the Ramrod
Swimming Hole. I see a lot of fishermen and want to say “Be a fisher
of men, not just a fisherman. Be a fisher for Christ! Tell the Good
News!” They will spend hours or an entire day just standing or
sitting next to a fishing pole where in too many cases there’s NO
FISH down below.
If they could only become excited about the
gospel and planting seeds of faith and hope. Onward. Big Pine key.
Song by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats called “Face Down in
the Moment.”
I took a turn off main highway towards the “Blue Hole.” Only one
car there when I arrive. It’s a little fresh water spot in the middle of
Big Pine Key– there’s one observation platform. As I approach a
man excitedly tells me they saw an alligator swim up to the platform
and lay there. Funny. Not long ago I was so excited to see alligators.
Now I’ve gotten a bit accustomed to them.
But it’s still fun to see
them. Sure enough there was a medium-size alligator laying by the
platform. Short way down the road from the Blue Hole is the
Manillo Trail– so I took the short hike 915 am. There was a family
there– they had just arrived in their gigantic motor home. The kids
looked bored. The parents acted protective & defensive as I walked
up, but warmed up when I said hello. Not much to see here.
A sign
said something about the “Key Deer” – I haven’t seen one yet.
There’s lots of NWR around here. But just as I say that back in the
car I see one crossing the road 923 am. It looks like a normal deer
just smaller “They are smaller than any other species of white tailed
deer. The reason they are so small, is because a smaller body is more
tolerant towards salt-water, and easier to survive in a location like
Florida Keys and Big Pine Key.”
Passing by Lord of the Seas
Lutheran church. Found great “secret spot” near end of old bridge
just south of Bahia Honda. It’s not really secret but no signs for it–
people don’t know about it unless they do their research in advance.
It’s called Horseshoe Beach and has excellent snorkeling. I saw lots
of parrotfish, and a blue-striped blank. Also a turkey vulture just
caught a fish and was eating it.
Then I walked the boardwalk
towards the Old Bahia Bridge– the other end of it. Could see the
dilapidated end of it– there’s a gap preventing people from getting
to it. Unfriendlies in the parking lot. There’s certain types of tourists
who come from the northern states who are not very friendly. They
are distrustful of others. They are prideful and arrogant. They
judge others negatively and themselves positively, inflating their
self-worth. Not much fun to be around them.
A dude with North Carolina plates & his gal friend arrive as I am
leaving Horse Shoe around 11am. He has his snorkeling gear plus a
bucket plus one of those ketch all noose poles. Here’s Ohio Key (aka
Sunshine Key) 1108 am, Here’s 7-mile bridge. Locals passing
crazily.
They must get sick & tired of tourists but they better learn
to live with us or leave it. Love it or leave it. You can’t live in the
keys like a local yokel who owns the place like you might find in
some small areas in the middle of nowhere USA where angry men
roar past in their pickup trucks.
Lots of fishermen on the old bridge.
Here’s Pigeon Key– a tiny blip next to the old bridge. You can walk
to it or take a ferry from Marathon Key. I have Crane Hammock
starred on google maps as a place to check out. So I pull in –
thinking it was a public trail area but it’s a private place that
requires $15 admission to walk the trails.
I enter the visitors center
and there’s a tall bald guy behind the admission desk and he just
glares at me. Not very inviting at all. I guess they don’t want my
money. I quickly reversed and left. Strange. These people need to
take vacations of their own every now and then when they get
exhausted of tourists. Goodbye old grouch. Here’s curry hammock
state park at 1225.
I will go here next time. Can’t go to them all.
Here’s grassy key – home of the dolphin research center - which
appears to be kind of like a Marine Land for those old enough to
remember (Palos Verdes CA). There’s also the Keys Cable Park – I
had never heard about this before– but here in Florida in some
parts they use cables (instead of boats) to pull water skiers and
wakeboarders -.
I found a video explaining it at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6K3vLlvjhI. Interesting. “Competitions
began on the cable tows in 1970, but it wasn't until 15 years later in
1985 that it was officially recognized by the water skiing governing
bodies.” I guess it’s not just a Florida thing. Here’s one near
Chicago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31LzYUSj-sQ.
I guess they are more popular in Europe but starting to gain
traction in USA. Now at Long Key 1239. Passing by Lime Tree Bay
Resort. Here’s the Key Tree Cactus Preserve next to the marina
115pm. I take the walk thru– looks brand new– no other cars. It’s so
close to the marina I can see the boats & pelicans on the docks
etc. It’s not even on google maps.
Here’s a link https://islamorada.org/Key-
Tree-Cactus-Preserve. And there’s the Green Turtle Hammock. Beautiful
water. Tea Table Key (aka Terra’s Key) – perfect tropical blue
water. Stopping in at Robbies – so many cars there– had to see what
it was all about. And there’s some free things to do. You can walk
out on the dock and see large tarpon, numerous pelicans, and
manatees very close-up.
And you can feed them (but not the
manatees). There was one manatee as I walked the dock and it stuck
its nose up at me curiously. I got a great picture of its face. Girl next
to me said “She likes you.” I said “Or my phone” and she laughed.
She like my joke. Tons of pelicans getting fed by fishermen cleaning
the fish they just caught.
They periodically threw the scraps towards
the crowd of pelicans “A group of pelicans has many collective nouns,
including a "brief", "pod", "pouch", "scoop", and "squadron" of
pelicans.” Here you see mostly the colorful “brown pelicans” with a
splash of yellow on top of their head and sometimes a red beak. You
can rent boats & kayaks here and take snorkeling excursions as well
among other things. Free parking too.
Now passing by the Florida
Keys history & discovery center. Looks interesting. Remember that
for next time.PrayTheNews: 2 republics of Ukraine have declared independence
from Ukraine & allegiance to Russia. Things are heating up. Will
Russia invade? They have troops around the border. Or is it a
bluff? City of Tavernier. And here’s Harris Park which is free
during the week but $15 on weekends and holidays.
Today is Monday Feb 21 but Presidents Day– barely a holiday – but they are
requiring payment. I will put them on the backburner for another
trip. This will give me more time to enjoy Pennekamp State Park
beach – been here before for snorkeling– this time I explore it even
more–and the first thing I see is a manatee rising up from the grass–
startled me– not scary– just didn’t know what it was for a few
seconds.
It stared at me– not scared of me either. Then he went back
to grazing. They eat tons of sea grass every day like cows on an
underwater pasture. IN fact they are also called “sea cows.” What a
thrill! Nobody else around at the moment. There was a kid a little
ways away & I tried to tell him to come & see but kids these days
are not brave enough without a parent holding their hand. IT’s a
shame. And the parent makes them distrustful of others.
Back in the day a kid would be thrilled to come and see a manatee
underwater. Then I saw a big school of colorful parrotfish. They
absolutely do look like parrots. I went farther underwater than I
went last time– even over to the kayak launch area and along the
mangroves. Also saw a camouflage colored fish– like a submarine–
that was a barracuda. Very cool. Most snorkelers don’t go far
84
enough away from the beach. After a good long snorkel session I
stopped in the visitor center and watched a film about types of fish–
very informative (except for the evolution propaganda that
seemingly all state and national parks try to proselytize upon us –
especially the Grand Canyon). The film is very long– couldn’t watch
the whole thing– getting late in the day. I drove over to the area
called “Far Beach” and tried snorkeling there– but that’s not really
a very good spot.
There’s a boardwalk trail here that is now mostly
closed due to hurricane damage. Onward: leaving Pennekamp I
pass by Dagny Johnson Botanical State Park Hammock– which
appears to be walk-in only. Save that for next time. Also passing by
Crocodile NWR. Don’t see much there just passing by. This is north
Key Largo– and there’s another bridge to exit the Keys– lesser
known or used – maybe because there’s a toll to pay. Nice drive.
By
the way, Rowells Waterfront Park was also closed due to
construction. Has it ever been open? Ocean Reef is a gated area. Got
gas in Homestead for $3.31 83% still not vaxxed in Africa. They’re
too smart. Made it back to central Miami.
Tuesday Feb 22 Donated blood 7am. Here’s Brian Piccolo sports
park– Hollywood FL. #PrayTheMovies: It prompted me to finally
watch the movie “Brian’s Song” – found it free on YouTube. Sad.
Tearjerker for sure. I guess he grew up partly around here. Chapel
Tree Nature Center boardwalk– not much wildlife 10 to 11 am.
Now
a movie review for Tuesday: #PrayTheMovies: I find a regal
theatre– nice reclining chairs. Elderly man working at the door. A
little too nosy. Anyways, the movie is called “Licorice Pizza”- getting
Oscars buzz- came out a while ago– didn’t sound too interesting but
since it’s getting awards talk– decided to see it- the title is based on
the record store around Los Angeles by the same name.
Back when
record albums were still being sold – back in the day when we used
record players with a needle to listen to music. Apparently vinyl is
making a bit of a comeback. So the movie starts at a high school
where they are having student picture day. An older girl assisting
the photographer is talking with a male student. He’s combing his
hair.
Apparently this scene was filmed at Reseda H.S. I taught there
a few times. There’s an explosion in the bathroom. A gag. Where do
you live? Encino? Not telling you creep. She says. He asks her to
meet him at the restaurant called Tail of the Rooster which was a
popular place in Studio City– closed in ‘87. Now somebody is
listening to Dodgers game– they mention Steve Garvey. Photograph
assistant is a main character throughout the film (“Alana”, real
name Alana too), and the young dude too (“Gary Valentine”, real
name Cooper Hoffman).
So they meet later at the restaurant. I’m
listening to Dennis Prager on the radio while watching the movie.
He just said, sarcastically “The left is my source of faith in the
Bible.” So true. The left has become so diabolical. Gary takes a
plane to be on the Jerry Buss show. Sears corduroy suit. Todd
Rundgren new album Gary calls Alana and pretends to be Lance.
Then hangs up. Tank tops from back in the day. I remember those.
And the tube socks. Phone on the wall with a dial. Back when you
actually did “dial” the number.
Gary’s younger brother looks like
Nick Heynen. Lance goes to dinner at Alana’s house– they are
Jewish but Lance says he is an atheist which angers the father. After
dinner she says something about circumcision. Gary starts selling
waterbeds– the new fad – store called “Fat Bernie’s Waterbeds.”
Alana helps him.
#PrayTheNews: Germany suspends pipeline to/from Russia. Back to
the movie. They have one of those big TV’s with fake wood trim as
everybody had back then. Gary gets arrested for murder. Falsely
identified. Quickly released. Not sure why they added that scene to
the movie.
So Bryan Suits took over for Todd Herman at KTTH
Seattle. Was that a hostile takeover or did Todd Herman plan to
resign? Nothing in the news about it. Another character in this film
looks like Nick Timmer back in the day.
More #PrayTheNews: the
Peoples Convoy– truck convey has begun from west coast to Wash
DC. Gary likes another girl. Alana gets jealous. Sean Penn makes an
appearance in the move. Here’s one of those old cigarette machines.
Bongino says “take your money out of Canadian banks before they
freeze it.”
Bongino “Canada voted to make Trudeau a dictator. Sean
Penn plays Jack Holder a movie director based on the real life
William Holden. Nixon on TV. “Waterbeds are made of vinyl which
comes from oil dipshit” Alana says to Gary. IT’s the oil crisis– long
lines at gas stations. I barely remember this back in 1973 when I was
about 6 years old.
SO Sean Penn and another character film a scene
on a nearby golf course with Penn jumping over a bonfire on a
motorcycle. Kind of dumb. Although Penn does a good acting job I
despise him because of his far left politics. Here’s Bradley Cooper–
he does a good job too playing John Peters hairdresser to the
stars. “My girlfriend is Barbara Streisand” he keeps repeating.
He’s mean to Gary so after installing the waterbed they leave the
water running to flood his house. And later Gary smashes John
Peters car.
Now their truck runs out of gas– epic scene with Alana
driving coasting backwards down one of the hills of Hollywood. Now
Gary opens a pinball arcade– as pinball had been banned in CA
since 1939 because it had been deemed a “gambling device. “ In
1974 the Supreme Court ruled it was actually a “Game of chance”
not a gambling device so it became legal in CA. There’s an odd
character in the movie –wearing a #12 shirt.
Who is he supposed to
be? Couldn’t be Charles Manson– that was 1969. This is 1974. Pray
away the crappy 1970’s. Thank God they’re over. Now hiking Long
Key Natural Area - - fairly nice - across from Flamingo Gardens
where I will go in a few days from now.. Has a pond. Turtles. Used
to be an amusement park here called Pioneer City. Some big green
lizards here. Not busy. City of Davie. Lots of cats at La Quinta Inn
as I drive up. Some lady feeding them.
From there I went to the
local public library which has a big “I LOVE YOU” in front of it.
Wednesday Feb 23 2022 St. Bonaventure church 8am, plus rosary.
Like this church but masks still required. Good grief. Still in
Broward County. Now I arrive at Flamingo Gardens at 9 am pay
the $20 entrance fee. Nice place. Lots of birds – some being
rehabbed from injury.
Also a bear here. And a tram/trolley tour–
they use their own cars to pull the trolley. And a little wildlife show
which includes a small alligator that lost its lower jaw– so its tongue
is sticking out– they have to hand feed it every day. Also a barn owl
and a possum. Here’s a starfruit tree. On the trolley a loud goose
scared a child who ran away from it. Funny. Here’s a cacao tree.
Lots of peacocks here, even one albino peacock (all white). 1 gigantic
alligator.
Also a Florida panther. Almost a perfect day– until I left –
strange lady as I exit the parking lot. Now at Tree Top park 344 pm-
big place- including a pond – didn’t see alligators but lots of green
iguanas– some fairly big– one went into the water as I approached
and seemed to walk on water for a few feet– then started swimming.
Apparently they are an “invasive species” that are not wanted in
some places because they “tunnel” and reproduce so rapidly.
#PrayTheNews: re Ukraine Russia– continues to remain volatile.
Now at a new library – still Broward County– did dictation
composition for 2 hours.
Finished black book #1.
Thursday Feb 24 blood donation 8am near Palm Springs FL –
they’re a little disorganized here. Afterwards Walmart potato salad,
lettuce, etc. Now leaving Miami. I-75 north City of Indian Trace
1106am, taking loop past Sawgrass Recreation Park- they have
airboat rides here. Trying to avoid toll– takes big detour. But scenic.
IT goes past a canal for a long ways but strangely, almost no wildlife
at all. Here’s Harold Campbell public use area– not much to see
here either. No birds, no gators. Not much of anything. Although I
must amidst FL has done a good job of making water treatment
areas very natural.
#PrayTheNews: Russia invades Ukraine. It’s
official now. Prayers4. America the Band has a lot of good oldies.
They still play live at various places. Highway 27 to Okeechobee
Park also a canal without wildlife. Smell of smoke. Near Lake
Okeechobee (not to be confused with Lake Okoboji which is in Iowa.
We used to go there with the Aldingers).
City of South Bay 1209.
Herbert Hoover Dike. Hendry County 113 pm. Now south on county
road 835? 121pm. Looks like plains of Africa minus the wildlife.
Biden press conference re Ukraine 143 pm– meaningless. Biden has
sold us out. He’s worse than worthless. City of South Bay 1209.
There’s a song on the radio that catches my attention called “Ride
on Time” by the Black Box “Gotta get up, gotta get up, gotta get up)
Woh-oh .” very passionate. “Black Box is an Italian house music
group popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The group is a trio
made up of club DJ Daniele Davoli, classically trained clarinet teacher
Valerio Semplici, and keyboardist and electronic musician Mirko
Limoni.”
Josie Billie Highway? Sam Jones trail. Big Cypress Seminole
Reservation. 2pm. Nice Seminole museum here, Ah-Tah-Tiki
Museum. Wow. Now on Snake Road at 220pm, and then back on
Alligator Alley still the Big Cypress Preserve Recreation Area –
gigantic parking & boat ramp.
Many waterways around here but
not like south everglades where you see alligators alongside the road
but suddenly along I-75 I see about 20 vultures and they are pecking
away at a dead alligator. Also did a bit of Ochopee Trail – there’s a
rest area on both sides of I=75 where you can get on the trail thru a
gate - you wouldn’t know it’s there unless you did your research in
advance. They don’t advertise it.
I did a bit of it going south but
wasn’t prepared to go very far. Maybe will sometime in the future
now that I know where to park. New pop song: “I think about you in
the middle of June” song called “Heat Waves “by Glass Animals.
“Glass Animals are a British indie rock band formed in Oxford in
2010.” Now hiking panther trail.
Not much wildlife. One guy going
the other way said he “just saw a bear” – but I think he was pulling
my leg– thinking he would scare me. Not so easily impressed or
scared - not by bears around here anyways. I didn’t hear a single
thing for the next 10 minutes telling me there was no wildlife going
thru the bushes. Great drive up the road north from Panther Trail
(highway 29?).
That’s where you want to hike – classic swamp
canal on right side of road. Sleep in Naples.
Friday Feb 25 Two ospreys on top of light posts as I drive to St.
John Church for 8 am mass. After mass now passing Vanderbilt
Beach going north. Paused at Little Hickory Island Beach Park and
cast my line a few times.
Noticed fishermen and kayakers. Lots of
mangroves here. Onward north I noticed Lovers Key State Park
and cars turning in– decided to check it out– long line just to get in.
Pretty nice place– popular obviously. There’s a tram to the beach. I
walk to the southern end and try snorkeling– not expecting too
much- but the water is clear.
There’s a sandbar nearby so shallow
can’t snorkel over it. Lots of shells on beach and more in the water–
so I pick up a few. Some nice ones. Back on the tram a lady knew
the names of the shells. Wow. Then I took the 2.5 mile Black Island
Loop Trail and saw a huge yellow & black snake– looked it up later
– may have been a rat snake. Not venomous. After hike rested and
prayed. Also did some parking lot evangelism.
Then I took the Eagle
Loop Trail. This time I saw 2 dolphins in the river– a gal in a blue
sundress on an SUP also saw them and was fairly close to them.
After the hike I took the beach back to the tram- long walk– I
probably walked about 10 miles today. Beach almost empty now-
but there was a wedding about to start– good place for a wedding.
Took tram back to car and left.
Traffic jam going north of course.
Turned off where a sign said “Mound House” – historic Native-
American location– now a museum but closed. Still could walk
around the area. Rather than fight traffic going north I went back
south a few miles.
Saturday Feb 26 8am St. Leo church Bonita Springs – huge building
with Mother Mary in the middle of a pond. Now north again City of
Estero 913 am. Sign for Koreshan State Park. Maybe next time. Got
gas for $3.29 at marathon $60 total. 945 am. Highway 41 is like a
long 28th street ( anything highly commercial I compare to 28th
street from where I grew up in Grand Rapids– a long stretch of
commercial businesses from Grandville to Ada, more or less).
Tamiami road. Also near here is the historic Edison & Ford Winter
Estate – now a museum of sorts. City of Fort Myers. Here’s Edison
Mall. Florida Southwestern State College is here as well.
Here’s Winkler Ave. Here’s Charlotte Correctional facility 1038
am. Here’s the Caloosahatchee River.
Looking for the Charlotte
Harbor Preserve State Park– not what I expected– small parking
area– took Datsun Trail for 2 miles. Nothing special. Did see a
raccoon at the top of a palm tree. Went up north a few miles and
found the better area known as CHEC (Charlotte Harbor
Environmental Center) - better trails and a pond - an alligator
swimming slowly, also a large alligator snapping turtle- next to some
smaller turtles and some fish that seemed to be trying to breath air –
they were just floating on the top with their mouths sticking out of
the water.
What was that all about? I google it later: it could be a
sign of low oxygen in the water. Or there are a few species that
actually breathe air from the surface.
City of Punta Gorda 146pm, Peace River. Port Charlotte seems to
last forever. Sarasota County 232 pm. The Venice Rookery
(Audubon society). City of Nokomis 3pm, Pocono Trail Preserve.
Oscar Scherer State Park.
Now at the Red Bug Slough– as I stepped
out of my car to take a quick hike I noticed a guy standing & staring
at me. I nodded as if to say hello & acknowledge him– trying to be
cordial – and then I started walking. About 5 minutes down the trail
I noticed he was behind me. And there was another couple walking
nearby as well.
I stopped and commented to the couple about a
unique tree and turned around and walked back towards the
trailhead for 100 feet or so. The strange guy turned around too. I
turned back forward and increased my pace. Not sure where he
went after that but I also commented to the couple about it. I
increased my pace and made it back to my car– not having enjoyed
my hike too much.
Glad to get out of there. Looked up Catholic
Church for evening mass and found St. Martha church at 4pm. As I
parked I noticed a fellow sleeping in the parking lot – on the asphalt.
What do you do? Nothing. Just make sure he’s not dead or injured
and then move on. If he had woken up I would have given him a
“cup of water.”
Apalachicola River, Washington County 930, OTR:
re Island of Only W. S: Sign for Falling Waters State Park.
Choctawatchee River. Holmes County 931, Sign for Ponce de Leon
Springs State Park – pictures look nice. Walton County. Blackwater
River 1052. DJ doesn’t have an authentic identity – he’s cut & paste
pieces on to himself thru some sort of perverted manipulation of
people around him.
Every time I think about it I feel sick. Okaloosa
County 1040 am. WAAZ radio 104.7 is a nice station (Destin
Walton) Santa Rosa County 1107 (or 10:07 now? did the time
change?) City of Milton 10:15 am, Blue Angel Rest Area 10:30. Did
some spring cleaning in the car. Pensacola 11 am , Escambia
County.
EnduringWord.Com Prayer-Vis: the parking lot sleeper at
St. Martha in Sarasota. “The church is strong in Ukraine” says
somebody on the radio.Entering Alabama 1119am, it starts raining. Made it to Mobile AL
for the Joe Cain Mardi Gras procession. I’m just learning about the
traditions of this area re Mardi Gras– it’s almost bigger than
Christmas around here– actually it is– at least in terms of number of
parades and events.
I originally thought it was only in New Orleans,
but it’s also in Mobile–, and they have an event at Fort Morgan in
Gulf Shores, and a few other communities. But of course the biggest
is New Orleans. And I originally thought it was one big parade but
it’s a month of parades– and in some cases one big parade follows
another big parade.
It’s like having a double Rose Parade. IT’s
really incredible (as I will find out when I get to New Orleans in a
few days. I’m writing in retrospect in some instances here). So here
in Mobile it’s kind of unpredictable when they will roll thru. There’s
a general start time but where I was I couldn’t predict when they’d
get to our spot on the street.
But they finally did. And they throw
beads and candy from the floats. But I was underwhelmed by it.
Lots of police here. The strange thing was they had a 3-hour gap of
time between the 2 parades so people just sit around doing nothing
but sitting maybe eating or drinking & partying a little bit.
I don’t
really “party” anymore– and don’t excessively indulge on food
etc. It’s too much “down time” between parades. I just took a nap
in my car and made some progress on maps evangelism etc. Finally
the 2nd parade came around and I saw a bit of it but was glad to be
on my way to New Orleans– the Big Easy! Found a hotel for the
night in Theodore AL.
Monday Feb 28 discovered that Pilot Truck
gas stations have free air that anybody can use. Good to know and
remember. Got gas for $3.29 – total $65 for 19.6 gallons. The
problem with Mardi gras is too many locals don’t really know or are
there for the true meaning of it. Radio: somebody talking about the
Christian symbols in the Washington MOnument including a Bible
in the cornerstone.
And the Liberty Bell was named such because of
a Bible verse about liberty. I think this is Wall Builders radio
program- I went to one of their conferences in Washington DC
many years ago. Dave Barton does a good job integrating
Christianity and our Founding Fathers and “Original Intent” and
the constitution etc. – ie the Christian foundation of our nation. It
wasn’t accidental.
Now entering Mississippi 713 am. At rest area
breakfast of frosted shredded wheat combined with raisin bran.
Added oil 741 am. Escatawpa River. Good radio station 89.1 fm
Pascagoula (“Christian American Family), “Project Dynamo” is
helping Americans in Ukraine. See https://www.projectdynamo.org/.
I see gas for $3.15. Here’s the Tchoutacabouffa River – wow that’s a
mouthful. 812, On the radio: guitar legend Doyle Dykes. Biloxi
River 815 am.
There’s a William Carey University near here in
Hattiesburg – I remember a William Carey missionary college in
Pasadena as well– not sure what happened to that – I remember
hearing they were selling the property– not sure if it ever happened.
Maybe they’re still there. Here’s a prison– every time I drive by a
prison I try to do some video evangelism and post it on YouTube
and/or google maps. I’ve noticed a few of them have gone relatively
“viral” – maybe they are reaching the prisoners. Hope so.
Here’s the
Wolf River 826am, Hancock County 834. Somebody on the radio
said we are now at Defcon 2 Level. This turns out to be not true, or
not confirmable. As best as I can tell even though Russia is invading
Ukraine we remain at Defcon 4. “During the Cuban Missile Crisis on
October 16–28, 1962, the U.S. Armed Forces (with the exception of
United States Army Europe (USAREUR)) were ordered to DEFCON
3. “ but this article says otherwise
“However, the United States’
response to move the DEFCON (defence condition) level to 2 should
immediately guide leaders, especially here in New Zealand to
understand the broader implications.” and this: “DEFCON MOVED
TO LEVEL 2: October 22nd, 1962 at the height of the Cuban Missile
Crisis and on January 15th, 1991 when the start of operations began
for the Gulf War”
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2202/S00232/the-move-to-defcon-2-and-implications-for-
new-zealand.htm And there’s this: “SUCH SITES ARE UNOFFICIAL
SOURCES AND DOES NOT ACTUALLY REFLECT THE ACTUAL
DEFCON STATE, AS SUCH INFORMATION REMAINS
CLASSIFIED “ https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-defcon-system-and-which-levels-us-
forces-have-been-in-the-past/. So it may be just people speculating what level
we are at.
Sign about “Little River Band” and “3 Dog Night” coming to this
area in concert. Harrison County 808 am. Sign for Buccaneer State
Park. Looks like a waterpark with waterslides and stuff– operated
by the state of Mississippi? Stennis Space Center buffer zone 841
am. There’s a NASA test launch site here. I looked at reviews and it
seemed to suggest it was open to visitors but at the visitor center
they said you have to be an employee to enter. I drove around the
area– Napoleon Scenic Byway.
I saw a beaver happily swimming in
the little pond by the Pearl River. They moved the historic town of
Napoleon out of here to make way for the “buffer zone” for NASA.
Entering Louisiana 938am Highway 11 bridge is closed. Truck with
pieces of wood in the back– plywood parts flying out– dangerous– I
quickly passed and honked trying to let him know.
Bayou Savage
after bridge. - I was going to take the scenic route to the “Mardi
Gras World” – which is like a museum– but a Train is stuck on
track so I rerouted. Made it to New Orleans– stopped at Mardi Gras
World– but they require proof of vaccination for entry– nonetheless
I was able to see a lot of the floats inside and outside without going
into the official area. From there I went to the “uptown area” -
found parking 1pm. Took a nap- exhausted.
At 515 pm the Orpheus
Parade began– and I walked around – big floats– tons of bead
necklaces being thrown– probably literally tons when you add them
all up from all the parades. Seems harmless enough and people love
it. After the Orpheus Parade came the Proteus Parade– each parade
has a different “theme” or different “people groups.”
The Proteus
Parade is big too– with some floats like train cars – connected – this
one’s a pirate theme, and there’s a dragon theme. People are
drinking alcohol but it seems under control– nobody getting crazy.
Found a spot for the night.
Tuesday March 1 Now it is officially Mardi Gras day (ie Fat
Tuesday) -- the day before Ash Wednesday – now I’m ready at 8am
for the 2 big parades known as Zulu and Rex. Zulu parade is mostly
African-Americans on the floats and harkens back to their African
roots. While the Rex parade is mostly if not all white males. The
Zulu parade is supposed to hand out coconuts but I only saw one
being handed out.
The Zulu parade has some good floats but it was
haphazard at first in getting going down the road. It’s all good fun
though. People have their barbeque grills and even more
sophisticated almost like outdoor kitchens along the parade route–
with tents covering their “territory” etc. In some places it’s hard to
find a place to stand and watch. Lots of beads, footballs, frisbees,
and a few other knick-knacks are thrown to the spectators.
By the
end of it all I had about ten bead necklaces around my neck. Very
colorful. Meanwhile I am praying for Ukraine and also praying for
people and people groups here at Mardi Gras. Very tiring after all is
said and done because I was on my feet the whole time – walking
around– taking pictures– finding new spots to watch etc. Just taking
it all in – getting an idea what it’s all about for the 1st time. Next
time I will try to come back for the whole Mardi Gras month of
festivities.
From there I went and donated blood. Not too busy. Then
to the Walmart I bought lima beans, granola, chicken, potato soup,
green juice. Grapefruit juice, bananas & broccoli etc. pretty healthy.
ASH WEDNESDAY 3/21/22 went to St. Joseph church in Gretna
(across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, or NOLA for short)
and got an ash cross on my forehead. Also submitted my SAR for
DPSS including blood payment & FCU screenshot)
Noticed Pelicans
are playing the Sac Kings tonight– and tickets are as low as $6
dollars. Keep that in mind. I found another church for a 2nd Ash
Wednesday service– St. Mary Assumption– a stunningly beautiful
church– wow. Got another ash cross on my forehead. 3pm. Message
from sister re mom having eye surgery or something– not many
details.
Found a place to park near the Smoothie Center which is
where the Pelicans play right next to the Superdome. A bit of a walk
but not too bad. Did notice several rats scurrying around. Seems to
be a problem here. Inside the smoothie center– watching the game –
kind of fun. Speed painter at halftime. Left as 4th period was
starting.'
Thursday 3/3/22 donated blood again. 8am. Then I got my tire
plugged by the blood donation center for $7 plus $3 tip– talkative
Vietnam fellows – don’t see many Asians around here. Then I went
to a nearby NOLA library– the Algiers library– they still require
masks here. And then across town to the Smith Library on Canal
Street near St. Dominics church– did composition at both libraries.
530 pm mass.
Friday 3/4/22 830 am mass at St. Dominics. Then I
went to the Longue Vue garden/estate – almost paid for the house
tour but they required masks and I didn’t want to mask up – so I
just paid for the outdoor garden– self -guided. Nice enough. Next to
a golf course. Then back to Smith Library. OTR: “Future Tense
with folded hands.” Exercise. Friday night Stations of the Cross at
St. Dominics– a lent tradition.
Saturday 3/5/22 830 am mass at St.
Dominics. 9am leaving NOLA, 1030 thru Baton Rouge. “Tainted
Love” by Soft Cell– an oldie “Sorry but I don’t pray that way”==
what’s the meaning of this song? Grosse Tete. Bayou des Glaises
1112 am Atchafalaya Swamp. 2 guys flags over. Here’s the Knock
Knock Children’s Museum. Atchafalaya Basin. Tons of billboards
for lawyer Morris Bart around here.
Also lawyer Gordon
McKernan. Signs for cracklins and boudin – some kind of local food
Henderson Swamp I-10 gas classic swamp. Blue Bayou Amusement
Park looks pretty fun. Now at Walmart– they don’t have water
refill– so I have to buy dollar gallons of water for $1 each. Jimmy
Swaggart on the radio 91.9fm. Now rain, it stops, clouds, sun, more
rain, repeat. I see an RV that says Nomads Mission volunteers on it
https://www.umvim.org/nomads.
On the radio Alabama defeats LSU in
basketball 80- 77 in overtime. Also “Diary of Jane” by Breaking
Benjamin– sounds like Skillet. City of Lake Charles 2pm. City of
Vinton 225. They add “eaux” to the ending of various words– to
rhyme with long “o” – the French way. Sign for Delta Downs race
track. Sabine River– Entering Texas 234pm City of Pinehurst 239,
Babe Zaharias Museum, Beaumont has a state fair but it’s not the
big one which is in Dallas.
Here’s the Trinity River 352. “Old and
Lost Rivers” – what’s that all about? “Why is it called Lost and Old
River?These bayous were left behind by the great wanderings, over
time, of the Trinity River across the land. When it rains, the bayous fill
with water and begin to flow.
At other times — when it is dry — they
evaporate and turn green in the sun. The two main bayous are called
'Old River' and 'Lost River'.” Kandy Kaye Horn for Texas
governor– billboards. Arrival downtown Houston 430pm. Here’s
Minute Maid Park– home of the Astros, or TrashTros as I call
them– they won with the help of banging trash cans– and got barely
no repercussions– they should at least have an asterisk next to their
name for the rest of history.
Annunciation church is right across
from the stadium– there’s a college baseball event here tonight–
people arriving. I managed to find an empty parking space next to a
parking meter– after 6pm - no payment required. Went to evening
mass at annunciation. Slept in Houston. Warm night. Only low of 72
degrees.
Sunday March 6 2022 7am mass at St. Michael Archangel church –
left early and as I stood to leave a black cop approached me
abruptly– then he stopped and turned around– that was strange–
and alarming– didn’t like it at all. As I am about to discover all the
Houston churches have cops – or at least all the catholic churches –
usually I don’t return to churches that have cops – it ruins the spirit
-even if they are nice cops.
Church is about the Spirit- not law. After
Michael Archangel I go to the famous Lakewood Church – led by
Joel Osteen and his wife. It’s inside the old Houston Rockets
basketball arena– lots of seats– big stage- big screens etc. Not a
mega church but a mega mega church. Heard some good music.
Good sermon.
Osteen has a good sense of humor. One negative was
when two Latino workers stopped in front of me and had a
conversation– blocking my view- as if I didn’t exist. Was that an
intentional diss or just total lack of self-awareness? That’s always a
problem at big successful churches– you get minorities who come in
and get a “job” there and make it theirs. They hi-jack the church in
some ways.
I’ve seen it happen at more than one mega church. After
Lakewood I go to St. Anne church for 11 am service– some strange
things here as well. And another black cop. Houston people are
different. Onward I stop at a museum area including the “Menil
Collection” – and nearby Center for Photography. Incredible tree
here.
Black girls posing for pictures in the tree. The Menil collection
is a hodgepodge of art– with 3 or more buildings– each one with a
different theme of sorts– only one has some real serious art–
including a few Picassos. The others are so-called “modern art.” All
require masks– so much for Texas being liberated. At least not in
the progressive liberal areas– they love mask.
Freakin weirdos.
Then at the Center for Photography the gal at the door says she is
certain masks work because she hasn’t gotten covid for 2 years. I
could say the same about not wearing masks- because I have not
worn a mask as much as possible. Found a gas station for $3.45 17.4
gallons $60 total. 253 pm. Leaving Houston - too hot here.
City of
Katy 305 pm. amazing and annoying synchronicity at rest area exit.
Unbelievable. Had lunch of white albacore tuna, olives, pickles, and
Dave’s bread. Colorado River 425. City of Wiemar 434. City of
Flatonia. Sign for Natural Bridge Caverns. Will be in San Antonio
for final day of Alamo anniversary. Sign for Wonder World Cave.
City of Luling 523. City of Seguin 639 Slept here, nice hotel.
Monday March 7 City of Cibolo 8am, around 3am it became gusty
and cold– it went from summer to winter weather overnight-. Santa
Clara creek. Very clear visions overnight re MijNil agenda to
delegitimize me. Also re the danger of deirram selpuoc ... beware.
#PrayTheNews: Russia breaches cease fire agreement. 830 am St.
Joan of Arc church outside San Antonio. 12 noon
Little Flower
Basilica 120 pm The Alamo is pretty cool to see– very historical–
surprised so many people there. And downtown San Antonio- nice
river walk– that’s one of their main attractions. St. Joseph German
church is nice too. San Antonio old mission is a national park– or
operated by the national park. Went to Walmart– cottage cheese,
almond milk, braunschwegger, pistachios, new window screens.
USA bans Russian oil imports.
Tuesday March 8 #PrayTheMovies: Now watching “The Batman”
movie” 1st riddle: What does a liar do when he’s dead: He Lies still.
“They think I’m hiding in the shadows but I am the shadow” gang
of punks in the subway attack Asian man. Batman arrives. Kids
jeer. “I’m vengeance” grizzly murder scene. “No more lies” the
commissioner hates batman. The kid finds the body. “Thanks
sweetie” I said to the ticket lady. I wish she had stayed in college –
and found her true potential.
The mayor murder is unsolved.
Gotham city. Bruce Wayne is a sketchy character in this film. Tire
punctured. Epic battle at night club to get the penguin. Annika
Kosolova. The Riddler claims responsibility. Here’s the cat woman.
The commissioner gets killed with some sort of rat trap machine.
Crooked cops.
Why bring babies to this movie– baby crying behind
me? Colson the D.A. Batman equips Cat woman with a camera on
her eyeballs– like contact lenses that can transmit what she’s seeing
in real time. Batman watches on a monitor. The Riddler kills the
D.A. Bruce Wayne looks like Scott Baio or Kelly Slater. “A rat with
wings is a stool pigeon.” Funeral for mayor. Bruce Wayne appears–
disturbance at funeral– car smashes in– boom explosion. It’s colson.
Batman not good at flying. A “penguin has wings too.” Here’s the
bat mobile– a new age version. Davis4Dallas.com on the radio-
republican or conservative for judge? I listen to the radio while I am
at the movies. My epiphany is that Korhorn copped a fake work
ethic which actually was demeaning towards others - it was self-
serving.
Epic chase in the movie. Was Bruce Wayne’s father
corrupt? “Sins of the fathers” it’s complicated. The druggies are
called “dropheads” like “meth heads?” They try to kill Bruce
Wayne’s guardian. He survives. It was mean to kill Batman
actually. “Falcon is my father” says cat woman. A Rat with wings –
sounds like a bat.
There’s also something about el rata vs la rata –
feminine vs masculine article in Spanish– I found this:
“When they confront The Penguin, they realize he is not the one they
are looking for – although he gives them the crucial clue. When they
say the phrase “el rata alada” to him, he points out what is wrong.
Because rat is a female name in Spanish, it should be “la rata.”
So
why did The Riddler use the wrong definite article to refer to the rat?
Because it’s part of an auditory word game, the kind that probably
caused the on-screen crossword solver to shout frequently. After, the
complete index is “you are el rata alada.” Say it out loud: URL rata
alada.” Not only is the riddle a clue to who they’re looking for, but it’s
also a website, https://www.rataalada.com/.
The Batman, the website is a
place where they can communicate with The Riddler and figure out
who his new target is. In real life, this is a website created by Warner
Bros. where fans can try to solve The Riddler’s puzzles on their own
(as revealed in the brief post-credit sequence at the end of the film.)”
https://goodwordnews.com/the-el-rata-alada-riddle-from-the-batman-explained
#PrayTheMovies: pray for justice and righteousness. Don’t throw
your life away.
Mansion slum. Orphanage Gotham. Pray for
orphans. Cat & Bat romance. Cat woman says “Don’t worry I have
9 lives.” We work for Falcon or Falcone. Carmine Falcone is the cat
woman’s dad. Who shot Falcone? Who did they arrest at the diner?
An accountant. He’s the Riddler? Another riddle: What is black
and blue and dead all over? Another epiphany during the movie–
the modern day church has become too much of a “machine” –
about salaries and careers and pensions etc.
Who are you? I’m
vengeance. Our scars can destroy us our transform us– give us
strength to fight & endure. Another Riddle: The less I have, the more
they are worth. Answer: Friends. That’s a good one. Gotham is like
DC or Chicago– corrupt as hell. Not Washington post but
Washington Ghost.
Now at San Antonio Central Library. Coughing man. No timing at
traffic lights here. River Walk near the grotto– that’s kind of n eat.
Here’s the Witte Museum– free on Tuesday– very busy– lots of
Latino families. #PrayTheMovies: Now at Dog Movie ( literally just
called “Dog”) - the main character is working at a Subway
Sandwich shop – cold weather splitting wood sleeping in truck.
Staff
Sgt Briggs. Fort Lewis. Ranger Battalion. Drunk officer. “Keep
Oregon Weird” gun range. Takes muzzle off dog. PTSD. Dog breaks
kennel. Chews up seat. Gives dog sleeping pills. Meets swingers. Dog
goes crazy. Man throws rock threw his window. Pain kills. Dog
escapes. He faints. Wakes up tied to chair. On a marijuana farm. He
makes friends with the farmer and wife.
Makes it to San Francisco
where he plays blind to get a free room. Dog attacks Muslim doctor-
his blind act is exposed. He gets arrested. Then thru Big Sur. A bit
boring now. One of the characters looks like Patty Dejong.
#PrayTheMovies: re human bond with animals and Christian
dominion and stewardship. The dog’s name is Lulu. His car gets
robbed by a homeless man. They track him down and get their stuff
back. Car breaks down.
Thunderstorm. Hitch hikes. Walks. Finds
shelter in a barn. Makes it to the military funeral on time– outdoors
in the desert. Panic attack. He’s ok. AMC Alamo- validated
parking– nice. Works well. Another night in San Antonio.
Now Wednesday March 9 2022 Go to Walmart, stock up on
groceries. Then over to the Espada Aqueduct – built in 1740 and
still functional, Espada Mission 1731 or 1737. Turtles, osprey.
Aqueduct –pretty incredible. #PrayTheNews: Russel Wilson gets
traded to the Broncos. Carver Library 3pm exercise area. Pickup
dude ITF (in the flesh). Here’s the San Juan Capistrano mission of
San Antonio– also very historical-.
So many historical missions
around San Antonio. Spurs vs Raptors tonight– I got a ticket– Spurs
coach Popovich could become the solo all-time winningest coach
tonight– currently he’s tied at the top. Good game but Raptors win–
so I don’t get to see the historical moment. He will get it next game.
Congrats. That’s my 3rd NBA game this trip.
Thursday March 10
7am blood donation terminated– too busy. Found another location–
better $80. 9am hike #1 at Voelcker Homestead Trail– then over to
the Walmart for water etc. new shoes for $30. 12 noon mass ok at
the nearby Holy Spirit church. 1pm hike #2 to 3pm at Tobin Park-
red cardinals, numerous deer. Strange guy walking down the street
carrying a big screen TV. Cop pulled about and I pointed it out.
4pm Lady Bird Park - maps evangelism etc.
Friday March 11 2022 9 am St. Anthony Padua church, FCU $250
cash for gas in case of cash discount. McNay Art Museum – looks
nice– maybe next time. Leaving San Antonio. 13.5 gallons $50 3.69
at Coyote Gas. Here’s Lackland AFB. Hondo Creek – not much
water in it. Here’s Our Lady of the Lake University–nice church
architecture. Nelson Wolf Stadium – home of the San Antonio
Missions minor league team.
City of Castroville 1122 am. Managed
to finally pay Sunpass toll bill for the bridge out of north Key Largo.
City of Sabinal. City of Knippa 2pm. City of Brackettville. So many
cops along highway 90 –. Lots of signs for creeks as we go over
them– but none of them have water. When is a creek no longer a
creek? Gusty winds. Something about Buffalo Springfield and
Calvary Chapel– what’s that all about? I went to Calvary Chapel
for a while as I was exploring churches. I was there for a while
before Chuck Smith died.
I remember hearing him preach several
times. Then his son-in-law took his place, and controversy ensued.
Then it was suddenly quiet. Not sure what happened. Maybe
somebody paid somebody off. City of Del Rio 346pm. It’s only 49
degrees mid-day here. Cold. Sign for Amistad National Recreation
Area. Is there a drought here too? Or is that the normal water level.
Seems low. A-hole truck driver LP4TV131 Sunview Logistics
(Stockton company) ph# 925-230-0999. Made review complaint and
blog complaint. Their Stockton maps site(s) does NOT have a
website. Here’s my complaint:
REPORTING BAD TRUCKER
from SunView Logistics
(license plate # was 4TV131)
Around 5pm on March 11 2022 I was going west on highway 90
approaching Langry TX using cruise control to maintain a steady
speed of 60mph. Lots of drivers want to go faster and so, whenever
there's a "pull off" for slower traffic, I use it and allow others to
pass. However, it is NOT my obligation to put on my brakes and
stop or even slow down to allow them to pass.
It is THEIR obligation
to be going faster or speed up in order to successfully pass before the
pull off merges back to one lane. A trucker from Sunview Logistics was NOT going fast enough to
successfully pass. I waited as long as I could to the last moment and
he was NOT increasing in speed as we approached the return to one
lane. I was STILL in front of him so I merged back in and he
continued to try to pass even with oncoming traffic.
I had to
FLOOR my gas pedal to avoid a dangerous situation. He was 100%
wrong and I think was having one of those "Hollywood moments"
in his head (ie "a legend in his own mind"). I think his license plate
# was 4TV131. I drive 1000's of miles regularly and have a perfect
driving record without conflict with others. Please REPRIMAND
your driver. Very rash and dangerous of him.
END COMPLAINT
103
City of Langry & Judge Bean museum (closed). Song on radio:
“Jesus is the Jubilee.” Long stretch of no internet access. Listening
to patriot music cd. Slept in Fort Stockton. Saturday March 12 2022
The stretch from San Antonio (or Dallas/Fort Worth, or Austin) to
Phoenix area is kind of like the long stretch from Salt Lake City to
Reno. Very long.
Not much to see or do along the way. Got gas for
$4.09 total $73, 18 gallons. Big fat obese Latina clerk was too lazy to
put paper in the gas pump so I had to walk inside and she didn’t
say hello or thanks or anything to make both of our days a little
better. She stared at me without a word as if she could care less
whether I was alive or dead. I will try to pray for her nonetheless. 31
degrees when I woke this morning– frost on the windshield.
Exit 159
I stopped at one of the roadside “highway markers” – something
about the “Feely Cemetery” –pioneers bodies buried here in
unmarked graves. 1054am. Rest Area 930– added a quart of oil. Kid
on scooter. Got free Air at the Flying J Truck stop. Now near
Balmorea State Park- looked it up– will try to go here sometime–
they have a natural spring pool with clear water and fish in it– you
can swim and snorkel in it.
Also near Fort Davis State Park.
Now passing thru City of Van Horn TX (purposeful exiting– I don’t
always have a practical reason to turn off the interstate to pass thru
a city such as to get gas or food– but I will often do so anyways to do
video evangelism and get a feel for the city).
#PrayTheNews: 80
persons executed by Saudi Arabia. El Paso – gas is $4.16 at best– I
got 9 gallons for $36.57 – best I can figure is it is costing me about 16
cents per mile – at least from Fort Stockton to El Paso. Pull in at
Walmart and buy some ice cream, pickles, peas, chips, cashews.
Sierra Blanca 1209 a ramshackle town.
ENTER NEW MEXICO
249pm- something on talk radio about UnAmericanExpress.com –
American express is using race-based policies to cause divisiveness.
Also ColorUsUnited.org - looks similar to UnAmericanExpress.
104
Entering Arizona 449pm sleep in Willcox. Sunday March 13
Tucson: 730 Santa Cruz church– lots of cats in the courtyard. 8am
St. Augustine Cathedral, back on I-10 – here’s Picacho Peak– looks
like a fun hike to do sometime. 853 am. Sign for Casa Grande Ruins.
Paul McCartney on radio “With a Little Luck” - back when he was
with The Wings (1978).
Made it to Tempe- almost went to
Resurrection Church where I remember going the very 1st time I
was in the Phoenix area– funny how the “first time” is always so
etched in one’s mind. I remember this church in particular because
they have saguaro cactus in the parking lot. It’s kind of a small
congregation so I decided to go on to Holy Spirit church instead- not
far away. I want to be unnoticed if possible.
1230 – make it to
Aquinas Church in the Litchfield area of west Phoenix. Always try
to go here when I am in Phoenix or passing thru. Gas $4.32 at
Tonopah AZ $60 13.8 gallons. 30 cents less than most other stations.
City of Quartzsite 348pm. Prayers for the Colorado River Indians.
Top off gas for last chance before entering CA in Ehrenberg AZ
$4.59, 6 gallons, $30. From here on it will be at least a dollar more
everywhere.
Entering CA 415pm border patrol not even stopping people like
they used to do– they’re just waving everybody thru. I see a huge
sandstorm in the distance– not on the highway– looks like it is
passing over Lake Tamarisk (so-called Lake. Is there actually water
there? ).
I periodically monitor Alex Jones – to see what he is
spouting off about- sometimes he has knowledgeable guests and does
a decent interview of them; other times he just rants and raves and
gets too vulgar and I switch him off. He often talks about the
“globalists” – and it took me a while to catch on to what he is talking
about– but I am finally beginning to “get it”--
it’s those who don’t
recognize any national boundaries or patriotism– but want us all to
be sort of “world citizens” with themselves–the wealthy elite being
at the top of the pyramid so to speak. HE often speaks of George
Soros as such and also often mentions his “New World Order”
agenda.
It finally hit me that I experienced such a mindset amongst
a few lefties who infiltrated Calvin College when I was there–and
they tried to falsely befriend me– pretending to be friends– and I
could never put my finger exactly on why I felt uncomfortable
around them.
I thought I was being too particular and tried to be
more “easy going” but never really got to the point of feeling
comfortable. And now I realize they had an agenda and it wasn’t
because they liked or admired me. I call them the “Evil Axis.” And I
sometimes add DJ to that club– especially after he married a non-
American.
We call republicans who are Republicans in Name Only–
RINO’s. Likewise there are Americans who are American in Name
Only– ie AINO’s. They don’t have sincere allegiance to their
country. And it’s not because their Christian faith takes higher
priority– it’s a laziness– a self-indulgence – they are like bad apples
– as they say “one bad apple ruins the whole batch.” And they try to
transcend accountability by being AINO’s.
Onward I go: Here’s Chiriaco Summit 526pm - & Patton Museum.
Every little “ditch” has a name along this stretch– one time I started
writing them all down- And if it’s not a ditch– it’s called an
“arroyo”, or a “wash”, or a “gulch” - not sure how they make the
distinction. Exit Washington Street in Indio- or Bermuda Dunes-
this is where I originally lived when I came to Coachella Valley in
1994 having been hired to be a teacher.
I’m not going to rehash that
fiasco- but all the memories flood my mind briefly. Then I pass by
the Indian Wells tennis center– the pro tennis tournament is in
progress at the moment. Naomi Osaka broke down in tears here due
to heckling from a spectator. I used to come here every year for the
first few days– now they have become so lefty in requiring proof of
vax etc – it’s no fun.
Monday March 14, 745 am mass at Sacred
Heart Palm Desert– my usual church here. Then I hike the loop trail
nearby– good workout– I’m feeling more tired than usual– haven't
had much strenuous exercise recently. My body is low on protein I
find out as well. Over to Palm Desert library– do some composition–
and then decide to make the trek back to L.A. /OC – hopefully
before rush hour. – made it– only a few slowdowns.
Now in Garden
Grove- attend evening service at St. Columban– been coming here
for years. Tuesday March 15: 830 mass back at St. Columban. Tried
to donate blood but they tell me my protein level is 4.1 – needs to be
at least 6. So I go to Walmart and buy my unusual brand of protein
shakes– haven’t been drinking them lately– that’s probably why-.
Stopped eating meat for a while too. So I drink 4 of these heavy
protein shakes and also cook some hamburger. Hopefully that will
bring my levels back up.
Then I go over to Garden Grove library and do some composition.
There’s a guy and lady causing some issues– library staff called
police– they just arrived– everything transpires peacefully- problem
solved. It’s Tuesday so I need to do a Movie Review for Christians–
not many new Hollywood films out –
#PrayTheMovies: but I
haven’t seen “Uncharted” yet. So this is a film with Tom Holland
and Mark Wahlberg- starts with Holland free falling from a cargo
plane – then it flashes back to Boston 15 years earlier– art museum.
Police catch a kid and his brother as they are sneaking thru an art
museum. The older brother escapes.
“Just remember. You are a
Drake.” Now New York City on the subway the younger brother
(Tom Holland) is older- and a pickpocket thief. Also a bartender.
Wahlberg calls his bluff. Leaves a note “Thou Shall Not Steal.’
Something about the “House of Moncada’. Now they are at an art
auction =-- their plan is to steal the cross – which is the “key.”
They
manage to do it with some drama & theatrics. And then they go to
Barcelona – Santa Maria del Pi, or pine. They show the Sagrada
Familia– we visited this on a class trip during our semester in Spain.
“Trust in fellow man. One to heaven the other to hell”, new map-
chase, nobody trusts anybody else. They’re all in it only for
themselves. Now Kiamba Philippines, “They keys are your
compass” his address is 304 Chennault New York City 10002. Cala
de Oro.
Chloe keeps betraying the kid. They find the gold on some
old pirate ships– but there’s a final chase- etc. Axis of Evil: Tehran,
Beijing, Moscow (Mark Levin). Pray for Bakersfield man re
marriage annulment. James Golden has his own radio show now on
WABC – he was Rush Limbaugh’s right hand man for many years–
aka Bo Snerdely. And Rudy Giuliani has a show.Sick people in the
freakin library. San Antonio Central library.
3/15/22 Tuesday 7am tried to donate blood but my protein level is
very low. after mass at St. Columban , exercise at garden grove
community center- long line of cars here-apparently they hand out
free meals to seniors every tuesday from 9-10 am – just wish they
didn’t have to idle in their cars to get them. Another big waste of gas
– and expensive for the drivers too. 10 am I go over to the GG
library– start composition work- there’s an incident at the library
while I’m there- GG police come to take care of it.
As usual too
many– and they get all excited– adrenaline pumped – how many
“incidents’ become violent because police get too excited bossy and
aggressive? In this case the minority cop is getting bossy towards the
white guy– looks like an out-of-towner – has a female companion
with him– they both look like intelligent people but temporarily
down-and-out.
Not sure what’s going on– but they called the police
about the guy for some reason. But the lady doesn’t seem to be a
victim. I just hear the librarian say something about the guy
“blocking the door” or something.. Now there’s four alpha male
cops here. Same workers here as usual. I feel sorry for them –this is
their WHOLE LIFE– it’s all they know every day until they retire–
and then they will die shortly after retirement. So sad.
#PrayTheMovies: re “Uncharted” with Tom Holland & Mark
Wahlberg (Garden Grove REgal, 1st time here, nice enough plus
Tuesday discount). Starts out in cargo plane tom holland is free
falling out of it. Then they flash back to how they got there– police
catch a kid and his brother in an art museum. One brother escapes.
The other brother (tom holland) gets busted. Brother says
remember “You are a Drake” (last name). Now NYC subway, tom
holland is a petty thief– now on subway – he pickpockets somebody.
#PrayTheMovies: “Thou Shall NOT steal.” And he’s a bartender.
Search “House of Moncada.” He’s a jaded New Yorker. Wahlberg
is also a thief- finds him and enlists him to help steal a famous cross
at an auction. Something also about a tree in Barcelona..and a map
etc. Santa Maria del Pine. They go to barcelona– they show the
Sagrada Familia (been there !).
“Trust in fellow man– one to
heaven, the other to hell.” new map. His address is 304 Chennault
NYC 10002. traitor. She knocks out Holland. Now the Banda Sea?
Kiamba Philippines. “The keys are a compass.” They kill Antonio
Sabado. Cala de Oro. Chloe keeps betraying the kid.
Pray for
Bakersfield man re marriage annulment. Pray for axis of evil to
repent : Tehran, Beijing, Moscow (Mark Levin).
March 16 Wednesday After consuming lots of protein, the next day
my levels are good again. Donated blood 70. Finished composition at
G Grove.
Now at NBPL – 1st time back in a while. More work on
computer. Over to CDM (Corona Del Mar)-- did some snorkeling
and saw something metallic down deep– dove down– it was a scuba
diving flashlight– and it still worked when I turned it on. Very
heavy too. Looked it up online– these sell for $150 to $200–. wow.
Somebody is upset to have lost such a valuable flashlight. Not much
use to me really. But I put it in my car – not exactly a big market out
there for $150 used scuba diving flashlights I can’t imagine. If
you’re buying those anyways, you can probably afford another new
one.
I DO have a scuba diving license and did all the PADI
requirements– completed my open dive in Borocay Philippines
when we were there on a summer mission trip with the CRWM
(Christian Reformed World Missions) but I haven’t done much
diving since then.
I enjoy snorkeling enough– get wet– cool off–
experience some depth – see colorful fish and fauna. And there’s
enough good beach snorkeling you don’t really need to go buy or
rent a boat to get to better places unless you have money you want
to waste.
Back to NBPL after snorkeling- updated Calvin College
blog– getting good stats on this– people are tuning in. Found the link
to my academic honors moment at Calvin– a little brochure they
printed showing show made academic honors – one of my proud
moments having worked my way up to a 3.5+ gpa.
It hadn’t started
so good my freshman year when the Art Professor enlisted me in his
Art History class– the absolute most difficult class for art majors –
and I was a freshman and not an art major. Not sure why he talked
me into it or why I listened to him. But it made my first semester
overly difficult for no reason– managed to get a C in the class – and
that was him being generous.
There was way TOO MUCH
memorization of architecture and columns etc– and you had to be
able to identify hundreds by memory in the final exam. The only
good thing about it is that it stuck in my craw all these decades later
– and I appreciate good art more because of it. Nonetheless I had to
crawl out of a hole to get my GPA up ex post facto.
Thurs March 17 2022 Happy St. Patricks Day Michigan defeats
Colorado State in March Madness 1st round. New Mexico State
upsets U Conn. and the biggest upset and cinderella team of this
years bracket is St. Peters who starts out with an upset of mighty
Kentucky.. Richmond upsets Iowa.
Another swim at Corona Del
Mar. updated top blogs. Cleared SD card on phone $#1– pdf’d a lot.
Friday the 18th 7am another blood donation. Tried using my right
arm but they had trouble with it– I used to alternate arms every
time but now they tell me my right arm vein is “too small.” Wasn’t
too small before. What happened? It shrunk? SO I go back to left
arm.
835 am St. Columban Station of the Cross and then over to
Crystal Christ Cathedral for 1115 am station of the cross– but the
students didn’t show up– they’re on spring break- they forget to
update it online.First time I’ve been back inside the Tower of Hope office building
(talked to the secretary).
1pm – went to Artesia library for a while &
made some CP & composition progress. 5pm went to nearby Holy
Family church – used to come here quite frequently for 5pm mass–
majority Filipino parishioners here. NOw they don’t have the same
mass schedule. But they do Stations of the Cross on Friday- and the
lady asked me to read aloud at one of the stations.
Actually made me
a little nervous since I’ve gotten so accustomed to trying to blend
into the background. But I managed to do it. Then I went over to
615pm mass at St. Bernard Bellflower– the new priest here is the
priest from St. John Fisher. What a change of location for him. I
think he’s Korean.
After mass I tried to catch the Knights of
Columbus Friday Fish Fry (for Lent) but arrived just as they were
closing up. 1 am stopped in at the office– picked up some mail. Left
a note for Jim Linda. Saturday 8am mass & rosary at St. James
REdondo. Depo 1k FCU. Swim – decent waves. UTH- PV lib– made
photo pdf progress from recent chapter of AmeriPrayer.And the B
is back at PV lib unfort. Passed by SJF for E-mass. March
Madness: North Carolina upsets defending champion Baylor in OT.
Michigan defeats Tennessee.
Sunday 3/20/22 There’s a problem at Rolling Hills Covenant–
something strange about going there– I’m just getting tired of the
OCD there-. Every church has certain members that have an OCD
characteristic – same place same time every time. It’s unreal.
Left
early went to 10am at St. Margaret Mary. usher stood in front of me
as if I didn’t exist- so I stood up and left (something similar
happened at Lakewood Church in Houston -bizarre). 11am St.
Lawrence Martyr – Irish priest ( is he visiting), Not Paul Dotson this
time– who can be a bit of a prima donna sometimes.
12 noon HUGE
6 foot waves at Redondo– never seen them so high– but it’s a
blowout so nobody is surfing– but it’s fun body surfing– or getting
pushed around by the waves– I”m the only one out there. Loving it.
130pm back at PV Lib composing. MSU loses to Duke (Coach K’s
final season) in sweet16.
Iowa State defeats Wisconsin. #1 Arizona
wins. Synchronicity re Big10 Big 12 as I listen to radio. Monday
March 21 2022 more CP progress. 11am Swim. 1230 to 2 at Malaga
–spell check composition. 3pm Swim #2 better. 430pm Maps
Evangelism mostly S.A. Tuesday March 22 8am mass & rosary at
St. Jame (Thaddeus). 9am 99 cents groceries (cabbage, dressing
111
without soybean oil, braunsegger, raisins, almond milk, peppers,
sproudsd, green onions, apple cider vinegar, croutons, cottage
cheese). 11am Swim RB (almost got hit by a surfer. Grinned and
said “YOu almost got me” ). Afterwards more maps evangelism.
Movie Review Discount
Tuesday #PrayTheMovies: film called
“Compartment 6” - a Finnish film a little too “alternative” in some
regards at the beginning but better – more redemptive- at the end.
One of the characters reminded me of B-rab. Now she’s on a train
wanting to see the petroglyphs in the middle of winter– traveling
thru Russia by train to get there.
Most of the movie takes place in
“compartment 6” on the train where this professor lady gets
assigned to a random Russian guy as a roommate for the trip. At
first she hates him but as the trip ensues they become friends– even
during one stop visits his mother’s house in a stolen car.. he’s a jerk
at times. But they begin to understand each other. Did she convert
to traditionalism over the course of the train trip? The dude looks
like Tim Kwekel or Kim Kooiker’s cousin. Petrazavadosk? They
both smoke a lot.
Seems like all russians (in this movie smoke a lot.
Balalaika is a Russian musical instrument. And they drink vodka
together. Straight from the bottle. Her camera gets stolen by
somebody she trusted. She cries heartbroken. Arrive at petroglyph
city– but they try to tell her you can’t get there in winter. Her dude
buddy arranges a special charter boat to take them.
Mention of
Solzenitsyn who predicted a Marianic apparition (was that in the
movie or on my radio? I listen to radio news sometimes during
movies). They didn’t show the petroglyphs in the movie– did she
actually get to see them. This actress has an incredible face– very
realistic– wears every emotion on her face. The guy leaves– and
leaves a note.
#PrayTheMovies: Belfast- (Oscar nominee)-- 1969– all white kids
playing on street by homes.. Suddenly a bomb, molotov cocktails.
Bricks thru windows. Car blows up. This is the catholic versus
protestant turmoil in Ireland back in the day. “I’ve had too much
God for one day” which road will you take? the whole movie is
black and white by the way. Dad returns. Cleaning up. Nobody
killed.
Dancing in the street. Watching Star Trek on the “tellie”
(TV). Now a raquel welch movie. Hell fire preacher at church. Now
a John Wayne movie. Young kid main character looks like brother
Stevie K. The kids steal chocolate bars but get busted. PRCH
GRCH. I pray during the movie. The dad’s line to his kid is “If you
can’t be good, be careful.” “You’re not a real protestant, you’re a
gangster”
Now Chitty Chitty bang bang. kid playing with matchbox
cars. #PrayTheMovies: for Unity of the Body of Christ– this was an
easy prayer theme given the Protestant vs Catholic conflict. The bad
guy in this movie looks like Bobby Schuller. END review. By the
way–re March 25 Consecration for Russia/Ukraine (Pope’s edict).
Apparently the Russian Orthodox arent too happy about it. Are
they basically a “state church” or what? Consecration means to “set
apart for” and I have been living a consecrated sexual life (or lack
of) for God for many years now. Didn’t initially know the word for
it but now I do– it’s “consecrated” which is for a godly purpose–
whereas being “celibate” could be for any purpose. Women
sometimes call it “chastity.”
Wednesday March 23 8 am one mile walk PV. 10 to 12 made pdf
progress. 12 to 2 PV walk #2 - friendly ladies on horses- patted the
back side of one of them as they passed by. They sounded British.
Back to PV Lib 3 to 630 maps evangelism and physical recovery.
Hadn’t had a strenuous hike like that in a while– that shouldn’t be
too strenuous – to much driving. Watched 2 Oscars shorts.
Thursday 24th 8am walk, there’s the creep again– this older fellow
hikes the same trail around the same time– he must live nearby– but
now everytime he sees me coming he steps several feet off the trail
into tall grass– it’s awkward- and weird– I try to make friendly
small talk in passing– this time I say “oh, still social distancing eh”
he nods.
I say “You forgot your mask” If he wants to play that
game. He’s a weirdo. Try to avoid taking that trail from now on for
a while. Meanwhile a runner lady is friendly– passes me twice -
looped me. Says hi twice. Now at PV lib y -tube update. 3 geep
videos from years ago– I had forgotten about them. Another walk –
school groups hiking here now. One girl waves at me from a long
way so I wave back from the stairs– and she exclaims excitedly to
her classmate “He waved at me.”
#PrayTheMovies: film called
“CODA” (meaning Child of Deaf Adults) (will win best picture
Oscars 2022) (I’m trying some of the paid services now for the 1st
time including Apple TV & NetFlix ).. They are out on a boat open
sea pulling in fish from a net and sorting them.
Music playing
“Sometimes I get a feeling” –they all use sign language. 1 girl 2 men.
Turns out to be a family: Father, son, daughter. Back at the dock.
The girl isn’t deaf–the rest of the family is. She’s feisty. She
exchanges friendly insults with her brother. Now at school. She falls
asleep– works too hard. She’s embarrassed. Kids mock her for
smelling like fish. Now new choir class. Kind of rural or redneck
Parents pick her up in pickup truck– kids mock her again. Doctors
office scene funny. Deaf dad is funny.
And the NEAT thing is they used REAL DEAF PEOPLE. Mom says
“Don’t slouch.” She runs out of choir class when supposed to sing
solo. Government wants to put a monitor on the boat ,the dad
smokes a joint. Looks like Winny Devries. Now at the bar he can’t
join in - not fun for him. He gets in a fight. Looks like DJ.
“Its a love
song not the pledge of allegiance” 423 pm she has a “kooks” poster
on the wall. Emilia Jones is the actress - she’s British– so many
British actors play american parts these days. Another character
looks like Tim Maat. The dad makes a passionate speech at the
meeting calls people who can hear the “hearing bitches.” 3 am wake
up, coast guard radio– they can’t hear it– causes legal trouble.
The
choir teacher is played by Eugenio Derbez (Dr. Doolittle, Mulan,
Hellboy, Miracles from Heaven, Secret Life of Pets)- he’s originally
from Mexico. “If you waste my time I will not work with you.” She
misses 2nd session. “I want to go to college” “Singing is what I love.”
The observer boards the boat. She doesn’t know they’re deaf?
Looks like Barb wiersma. Cliff jumping. This is Massachusetts.
114
Brother & sister have conflict. She gets accepted to the music
college. #PrayTheMovies: “Macbeth” with Denzel Washington “Fair is
Foul, foul is fair. “ birds circling. Footprints in snow. “All hail
macbeth...shall be king.” The 3 ladies predict the future? the actress
from Nomadland is in this movie –she plays Macbeth’s wife (Francis
McDormand) here’s banquo.
Full moon. Spot light soliquy. Sports
News: Arkansas upsets Gonzaga , Villanova defeats Michigan.
MacBeth kills Duncan. #PrayTheMovies: - now reviewing “Power
of the Dog” supporting character “sees the light” and rejects the
depraved life of the cowboy.
Morality tale. Good ending. Why was it
so difficult for the kid to learn how to ride a horse. Almost anybody
can do it– easier than riding a bike. #PrayTheMovies: “Tick Tick
Boom” - I terminated this early after doing research on it as I was
watching. It’s a propaganda film for alternative lifestyle. Don’t
recommend.
Friday 3/25/22 8am prayer & mass & consecration for
Ukraine/Russia , prayed rosary, overcast day.
Funeral for Jack Simmons the sports broadcaster after mass. Sat in
and observed briefly. Bagpipes. I don’t remember him personally
but his bio says he did many of the big sports events including
World Series , SuperBowl, boxing matches, and more. New movie
“Mitchell versus the Machine” –animated Oscars nom.
Caught my
attention when they mentioned “Kentwood” (a suburb of michigan)
clever funny film. Katie weird art. Hamburger animation. Macho
dad doesn’t understand it. Etc. they take a family trip. Mules in the
Grand Canyon. St. Louis Arch, Yosemite, Niagara falls, etc. “dino
stop” explosion. Robot rebellion. “You’re hiding behind the phone.
No more phones”
They hide in the icebox to avoid the robots who
can detect body warmth. Dad smashes the phones. Types of PTSD.
“your drawing worked. I didn’t know art could be useful” “Father I
crave your wisdom” “This is like Dawn of the Dead” “here’s an
empty bottle. You know what to do” upload failed (unable to save
the world?) so now they’re trying to get to Silicon Valley.
Added
consecration video to tube. Surprisingly got numerous views.
#PrayTheMovies: New Oscars movie review called “The Lost
Daughter” she’s a professor. Seaside vacation. Alone. All white
clothes. She falls. This is a “flashback film” where she has repeated
flash backs to her younger self as a young mother while starting out
as a professor.
It seems like she’s a schizophrenic. Looks like Judy
Dejong. She’s people watching. She keeps staring at mother with
child. The kid disappears. She helps find. She stole the doll?
#PrayTheMovies: “Audible” 37 minutes. Deaf football player.
Maryland. Oh. The whole team is deaf. They have cochlear implants
and can feel vibrations. Next movie “Lead me Home” re homeless
problem on west coast. Man in tent by freeway. Tent City. San
Francisco vulnerability assessment.
My thought was why not use
rooftops for homeless. Pray for the homeless. New movie “Robin
Robin” animated 32 minutes. Cute. Harmless. Rain frogs animals.
An egg falls into creek. Rolls on to land. Stops. Mice family. Robin
hatches with mice watching. The mice family adopts the bird. Robin
thinks she’s a mouse.'
#PrayTheMovies: “Hand of God” – felt a little queasy after
watching– not good. Can’t recommend. Italian director – kind of a
soap opera involves their soccer hero Maradona. Back to MacBeth
(with NetFlix etc I now review several movies simultaneously
stopping and starting, switching and pausing). “Are you so gospeled
(sic)” he asks. “We have scorched the snake , not killed it” “full of
scorpions is my mind dear wife” “blood will have blood” “the weird
sisters” “by the pricking of my things something wicked this way
comes” “for a charm of powerful trouble,. Like a hell-broth boil and
bubble. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron
bubble.” Beware MacDuff. Macbeth killed new king.
St. Peters
cinderella season continues– they beat Purdue in 2nd round- they
move on to play NC. Kansas defeats Providence. #PrayTheMovies:
“Blush” movie- short animated AppleTV, crash landing on mars,
planting sapling. Another UFO crash lands next to him. The tree
grows almost instantly0 and a red hair girl appears no space suit.
She helps him plant things. They marry have kids. Start life on
Mars. Trees. Grows. Water, utopia, or is it? Sat Mar 26 2022 8am
mass & rosary overcast & cool. 10am Malaga library, 2 to 330 Swim
RB, Resume movie reviews. Disruptive in theatre. Flashback to
young lecture at conference. Trying 20Twenty for photo sales. At
the end she has memories of peeling orange and calls daughters.
#PrayTheMovies: for schizophrenics & mentally ill to turn to God
for help! Movie: Girl Interrupted 1999 Wynona Ryder Angeline
Jolie, broken lightbulb, they cut themselves in the cellar–
depression. “Maybe I am crazy” she says. Now at psych hospital–she
takes taxi there. Admits herself. Lots of smoking. “Explain to doctor
the laws how the laws of physics can be suspended?” Susanna is the
main character (Ryder).
She overdosed on a full bottle of aspirin
plus full bottle vodka. Claymore Psychiatric hospital. Whoopi
Goldberg is in this. Wynona calls herself Jewish– she was born
Horowitz =-- from Winona MN but moved to CA early on born in
‘71. Timothy Leary was her godfather– no wonder she’s messed up.
ON father’s side there were holocaust victims.
She named herself
Ryder after her dad being a fan of Mitch Ryder the rock star.
Father was an atheist. Mother a Buddhist. NO wonder so messed
up. Age 7 they moved to Northern Cal & lived on a commune. Good
grief.
#PrayTheMovies: “Finch” a Netflix film starring Tom Hanks.
Music playing “American Pie” Desert? Full body suit hanks- and a
robot, dead bodies. Its city but blown out by dust and dirt–
apocalyptic. Driving heavy machinery. Nobody else alive on the
planet? Nuclear fallout? But his dog is alive. Based on Book “Effects
of Exposure to Ionizing Radiation?”
He has a lab underground–
tons of books, it’s his bunker. Electricity still works. Lots of gadgets.
Super storm coming– will last 40 days. Stares wistfully at a golden
gate postcard. 147 degrees outside? Seems impossible. Explains to
talking robot “They used to send postcards before the internet.”
#PrayTheMovies: Try praying when you are in a disaster, Tom.
There was an EMP disaster– there’s been talk of this happening
117
today (2022)--and that we are not really very equipped for it nor for
preventing it. Now a tornado. Robot wants to be named Jeff. Hanks
says to Jeff: “Trust will get you killed. Trust nobody.” They hide
under the overpass but the RV is too high- crunches top of it. Hanks
dies so early in the movie. Short movie. The robot is like c3P0 from
star wars. Not very original.
#PrayTheMovies: “Don’t Look UP’
(Oscars nom) with Leo DiCaprio, giant telescope, hipster science gal
monitoring (Jennifer Lawrence). She sees something. Calls her boss
- DiCaprio plays an aging Michigan state professor. “I haven’t done
orbital dynamics since grad school” WWCSD (What would Carl
Sagan do?) looks like a rumpled introvert scientist. Subaru
telescope.
Dr. Mindy: “I study trace gasses in dead galaxies.” They
predict a “direct hit of earth in 6 months” What is IAU? Di Cap
can’t believe it– Mindy barfs (she’s a PhD candidate and a pothead).
Also Ariana Grande in this & worst of all Meryl Streep plays the
president of America. Also Cate Blanchett. They fly to Wash DC but
the prez is too busy to see them. Sends them to hotel. DiCap says it
will be like “a billion Hiroshima bombs” “the white house blew us
off.”
Sunday March the 27th 7 am St. Law Mart – e-Mass. 9am St. Law I-
mass. 10 am Neighborhood Church. Lady came in late and hid
behind me. Irritating when people do that. This church gives tours
now after the service. Back to Girl Interrupted. Masterful
performance by Jolie & Ryder- but too crude and vulgar at times.
My own experience working in a psych hospital gave me a little
insight – some things were similar – but I worked at a Christian
hospital– we were more caring and believed in integrating a
spiritual element. They didn’t treat Whoopi very well in this film.
No wonder she has a grudge after that. Even if it’s “just acting” –
some things can hurt the soul.
“They’re building a new Disney in
FL” this is 1967? Wynona is diagnosed with borderline disorder–
something used in a broad general manner if I recall correctly.
Nobody even the doctors know how to really define what it means
exactly. It’s kind of a catch all disorder when there is nothing more
specific. It seems to always include depression.
“We decide when
you leave” the doctor tells Wynona. They mock Whoopi for being
black and talk about welfare etc. They escape the hospital and
hitchhike with some hippies in a VW van. Meanwhile I researched
Jolie’s childhood while watching– she had a crazy life– even living
with her boyfriend in her mom’s house when she was 14 years old.
Good grief. “Take a load off Annie” Crazy days. I was just being
born around then.
#PrayTheMovies: “The Long Goodbye” wins Oscar- family in small
apartment– get mistreated– song ends in rap. #PrayTheMovies:
“Windshield Wiper” gal and guy on beach, semi-animated.. New
movie “On My Mind” (18 minutes) at a bar– in French? Guy enters.
Owner doing taxes-=. Lady bartender.
Guy wants to do karaoke for
his wife–doesn’t explain at first. But owner doesn’t allow karaoke
on weekdays, only weekends. He persists– offers money. Grouchy
owner relents. Takes the money. Guy starts singing. Karaoke
machine malfunctions. Needs to start over but now the owner has
had enough – tells the guy to leave. The guy says he paid. The owner
offers money back.
Guy says he’s not leaving without finishing the
song. Owner hits him. Wow. Stark moment. Then the guy explains
his wife is on life support. The song is for her before they shut it off.
Finally the owner shows a moment of humanity. He finishes the song
takes the recording to the hospital. Plays it for comatose wife–
hoping it makes a difference.
Song called “On my Mind.”
This was a good one. I will remember it. The guy says at the end
“it’s for her soul.” Back to “Don’t Look Up” Gold & diamonds on
the comet? That’s a game changer. They want to try to break it up
into parts so they can harvest the gold without it destroying the
world. Di Caps wife finds out he’s having a fling with the blonde
news anchor.
Jenn Lawrence is now a clerk at a convenience store?
She meets a street punk (Tim Chalamat- he’s making the rounds in
lots of movies lately). “If we can’t all agree that a comment the size
of Mt. Everest is a bad thing, then my god, what have we done to
ourselves?” Jenn says to Tim “You believe in God. I won’t tell
anybody. It’s kind of cute” stupid. A little too obvious they like
trying to tick off mainstream Christian Americans.
St. Peters in
March Madness finally tumbles– losing to North Carolina– what a
season for the little college. Oscars scandal. Will Smith just hit Chris
Rock in the face onstage at the Oscars. Good grief. Was that a
publicity stunt? Everybody’s talking it everywhere now. I just
tweeted about it myself. Never seen anything like that before at the
Oscars.
I used to go down there every year and hang out by the red
carpet where they enter- pretty amazing the amount of money the
throw into this thing– you think its top notch security– with
everything under control– but they didn’t control what just
happened between Will Smith & Chris Rock.. Later went and hiked
the steps a mile up the hill from the PV library- good workout for
the calves.
Because of the rain – the trail was closed so I stayed on
the steps. Nosy ranger driving up and down the street. Got a sunny
hour to do the steps. Then it rained more later.
Monday March 28 8am rainy again. Can’t hike. 10 am PV lib– they
used to open at 9am but after covid now it’s 10. A few of the same
OCD (obsessive compulsive) characters have returned to the library.
Back to girl Interrupted– it seems like Jolie may be playing a
version of her own real life self to a certain extent. Maybe that’s why
she can do it so well. cancelled my Apple TV subscription– that was
nice for a free week. Meanwhile signed up for Netflix for the 1st
time. –starting to like it.. Maybe too much. But it’s only $10 / month.
I try to review as many of the OScars movies as I can every year.
Lots of classic movies that I still haven’t seen. Trying to make up for
lost time with Netflix on my phone & unlimited data !
#PrayTheMovies: re “The Irishman” (DeNiro) about Jimmy HOffa
– and it’s a long one– over 3 hours. A mafia movie. CODA just won
best picture .
That’s a worthy win for once. Big waves at Redondo
after storm. I’m the only one out there. Bareback (no wetsuit). Carl
Jackson is filling in for Dennis Prager now, day 2. He tells a “crime
story”-- he was in prison for a while. Oh I just realized that the girl
with the burned scarred face in Girl Interrupted is Elizabeth Moss–
wow- she’s quite a character. Seems a bit like a wild child.
Also
Jared Leto– I thought he was Rob Lowe. Don’t know much about
him. Now reviewing “Django Unchained” – crazy slave movie– lots
of Tarantino style violence (this is a Weinstein movie by the way.
He’s in prison now). Jamie Foxx plays one of the main characters
(Will Smith turned down this part because he didn’t want to be a
slave revenge movie). Also Christoph Waltz.
I saw his Hollywood
star ceremony many years ago when I made it a habit to try to
attend as many of those events as possible. I haven’t gone to one in a
while though recently. Slaves shackled. Supposed to be 1858? 2
years before Civil War. deep south. Now I’m starting “Uncut Gems”
with Adam Sandler – so many F bombs– very degrading.
Sandler
plays a jewish jeweler but he’s very secular (maybe Jewish in Name
Only? JINO? ie secular jew) NBA star Kevin Garner plays himself
in this movie. #PrayTheMovies: Now starting “Green Mile.” Back
to Django- the bounty hunter travels under the guise of being a
dentist with a big fake tooth on a spring bouncing around the top of
the buggy he rides.
He encounters a group of slave traders and kills
the white guys. Fast with a gun. Now trying to upload my photos to
sellon 500px but that didn’t work too great. Canceled that. Started
new photo blog called AmeriCamera. I wanted simply AmeriCam
but that was already taken. I look up the one called AmeriCam and
there’s not much there.
Somebody used the name then lost interest in keeping a blog going.
It’s a shame that blogger allows these blogs to sit forever without
being used or updated– and so you can’t use that name. But
AmeriCamera is starting to rhyme in my mind. Saying it in the
alternative way. Kind of melodic.
#PrayTheMovies: Now at movie
theatre on discount tuesday watching oscar winner called “Drive
My Car” – a foreign film with subtitles. This is a bizarre one – to
bizarre to summarize nor do I want to describe the details. I actually
left early a bit disappointed but at least I got a feel for it– that’s the
main point– that I’m familiar with the films in general for better or
worse: the good, the bad, & the ugly. Lots of films I will walk out of
(or turn off) so I am not stuck with something in my mind that I
CAN’T UNSEE.
Although as it turns out thru prayer we can over
time rehabilitate our minds (ie “transform our minds thru Christ.”)
Two years later in Drive My Car he’s a movie director. He hires
actors and they read the script together.
And he has a young girl
who drives him everywhere (required by the production) in his red
Saab around Hiroshima Japan. #PrayTheMovies: re “Infinite
Storm” - takes place on Mt. Washington (no, not in WA state, but
New Hampshire. ) This may be a bit of an “Arctic” movie copycat -
not sure yet.
But I saw previews and it had the same feel to it– plane
crashes high on mountain snow in the Arctic and the pilot has to
survive a long trek back to civilization against all odds (along with
injured passenger). Mt. Washington in New Hampshire however
isn’t all that far from civilization nor extremely high (about 6300
feet).
Nonetheless apparently more people die there than one might
expect. Anyways, the main character is a lady – going hiking alone–
weather looks a bit ominous but she goes anyways. She notices a
single car in the parking lot– wonders if somebody is up there. Near
the top she sees footprints in the snow– and notices they are
sneakers – not hiking boots.
She falls into a hole– barely manages to
get back out. Hears a noise– sees a sole person sitting as the snow
and wind starts howling. Tries to communicate with him– he’s not
very able– seems almost unconscious but is a little responsive.
She insists on him walking out with him. He goes along at first but
fights back a bit. Turns out he went up there with the intention of
dying.
He didn’t want to return. But she won’t let him go. Based on
a true story? And that’s the whole move – the trek down with slips
and falls & wanting to give up– and she keeps pushing him on..She
tells him not to eat snow– that will not help with thirst– it will
actually increase dehydration.
He starts crying. The sun is setting.
She’s a saint, and a nurse. He falls in ice cold creek water. Thinks
he’s gone– but finds him. Now they’re both soaked. This actress is
Naomi Watts by the way- another British actor playing an
American. And then they make it to the parking lot and he literally
runs to his own car and takes off without saying thanks or anything
to the lady hiker. Unbelievable.
But somehow the media is able to
figure out who is who and eventually they reunited and exchange
words at a restaurant. He thanks her. And asks “does it get better?”
speaking of overcoming depression because she dealt with it too
apparently.
#PrayTheMovies: Lots of depressed people need our
encouragement and prayers. also Pray for the risk takers to use
their courage and bravery for the sake of the cross ! Wednesday
March 30 10am PV lib. AmeriCamera progress. Happy Birthday to
JIm.
Now “Green Mile” - the mouse plays a big part in this film.
Take a walk PV. They keep feeding the mouse. Percy is the nephew
of a bigwig but he’s a punk– annoys the more benevolent guards. He
goes nuts trying to kill the mouse. This is death row. They call the
electric chair “Old Sparky” They put a sponge on the head of the
inmate in the lectric chair to help conduct the electricity. I try to do
prison ministry as I travel. You can find my videos on YouTube.
Percy just wants the job to see a person fry in the electric chair. The
name of Tom Hanks character is Paul and he has a health problem
wich the big black guy cures thru some sort of “magical power” – or
is it religious? Back to Uncut Gems :
He gets the stone back but
doesn’t have Garnet’s NBA championship ring which he gave as
collateral. Flips smoothie in face of girlfriend. He’s cheating on his
wife. Now at family meal –they have a Hebrew read aloud prayer.
Judd Hirsch from Taxi is in this film. Looks generally the same but
older.
Friday April 1 7am blood donation, 830 speedy stations of the cross
(Columban) 9am GG library 11am Christ Cat stations of the cross -
kids version. 1pm NBPL AmeriCamera Progress $40 gas at $5.50-
per gallon.
530 OLQA Sat April 2 830 am mass OLQA, 9am NB
Lib, AmeriCam progress, plus new storyboard website snapshot
style (dynamic) Kansas defeats Villanova 81-65. Sunday April 3 830
am Walmart: lettuce, tomato, onion, choc milk, ground beef, ground
turkey, cans of fruit, bananas, pepperchinis, fulvic fusion, peas, OJ,
canned spaghetti, applesauce, plus a new shirt. total cost: $100
wow.
Passed by Bobby Schuller church (Jim Lin still go there) on
way to Neumann Catholic a mile further. Then 12 noon NBPL
AmeriCamera progress. New employee –strange fellow. That’s all I
can say. Made me uncomfortable. 5pm E-mass OLQA. Monday
April 4, 830 I-Mass OLQA , 9am NB Lib. to 130.
Yesterday when I
was scanning a guy stood silently behind me – I didn’t even know he
was there– why didn’t he say something or make a sound? 130 - 230
prayer & lunch. Progress AmeriCamera. also saw TG. – thought she
had moved on to a new job. I guess she works in the back now.
Still
doing notes on #PrayTheMovies: Green Mile (Hanks), MoneyBall
(Pitt) (I was in this movie !) , Irishman (DeNiro), Silver Linings
(Cooper), Argo (Affleck, jerk in real life). In GHreen Mile the big
guy gives Hanks a vision of what really happened. The guy next to
him in the cell is the one who did it. The big guy was innocent. Now
TOm Hanks sees it too. Percy gets the big guy treatment and ends
up in psych hospital.
Tuesday April 5 #PrayTheMovies: “Lost City” (Regal UCI), sandra
bullock, pitt, channing tatum, She’s a romance author. Gets
kidnapped. Kansas defeats UNC to win NCAA national
championship. 830 OLQA I-mass. Hanks says “This is the first time
I’ve ever felt the real danger of hell” he knows the big guy is
innocent but doesn’t know what to do.
What can he do. He can’t use
a “vision” as testimony. He goes to the Green Mile opens prison
door. Big guy has a few days before execution. I figured out the
Woodward Bernstein conundrum – the lady keeps asking for
prayers for their family at mass. Turns out that there’s a different
Woodward and a different Bernstein both newport beach locals,
and one killed the other.
Strange story. Strange coincidence. Hanks
asks Big guy if he wants a preacher at death. He says no. Hanks asks
big guy if he lets him go would he run for it? “Did I kill one of god’s
true miracles.” It’s his conscience. You tell God the Father it was a
kindness you done” says the big guy. “I want it to be over and done
with. I’m tired boss. Lonely as a sparrow in the rain...I’m tired of
people being ugly to each other..”
HE’s a CHRIST symbol ! wow.
Do you want anything the other guard asks? “I aint never seen a
flicker show” he says ( ie a movie). So they let him watch the movie
“Top Hat” with Fred Astaire “They’s Angels just like up in heaven”
he proclaims. He’s enthralled with it. “It will be alright fellas” “I
dreamed about del’s mouse Mr Jingles..dreamed there was kids and
they laughed...” The parents are there to watch the execution. This
is like Jesus on the cross.
The father is livid with anger. He doesn’t
know the truth. Only the guards know and understand. Mother says
“I hope it hurts like hell” “I’m sorry for what I am” says the big
guy. Why does he say that? ‘Please boss. Don’t cover my face. I’s
afraid of the dark” no head cover for big guy JOhn. he sings “I’m in
heaven..” he tears up. (John Coffey)
“May God have mercy on your
soul” says Hanks- saying the required words. Paul must give the
order. He shakes John’s hand 1st - lets him know he knows. “Roll
on 2” the current surges. Guards are crying. He dies. I thought
something “magical” would happen.
Now they flash forward many
decades and Hanks is an old man– he’s been retelling this story–
that’s how the film began– he thinks when JOhn shook his hand he
passed “life” to him – that will keep him living longer than others ,
or forever? He’s 108 now. He still has the mouse– who has the life
force too. But Hanks thinks of it as a curse for “letting John ride the
lightning.” Now he has to watch everybody die. “For killin a miracle
of God.”
Now the lady he was telling the story to dies as well. “I wish for
death already” he says. “I think about all of us walking our own
green mile in time” “if he could make a mouse live so long how
much longer do I have” he wonders. “SOmetimes the green mile
seems so long.”
Wow- this is a deep film. Has some reformed
theology to it as well. Back to Lost City– which seems fairly
meaningless after that ending of Green Mile. So she gets kidnapped
to help the bad guys find the jewel crown “the crown of fire.” the
guy was wearing a wig.
They take her to volcano island. Her friends
with help of Pitt (named Jack Trainer) find a way to track her
location and follow. an archeology dig. Bullock is stuck in a chair for
some reason. So they put her & the chair in a wheelbarrow. Car
goes over cliff. This is whacky humor. Good for a few cheap laughs.
They scramble to the wreckage to find the phone but it’s broken too.
“My dad was a weatherman.”
Pitt gets killed already. Bullock’s
character name is Loretta Sage. “Best way to change a young
person’s viewpoint is by having peers tell them” says somebody on
radio show. Now they are climbing back up the cliff. He head butts
her to keep her going. NOw they are in a cave. #PrayTheMovies:
Don’t be greedy like the bad guy in this movie. He will do anything
to get the crown.
But the “crown” turns out to be a head dress made
of shells. “The riches in life aren’t material. It’s about love” says a
character. Or did I say that? FightSocialism.org. They hide in a
coffin. She leaves her ring in the tomb. We got some extreme heat
coming. Get ready.
Wednesday April 6 2022 OLQA I-mass , NB Lib, GLory 2 God
progress AmeriCam), swim at NB. saw a cool rock fish– don’t see
them here very often. Another snorkeler asked me if I found a spear
gun. I said no but asked him if he lost an underwater flashlight. He
thought I misheard him and repeated “I said a spear gun” I tried to
clarify–saying “I know.
But I found an underwater flashlight last
week– thought maybe you lost that at the same time.” Guess not. It’s
a $150 dollar flashlight. Glory2 God- progress. 2016 Grand Canyon
pics. Added new museums and architecture blog, also a zoo blog
entitled “All God’s creatures.” #PrayTheNews: the far left radical
justice just got confirmed, unfortunately. Friday April 8 2022 7am
blood donation- not as hot as yesterday but it will still be warm.
#PrayTheNews: War Crimes or false flag in Ukraine? Not sure yet.
Elon Musk buys majority share in twitter. Hope it will help. He
seems to lean conservative. Saturday April 9: OLQA I-mass, now
NB composition, 10 am photo progress. But the annoying person
entered the computer lab so I left. Made my way back to PV. Now at
PV lib continuing AmeriCamera progress. 1st friendly experience at
PV lib– gal behind me waiting to fill up her water bottle said
something nice.
Wow. A rare experience. There’s hope. I keep
encountering a dead Wi-Fi spot here in PV. It doesn’t make sense
and I’m wondering if it’s the Spirit prompting me to move on. SO I
do. I go down the hill to my other spot near St. James. Is it a “god
thing” as they say?
April 10: Palm Sunday 8 am St. James I-mass, 11am St. Lawrence
Marty e-mass. 12 noon Swim #1 at RB. 3pm Swim #2 – fun waves.
Only me out there. Too cold for most people. Too blown out for
surfers. Saw a dolphin. And I had an audience. Not sure what I look
like from an observer’s viewpoint but every now and then I get
people watching me body surf.
Do I look good? Or do they just
think I’m crazy? Still working on my Netflix movies education:
finished Green Mile. Still in middle of Irishman. Starting “Blood
Diamond.” Still middle of “Silver Linings” is this Cooper’s first big
film? He looks so young.
Finished Argo. Finished Django. Still
viewing Shawshank. In my #PrayerBook I’m focusing on all the
countries of Africa– writing down the names –. Just noticed
Swaziland was renamed Eswatini in 2018– to avoid being confused
with Switzerland says the prime minister. That didn’t get much
news coverage.
#PrayTheMovies: (Oscars nom) “3 Songs for
Benazir” a refugee camp in Afghanistan (for Afghans). Young man -
= he’s a ham for the camera. He wants to join the army but parents
won’t sign for it. They’re afraid of the Taliban. The main character
looks perpetually stoned. Is he on opium?? Dad wants him to work
as a poppy picker (for opium trade)--.
Four years later what did he
join? HE’s somewhere else dressed in red. What happened? Did I
miss something? Apparently this movie was actually filmed over the
course of 5 actual years– all condensed into 22 minutes.
#PrayTheMovies: Now starting “Social Network” about Mark
Zuckerberg. He hacks into Harvard data bases for face pics –calls it
FaceMash –it goes viral –he gets in trouble right away.
But doesn’t
give up– makes friends and enemies– burns some people. Causes
network to crash. Winkelvoss brothers sue him. Did he go around
their back? He’s mono or mega maniacal. Back to Shawshank.
Andy’s persistence in letter writing to the state pays off–and they
award him with the funds to start a library in the prison. The
warden in the film is so bad and so corrupt– I don’t like how
Hollywood tries to portray him as a Christian fraud.
Why do they
have to defame Christianity? It’s not based on a true story. Green
Mile inmate too creepy crude a bit over the top – took away from
some of the goodness of the movie. Likewise the warden in
Shawshank– too evil. A bit too much over-the-top evil. Al Pacino
plays Jimmy Hoffa– I didn’t recognize him as Pacino. My lasting
memory of Pacino is from Scarface. I think that’s the first movie I
saw him in– crazy cocaine movie.
Now something about the Cuba
Missile Crisis (Oct 1962) & Kennedy gets shot (Nov 1963). & Bobby
Kennedy was killed in June 1968 at the hotel in L.A. -which
subsequently many years later was mostly torn down but part of it
was retained and incorporated into the new high school – dubbed
“the most expensive school in America” re construction costs
(Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools complex At $578 million—
or about $140,000 per student—the 24-acre Robert F. Kennedy
Community Schools complex in mid-Wilshire is the most expensive
school ever constructed in U.S. history. Sep 4, 2010.”
And I actually worked there a few times as a sub teacher for the
LAUSD and during my lunch break walked thru the historical area
they preserved– where Bobby got shot. They have a few historical
plaques and informational things on the wall. Not sure how tourists
can get in there to see it.
Back to Argo: mission cancelled. But
Affleck (Tony) defies the order–says he’s going thru with it. But the
plane tickets have been cancelled. Last minute he gets them
reinstate. Was that true? Not sure. What apparently is true is that
Iranians spent 6 years putting shredded papers back together. Long
delay at airport. One guy suspicious. Last minute they get on the
plane and Iran gets call last second that they were bamboozled.
They chase the plane taking off but can’t stop it.
There’s the dog
lady by St. James again. Back to the Zuckerberg movie (“Social
Network”) - the winkelvoss brothers who tried to hire Zuck to work
for them– actually they did– feel like Zuck defrauded them out of
their idea-..
Apparently they eventually settled and made millions
for themselves without having done very much at all except have the
idea & hand it off to Zuck, & then sue Zuck. Now watching strange
film for Tuesday review at Regal Promenade called “Everything
Everywhere All at Once” - starts with a stressed out Asian lady
staring at receipts –they live above the laundromat they own.
Cooking noodles. Divorce papers. Daughter in alternative lifestyle.
Main character looks a bit like my doctor, Jaqueline Wong. Funny
cause the character’s name is Evelyn Wong (played by Michelle
Yeoh). Switch back and forth from Chinese to English- some
subtitles. Now they are at the IRS office. She starts having visions-
and the whole film starts becoming very “schizoid” – that’s the best
description (what they call the “multiverse”) –with flashbacks and
flash forwards and flash into other realms of reality. Something
about divorce papers. Simi Valley, Alpha verse
#PrayTheNews: Santa Monica mail delivery has been suspended
because of danger to the mail people (too many recent assaults of the
carriers). Shanghai China is in a total lockdown due to some new
version of covid. What’s the significance of the giant bagel? “Please
be kind.” Too long– too schizoid too slapstick. People walking out.
“An everything bagel — of all things — deployed as a doomsday
device.”
I noticed a film called “Navalny” as I arrived at the theatre.
Only one showing- last day – only 2 days. Looked it up– it’s about a
political rival of Putin in Russia– and how they attempted to
assassinate him- I decided to go watch that- paid for another ticket-
and glad I did– very intriguing film– clearly reveals how LOW
Putin will go to eliminate rivals.
We’ve all heard the rumors but this
PROVES it beyond a doubt. And Navalny survived the poison, but
now he’s in prison on false charges. They seem like a nice family.
The daughter is currently at Stanford. Alexei Navalny (did he
shorten his name?) starts out with Navalny arriving at a Russian
hospital unconscious. And Russia won’t immediately release him to
be taken to a hospital in Germany which family wants. Family is
suspicious. Russia denies.
Finally they get him released– conscious
now- Lots of media. They suspect Novichok poison which they call
“Putin’s poison.” “Putin wouldn’t be so stupid” or would he?
Navalny looks a bit like Kelly Slater.
The only place they produce
Novichuk is at a place called the Signal Center in Moscow. So
Navalny and his crew look up who works there– public information
in general apparently- and then they pay for cell phone data and the
“pings” that are emitted on a regular basis-.
They see if any of them
pinged near Tomsk a city in Siberia Russia on the same day that
Navalny was there, and they got several matches. So it quickly
became obvious that people from the Signal Center had flown to
Tomsk at the same time Navalny was there for a conference. Looks
like about 2000 miles away– not likely just a coincidence that several
were there at the same time.
So they had the likely suspects – knew
their names -and their personal phone numbers. Next step he
actually started calling them. The first few hung up on him but then
he reached one of the scientists named Kudryavtsev- and Navalny
pretended to be one of Putin’s people trying to find out what went
wrong with the assassination attempt.
And Kudryavtsev starts
talking– openly about how they conducted the poisoning –
sprinkling the highly toxic Novichuk on his clothes at the laundry
etc.And Navalny is recording the conversation and his team is
videotaping him as he talks to the assassin. It’s unbelievable. And
highly credible. Doesn’t seem concocted.
So Navalny has it all on
tape and he contacts some of the big media outlets and it gets
released all around the same time- on Navalny’s website as well.
And goes viral as you might expect. But Navalny is still OUTSIDE
Russia. He has not yet returned.
He decides to eventually return at
which point he is arrested at the airport– where HUGE CROWDS
are present– so huge they had to re- route the plane – but there were
still some crowds there as well– but he gets arrested on false charges
and has been in prison ever since.
Two days after seeing the film I
noticed this in the news: His lawyer has been imprisoned now as
well “Navalny Lawyer Sobol's Suspended Sentence Converted to
Prison Term “ https://www.rferl.org/a/sobol-navalny-prison-sentence/31803316.html
Unbelievable.
Wednesday the 13th of April 2022 8 am mass at
SLM. 10 am at Malaga Library to 330. All day working on
AmeriCamera. Then a swim at Redondo. Fun waves. Thursday 14th
Triduum begins with Maundy Thursday. 8am SLM. 10am back at
Malaga Library. Sunny day. Not as windy.
#PrayTheMovies: Shawshank: Warden says “I believe in Bible &
Discipline” Typical Hollywood tries to make the rigorous Christian
out to be a major hypocrite. “New fish.” Too much gross crude
prison talk & innuendo in this movie. Starring Morgan freeman &
Tim Robbins (good job by Robbins). Gives guard tax advice. Here’s
your book.
#PrayTheMovies: “Argo” planning to rescue the 6. This
is 1980. I was 13-yo. Affleck watches Planet of the Apes– which
sparks an idea to rescue the 6. Canada producer looking for
location. They actually reconstructed the shredded files. This all
took place from Nov of ‘79 to Jan of ‘81.
Warner Studio “Come to
Hollywood and act like a big shot without really doing anything.
You’ll fit right in” Crossroads of the World scene is right next to the
Catholic Church where I used to go fairly regularly for a while.
Moneyball: suddenly everybody doubted Billy Bean & his sidekick
but then they go on to have an 18-game winning streak– the longest
win streak at the time since 1953 – and then they make it a 20 game
streak– after ALMOST blowing an 11-0 lead– the opposing team
tied it up– but then Hatteburg was put in as a pinch hitter and he
him a homerun to win the game (he’s the guy who they moved from
catcher to 1st base and was not very confident). They have a lengthy
real footage segment of the 20th win.
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Back to Django: DiCaprio plays a mean slave owner– really mean &
ugly, and Samuel Jackson plays his sidekick mean slave who is mean
to Django– I wish I could unsee this– not sure it’s so good for their
careers to play such bad characters- and wonder if it affects their
actual souls or dispositions to play such bad parts.
When Django
arrives at the plantation where his wife is she is in the “hot box”
because she tried to escape. Django almost loses his cool when they
pull her out but barely manages to restrain himself from violence–
and sticks to the plan. His wife speaks German– her name is
Broomhilda. Leo makes her show her whipped back during dinner.
The sisters says stop. One of the slave’s names is Eskimo Joe.
Back
to Irishman: “sometimes you spill a little beer along the way” –
that’s the gangster’s philosophical understanding of grace. Now we
meet Jimmy Hoffa played by Al Pacino. “Teamsters built Vegas”
“Can’t trust millionaire kids” Hoffa hated the Kennedys. Over to
Green Mile- they take the magic man to the executive’s home to heal
his wife. The executive doesn’t know what’s going on.
Good Friday April 15 2022 7 am blood donation, 830 am Stations of
the Cross at St. Columban (in Vietnamese), 10 to noon GG library-
making progress on AmeriCamera, adding Lake Tahoe 2018 photos.
1pm stations of the cross at Crystal Christ Cathedral. And then
back inside at 3pm for the passion (more people).
Holy Saturday
April 16 8am prayer at St. Columban, 9 am Walmart (cabbage,
leeks, onions, peppers, tomato, ground beef, ground turkey, chicken
livers, OJ, apple sauce, beef broth, bananas, raisin, cott cheese,
pineapple juice, almond milk, veggie juice, corn, peas, kidney beans,
chili mix, cheese., 1030 to 1230 AmCam progress GG Lib, 1230 to
130 exercise &
#PrayerBook Easter vigil at Columban was way too
long. They tried to pack too much into one service including new
believers & baptisms.
EASTER RESURRECTION SUNDAY! April 17 8am St.
Columban. Gruff fellow Eucharist not so great. Didn’t even say
Body of Christ. 930 Christ Cathedral – beautiful. - very well done.
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Made me feel good all over to see the old Christ cathedral all shiny
and clean and hearing the great organ in all its glory. One priest I’m
not so fond of is the Smith guy– he’s a local Orange fellow and is
very territorial. He even took a moment to “welcome” Bishop Vann
– as if Vann needs to be welcomed. He’s the bishop. This is his place,
so to speak.
It’s all of ours but in the structure of the church it is his
more than anybody else, and more than Smith. Back to movie
reviews: still reviewing White Helmets. Fun to see these Muslims
showing such kindness and generosity- great showing for Muslims.
End notes says they've “saved over 58000 lives.”
Now watching “My Octopus Teacher” -this won an Oscars for
documentary feature 2022 (2021). And it is definitely a fascinating
film. And you don’t have to worry about LGBTQ propaganda.
However, disappointingly, the main character DOES subtly sneak in
“evolution propaganda” from time to time. However, apart from his
secular agenda– the film itself – mostly underwater as this guy
develops a relationship with an octopus– and films it underwater
every day for almost a whole year.
These octopus are highly
developed creatures in many ways. Amazing abilities. Back to
Inception. I missed this when it came out and won some Oscars back
in 2011. Not as gobsmacked by this nonetheless. It’s an interesting
action film with a creative plot but it’s a little too far out of this
world for my taste.
Over to “Into the Wild .” So this is a film about
a young man just graduated from college (based on true story) who
decides he doesn’t want to start living the rat race life or go to law
school etc. and decides to start driving west where he ditches his old
car and starts hitchhiking and the film follows his adventures here
and there (apparently he kept a journal of sorts).
They show him
hitching on trains, and getting rides from hippie types and sleeping
in different places with his tent. And now he’s arriving at what’s
called “Salvation Mountain” – out in the far east end of Coachella
Valley (Where I used to teach school but never knew about this
place at the time.).
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Salvation Mountain was started by an old fellow and he slowly built
it up to glorify God using all types of junk and tires and lots of paint
etc. And nearby there are some camps for travelers (kind of like
NomadLand). And he meets an elder fellow who treats him like a
son. And stays with this fellow for a little while before finally
making it to his ultimate destination: Alaska.
All on his own away
from civilization - he manages to make it for several months but
then he may have eaten some poison berries – and died. Found by
hunters a few weeks later. Sad but also a good movie about freedom
and exploration. I kind of follow such a lifestyle but for a HIGHER
PURPOSE– to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ– like
a missionary. I am a missionary.
I have handed out more evangelical
cards than I quickly count– the number is in the 1000’s if not 100’s
of 1000’s by now. Praise the Lord! Those are seeds – pray for good
soil! And I do online evangelism in many different ways. All part of
the Great Commission. 1230 Swim at Newport beach. I collected
some fresh kelp that I took back to the car. This stuff is really
amazing. And most people don’t know how great it is. I use it for the
skin, but some people eat it too. I haven’t gotten to that point yet but
I can see how it could be just like lettuce or cabbage etc and
apparently has high nutritional value as well.
#PrayTheMovies: Now I’m reviewing the movie “World Trade
Center” which specifically follows the life of a few NYC cops who
got trapped in the rubble for several days– and 2 who survived
(played by Nicholas Cage & Michael Pena). Interesting. I still don’t
know why the entire 2 buildings self-destructed due to damage way
up at the top?
Did it really demolish the entire infrastructure way
down at the bottom? Or were there explosives down below as well?
That’s what some people speculate. Over to Inception: DiCaprio is
being chased. Now in Kenya? C. Yes. Now reviewing Donnie Brasco:
this includes a young Johnny Depp who actually seems halfway
normal in this film (1997) - based on true story (from 1978).
Depp
plays an undercover FBI agent posing as a jewel thief. He gets taken
under the wing of a gangster played by Al Pacino (does Pacino play
any other parts besides mafia gangsters?) so now Pacino & Depp are
arguing about what’s a better car? A Lincoln or a Cadillac? This is
another excessive F word film unfortunately. You gotta wade thru
the muck to get to the end.
Depp says he’s from Vero Beach.
Somebody is tailing Brasco (Depp). A fugazy means a “fake.” Pacino
asked Depp what he thinks about a diamond. And Depp says it’s a
“fugazy.” Pacino thinks Depp is insulting him– almost fight. Pacino
is lefty. Capish meaning “do you get it? Do you understand?” Back
to Octopus movie: the pajama shark is one of the predators the octo
needs to beware of. The octo starts to trust the diver (actually he’s a
snorkeler who can apparently hold his breath for as long as 5
minutes.)
A kid just walked past my vehicle and asked her mom
“What is abundant life?” I have a sign that says “pro abundant life”
– from the Washington DC Walk for Life 2022, among other pro-life
signs. Monday– almost all day at NBPL – AmeriCamera progress!
Tuesday the 19th of April 8 -9 am prayer. 10-1 AmeriCam including
Milwaukee & Jackson Hole 2019, also Racine, Evanston, Chicago
and more. 3-6 more AmCam. 6-8 since it’s Tuesday I went over to
the nearby Big Newport theatre – unfortunately chose to see
Fascinating Creatures: Dumbledorf – hadn’t been following this
series. But what you need to do now before you go to a movie is
google “LGBTQ” , and the name of the movie” to see if it has an
LGBTQ agenda– which SO many do now including this one. I left
early.
There were a few neat special effects but it wasn’t that
compelling– I think the LGBTQ thing came at the end so I managed
to dodge it. The whole film revolves around a creature called a
Quilin/ One of the characters looks like Gal Gadot.
Wednesday the
20th of April, 2022: 830 am St. Vincent HB – haven’t been here in a
while. 9am now back at HB lib- had to update my card to use the
computers. More AmCam progress including Mt. Rushmore, Reno,
Tahoe, Winnemucca, Lick Observatory, Vacaville Parade, Clovis
street fair. 1pm did laundry at nearby place. 2-6 more AmCam
progress. 6pm back to laundry– finished a few things.
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#PrayTheMovies: Now starting new review on Netflix– somehow
never saw this film called “Apocalypse Now” re Vietnam War– and
now I know why I didn’t see it- This 1979 film would NOT be talked
about or recommended in my Christian school childhood
community. This is the “redux “ version of Apoc Now– apparently
some scenes that were deleted from the original were put back in.
This film includes Martin Sheen (and he looks a lot like his 2 sons in
this film– Charlie Sheen& Emilio Estevez). Also Marlon Brando
near the end of the movie. And there’s Dennis Hopper. Also
Laurence Fishburn and Robert Duvall. And directed by Francis
Ford Coppola. Starts with bombing. Helicopters. Soldier. Whiskey,
gun. Doors music. Fan on celling. Guy in hotel room smoking
drinking. In pain/? It’s Captain Willard (Sheen). 2 soldiers arrive at
his hotel room with orders to report– and escort him there.
Thursday the 21st of April: 8am St. VDP again–, and 9am back at
HB lib. More Am Cam Progress. Then over to GG for 3pm exercise
(or what I call “self-maintenance” or SM). After exercise- 2 hours of
AmCam progress. Then 530 Vietnamese mass at St. Columban. It
rained overnight.
Friday the 22nd of April 2022: 7 am blood
donation (incident). Angel Stadium – bought a ticket for the Sunday
day game for $9 bucks. Why does the guy insist on knowing my
email address– then he requires my license with my credit card– but
doesn’t just glance at it– he writes everything down on it– says he’s
opening an “account” in my name– but I DON’T want an account-
and don’t want to be added to the marketing list.
He had that white
male orange supremacy attitude as if he had a right to invade my
privacy because he knows better than anybody else. But he doesn’t.
He’s ignorant. But these guys are easier to appease than argue with–
than get away from them as fast as possible.
11am stopped in at
Orange library– they needed my ID to update my card.
Most libraries don’t require a regular update but the Orange
library does. Another Orange thing– the city, not the county. This is
the library where I and one other fellow reported a baby left in a
day care van–crying– all closed up- warm day.
I eventually was
required to testify about it- Not sure the outcome. We may have
saved the baby’s life. But what was also disturbing is that when we
initially reported it to the library– some of the employees were
lackadaisical about it. I had to call the police myself– to get serious
urgent action about it.
Subsequently I started a blog website about
the danger of hot cars which is still on the internet. 1pm back at
NBPL - AmCam Progress: Holland, St. Joseph, Milwaukee, and
Madison WI 2019. No evening mass at OLQA this week. Saturday
the 23rd of April: 8am adoration, 9am NBPL AmCam progress–
also started new “photos only” blog for the unborn (with footage
from the various rallies and pro-life events attended over the years).
SaveTheUnborn.blogspot.com .
Now I’m looking back at some of
the movies I participated in as an extra – had lost these records for a
while– kind of fun to remember them. Here’s a partial list of what I
participated in (no guarantee that the scene(s) was included in the
movie or not).
The biggest movie, and one of the 1st, was Moneyball
(released Sept 2011) starring Brad Pitt about the Oakland A’s and
their amazing season using Billy Bean statistical method. The scene
I was in was filmed at Dodgers stadium in Sept 2010 and showed
Billy Bean as a youngster still thinking he might make it as a
baseball player himself.
This was NOT a Brad Pitt scene but a
younger version of Billy Bean. Somebody filling in for Pitt (not that
I’m a fan boy of Pitt). I wore a large Mexican sombrero. I finally
watched the movie in 2022 & the scene was included but not any
close-ups of the extras in the crowd.
Another movie I participated in
was called “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible NO Good very Bad
Day “(2014) starring Jennifer Garner & Steve Carrell. The scene
was filmed at Altadena High School - not far from Fuller Seminary
and other places I was familiar with from my seminary years in the
Pasadena area.
We were a crowd in an auditorium and both the
stars were there not far from us. They were slightly behind where I
was and they told us to NOT look back. I peeked back a few times.
Wow. I still haven’t seen the movie. Have you?
Another film I participated in was a Dolly Parton Christmas movie
in August 2013. This was filmed in the ball room at the Hilton Hotel
in Glendale CA. We didn’t see Dolly. I just remember they did
several takes of a scene with somebody walking up the aisle.
When I
google it I come up with a film around that time called “A Country
Christmas Story” Haven’t seen it. I have been to Dolly World
though– to be exact it is called DollyWood -although it was closed at
the time– I drove by it. IT’s near Smoky Mountains NP– which I
wanted to visit but it was closed at the time due to covid.
Unbelievable.
Don’t know when if ever I will get back there.
Another film I participated in was filmed at the Inglewood Forum–
and I can’t remember the name of the film– something about a
young guy becoming a star– and we were in the audience while he
was on stage.
Another scene I was in was filmed at USC – two
different movies– one at the baseball field, the other inside the
basketball arena. One of the scenes was for a Mark Wahlberg movie
called ‘The Gambler” – with a little googling I found out this was the
basketball scene (2014).
And I found out later the baseball scene was
for a Johnny Depp film based on book Labyrinth– eventually called
‘City of Lies” as a movie. “City of Lies is a 2018 crime thriller film
about the investigations by the Los Angeles Police Department of
the murders of rappers Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.[2]
It is directed by Brad Furman, with a screenplay by Christian
Contreras based on the non-fiction book Labyrinth by Randall
Sullivan.
The film stars Johnny Depp as retired LAPD detective
Russell Poole and Forest Whitaker as journalist Jack Jackson, with
Rockmond Dunbar and Neil Brown Jr. also starring.” wiki. Then
there was a scene at a church in north Hollywood- we played
parishioners.
There was also a scene at Santa Anita horse track.
Then there was a scene filmed at the auditorium at East L.A.
College in June 2014- this one I remember well– it was the “Whitney
Houston Story.” I remember seeing Angela Bassett there as well–
the director. I was one of the few white people there.Still have a few
pictures from it (which on all sets is NOT allowed–).
Then there was
the movie called “Liz & Dick” about Liz Taylor and Richard
Burton. The infamous Lindsay Lohan played Elizabeth Taylor and
was in the scene we participated in. I remember she was a little late
to arrive for the “action” moment-. We waited patiently. She
laughed a lot between takes.
This was a long day– started in the
evening and almost went all night as they did several takes and a
few different scenes. I actually left before they were done. Then
there was the remake of “The Saint” starring Elizabeth Dushku &
Adam Rayne =- this was Roger Moore’s last film –just a small part
apparently.
We filmed our scene around December 2012 in
downtown L.A. at an open air market- an action scene where
somebody was getting chased and had to jump over a counter etc.
We were the crowd just mingling & shopping. Roger Moore was not
there that I know of. And this film did not get released until 2017, 5
years later.
Then there was the film called “Jobs” about the life of
Steve Jobs - we filmed in July of 2012 – starring Ashton Kutcher as
the main character (Jobs). It was a scene with a bunch of old
computers – they set it up at the Pasadena Convention Center - I
was in the background. Haven’t seen the film yet.
During a break in
filming I went to the restroom and was surprised to see the star
(Kutcher) in front of me at the urinal. So much for the “star
treatment” – he didn’t even have his own private restroom. He’s
from Iowa by the way (where I was born too!).
Looking at my notes I see that I may have participated in a film
called “Killing Mr. Wright” in December 2011 but I don’t remember
anything about it. Then there was a film called “Bad Words”
starring Jason Bateman who was also directing. It was at the
American Legion facility in the heart of Hollywood – not far from
the Hollywood Bowl.
We were the audience and they filmed a scene
of a spelling bee which is what the film is all about– an adult taking
advantage of no age limit loophole – so he enters a spelling bee
contest which is mostly children. Haven’t seen it. At one point
Batemen came and stood right next to me and stared at me.
Wasn’t
sure what that was all about. Then there was the St. Patrick’s Day
episode of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in March of 2011 – they
had us arrive dressed in green– and also provided costumes – the
goal was to set a new world record for the most leprechauns in one
room.
So I was definitely shown in front of millions watching as a
leprechaun in the crowd– although it was not on the stage of the
tonight show but a back room– I found at least one photo of it at
https://m.facebook.com/GuinnessWorldRecords/photos/the-largest-gathering-of-people-dressed-as-leprechauns-was-224-organised-by-
nbcs/10150119447704032/
As an aside for many years I kind of “hung around” the tonight
show when Jay Leno was in his prime. I would try to go to as many
shows as possible while getting oriented to the area of Burbank &
Hollywood– as my ministry was starting. The tickets were always
free and usually easy to come by as a “standby” – just meant you
had to wait in line for a while– and were seated after all those with
reserved tickets were seated (reserved tickets usually required some
planning in advance ).
Jay got to know me in the crowd– meaning he
recognized my face– one time he gave me a nod to say hello as he
came on stage. Not exactly an insider but a familiar face he trusted.
I saw him around town a few times as well.
One time at the Beverly
Hills car show he was walking alone and I saw him and called
“Jay”-- nobody else was interested in him or didn’t recognize him.
He literally moved swiftly towards me to shake my hand at which
point I didn’t know what to say more than hello. And then some of
the show organizers whisked him away– he was making an
appearance for the show.
After the Tonight Show ended (the 2nd time, & final time) he kept
doing his car show and may still be doing it. I heard he bought a big
mansion in New Hampshire as well. Maybe he’s slowly moving back
eastward. I tried to reach him with Christmas cards to let him know
about Jesus Christ– not sure if it worked.
Pray for him. He’s one of
the more moderate decent fellows - but I hope he doesn’t have a
hardened heart. He has so much money saved up but you don’t hear
of him making donations or having a foundation etc. Maybe he does
it all privately, or he doesn’t. You can’t take it with you Jay. So I do
NOT have “illusions of grandeur” – I am not seeking to become a
movie star.
What I did want to do is reach others with the Good
News of Jesus Christ– my ministry is what it’s all about- so the more
I extend my outreach– the more I am able to reach others
effectively, including inside the “industry” as they call it. A lot of
this initially is “just showing up” and becoming a familiar face– and
becoming a trusted participant. I haven’t done much lately in the
Hollywood community.
I also used to regularly attend the Walk of
Fame ceremonies– then it became too much driving from where I
stayed most of the time. And then covid hit- stopping everything for
2 years or so- and NOW gas is almost $6 per gallon in Southern Cal-
making it cost prohibitive to drive around to different locations
FOR NO PAY. None of these extra jobs are paying jobs.
That’s not
to say extras never get paid but the group I was getting contacted by
only used free volunteers mostly for crowd scenes. And that’s all I
wanted. For a little while I was getting calls directly from the staff of
movie producers who wanted me for specific parts, or was
considering me. Not sure why I suddenly was on their “list” – maybe
somebody tipped them off.
One particular film was an Arnold Schwarzenegger film around
2000 – called “The 6th Day” - a casting lady named Lizette kept
calling me – for some reason highly interested in having me in a
part– so I said yes– and I was given the time & location –
somewhere in North Hollywood I think- and I actually had a rental
car at the time because my vehicle was in the shop.
Anyways, I
arrived early and parked and rested and fell asleep– when I woke
back up- I was a little late– but I walked up anyways– and then
Lizette made a big deal about me being late– I guess they decided to
teach me a “newbie” lesson- and told me I was cancelled. I told them
“I was here early” but didn’t get the opportunity to explain. So I
left. I think she tried to call me later but I didn’t answer. That was
the end of that. And the actual first time I was involved in a
Hollywood show was for Doogie Howswer M.D. – anybody
remember that?
I got called to show up and they put a cowboy hat
on my head and took my picture -but never heard from them again.
I did get paid for that. And I did get paid for something in the
Rocky & Bullwinkle movie – I still have the check that I never
cashed because it was for less than $10 dollars– and I literally
cannot remember what I did. It’s strange.
And that’s the extent of
my Hollywood career. I’ve also embedded myself at a few film
events– including AFI and also the French Colcoa festival– going
there every year for numerous years. All this does is give me a
familiarity and some “legacy” with the Hollywood community so
that I can interact and develop relationships more easily– with the
ultimate goal of reaching people for Christ– but not in obvious
stereotypical ways that Hollywood satires so often.
Anyways, at least
I can say I’ve tried. And at least I can say I’ve had some experience
in Hollywood given I’ve had a southern Cal address since 1984. IT
shows I’ve made a good faith attempt to be part of the community-
not just turned up my nose at it.
Although at times I have done that
too. And of course the time at the Crystal Cathedral adds to it–
often there would be a Hollywood guest being interviewed. And that
was Schuller’s mission too- to try to spotlight the good positive
quality things in all different spheres of life– including
entertainment.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
And I had professors at both Calvin College as well as Fuller
Seminary who specifically taught their courses with this in mind.
You might expect that at Fuller being so close to Hollywood
geographically, but it was rare at Calvin – nonetheless there was at
least one professor who was willing to acknowledge the existence of
Hollywood.
And of course the infamous Paul Schrader sort of
opened such a conversation about Hollywood. I actually saw him at
an event at the Hammer Museum many years ago. Not many people
there. When I walked in he was sitting on a bench near the entrance
but I did NOT even know it was him. I literally did NOT know what
Paul Schrader looked like at that time. Then he took the stage.
I was
disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to chat with him– given we
both went to the same high school & college and grew up in the
same city. That event was about Schrader donating some of his
“library” to UCLA- where he attended film school. I think my dad
knew his brother, Len, a little bit from University of Iowa– I think
he said Len was there studying English when Jim was starting as a
preacher.
Len also was part of the film= making community but not
known as much as his brother. He’s best remembered for “Kiss of
the Spiderwoman” screenplay (1985) – which received some movie
awards– including William Hurt for Best Actor. I watched a little
bit of it recently but it was too much of a lefty political agenda for
me. Wasn’t expecting it. Len died in 2006 age 62.
Saturday April 23 2022 8 am adoration, 9am NBPL- there’s old
baldy – always at the same place- same computer– is he homeless?
10am I move to the computer lab– usually a nicer atmosphere. Then
to CDM for a self-maintenance exercise swim & also picked some
fresh kelp– love it! After swim back to Car 230pm and it won’t
start! Oh no. Haven’t had car trouble in several years.
Luckily I’m a
member of Good Samaritan roadside club– call them- they arrange
a tow but want $32 because I am requesting a different location
rather than the closest shop. This makes me angry and I express
myself to the lady saying its 3pm Saturday afternoon– by the time I
get to the closest shop they won’t be able to work on it– and I found
a place that IS open on Sunday (Firestone) -- which is only 3.5 miles
away.
She didn’t budge– wanting to take advantage of my difficult
circumstance. I asked to speak to the supervisor and predictably
after a hold– the call got cut off– I think this is the trick of the
underlings – it happens so often. If you ask to speak to their
supervisor, they put you on hold for a while, then the call
mysteriously clicks off.
I used to easily get thru to a supervisor to resolve matters but now it
is nearly impossible. Nonetheless, a tow truck driver named
Eduardo from Henry’s towing arrives – he seems decent at first –
hooks it up carefully– but then we start driving and he turns on his
CD player to the worst gangster rap I’ve ever heard including all
the profanity (F Word, S Word,) and degrading to women (B Word)
& blacks (including the N Word) .
I felt intensely uncomfortable
riding like this– it was SO LOUD too – such angry music. I actually
recorded it on my phone before forcing him to turn it down – he
acted as if he innocently didn’t know why it bothered me. What a
freakin jerk. I almost started cussing at him because of the terrible
music.
AND I prayed! And I ask you to pray for this Latino who is
so angry– driving a big ol flatbed tow truck – nice AC & stereo– no
problems in the world but he’s angry at the world. Thankfully it
wasn’t a far drive. I arrived at the Firestone with one hour to close.
I figured they wouldn’t start working on it Saturday evening but
they were one of the few places open on Sunday.
And I know these
big box places charge more but I didn’t expect it to be THAT
MUCH MORE. They wanted $1100 to change a fuel pump. Good
grief. So I sat in my car and thought about what to do.
There was a
mechanic named Dave here – and I walked over to him and asked if
he did “work on the side” – I’ve had luck with “mobile mechanics”
a few times (as well as bad luck) – and was surprised he immediately
said sure. I said how much for the fuel pump and he said “If I don’t
have to drop the fuel tank it’s $100, but if I do drop the tank it’s
$200” (plus my cost for the pump which I could get for around
$240). That’s more like it. I immediately felt a sense of relief. A
decent honest fellow. So I planned on it for tomorrow.
The next
morning I walked over to the nearby O’Reilly Auto Parts who I had
called and ordered the part for delivery at 10:30 am. I got the part,
plus a new air filter, and walked back along the commercial area of
17th street Costa Mesa.
Lots of restaurants, coffee shops, grocery
stores etc. I’ve driven thru here numerous times and occasionally
would pick up groceries at the Ralphs (which I try to avoid now) but
never walked the length of it.
I got back to Firestone and Dave said “Put the parts on your front
seat. Do you have somewhere to wait? “I was thinking about their
waiting room because Dave had assured me yesterday that it was
not a problem for the manager for him to do work on the side
(which was surprising to me. I was thinking he was going to do it
after hours = maybe he was allowed to use the shop tools and lift
after hours) but now he said the manager was not too compatible
about it.
I guess Dave’s plan was to bring my vehicle in during a
down time without the manager thinking much about it. So I went
over to Peet’s coffee and used my gift card from a blood donation
that I still had on my phone from about 3 years ago. I thought it
might be expired– but it worked! No expiration date.
I sat and
recharged my phones while sipping an iced coffee. I carry 2 phones
now– one is heavy but has the internet connection– the other is light
and has a better camera– so I use the heavy one as a hot spot to
connect my better less heavy cam -phone to. And I recently
subscribed to NetFlix- did so around Oscars to view a few nominees
– for my Christian ministry that includes reviewing films for
Christians which I call #PrayTheMovies: as I’ve mentioned.
I don’t
necessarily endorse Netflix as a corporation– they seem to lack any
real sense of Christian values– but I will use it for a few months
before canceling. Fortunately it’s a month-to-month agreement.
After Peets I wandered back over to Firestone just to see if Dave was
making progress but he hadn’t even pulled my vehicle into the
garage yet. And it looked like it was getting busy.
So I walked
around for a while. Bought something to drink. Sat in the shade on
the grass by the curb. Walked more. Found a nearby park I didn’t
know about. Sat there. Eventually walked back to Firestone- around
3pm– the car still was NOT in the stall-. I didn’t want to pester
Dave- I figured he’s probably going to work on it after hours. Good
enough. I can’t go anywhere until it’s ready.
Around 5 I returned to
my car still not in the stall. I sat in the driver’s seat. They were
closing the stall doors now– Dave wandered over to me– he
apologized and said it got too busy. I started to wonder if he was just
pulling my leg the whole time. Was he ever actually intending to do
the job? He didn’t seem like that kind of person.
Then he added “I
looked it up. This just takes 4.5 hours- can’t do it tonight” blah blah.
I will never know if he was genuine or just jerking my chain.
Anyways, it gave me hope for one day. The next morning I started
calling shops and asking for a labor cost only. Some shops refuse to
use customer-provided parts- I recommend avoiding them LIKE
THE PLAGUE.
You see, the same exact part that I buy at
O’Reilly’s for $350– they charge $200 more for the part if it is sold
directly to the big box shop like Firestone or others. Maybe they
split the difference with the shop so they are both making $100
more. Not sure how that works but it’s shady and greedy. You are
almost always better off buying the part yourself and getting a labor
only price from a small shop who is hungry for business.
And it only
took 3 or 4 calls before I got a place that said they would do it for
$300! Waiting around for a day or two is worth saving $500 dollars.
For some it’s not worth it. For me it is. So I called for another tow.
Now my service couldn’t object. They guarantee a tow no matter
what. No limit on number of tows.
This time a different agent had
no problem with me telling her where I wanted it to go. That’s the
way it should be. And I asked “Just don’t sent me Henry’s Towing
again” She said she would do her best. So I waited and finally got a
confirmation of a tow truck company named “The Guys in Red” or
something like that. Never heard of them. Hoped for the best.
And they arrived 30 minutes later. Two guys in the front seat. Both
dressed in red – what a stupid gimmick for a tow company. So the
driver– a big obese white guy jumps out - and asks for my ID - never
had that happen before– he say’s “It’s just policy” – one of those
fellows who glibly resorts to ‘company policy” as an explanation for
everything.
If they were concerned that it was NOT my vehicle they
were towing– seems like they should ask for the registration to
match my license. But he didn’t. So just seeing my license is fairly
meaningless. Are they concerned that somebody else is using my
roadside service? Is that a fraud thing happening? I highly doubt it.
I suspect it is mostly virtue signaling– they pretend to be the honest
good guys (in red). Just like you see these big box grocery stores and
movie theatres now too– adding an option to give a dollar “for the
homeless or poverty” –so they can pretend they are the “good guys”
–when they have NO PROOF or verification of the money you
donate actually going to any worthy cause. Talk about a class-
action waiting to happen.
I hope a lawyer checks into Walmart and
Regal movie among others. So anyways I say to the driver as he
glances at my ID (by the way, I also object to Angel Stadium asking
for a driver’s license when you pay with credit card. In fact I bought
a ticket for Sunday’s game (yesterday which I missed as I was
waiting for my car to be fixed) at the window at Angel Stadium –
I
prefer to pay at the window –sometimes not always– and knew they
would ask for my ID with my credit card– even though MasterCard
and visa make it improper to require ID if the card is signed– but
this time the older white OC guy not only asked for my ID but also
my email – and then he started writing down information from my
ID.
This was going WAY too far–. He claimed he had to “make an
account” for me– say what? I come to the window because I don’t
want an account. And I don’t want my email to be used for
marketing etc. They’re so damn invasive these days. It feels like they
are undressing you. And I later made some complaints about it).
Anyways, back to the tow – the red guy– I said to him ‘I hope you
have room for me in the truck” And he immediately said “No we
don’t’. It’s just policy” There’ he goes again glibly citing “policy.”
They claim it’s not safe because of the pandemic (in April 2022) --
and they are not wearing masks themselves.
So that set off an ugly
interaction and I sent them away with a few strong words.
I went back inside my vehicle thinking I would have to call my
roadside service again– but just then another tow truck arrived– the
same guy from Henry’s on Saturday- goodness gracious. They
didn’t get the cancel call from the girl at roadside-
but by this point
I didn’t want to wait another hour for a 3rd company to arrive–
didn’t really want to sit in this guy’s truck again and go thru the
gangsta rap thing again– but I did want to get my car fixed today.
Not tomorrow. So I clenched my teeth together and he hooked it up
–and LO AND BEHOLD– like dejavu –like a bad nightmare– we
start driving and he turns on the exact same bad gangsta rap–
This
time I ordered him to turn it down– and he obeyed. We arrived at
the shop on Harbor Blvd. – nothing fancy but the people inside
turned out to be decent hard-working family place. They went to
work on it almost immediately.
4/24/22 Sunday After Peets, bought
some guac & chips at Ralphs and sat on grass to enjoy breakfast.
#PrayTheMovies: Now watching “Apocalypse Now’ for the first
time. This came out in 1979.
Here are my notes from watching:
Apox Now: military man played by Martin Sheen young Martin
Sheen (film came out in 1979 based on 60’s era Vietnam War) it's
an assignment to go find a hi -up officer who has gone “insane” and
he is supposed to eliminate this officer played by Marlon Brando.
Martin Sheen by the way looks very much like Emilio Estevez not a
coincidence because Emilio is his son (& so is Charlie Sheen) and he
was there on the set as a child apparently. Also a very young
Harrison Ford makes a brief appearance in this film.
"Charging a
person with murder in this place (Vietnam) is like giving a speeding
ticket at the Indy 500." American soldiers referred to the Viet Cong
as Victor Charlie or V-C. "Victor" and "Charlie" are both letters in
the NATO phonetic alphabet.
"Charlie" referred to communist
forces in general, both Viet Cong and North Vietnamese.” They take
their surfboards to the attack on the village which is pretty
gruesome and merciless- mowing down anybody who moves seems
like.
Heartbreaking scene: jerk boat driver insists on a routine check of
Charlie boat. They only find rice, vegetables, & a puppy. But the
soldiers panic & massacre the whole family because of what turned
out to be a puppy. Boat gets attacked up the river.
Nice black guy
dies. They encounter a French family living alongside the river and
enjoy dinner with them "There are two of you - one that kills and
one that loves.” The bad boat driver gets killed by spear (is that
Laurence Fishburne?). They find Col Kurtz in a weird cult like
village with dead bodies hanging from trees.
Sheen is captured &
placed in holding cell made of bamboo poles. Long speech by
Brando re "its judgment that defeats us.”Sheen kills Brando. "The
horror the horror" (quote from book “heart of Darkness” which I
read as an English major in college (English/Psychology double
major with honors). No wonder I didn’t see this film- it would have
been disapproved of in our CRC community.
Prayers for my
mission vehicle. I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.
Now reviewing movie “The Last Dance” about Michael Jordan’s
career – he had an amazing career and kept his life pretty good and
clean– no illegalities or controversies. One time I was in North
Carolina where he grew up and managed to find the address of his
childhood home– and drove by it. He did not grow up in poverty.
Not the “hood.” A decent middle class home with a big front yard.
Still waiting for Dave to start working on my vehicle at 143 pm.
#PrayTheMovies: film called “World Trade Center” – specifically
about a group of police who went in to one of the towers shortly
after the crash/attack - and got trapped in the rubble. The two main
characters including Nick Cage survive after several days. God is
Great! Holy Holy.
#PrayTheMovies: Movie review re “Silver
Linings Notebook” - including Bradley Cooper & Robert DeNiro &
Jennifer Lawrence. Cooper plays son of DeNiro just out of jail or
rehab – he’s estranged from his wife- she has a restraining order
against him.
He wants to see her but can’t – or he will be arrested.
He meets Jenn Lawrence– a friend of his wife– they strike up a
casual relationship at first- he jogs every day - & sees her. - She’s a
dancer- needs a partner. He wants her to deliver a note to his wife.
She says she will if he agrees to accompany her in a dance contest.
It’s in Philadelphia with the Eagles football team part of the drama.
Happy ending. Had to watch it because it was an Oscars film a few
years ago- trying to stay informed whether I like or agree with a
film or not.
Sometimes I play it in fast forward motion with lyrics
captioned below while I listen to the radio in one ear. 3:15 Dave says
he’s still planning on getting to my car.
Walked over to a park– I didn’t know this was here. Pinkley Park.
Back to the shop around 3:56.
My vehicle has still NOT been moved.It’s NOT going to happen unless
he is planning to work after hours.
Still watching “Blood Diamond” - the black guy finds his son but the
son doesn’t even recognize his dad- pushes him away. Di Caprio
orders the chopper to attack - create a diversion. I’ve never seen
DiCap play a gangster type of character- with guns and violence etc.'
5:15pm Dave at Firestone says sorry he couldn’t get to my car. I
wonder if he was ever actually planning on doing so? Or should I
have offered him more money? He lives in Placentia. Too far to tow
to his house to work on. We have a POTUS who literally does not
have the wherewithal to even operate a hot dog stand. And yet he’s
in charge of the USA.
Un-bee-liev-able. Long prayer session. I will
never forget the awful “Tow Guy in Red” & Mike the driver- these
guys were the absolute worst. Subsequently I started a prayer blog
for tow truck drivers.And so glib. Disgusting people. Thankfully Harbor Auto Repair
turned out to be much better than Firestone. Paid $360 for the
labor.
God led me to the right place. 11am I walked to the 99 cents
store and grabbed an OJ. Out of the blue a random transient in the
store called me “sir.” That felt weird. I’m just me. Not sir, nor boss,
nor dude, nor man, nor buddy. Just me. People try to manipulate
others around them by names they use.
So I walked over to the
Costa Mesa library near where the 55 freeway ends going south–
hadn’t been here in a LONG TIME_ -expecting the same ol library–
lot of homeless – but NO- they have built a brand new library
complex and a beautiful playground- wow. That’s a big surprise.
Nice surprise.
Used the computers in the library for a while to make
AmCam progress: Grand Rapids & Holland including John Ball
Zoo (that was fun to be back there). Also added GR Art museum to
GR blog. Editing Noah’s Ark pics (Kentucky). Walked back to
shop– lots of fishing pics on the wall including a gigantic lobster–
that must be FAKE. It’s way too big. Talked to the guy about
fishing for a little while & paid my bill with cash.
They did the fuel
pump fairly quickly and without drama. Unlike last time I had a
fuel pump replaced up in the Seattle area (and it wasn’t even
necessary– turns out all it needed was the mass air flow sensor
cleaned off). Now at the other Costa Mesa library- more AmCam
progress. Then over to JBAP for 530 mass & adoration. There’s
Puchner again.
He used to seem normal but now seems to be getting
a little strange. Him & the other midwest guy. They haven’t had
enough time to really get to know southern Cal. It’s like they got
dropped in on a helicopter. End of Blood Diamond- African guy gets
family back together– plus the money for the huge diamond he
found.
End notes re “Kimberly process: ”The Kimberley Process
(KP) is an international, multi-stakeholder initiative created to
increase transparency and oversight in the diamond industry in
order to eliminate trade in conflict diamonds, or rough diamonds
sold by rebel groups or their allies to fund conflict against legitimate
governments.”
Tuesday the 26th of April back to NBPL- all day
AmCam– Stanford pics, may fete parade, SF & Daly City 2019. Also
Swim at CDM & some fresh kelp. Stopped in at office late night pass
by.
Wednesday the 27th of April 2022: now in Moreno Valley. Doing
some research. Near UC Riverside. Thursday April 28 630 mass &
8am mass - found missing blue. Drizzle morning. Also found out
DVD problem– I thought- wrong. AC not working. Now it is
working.
#PrayerBook – adding prayer verse at the end. 10 to
2 more AmCam Oklahoma, New Mex, Texas, Blue Hole,
Albuquerque, petrified forest, Flagstaff fire (July 2019), 2 to 4
another swim & fresh kelp, new air filter installed, #PrayerBook
progress, listening to Jessie Kelly,
Friday the 29th of April 830 mass,
OCD not there. 9 to 10 birthday cards to the Peters Sisters random
yug by my car – 10 am NBPL supremacist arrived at noon. AmCam
including Green Band – add 2nd blog for Green Band pics. More
Stanford, Air Dogs gif, America’s Cup gif, Green Band gif, movie
post snippets, bad cop Santa Monica (Officer Wise), 2 to 330 swim
decent waves, yug from Colo asked about fishing.
Water still cold-
felt more cold– maybe the “upwelling?” Maps evangelism from 4 to
7. #PrayTheMovies: re the “Adam Project” - a little entertaining,
sort of. Saturday April 30 2022: 830 OLQA- OCD arrived late as
usual– 840 always. 9 to 10 #PrayerBook. 10 to 2 NBPL. 2 to 4 CDM,
And then all the way to Upland.
Sunday May 1: 7 am blood
donation, 9 am church #1 St. Joseph- some white guy standing
“guard” nearby made me feel uncomfortable. Left early. 11:15 St.
George was better. 12 noon walk at Civic Center Ontario. 1 to 2
using computer– they only allow one hour per day now. No
extensions of time.
Covid paranoia. Took scenic back road to
PV/RB- by the way- on the way here last time thru the Moreno
Valley I went down a road where wild mules roam– that was
interesting– without fences- lots of signs warning of the mules - or
maybe not wild but just not contained by fences. Saw a few – not
moving much.
Monday 5/2/22 8am mass & rosary at James, 10 to 2 starting work
on AmCam with new old flash – photos start to deteriorate after a
while on flash drives. Some on this one from 2016 are starting to go
bad.
But they say it’s not about the length of time but about the
amount of “writes & re-writes: eHow says flash drives can last up to
ten years, but as mentioned on NYTimes.com, flash memory doesn't
usually degrade because of its age, but rather because of the number
of write cycles, which means the more you delete and write new
information, the more quickly the memory in the device will start to
degrade.”
330 to 5 took swim & walk RB- almost 4 miles. Tuesday
May 3 - almost exact repeat of Monday. Wednesday May 4 repeat.
Happy birthday to the 3 peters sisters– sending cards. All sent. Am
Cam progress: big balloon parade, Miramar, la Jolla, Ontario vs
valley, orange Xmas tree (mean people) ,
bellflower car show good
pics, cubs win world series , Hollywood Xmas parade (terrible pics) ,
valley C wins Championship ( I was there). Jim in hospital. Belmont
& Downey Xmas Parade, Long Beach Veterans parade, Los
Alamitos car & air show. Bobcat Santa Cruz. Archives: Hawaii,
Netherlands, CPE, More Yuma, Detroit movie (1st time using M
152
pass). Cleveland All Stars, Interlochen, missiology, Cal Tech BB,
May 19 Palo parade , Stanford, America’s Cup bay area, Noah’s
Ark more, GR Holland, Chicago, Milwaukee Dells, Walk of Life SF,
Redwood Falls MN, Edgerton & Hills, Yellowstone, Jackson hole,
bear tooth highway to Billings,
Top of the world, Corn Palace, Wall
Drug, Badlands, Racine, Devils Tower, Dead Leadwood, Tahoe,
Solitude, Soda Springs, Raptor Center Sacramento, Vacaville
Parade, Carson City, Winnemucca, snow cabins near Tahoe
Traverse City , Detroit Zoo,
more Cleveland, Parthenon Nashville,
Memphis , little rock central high, Clovis CA, lick observatory,
phoenix, Fresno, silver falls (lost pics), Centralia, cascade loop,
Lynden, bend Oregon, cliffs auto, city of concrete, ladder falls, north
cascades, Mt. hood, Almere falls,
Pt Reyes lighthouse, Ft. Bragg jug
handle , heart & castle lake, Mt. Shasta, McCloud, Lava tubes,
Stinson, Muir, glory hole, frog town, Mark twain Angel Camp,
Yosemite, Sequoia, 1 day king , San Jacinto Peak, Tahoe - aloha glen
alpine trail fallen leaf lake, cathedral peak (oops- took wrong trail).
Next day aloha trail- wow.
Reno - hunter creek trail, rim to Reno,
Mt. rose, saw bear & cub. June 18: more Mt. rainier, cinder cone
Lassen, Bellingham, Tacoma, Stanford Vetter Way farming movie
(actually “Dreaming of a Vetter World”). Traverse City Arcadia
dune (about as high if not higher as the better known Sleeping Bear
dune.) Thursday May 5 2022: repeat of yesterday more or less.
Malaga AmCam swim walk repeat.
Also went to FCU minus 500
Octo, plus 500 SoCal, added Roses Photos only blog. Also Local
Color #2 photos only. “ColorfulAmerica.blogspot.com” (assoc with
3geep) Rose Parade photos assoc with TNR. Other new blogs
including “ColorfulBible.blogspot.com” (assoc with Sky High),
BlueAngelsAndMore.blogspot.com assoc with Sky High),
RememberTowTruckDrivers.blogspot.com (assoc with AmPrayer),
SaveTheUnbornBabies.blogspot.com (photos only, assoc with
AmPrayer),
AmericanMuseumsAndArt.blogspot.com (AmPrayer),
AllGodsCreaturesGreatAndSmall.blogspot.com (AmPrayer),
6PeakChallenge.blogspot.com (AmPrayer),
Storyboards
4theKingdomSnapshots.blogspot.com (Accept Christ), &
AmeriCamera.blogspot.com ,
ArtCam4u.blogspot.com (AmP),
NewOrleansNOLA.blogspot.com (AmP)
including pictured rocks & also added Beauty of TX San Antonio.
Friday 5/6/22 Azusa Library. I get so tired of the immigrants who
blow the leaves. Too many of them are careless. And yet all the
different places hire them – and they are cocky and often simply not
very nice or good persons. In some cases they are even belligerent &
try to act macho. They swing those blower tubes around like they
think they are Rambo or something.
Leaving Azusa library drove
past Azusa University and also called American Tire Depot for oil
change price – got a $32 price. St. James mass rosary. On impulse
drove to upland and donated blood– made it for the 3pm
appointment but they were way behind time– too many people. But
then at upland library I randomly discovered the LA Fair IS BACK
in business- now in May to beat the heat.
Used to go to it every year–
often purchasing a pass for the entire time- about $25. But then I
started going less– and then with covid it was cancelled for 2 years.
The best thing about the LA Fair is the free concerts – usually some
good old groups from the 70’s & 80 that I remember– this year I
noticed they have KC & the Sunshine Band among others. Got a
ticket for $10 bucks- resident discount day.
5/7/22 Saturday 8am mass Claremont OLA - lady behind me
annunciating in loud English (what I call “hard English” sometimes)
– that happens to me every now and then when certain types of
people see me they seem to have a need to prove they speak English
loud & clear- it’s just very distracting in church. Same way Linda
mom would occasionally speak in a SHRILL voice AT me rather
than talk to me as a fellow human.
I think her friends told her she
needed to do this to assert command. Unfortunately, her friends
were wrong. And all it did was cause hard feelings and alienate me
from her. Sad. Mom can be mean sometimes. Try to get over it.
Bought gas for $5.30 - made sure I asserted the “boss” word
immediately upon entry– caught the dude by surprise before he
could do it to me.
The boss word is so prevalent around So Cal by
workers – it’s like they're going around calling women the B word –
boss is the male equivalent– so you got to beat them to the punch.
And they don’t know how to react. 11 am arriving at L.A. Fair–
pedestrian gate locked. Walked the long way around. Guy at gate ‘I
need you to go this way”- another jerk- just ask. Don’t talk to me
like I need “clear instructions.”
I’m 55 years old BA/BA/M.Div.
Talk to me like a reasonable fellow citizen you A- hole. I told him
they usually unlock the pedestrian gate - have done so for the last 20
years (minus the last 2 years that it was cancelled). He didn’t know
anything about it. I walk onward. Try to forget about the jerks who
work at the fair. Cool gaming hall. No Circus or acrobats this year.
Very few animals.
They’ve really scaled it back. Good lumberjack
show (from St. Cloud FL). Good colorful display at the usual place.
Walked around until 2pm– then picked up concert ticket. Also the
Village People on the ticket. Wasn’t expecting that. I remember a
few of their songs like YMCA of course & Macho Man. They got
pigeon-holed as a “gay band” but they may not actually be gay at
all.
The lead singer is the only remaining original member– he’s the
one who wears the cop uniform- he’s from San Fran. He was
married to the lady from the Cosby show (the mom) for a while.
They actually are a somewhat entertaining act. Enjoyed it. Then
came KC! I never knew much about them– only remember their
popular songs. I actually thought they were a black band, but the
lead singer is very white. And heavy now- ie overweight. He even
joked about it– saying if he doesn’t start losing some weight they
will be calling them “KFC & the Sunshine Band.” Good joke. He
still was able to perform and move around – and they put on a good
show. Also saw a little bit of the kids spelling bee earlier in the day.
That was neat to see.
Sunday May 8 2022 morning. Donated blood at 7am. Then made it
back to Irvine– pulling in for the 1030 mass at St. John Neumann -.
From there back to NBPL more Am Cam progress. Monday May 9
2022. 8am OLQA identified OCD’s car! victory– a blueish Mercedes
155
with peeling paint, & a sticker that says “I hope you have a
wonderful day” 10 to 2 amCam progress NBPL, swim at CDM not
too cold 2 to 330, back to NBPL more AmCam 4 to 630 working on
pics from San Diego Petco Park padres game, also Yuma to
Petroglyphs AZ, & rattlesnake road.
Tuesday May 10 2022: 8am
mass OCD not there today but chef in white with candles on top of
car was there. Made prayer review for him. 9am cleaning car at self-
serve place– thought I could do it without being bothered by
anybody. First I had to remove a bunch of things out of the back of
my vehicle. This took a while.
I found a spot in the very back –lots of
rubbish around–like they never clear this place– behind that is an
open field– as I am doing this first a Latino fellow with a backpack
suddenly walks back behind me–and is looking out over the fence–
not sure what he’s doing. He doesn’t seem like a bad guy. I continue
my work uninterrupted so far. Then I hear somebody yelling.
I
can’t really hear what they are saying or who is saying it. I assume
it’s from the guy with the backpack. I have my phone radio playing
so I can’t hear too well. (And there’s a dog kennel on the other side
so that’s making a lot of noise as well). I ignore it at first. The yell
continues so I look and the guy with the backpack points at
somebody who was yelling from the other side of the fence.
It’s
another Latino– this guy without a shirt on- he’s asking if I have a
cigarette. I yell back NO- and try to go back to my work. So he gets
angry at me and says “I’m just asking ...” blah blah blah. I say
“Dude, can’t you see I’m busy–and there’s too much noise.” He’s
come over the fence by this point– maybe he thinks I would be a
scared white boy but I’m not scared – I’m just annoyed.
He walks
past me– not sure what he’s doing where he’s going don’t care– it
looks like he’s living back there– I notice an old couch. There’s some
mice or rats here too. What a life. Prayers for him. I am ready to
vacuum but now I realize the vacuum doesn’t work.
I have to move
my car to a new spot and leave all the belongings sitting on the
pavement. Oh well. I manage to vacuum the 1st half- and intend to
do the rest later.
156
Meanwhile the backpack guy started chatting– I took the
opportunity to do a little evangelism– he just had his car
repossessed– not sure what he was planning to do. He asked if I need
a “co-pilot.” Sorry fella. I barely have enough room for myself and
if I ever take a driving partner it will be a female.
I told him about
the girl from Hungary in Oregon who asked me for a ride once– she
was with two other fellows –one from New Zeeland, the other from
L.A. I couldn’t figure out what the situation was– they all had those
little fold-up bikes– and were walking the bikes on the trail when I
passed them.
And as I got in my car at the parking lot she suddenly
arrived and opened up my passenger door– and asked if I could
drive her to the next town. She had run ahead of the 2 guys she was
with. I said “Aren’t you with them?” She didn’t explain things very
well– like if she was in danger or what-. Suddenly the other 2
arrived. And they started trying to talk her out of it.
It didn’t seem
like they were a threat to her but that she had become disenchanted
with their journey. They didn’t have backpacks or anything. Were
they staying at hotels? And those fold up bikes are not exactly made
for long distance. But they never went into details. Suddenly she
said ‘I guess I will stay with them.” I just accepted it and said ok.
In retrospect I wish I had taken her aside and whispered to her
“What’s really going on?”
Anyways, at least I DID call the police as I was driving away.
Hopefully they were able to spot the three and do an assessment.
After the vacuum I went to City of Orange library– hadn’t been
here in 2 years– updated my library card. After library had lunch 3
to 4.
At 4pm found a spot to park across from Angel Stadium –
bought a ticket a week ago knowing this was Shohei Ohtani MVP
bobblehead night. I haven’t been to an Angel game in probably 3
years. And they’ve made some improvements– one of them is a new
metal detector where you don’t have to stop and empty everything
like it used to be– the new machine somehow knows whether there’s
anything significant or not on the person. I didn’t see them stop
anybody. I wasn’t actually too excited to be at the game. I thought I
might stay a few innings and then leave. But around the 3rd inning I
noticed the Angels pitcher had not given up any hits yet.
I wasn’t
exactly hopeful at that point– figured the Rays would get a hit pretty
quick-. But decided to wait until they did. And I waited, and
waited. ...and waited. Now it’s the 8th inning and still NO HITS–
now it’s getting REAL: a possible no-hitter in the works. He did
give up one walk.
And another batter got on base on an error. But lo
and behold-he made it thru the 9th and that was it – HE DID IT–
Reid Detmers pitched the FIRST NO-HITTER OF 2022 & I was
there. My first no-hitter too ! The last solo no- hitter by an Angel was
Jered Weaver in 2012.
Plus it was a good game offensively for the
Angels– lots of hits & homers– final score 12-0. So that was
something positive. I’ve been to so many mediocre Angels games
over the years. Tried to be supportive. This year they seem to have a
lot more spark. We’ll see if it lasts. It’s ONLY May. And they also
had the MVP award ceremony for Ohtani.
Wed May 11 2022 7am dental appointment. Student dental hygienist
Maria Hernandez did my teeth. She was pretty nice. Laughed a lot.
Told me she had an identical twin. This is a pretty good place–west
coast university– walking distance to Disneyland along the 5
freeway.
I mentioned a little of my family history here– and
mentioned the Crystal Cathedral- which you can actually see from
the window– but she had NO IDEA what it is. Isn’t that something?
For some people– they do not have a curiosity or interest whatsoever
in landmarks etc. They are very focused on their own lives – more so
I guess at a young age.
She had heard of Valley Christian High
school. After dental I exercised at Garden Grove Civic Center I’ve
been re-watching Forrest Gump – I don’t know if I ever saw the
whole thing. He’s learning how to play ping pong. And the 100’s of
letters he sent to Jenny never got thru to her. Returned undelivered.
Carl Jackson says Biden is intentionally causing Americans pain.
Now watching “Dick Johnson is Dead” about an elderly gentleman’s
experience with dementia. Now watching Mirai– animated Asian
film– a family has a newborn child named Mirai and the older child
Kun is jealous at first.
He wanders off either actually or in a dream
– on a bullet train – gets lost. Went to St. Columban Vietnamese
mass at 530– most of the time the Vietnamese are pretty gracious-
but this time one guy kept staring at me– as if he was making it clear
that he was wondering what is this white guy doing here? He should
know better.
There are a lot of white Americans here– usually at the
English mass– but it’s not as if he’s never seen a white American
before- But he was trying to make me uncomfortable. Not very nice.
Left early.
Thursday, May 12 7am returned to dental university to finish the
cleaning. After dental I made it to Chino Hills Library– also picked
up a free chicken sandwich from Chik Fil-A – a reward for the
Angels scoring a certain amount of runs– nice. Thanks. Then I
worked on ministry materials. Concerned about the rattling in my
engine. Don’t want to go to a mechanic but am thinking I must.
Now
at Claremont Library. Strange bl guy. Also refilled water.
#PrayTheMovies: Started new movie reviews: film called “42”
about the life of Jackie Robinson including Harrison Ford. New type
of role for Ford. Also starting “John Q” with Denzel W - working
class man & wife have son who needs a new heart but their
insurance won’t cover it– so he takes matters into his own hands.
And “My Best Friend Anne Frank” - based on true story of her
experience with same age friend named Hannah (who apparently
survived the concentration camps and is still alive today in 2022.
Amazing. ) This adds a little more context to the Anne Frank story.
It did NOT focus on her time hiding in the house with her family.
But a series of flash forwards and flash backs from life as a young
girl with a crush on a boy to suddenly being in the concentration
camps. Sad. I actually did the tour of the Anne Frank House when I
was in Amsterdam many years ago.
Also starting a review of “Gaga,
5 Foot 2” – about her day to day life – Malibu home– visiting
parents & grandparents. Etc. watched half but that was enough for
me. I met her once at the Jay Leno show– she was walking around
signing autographs. She called me “Sir.” Also starting “Breaking
Bad”– I’ve heard about this but until now hadn’t seen it.
It’s about a
teacher who is so cash-strapped he decides to get into the drug
business– making meth- with a former dropout student.
I saw Bryan Cranston once at a Hollywood walk -of-fame
ceremony. I think it was for somebody else- but he was a guest
speaker. Used to go to those events regularly for ministry purposes.
Cranston also runs a car wash on the side.
Back to 42 Movie. Jackie
gets ordered off the field by Sanford Police chief. I actually
remember hiking near Sanford FL - a popular trail called “Black
Bear Wilderness Trail.” It wasn’t until 2020 that they removed the
name of the police chief from the stadium – probably because of the
movie. Pretty sad the way they mistreated Jackie Robinson back in
the day.
Also started watching “Looper’ with Bruce Willis – he’s
being chased thru a cornfield. Not sure what the plot is.
Friday May 13 2022: donated blood again. Also went to a shop for
an oil change. Richard said I needed a tire repair too. But it was too
close to the edge for them to plug.
Nonsense. But I take it somewhere
else. Should have done it myself- instead paid $20 for some other
place to do it. I carry tire plug material but I was too tired to do it
today. The 1st shop says I need a new alternator & serpentine belt. I
wasn’t sure if they were right or not-
Richard showed me the
rattling alternator– had me feel it– but it may have been because the
nearby AC tensioner was rattling– causing the alternator to seem
like it was rattling. But my car has 163 k miles on it so it is due for a
new alternator & belt. So I decide to go ahead with it– even though
possibly the alternator could last longer– maybe a lot longer. Maybe
not. So they want $230 for the labor.
Much more if I let them buy
the parts. You can save money on auto repairs if you buy your own
parts– significantly so. But some greedy shops don’t allow
“customer provided parts.” This one does. The guy at the desk calls
himself “Josh” but he’s Latino– probably his American name. Don’t
know many Latinos named Josh. Back to NBPL -a heat wave is
coming for 3 days.
Making progress on AmCam. Also a swim – saw
an interesting large brown fish -that kind of matched the color of
the kelp. Also a giant starfish.
Saturday May 14 2022 845 am prayer chapel OLQA. OCD showed
up at 840. Chef not there. 9am more scanning– starting the new
#PrayerBook– so satisfying to complete this. A year-long project. 10
to 230 - more AmCam mostly local pics. Gold Globes 2016. Xmas
cards. Biola BB. Valley C championship. Yuma firewall. 3 to 4
another swim. A swim a day keeps the doctor away.
This time I saw
a cool Spider Crab (aka Sheep crab)-- never seen that before– had
to google it later to figure out what it was– huge dome with long
legs– kind of like a gigantic “daddy long leg “spider. It didn’t move
at first. I thought it might be dead– just a skeleton, but I finally
made enough commotion to scare it away.
Apparently these are
pretty good for eating too. Not endangered. 4 to 6 back at NBPL.
AmCam & PB scan progress – but all my scanning efforts were lost
due to it taking TOO LONG to save. I was scanning in PDF
Searchable mode and started saving at 530 but apparently this mode
takes a LOT LONGER for it to save–
by 6pm it still was NOT
saved– & the library staff wanted to go home– so I had to abort the
process. Didn’t lose any material– but will have to do it ALL OVER
AGAIN. I won’t do it in PDF searchable mode again
—----------------------------
Now at movie “A Matter of Life” https://www.thematteroflife.org/ --
made a point of coming to see this– its’ a pro-Life film–. a few notes
while watching: *Life Training Institute https://prolifetraining.com/ “If
you’re opposed to killing the unborn they expect you to solve every
other problem in society” or else you’re a hypocrite.
*Alan Schlemon “Stand to Reason”https://www.str.org/alan-shlemon
*At least 25 in audience at AMC Rolling Hills– that’s a good sign.
*Teresa Bukovinac pro-life San Francisco
https://www.prolifesf.com/about “Abortion is NOT pro-peace”
*special Life event August 28 2022 see
https://www.standingwithhersunday.org/ https://optionline.org/
*Annie Tang Humphrey is COO for https://savethestorks.com/ .
*Stephanie Gray Connors https://loveunleasheslife.com/about “Do those
of us who are older have the right to kill those who are younger?”
*Monica Snyder from secular pro-life group of same name
https://www.walkforlifewc.com/monica-snyder-of-spl-on-the-comfortable-pro-choice-person/
*Cather Glenn Foster Americans United for Life
https://aul.org/author/catherineglennfoster/
*Elizabeth Stanton Feminists for Life
https://www.feministsforlife.org/herstory/ “Treating women as property
is just as wrong as treating unborn as property.” Hurts the feminists
own cause. Just one question: “Is the unborn a human being?”
*Thomas Glessner NIFLA https://nifla.org/about-nifla/.
*Bernard Nathinson abortion doctor NY converted to pro-Life (see
movie “Silent Scream”).
* NARAL is evil starting with Betty Friedan. Sara Weddington was
the lawyer who argued FOR Roe v Wade to make abortion legal in
1971. She died in 2021 in Austin TX. Her partner in crime was
attorney Linda Coffee (still alive) /.
*re Doe v Bolton also see https://studentsforlife.org/med-law-the-legalities-of-doe-v-
bolton/.
*Norman McCovey (aka Jane Roe) – she never had an abortion.
*Christine Bennet is a proLife prayer missionary, see
https://www.christinabennett.com/ .
*Patricia Sandoval regretted her abortion & became a proLife
advocate, see https://www.clmagazine.org/topic/pro-life-champions/patricia-sandoval-her-long-path-
to-gods-mercy/
* 14th amendment re privacy “health defined so broadly by
SCOTUS you could drive a mack truck thru it.”
* 2021 Dobbs vs Jackson could overturn Roe (that’s what we’re
hoping!) see https://www.studentsforlifeaction.org/dobbs/
*Planned Parenthood had an unwritten policy that they “never let
the woman see the ultra sound” Mary Sanger was the founder of PP
and was a big advocate of population control & eugenics and
controlled breeding. She even had an influence on the Nazis. Sanger
said “the biggest sin is bringing children into the world with no
hope” American Birth Control league became Planned Parenthood.
Dr Guttmacher was the president– not good person.
They do NO
pre-natal care. Today there’s an abortion every 97 seconds. The
Guttmacher Institute today is the research arm of planned
parenthood. PP is NOT allowed to teach or encourage abstinence.
“PP are afraid of parents”
* Roland Care Warren net https://www.care-net.org/roland-warren
* Brian Fisher Human Coalition https://www.humancoalition.org/speaker/brian-
fisher/ “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10.10
* Abundant Life https://www.abundantlifewa.org/
* EmbraceGrace.org founded by Amy Ford https://embracegrace.com/our-
story
* Save the Storks new CEO Diane Ferraro
https://savethestorks.com/2021/01/save-the-storks-announces-diane-p-ferraro-as-new-chief-
executive-officer/
Crystal Willis was raped at school chose open adoption rather than
abortion https://www.facebook.com/liveactionnewsonline/posts/crystal-willis-was-raped-at-age-
14-by-an-older-student-in-her-high-school-becaus/10156037436316601/
* Emmet Till Jr body was so beaten up– the mother wanted an open
casket to show how horrible the killers were- they say this is why
graphic photos of aborted babies also have emotional impact.
* Somebody named Dr Levatino converted to the life cause
https://thelifeinstitute.net/learning-centre/abortion-facts/providers/former-abortionists/dr-
anthony-levatino?
*LiveAction by Lisa Rose https://www.liveaction.org/media/meet-lila-rose/
*Film maker Tracy Robinson re Matter of Life
https://radio.foxnews.com/2022/05/15/the-matter-of-life-filmmaker-tracy-robinson-shares-why-
award-winning-pro-life-documentary-was-banned-from-facebook/
* Faith Elwonger is a member of Students for Life staff
https://twitter.com/elwonger_sfla
Sunday May 15 2022 OLQA prayer NBPL 12 TO 4, MIWS 430 to
530. No lifeguards. Monday May 16 donated blood 615 am. Right
arm, Jake the snow boarder. They wouldn’t let me use my left arm
because I scratched it while snorkeling yesterday. 9am bought new
alternator & serpentine belt- had it replaced at American Tire
Depot (josh the Latino, Richard the mechanic).
Back to NBPL
Completed #PrayerBook scans & photo edit. #PrayTheNews:
sports: Pujols pitched the 9th inning for the Cardinals- his first time
ever pitching.
Tuesday 5/17/22 at OLQA the Vietnamese priest will
only allow silent prayer. The Anglo priest allows verbal. Seal Beach
Library at 10 am – resumed dictation– first time here in a while.
Same old crowd including the bl guy in his old car –always wears a
worn out suit.
Made it to PV- peninsula library at 1pm– went
upstairs– didn’t see many of the regulars– thankfully. Only the 1
scruffy guy from Ralphs.
Wednesday May 18 2022 8am Malaga Library 10 to 330 Am Cam
progress. Swim from 4 to 5. Walk 4 miles 5 to 630. Thursday May 19
– almost exact repeat of yesterday. Friday May 20: stopped in at
office cleaned it up. Vacuumed. Didn’t find flash drives yet.
But
picked up some other materials– a lot of dvd’s to work on. And
more snippets etc. And all the way to Upland 2am re-booked appt
along the way. Denise did my vitals. She lived in Wenatchee for a
while. I mentioned Leavenworth & Spokane. I was there just last
year. Chris started out working in Colton. This is my 7th donation –
supposed to be 200 but they forgot– only gave 100.
Saturday 5/21/22
back in NB– OLQA – scan project 9 to 230. Lots of old bulls from
2008. No sun yet– heading towards “June gloom?” Gray sky. $900
cap1 scheduled. No swim today– too gray. Called Integon–owe $263
to complete yearly auto insurance premium. They sent another
covid rebate check too- $30 refund.
Sunday 5/22/22 Prayer chapel
again at OLQA around 10am. Then noon to 4 at NBPL, scan
project. 4 to 5 snorkel swim at CDM– guy asked me how it is out
there. I told him I saw a dead shark– a small one - but not much
else– visibility not so good today.
Maps evangelism 530 to 7. 2am
impulse go back to blood donation. Monday May 23 spoke with
Natalie about adjusting payment amount. She said call back
tomorrow if she forgets. And she did “forget.” So I waited 2 days to
call- spoke with Macy who said she would take care of it.
Finally got
the right totals. After blood went to Walmart next door. The self-
checkout lady remembers me– and is trying to control me– asked
me to “step back a little” as I waited for a self-checkout to open.
She’s the one who argued with me about the price of a bag of chips–
I said the sign near it was misleading– not very clear which one it
was pointing too.
And she argued rather than apologizing- she said
“not even close.” That was pretty darn cocky of her as an employee
to a customer. Normally in such cases they should just apologize not
become argumentative. After that I stopped at Chino Hills library–
uploaded the bulls that I scanned at NB. From there back to NBPL -
continue S.P. (scan project).
At 3 took another snorkel swim. 3 gals
came swimming as I returned. One said, “Did you see anything
cool?” It’s nice to see young people who know how to swim with a
little guts to go in without a wetsuit– it’s almost June for goodness
sake.
Some of these local Californians are so wimpy. Most will never
go in without a wetsuit. And the ethnics who come from all over
don’t know how to swim – I don’t think most ever have swimming
lessons. So they just splash near the shore.
Tuesday 5/24/21. Paid off insurance premium - they’ve increased
the service fees for paying online.
Next year I will just send one
money order to save a few bucks. Back to the S.P. – here’s the “Barb
letter” from 1989– that was strange– she was all the way down in
Costa Rica and sends me this letter– after having suddenly
disappeared from my life overnight.
And she was in contact with
Audrey & Eric & was having them spy on me – that explains them
coming to my house at 8am that one day. That was so bizarre and
juvenile & uncalled for. So Barb was down there in Costa Rica
living with Janet Ludema * & lo & behold I would end up down
there myself a year or so later & see Barb – only once– but it was as
if she didn’t even recognize me.
I think she was a multiple
personality. I think she ended up marrying a Costa Rican and living
with him back in Kalispell Montana. Very strange. There was an
insecurity in her– which I didn’t see until the very last moment. This
insecurity made her interpret things wrongly. Also scanned the
Luisa letter– she’s in the Philippines. Prayers 4 her. And several
other letters.
Then over to Fed Ex Office – finally printed some new
Christ cards with new QR code.. As I sat in my car a guy pulled up
next to me -but apparently embarrassed of driving an old car–
noticed I was in my vehicle so he pulled back out looking for a
different spot.
Don’t be ashamed dude– even in Newport Beach– you
can drive an old car and not hang your head. It’s ok. The OLQA
Vietnamese priest always does a “deer in the headlight” look every
time he sees me. It’s weird.
#PrayTheNews: Shooting in Uvalde– many students killed - plus a
few teachers– final count maybe 21 or 22? Sad. Horrific. Prayers4
that community in Texas. Wednesday May 25 – back at OLQA–
there’s the staring priest again. I don’t even know why they insist on
having Vietnamese priests at OLQA when this is a mostly white
community.
It’s NOT like the Neumann Catholic in Irvine which
has a significant Vietnamese community. Likewise St. Bonaventure
in HB– they insist on having a Vietnamese priest even though it’s
also mostly white parishioners. And these Vietnamese priests
become cocky. It’s weird. Not edifying. Not helpful.
Found the old
audio Bible clips – starting new audio Bible blog
https://newaudiobible.blogspot.com/. It will take a while to put it all
back together. I had such a beautiful website hosted by posterous
many years ago– with all the audio uploaded – as well as written
material accompanying it– and posterous CEO personally vowed
they would be around a “long time.”
A few months later they were
bought out by one of the #BigTech – which then shut it down.
Thursday May 26 “May Gray” again. No sun this morning.
#PrayerBook 630 to 730 Cut N Paste prayers 9 to 11. Top Gun II is
finally released just in time for Memorial Day– how many years
later is this? 36.
The original Top Gun came out in 1986- my
freshman year of college. Wow. Another snorkel swim from 3 to 4
despite no sun. Good well. Caught a few waves. No life givers today.
Continue progress on New Audio Bible. Also checking other old
DVD’s for material.
Friday May 27 2022 830am instead of OLQA
which I am phasing out because of stare priest– I did street
evangelism around CMD HS – students park there so I am able to
leave an invitation “seed” for them. Pray for good soil. Despite it
being a wealthy nice community these kids have pressures of a
different kind– mostly high expectations. Got to get into a good
college of course.
After swim a guy asked about snorkeling. I told
him about the spider crab and big starfish I saw when the water was
calm & I could get in close to the reef/rock. It’s NOT florida or
hawaii– no bright tropical fish really. Lots of orange garibaldi. A
few unique creatures every now & then. Every day is different.
Afternoon I made it to Upland just in time to purchase a new AC
tensioner for $50 which is supposed to stop the rattling sound that
they had initially claimed was a bad alternator. But the new
alternator didn’t stop the rattling.
Then I pulled in to dollar tree for some zip cords to re-fasten the
front grill which had come loose. As I was leaving 2 bl teens came
by– made me feel uncomfortable the gestures they made. They know
how to do that so precisely. Its eerie & creepy– they always need to
catch your eye– and look you in the eye– sometimes as they walk
across the street as well- the pedestrian crossing.
I tweeted
something about that & apparently I am not the only one–
resonated with many people. (Remember desert vs dessert & the girl
at Coachella?) My own sister uses this as an M.O. at times as
well.
Saturday May 28 donated blood again at 630am. Then back to
Am Tire Depot in Pomona– there was Josh again– and Richard–
and the intimidator who doesn’t know how to do too much
apparently. He just changes tires. Kind of a jerk. This time Richard
did the work -. He admitted that they were wrong about the
alternator.
I didn’t make a huge deal about it because I figured if it
was the original alternator then it might be due for a new one-
rather than wait for it to fail when I’m on the road. But still. On the
other hand sometimes alternators can last much longer than you
might expect.
Nobody encourages proactive replacement of an
alternator. You usually just wait for it to die– then get towed & get a
new one. Anyways I liked Richard’s honesty whereas Josh was still
being evasive. Finally after they did the work, Josh didn’t charge for
the labor– so there was that.
That was a nice small gesture at least.
I’m coming down with something– a cold or flu– I can feel it. It’s
gonna get worse for a few days. Lived long enough to know it. Made
it back to CDM for a swim at 2, then did maps evangelism from 4 to
6. The cold water swim is good for colds– at least it makes me feel
better, not worse.
Maybe the opposite of what people would expect.
But take a look at cold water swimming– and health benefits. You
might be surprised. Bought some hot dogs for Memorial Day
weekend– cooked up a few after the swim. Also salad, lots of OJ,
chocolate oat milk (not so great) & applesauce.
Monday Memorial Day 2022: we remember the fallen soldiers who
died in action. That’s what Memorial Day, originally called
Decoration Day, is supposed to specifically be about. Also prayers
for Prisoners of War - if any are still alive. And Tomb of the
unknown soldiers. 8 to 10 doing 2008 receipts (audio).
10 to 12 swim
snorkel CDM– went the other way this time– saw another big
starfish– firmly attached to the rock. Also maybe a sleeping shark.
Last time I saw a dead shark rolling on the bottom (small one,
maybe a sand shark) with the waves. This time the shark looked in
good condition sort of under a rock– but SO DEEP I couldn’t get
too close to examine it or touch it– this was also small enough not to
be dangerous.
Later I looked up “sleeping sharks” and apparently
some do sleep on the bottom. Notice from YouTube re a video I
posted on CBF channel from the January 5 2021 event in Wash DC-
an organized rally the night before Jan 6 Trump event– at which
Mike Lindell (My Pillow) spoke, among many others.
YouTube said
it was a “misleading” video– and therefore they were removing it. I
figured some LEFTY just cruises YouTube looking for videos to
False Flag and YouTube rubber stamps them. You CAN appeal– at
which point a human is supposed to personally examine it. But so
far the appeal button is not working.
Tuesday May 31 - started day with CDM evangelism- also brief hike
by OLQA trail. Back at NBPL finishing this log book. Start new
one. Sunny day blue sky. No May Gray today. Go for an exercise
swim. Dvd progress NBPL audio Bible progress.
#PrayTheMovies:
TopGun 2 - 36 years later. Lady gaga. Hans Zimmer. Joe Kosinksi
Burckheimer Mojave desert. Gets a motorcycle. Tom cruise in
hangar by himself doing mechanical work. Greasy arm Ordered to
stand down. Mach 10 & more. “Threshhold is 10” 7800mph = Mach
10, “Caution screen” BLANK OUT.
What happened? Crash
landing eject. Is that the same boss as first movie? “You’ve been
called back to Top Gun” escort off to North Island. One scene from
the building I walked thru at liberty station. Same building as
original. “Iceman requested you” (that’s Val Kilmer). We want you
to teach, not to fly. Credit card declined. They throw him out.
Rooster plays piano.
Rooster is the son of goose who died in the 1st film. So rooster has a
grudge against maverick because maverick pulled rooster back
from advancement at one point thinking rooster wasn’t ready.
Football on beach. Iceman is dying of throat cancer (he had throat
cancer in real life but I think he’s okay now).
Miracle #1 & #2 will
come down to pilots & machs. Coyote blacks out. Bird strike. Ice
man dies. Funeral. Rooster says “my dad believed in ....” maverick
is terminated as teacher. Maverick steals a plane and proves it is
possible to do what they planned to do. So now he’s the new team
leader. He can still fly. The mission begins. Maverick saves rooster’s
life– a suicide save.
Maverick survives by ejecting but would have
died if rooster didn’t come back against orders to save maverick. He
finds him in the forest– Maverick yells “What were you thinking?
Rooster responds “You told me not to think.” Together they sneak
into a hangar and steal an old plane. Versus 5th generation fighters.
They survive. End of movie
6/1/22 Wednesday 1st day of June 8am
St. James (mike) mass & rosary. 9am glue sticks. 10am Malaga :
audio bible, scribd. Am Cam, 5 to 6 swim Redondo & walk.
6/2/22 Thursday James mass rosary– mostly a repeat of
Wednesday. Mass shooting in Tulsa 4 killed + shooter. 6/3/22
Friday-. New confirmations at St. James –big crowd at St. James the
arch bishop Jose from L.A. showed up. Nice hi from gal at door,
new library hours– forgot Malaga & peninsula are closed–open at
2pm- strange hours.
Go to laundromat 10 to noon. Swim #1 noon,
maps evangelism cut paste 1 to 4, Swim #2 4 to 530. More maps
evangelism, #PrayerBook. Walked & prayed to 730pm, 6/4/22
Saturday June gloom. 8am James mass rosary #PrayerBook 10am
Malaga–most of the day
6/5/22 Sunday 9am St. Lawrence martyr –
prima donna priest. 10am neighborhood lady preacher –where’s
young? This lady more relaxed–easy to listen. No 100–yard stare.
11am Malaga clean out both chairs gone now. 1 to 430 PV main
library scribd & am Cam computer. 3 minute warning almost
disaster quick thinking saved most –they still do that here even after
the update.
R.A.S. “when you’re down to nothing God’s up to
something” Had epiphany about how people maybe even loved ones
sometimes set me up to fail by suggesting I’m trying to gain power
or control.
No I’m trying to gain autonomy with integrity without
being in an abusive relationship. They won’t even let me have that?
From a simple delivery job at PRCH to a simple corner classroom at
CVHS. To a mere sub at LAUSD– and then there was Henry Baron.
Paul Fields. Timmerman? Diekema? None of that is tolerable! Why
do they want to sink my ship?
#PrayTheNews: massacre at church in Nigeria kills 50. 2) Also
stampede at free food event in Nigeria killed dozens.. Yesterday sun
was shining at end of day.
Monday 6/6/22 sunny blue morning. 8am
mass rosary (mike) custodian sweeps during rosary– annoying. Like
the leaf blowers. Arrogant. Belligerent. AmCam Yuma painted
rocks petroglyph. San Diego etc. New A.B. chapters. Strange vivid
dream re star trek. Pitt is the maintenance man.
Tuesday 6/7/22
midnight office pickup 8 am St. joseph Pomona beautiful church.
Strange the guy who checked my veins at the blood place– out of the
blue said to his co-worker “How are your parents” - she said “fine,
how are yours.”
He responded “Mine passed away.” What was that
all about? Who does that with a co-worker out of the blue? Nurse
Marilyn almost told me I couldn’t donate because I didn’t eat a big
enough breakfast. But they check our protein! I called her bluff.I
think she realized she was mistaken. Then they had some concerns
about my tinted face mask– it’s a shield just like they wear but with
orange tin.
Donation went fast. They have better machines than
some of the other places. After 1st blood donation. I went to
Walmart in Torrance on Hawthorne– strange cashier made some
inappropriate comments. I made complaint later. Also kept seeing
same gal aisle after aisle.
Bought whey protein powder, also shrimp,
beef, cocktail sauce, broccoli, cauliflower.
#PrayTheMovies: “Bad Guys” animated– kind of funny
entertaining – at the regal promenade– Tuesday discount. Coyote &
snake in restaurant & a piranha too. Police chase.
It’s all animals.
The mint chip ice cream I bought barely had any choc chips– are
they cutting back to save money? Tarantula assists with green
lights. Mayor press conference insults angers TC bad guy. The good
Sam is a guinea pig? The governor (not mayor) is a fox animal. He
steals her ring. He’s a pick pocket too.
Pray for primaries. Including
Eric Early. Being good so good “shark swallows snake. Not good.
But wolf saves kitten in tree. Good.”Go bad or go home” says one of
the bad guys. But another says “Feels good to be good.” Wolf is
actually having an inner conversation. “Gonna be good tonight”
Wolf goes good. Professor marmalade is the bad guy. --
The “heart
is the ultimate power source’ the fox governor is actually a bad guy–
pretending to be good. She busts another bad guy out. The fox
governor is the notorious “crimson paw.” Marmalade flips the
switch & it makes the guinea pigs go crazy. The other bad guys
become good too, except snake.
Pray for she pays cashier – makes
sure she was memorable. Sam Rockwell is the voice of the wolf.
Switcheroo: meteorite with good guy after all Wednesday 6/8 8am
James no rosary because high school graduation. The retired Irish
priest is an alpha 9am transfer 400 from Biomat to FCU , activate
bioLife card.
Continue prayers for massacre in Nigeria church.
Horrific. Heartbreaking. New EDUD at Malaga– obnoxious
attention-seeking. He’s got some mental issues. Red flag at Malaga.
Left early because of it. Swim at Malaga. I go in the water catch a
few waves.
Some followers follow me in. I go out. They get out. What
am I the pied piper? That was 2 to 4. Then I go over to Ave C. and
catch a few better waves. Pray for obnox1 and prayers for obnox2
Thursday 6/9/22 James mass/rosary 8a, another transfer from
Biomat to FCU. 10 am Malaga again. Obnox returns. So I leave
early again 1pm. Tried snorkel at old spot– but now it’s so full of
kelp very difficult to swim in and see anything. Disappointing. Hope
they clear it out eventually.
Never was like that before. From there I
go UTH to peninsula. Beware of the co-dependents.
Friday 6/10/22 all the way to HB – HBPL. SVDP mass 8am - but no
mass – only communion. Not sure why. 1pm NBPL 4pm swim. Then
to Pomona.
Sat 6/11/22 930 blood donation, 11am back to NBPL.
Audio bible progress. Typed up education courses I completed. 330
swim. Sunday June 12 2022: 8 am Walmart. Bought new swim
trunks, sandals. 2 t-shirts. $63. Looked at laptops– guy tried to act
smart about difference between laptops versus Chromebook.
Ridiculous.
Passed by Shepherds Grove. 1030 St. Neumann. Back to
NBPL 12noon. More audio bible progress. 330 swim -found another
abalone shell- broken. Not as shiny as 1st one I found here. Nice W
lag at computer lab. Beach Boys tribute NBPL. That was fun. Big
crowd.
Monday 6/13/22 8am OLQA – strange fella outside door. 9 to
12 cut paste progress. 12 to 3 audio bible, scribd, transcript,
education courses, complete. 4 to 6 swim. New lifeguard being
trained. Lots of stingrays by main beach. One big one. Later see
some HUGE ones. Wow.
Tuesday 6/14/22 8am e-mass OLQA. OCD not there? 9 to 12 cut
paste progress. 12 to 2 transcript blog, education and experience.
AmeriPrayer. Skirt man comes in so I leave. Plus Sonital–2nd day
same spot. After NBPL 3 to 430 swim – saw octopus – it hid quickly.
Cool. more stingray. Guy from Miami asked me about the water
temp. It feels warm to me. But if he;s from Miami it would be very
cold. 6pm Big TOP NB theatre- jurassic movie. Ok not great.
Complete 2 missing chaps of audio bible.
Gal at theatre said “I
forgot it was tuesday” tried to charge me $18 – supposed to be $6 on
Tuesday. Jurassic movie: Bering Sea rough water whale creature
capsizes ship BioSyn- big pharma- (I noticed this is a theme in
mission impossible as well– where the bad guy creates a virus & a
vaccine as well) – now 30 years later.
Cattle farm bio syn. Nevada.
The re-created a dinosaur (like frankenstein theme). Poachers.
Alarms escape chase. they steal a dino like a small hippo from the
farm. Activists. Exposing mistreatment of dino. (Like movie Okja
which I just watched- good film on netflix).. now sierra nevada.
Horses roundup lasso a dino.
Chris Pratt? yes. He often gets
mistaken or confused with Chris Hemsworth -lookalike.
Pratt tames one of the dino’s or subdues it. Is that the girl from
Quiet Place? No. similar looks though. I didn’t go past the bridge.
Man vs nature. They use BioSyn. Near Utah. paleontology. Not
allowed to go into town.
What are they after the girl? Now west
texas farm feed chicken, giant grasshoppers or locusts. Like a
tornado. BioSyn is trying to control the world food supply? sound
familiar? Bill Gates? Does art imitate life or life imitate art? now
PA- wildlife relocated. The girl gets kidnapped by the greasers. Old
school. along with the baby dino.
Now in Italy BioSyn requisite
black actor. Also Jeff Goldblum is back. He usually does a good job.
The locusts will cause a famine. Now in Malta black female pilot.
Another PC casting. Tower of Babel always comes to mind with
these kinds of movies.
Also Frankenstein of couse. Man investing
artificial intelligence that overcomes the inventor. Or man thinks
he’s smarter than God and God humbles man. The 2 explore on
their own. Sam Neill looks like Dennis Quaid. Dino attacks plane-
going down. Clare ejects. Plane crashes icy lake, they survive.
Didn’t
like it when brandon tatum used the “soy boy” derogatory. Talked
to Al at L.A. Care about vision optometry benefits. Al was a nice
helpful guy–must be in Sacramento. Nobody in L.A is like that.
Black guy in this movie looks like AC Green. Called the Kook
optometrist–she’s in paramount now. Did he have an attack of
conscience. But they break out– or was that supposed to happen
locusts on fire. Flying.
#PrayTheNews: 2 military planes crash on consecutive days. Now all
are grounded. 1st accident all died. 2nd accident all survived.
Yellowstone is closed for 2 days due to massive flooding. Ethan
Liming a white kid gets killed by 3 black guys in Akron after a
squirt gun incident. Heartbreaking.
Evolution proaganda at the end
of Jurassic Dominion- re “co-exist’ – but the name of the movie is
actually Biblical – have “dominion over the whole world.” it’s like
they tacked on the secular co-exist theme as an afterthought
thinking it had gotten a little too biblical?
6/15/22 Wednesday. 8am mass St. joseph Pomona -950 blood , next
appt sun 920.; back to Ralphs –cottage cheese, pulled pork, OJ, saw
a pacific trumpetfish while snorkeling– lime green. Also leopard
sharks. Maybe yellow perch? good swim. Cloudy but still warm.
Continue research re E85 gas. IT’s $2 less here. But in some places
it’s actually more than regular gas. Now back to PV RB 6/16/22
Thursday 8 am St. james another graduation ceremony? elementary
graduation? 10am malaga, scribd, audio bible, new pics old flash,
swim & walk at RB.
Friday 6/17/22 james mass no rosary, just silent
prayer. Library not open friday. From 10 to 2 researched E85 -
talked to Alex in Idaho again. Sounds legit. He works out of his
home there I think.
2 to 5 inside PV lib- north rim grand canyon
pics, rocky mountains, estes park, dinosaur monument, vernal utah
mechanic from bellflower, lake powell page arizona, vermillion,
great pics. Wind storm cedar rapids iowa. Lost images trying to
convert. 530 swim & walk finished Pig movie (Okja)), also finished
Dumb & Dumber & Anchorman- all idiotic movies– crude etc. had
to watch to know what they’re about.
Sat 6/18/22 sunny day. 8am mass rosary Thaddeus asian lady
dominating verbal responses– so loud and every word punctuated it
was overwhelming. Like she was trying to make a statement– or a
power play. 10am I was about to order the fuel flex device but Tony
the mechanic didn’t respond to my text.
He was initially so eager–
now no response. Now silence. So I waited before making the order.
Good thing I did. I might not need it. 10am malaga . added tran
fluid, pow steer, oil good. man on computer in darkness. I flip on
lights.. at 2pm go to snorkel beach. Guy parked too close behind me.
Dead bird on walk to beach. Nice help as I’m leaving parking. Over
to C Street– long swim.
5pm audio Bible– doing the missing Ezekiel
chapters. What’s the deal with the strange letters from nephews.
Midnight stopped in at office. Picks up duffel bag full of old
dvd/cd’s – trying to find the missing audio bible chapters– actually
still looking for a bag full of flash drives. What happened to them?
6/19/22 Sunday 8am St. Joseph Pomona– quiet guy directly behind
me– didn’t even hear him come in. 920 blood donation- Christina is
nice. She’s talkative. Sociable. From Pomona to irvine– all lights red
in irvine. Unbelievable. Walmart– barbacoa, cashew milk, orange
juice, applesauce, bananas, beans, pears, chips, cott cheese. 1230
neumann stop -in. 1pm A.L.R. to NBPL. pulled up old videos off 1st
CD- originals from the good ol days.
Including the music that got
me striked off my original YouTube channel. Now this music is
allowed– wont get copyright strike– just can’t monetize it. 330 swim
nice shell- great visibility. Big coast guard boat out there today.
3pm
dim light lady arrived- next time say NO. makes me nauseous. after
swim completed a few more audio bible verses from ezekiel. Every
day still doing STREET EVANGELISM! New sleep spot!
Monday 6/20/22 8am #PrayerBook, 9am NBPL mount baldy in
same spot. The upstairs computers don’t have dvd/cd. Go
downstairs 10am. Finding more of my old historic videos. But none
of the audio Bible. The Psalms Across America videos are fun to
flashback on. Some were in the classrooms where I was sub
teaching.
Others in yellowstone and random places. Sometimes with
the preachers robe on. That one in yellowstone in a meadow with
Lola running around behind me was fun. Also the bear in
yellowstone ! good footage of that. Also Philippines II. 52 days.
Great commission Across America. 100 Islands.
2pm swim– came
back and somebody was almost literally on top of my towel. No
respect no etiquette for respecting people’s towel space. Tons of
leopard sharks today. 4pm more dvd progress. Tuesday 6/21/22
NBPL dvd progress, more Psalms Across America, Easter
Washington state, Best Christmas ever 2004 2005, Crystal News
flash 10th floor ! Holy Spirit Series from the Crystal cathedral.
Netherlands too ! good stuff.
Wednesday 6/22/22 8am St. joseph pomona ,blood donation 940am.
Swim back at NB – by the giant stingrays– the really gigantic ones–
huge heads– just lying on the bottom on top of each other maybe
mating? also tried 1.2 gallons of E85 with half tank first time. No
problems.
Discussion with Alex Conger in Idaho re Fuel Flex. He’s
in the Pump Movie. He mentioned the real reason for the
prohibition. Suddenly his tone changed from conversational to “I
gotta go...ok buddy bye.” A quick change of disposition. Then
I talked to Tony the mechanic. He’s a believer now. He figured out
how these devices work. At first he thought there was “no science”
behind it. And had chat with yug re giant stingrays.
He made
reference to Steve Irwin. I mentioned the sunset beach stingrays. He
mentioned the shark attack right here at newport beach. I mentioed
the spider crab I saw. He knew exactly what it is. Pretty smart.
Thursday 6/23/22 redondo beach. Mass rosary, loud lady not so loud
today. Malaga DVD progress. Also Lola videos. And bear at
yellowstone.
Friday 6/24/22 SCOTUS overturns Roe v
Wade !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s a miracle.
Praise the Lord. Thank you God.
8am visiting priest from Africa (friend of Thaddeus, from same
home town). Sadly he didn’t mention the SCOTUS decision. What’s
up with that? Saturday 6/25/22 8am James. Bad latecomer misery.
10 am Malaga. Attention seeker arrives.
Spends 90 minutes laughing
loudly at video on computer– made the time miserable. I think he’s
mentally ill. He’s got issues. I put the jacket over my head with my
headphones on-. Later he became very quiet. Although every now
and then he would yell at the people downstairs to “be quiet.”
Maybe avoid Malaga on Saturday. He’s got issues.
Left early– swim
& walk.. walked to the riviera village street fest. Sunday 6/26/22 to
Pomona. $50 gas at $5.77 per gal, plus 3 gal E85 at $3.89 ($12 total).
8am St. Joseph church. Warm inside. All fans on high oscillate.
930am blood donation. Christina was there. She’s nice. 12 noon,
Walmart Irvine. 1230 to 330 Youtube video progress. 4 to 6 swim–
newport beach– should be warm this time of year but there was an
“upwelling” – probably from the “submarine canyon” –
some spots
ICE COLD– brrr. Bl family trying to fly a kite- failure. Sad.
MOnday June 27 2022 8am CP, 9am video progress. Also
AmeriCamera- Glacier NP 2020, also around Lake Powell, North
Rim Grand Canyon, Page AZ, then thru Las Vegas with car still
having “issues”-- especially with the extreme heat. It’s a miracle I
made it back on that trip (this is flashback).
Mechanically, I don’t
think it was possible. But with God all things are possible. It may
actually have been a miracle. So I’m in the NBPL computer lab and
a chubby fellow (new guy) asks me if he can borrow a pen–. Sure, no
problem. But in the progress he uses all the local yokel terms “hey
guy.. Then he ads “bud”, then ‘boss” or something like that.
This is
a constant M.O. by local low-down yokels.. It gets so tiring. You just
want to escape from them. This guy was scanning photography
negatives. Something I was looking into as well. Maybe later. found
some of my old crystal news videos– from the 10th floor when I was
starting out as a newscaster for Mustard Seed News. I did a few
segments up there – the good ol days.
Also found some Thailand
tsunami footage. And Tulips in Washington (state). & some of my
old Psalms Across America videos. 2pm swim- the upwelling
continues day 2. Back to NBPL 4 to 7 pm. Having trouble doing
maps evangelism on my galaxy phone for some reason.
Tuesday
6/28/2 830am called Biomat. They have a new app– talked to
Shannon. She asked me my name twice. They do that intentionally
here. Make you repeat your name over & over. Donor Hub
registered - if and when I return there. mount baldy at NBPL –did
a little walk around behind me–not sure what that was all about.
#PrayTheMovies: Elvis. “I’m Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). Starts
with controversy. Parker says “Without me, there would be no
Elvis...They call me the showman and snowman.” cross on neck.
Parker in hospital. He’s telling the whole story from the hospital?
Now flashback to Elvis childhood. Elvis had a twin brother who died
at birth. Elvis’ dad was in prison for check forgery for a short while.
Now young Elvis at a tent revival– mostly black – and has a Holy
SPirit experience. He imitated black musicians. Sun Studios 1954.
Sam Phillips. Ladies go crazy. Forbidden fruit.
Back street
Memphis. Father “I don’t need no pink cadillac.” controversy re the
way Elvis moves on stage.
#PrayTheMovies: beware the lure of success. “The art of the snow
job” carnival atmosphere. “You aint nothin but a hound dog.”
called vulgar by some. “Black hips voodoo music devil music “ the
original twerker? “Elvis the pelvis.” broke segregation laws.
Petition
to band Elvis from TV. Trying new family style to appease critics
but it doesn’t go too well. Graceland. Elvis’ mom called him
‘booby’. Big mama Thornton sang the original hound dog song.
Police pull Elvis off stage 1956. Elvis joins army to avoid jail. Fact or
fiction? Hound dog song on Steve Allen show- actual hound dog on
stage.
Elvis feels humiliated. Mom dies young of alcoholism. Now
Elvis returns from Army- and goes to Hollywood. MLK is killed in
Memphis– big effect on Elvis 1968. New baby born. Old Hollywood
sign-dilapidated. “Jail house rock” song. “Blue suede shoes.” New
producers. Olivia Dejonge plays Priscilla. Character looks like
Craig VG. Xmas special: no Xmas songs. New look- black leather
sideburns.
Now Senator Kennedy shot at hotel. Gary Clark Jr has a
part in this movie. I had an encounter with him once (at the Beatles
reunion concert). Elvis separates from Parker. Parker lures him
back with Vegas show. Tom Parker had lots of gambling debt.
International Hotel- 5 million 5 years. Priscilla is tired of Elvis
medication addiction. “10,000 doses of amphetamines, narcotics, &
sedatives.”
Something about Charles Manson. Elvis exhaustion –
goes to hospital. Starts taking pills. Also satellite concert. Priscilla
leaves him. Elvis cancels international tour- stays in Vegas. Airplane
called “The Lisa Marie” - daughter’s name (I saw the plane in
Memphis– across from Graceland).
Elvis dies age 42. Back to NBPL
– progress, glacier & Yellowstone pics. Swim NB - Latino takes my
seat with smug look on face– despite all my stuff being on the bench.
Wednesday June 29 2022: to Pomona- blood donation. Then to
Walmart - not a very nice location. Then back to Redondo- swim
130 to 2, then Red Bch photo edit 230 to430, walk RB 5 to 6.
Thursday 6/30 St. James 8am rosary mass. Thaddeus. 10 to 2
Malaga library. 2 to 3 swim– stepped on sharp object– felt like nails
- not a stingray- left four pokes on bottom of foot– fortunately not
too deep. Lifeguards were alarmed– not sure what happened. I let
out a big yell when it happened. 4 to 6 went back to Red Bch library
for the 1st time in a long time.
Same ol same ol. That same
narcissistic Yankee Doodle dandy still working here. After RB– took
walk - 3 to4 miles. Good workout day. Swim & walk. Friday July 1
8am mass rosary at James. 10am swim. 11am laundry. Jerk #1
backed up in pickup. Jerk #2 jeep beeper.
Jerk #3 parked too close
to me, even though there were plenty of other spots everywhere. 2 to
5 back at Malaga lib– AmeriCamera progress. No jerks today. 6pm
Swim #2- dolphins came very close – that was cool. 1 guy swimming
after them–thinking he can catch them. Good luck. No walk today.
Saturday July 2 “your refusal to meet with me individually suggests
you have an agenda.” The loud knurd yug apologized at Malaga.
Twice. That was unexpected. He’s got some issues. Swim #1 10 to 11
am. Swim #2 4 to 5 pm. Walk to pier for summer concert– 2.5. Miles
-I just briefly walk by– don’t usually stay.
Sunday July 3 2022 stopped in at office around 2am Found DVD
with missing audio Bible segments- that’s a big miracle– It would
have taken me another year to record these again. I manage to
transfer them with literally only a few seconds of my time remaining
(that’s a synchronicity).
Now I can get audio Bible online again very
soon! And I do! 8am St. Joseph Pomona. 9am final blood donation-
a few problems – had to switch arms half way. Bad jab by the 1st
gal. 11 am stop in at the Target. They don’t have self-checkout here.
Go thru the lane. Cashier gives me a surprised look. Bought some
hot dogs for 4th of July, also cashew milk, sea salt, chips &
raisins.
Gas 10 gallons unleaded. 5 gallons E85. Still experimenting.
Not up to 50/50 yet. 430p swim at CDM - the water is normal again.
Thankfully. Had to park at the CDM post office - it was so busy at
the beach. Not too far to walk really. Back to NBPL after swim-
informal car show in parking lot.
Monday 4th of July. Happy Independence Day 2022 morning starts
out gray. And I found the missing flash drives! Things are getting
better every day. On OTR: re Hoboken Zephyrs robot pitcher
‘Casey’-- good one.
Making CP progress (cut paste for storyboards)
== lots of material from Page AZ portion– including Horseshoe
Bend, Lake Powell, North Rim Grand Canyon, Vermillions, etc.
beautiful area– including Bryce & Zion up north. Deserves more
time.
Swim #1 at 1130am, went all the way to the pier– but not
much to see there–. then more CP, then swim #2 4 to 530 –found 2
good abalone shells this time– wow! It’s rare to find one. Now I find
2. Amazing. Nice & shiny.
Also some of the big starfish & one big
leopard shark. I may have gotten a good pic of it. I stay around until
9pm fireworks. – can see several other fireworks shows from this
high point above Corona Del Mar beach. Remember that for next
time. July 5 Tuesday filling in missing book 9a Bible plus starting
Tunes to Tube. Now at Tuesday discount movie Palos Verdes.
#PrayTheMovies: “The Black Phone” notes: little league Denver
1978 - realistic re cars & clothes & hair for that period I remember
well. White pitcher – Asian batter hits homerun off of him. Cocky.
Song “Free Ride.” Now on bike. Asian kid missing. They call the
suspect “The Grabber.” This feels like an “It” movie– Stephen King
style. Is it? (No pun intended).
Fight at school. The main character is
NOT a fighter. He gets bullied. Dark van foreshadowing. Young gal
the other main character (the kid’s sister) – she has dreams –this
time of black balloons.. Single dad doesn’t want to hear of his
daughter’s dreams. His deceased wife apparently had dreams too–
and it drove her crazy.
Bad stereotype casting in this film. They’re
watching “Emergency” on TV. I remember that. Gal talks to Jesus.
What about Chris Van Dam. They’re dissecting a frog. There’s the
van again– “Abracadabra Entertainment.” Drop groceries. Kid gets
kidnapped by the grabber.
There’s the black balloons. The phone
rings. Grabber says the phone doesn’t work, but the kid talks to
somebody. He’s locked in the basement. Prayers for Victims of
Trafficking. Grabber wears creepy clown mask. Sound similar? Kid
digs hole at night. He opens the window- but later it’s closed again.
What happened? Turns out their mother apparently commit
suicide. Finney Blake is the name of the kid– he finally escapes. Just
as the detectives arrive. Final scene back at school– everybody
respects the kid because he killed the grabber.
Wednesday July 6
2022 peninsula library 10 to 1230, then the BB arrived. She evokes
unbelievable rage within me. I couldn’t stay. Moved on to Malaga–
almost finished A-Bible! After Malaga took swim & klaw 5 to 7 pm.
7/7/22 Thursday 8am mass & rosary. Thaddeus. 10 am Malaga –
there’s a peacock right outside my car. Took a pic. Finished A-
Bible! Audio Bible yes! NewAudioBible.blogspot.com. 230pm, 3 to 4
miws, 4 to 6 completed missing A Bible segments.
6 to 730 walk to
RB Pier Led Zepp tribute band. Notes re meetings with TT12.
Friday July 8 2022 plus parking ticket good grief. $57. Unfair. 6 of
the 8 signs on the block say “No Parking Sat or Sun.” This is Friday.
2 of the 8 say “no parking Friday 6 to 11 am” but ZERO of these
signs are west of the church driveway. So if you turn around in the
driveway you will NOT see the Friday signs.
Why don’t they
combine all of them? Ridiculous. Lack of planning. St. Bernard
8am. 9 am here’s Jim at McD. and at noon here’s Lin. Lin said Jim
took a fall one time when they were walking along the riverbed. She
wonders if that added to his memory problems. Jim mentioned
Steve on a trip but couldn’t remember where. Maybe Mexico he
said.
Turns out according to Lin the whole family went to Hawaii.
That’s nice. Although I would rather go in the winter when it’s
colder here. I lived there for half a year attending Chaminade
University of Honolulu. That was a blast. Linda told a long story
about her former co-teacher Connie. Too long. My mind can’t stay
with these long stories. I mean I remember it all but my
conversational style is much more punchy. Mention something.
Talk
about it briefly. Move on to another subject or related subject. Kind
of like stream of consciousness. Connie’s son is a reformed pastor.
That’s interesting. Small world. Given they were teachers at a
public school. How coincidental is that that they both have
Reformed Church associations. (Jim was one of the pastors at the
Crystal Cathedral, RCA, although he’s ordained CRC). More notes
from the gathering coming up.
Saturday July 9 back in Redondo. Spent a little time on the brand
new audio Bible– on YouTube– same audio– but this also has a
visual cue along with the audio. Maybe more people will encounter
it on YouTube than on a blog. You can see it at (2) New Audio Bible
- YouTube if it doesn’t click. Then copy and paste this into the
browser youtube.com/channel/UCUkKCO9GxEYgFPvo6rgg3nQ .
This will
take MORE time– because I have to find a thematic photo to
accompany each chapter. And some chapters are divided into parts.
But it’s fun and also a good re-learning experience. After Malaga,
took a swim, and then returned to Bellflower Sunday July 10 to take
photos of the parking signs in front of the church on Beach Street
where I got the parking ticket 2 days ago. Plan to appeal this one.
182
Definitely not my fault on this one. Lack of signage is the problem.
C’mon Bellflower. You can do better. Onward from Bellflower–
starting my summer mission trip! Praise the Lord. Prayers for
God’s presence along the way. Stopped in Ventura for gas. The
cheapest gas station in town also has long lines. They have E85 gas
but only at 2 of the 8 pumps.
I mix half regular with half E85 so I
have to swipe credit card twice in 10 minutes and capitol one
apparently found this suspicious. So it declined my card the 2nd
time. So I had to try my bank debit card. Fortunately this did work.
Total gas in Ventura about $63.72 to fill it up– averaging $5.09 per
gallon.
Little better than the going rate of $5.80 to $6.40. More
JimLin notes: Linda says that Abe Peters did NOT own a dye
business but a “dime store business’’ - a chain of dime stores as they
called them back then around the Holland area. Hmm. How
somebody came up with “dye”-- maybe it was told to them on the
phone or something and they heard it wrong.
Linda remembers all
the names of her grandkids– my nephews & nieces. Her mind is
sharp. They’re leaving for Michigan tomorrow– Long Beach to
Chicago - then rental car to St. Joseph. We discussed teaching
experiences, and the disappearance of the principal A. Franco. That
was strange experience. And then the death of Jim Zoetewey and
two others in a car accident.
Talked about my daily swimming
regiment (which is actually a daily snorkeling regiment in Newport,
or bodysurfing in Redondo- one or the other usually.). I mentioned
the upwelling of cold water in Newport recently– probably from
nearby Submarine Canyon. She says she used to swim in Lake
Michigan when it was 52 degrees.
I think kids can handle cold water
easier. And even more so if you’re chubby. As she was back then.
She’s thin now. Mentioned Mt. Rainer-. She said she had been there
but wasn’t impressed. But I’m thinking she may have been to Mt.
St. Helen which is NOT very impressive visually.
While Mt. Ranier is pretty spectacular especially if you hike up
there a ways which I did last summer.
Some pretty incredible hikes
& views. Including waterfalls, meadows, mountain lakes, etc. We
talked about the Elvis movie. She said she heard it was too “sexual”-
or actually she remembered personally the criticism of Elvis as
being too sexual back in the 50’s. She said she first heard of Elvis
when she was at Interlochen.
But she was too “nerdy” to ever go to
any of his concerts. For Jim having a bad memory he was able to
remember the address of our Iowa house on Meadow Street. He also
showed me where the house was that he grew up in– in the location
of 1st CRC Bellflower. He says it was surrounded mostly by dairy
farms back then. He pointed out one house that’s still an original
from that time.
#PrayTheNews: 15 killed in Johannesburg shooting
(Soweto). Reminds me of my trip there. I explored Joburg and Cape
Town and other areas– mostly by rental car. Good experience. Jim
also was a paper boy for the Holland Sentinel & later for the GR
Press Stopped in at L.A. Pet Cemetery (Calabasas) where Lola is
buried.
I do this every now & then when I am passing thru the area.
A few times I found the stone was kind of dirty and grass growing
over it. This time it was clean & clear. A friendly guy named Brian
in a cart drove up & introduced himself. He also showed me that
every memorial stone has a “flower hole” – they didn’t tell me that
back in 2007 when I buried her here.
The hole was buried under the
grass and he undug it. Nice of him. And then he nicely went and got
some flowers from the lost & found & put them in there– with a
USA flag. Very nice. He mentioned that Hopalong Cassidy’s horse
Topper is buried here.
I never knew that. And google search
confirmed it later: “Where is Hopalong Cassidy's horse buried?
Hoppy's horse Topper, who is buried at the Los Angeles Pet
Memorial Park in Calabasas, California.” you can see pictures of it
if you search images.
Brian said he’s the “White mamba” – which I
didn’t catch right away– he said he was making a Kobe Bryant joke.
Then I caught on– Kobe’s helicopter crashed not far from where we
were standing. Almost right across the freeway towards Malibu.
That was a very sad day and half a year, etc. I was actually in San
Francisco when I heard the news.
Spielberg has a dog buried here as
well. Also I think he said Tori Spelling‘s dog or one of the Spellings.
This conversation transpired because I asked him if Lassie was
buried here. As I had heard when I first came here to bury Lola.
Apparently it’s not true. Onward. My Fuel range is now 603 miles at
1pm Sunday.
At 144 pm it is now 540 miles. At 244 pm it is now 476
miles. Jim mentioned that his brother Gary now has a house in
Florida- he wasn’t sure which city– but in the southern part. Jim
has never been to FL. I pulled out my Christian music CD’s that I
hadn’t listened to in a long time.
“Come Just as you are to
Worship”, “I will Give you All my Worship”, Jesus Friend of Sinners,
going thru SLO- 307pm, “Every Step I Take.” Here’s CA Men’s
Colony– big prison– turn down the driveway just St. I can say a
video prayer for the prisoners. I do this every time I see a prison or
jail anywhere. City of Harmony 341 pm “We wanna see Jesus lifted
High.” Thru Morro area. Cayucos 332. “Jesus Friend Forever”
“You are Merciful”
I used to listen to these CD’s all the time– and
used them with my videos– but back then YouTube started giving
copyright strikes to YouTube channels that used this music. Now it
is allowed as long as you are not using it to monetize for yourself.
Here’s City of Cambria 4pm. And now San Simeon. I drive up the
Hearst Castle driveway.
Last time I was here the tours were closed–
only the gift shop was open, due to covid. Now it’s all running again.
I’ve done the tour at least 3 times I think. “People Get Ready, Jesus
is Coming” “My Place in the World.” “There’s power when I’m on
my Knees’. Here’s Piedras Blancas 430pm. “Deep Enough to Dream
in Brilliant Colors that I’ve Never Seen” (Chris Rice).
Here’s San Carpoforo Creek 440pm. It’s foggy here. Forecast said
sunny. Oh well. 5pm– Here’s Salmon Falls- I always make a point of
making the short walk to see the falls. Depending on which time of
year it is– sometimes there’s a lot of water flowing, other times Very
little. Now in July it’s little. Or maybe now it’s always just a little all
year around.
Not sure. I’ve seen it in full flow at least once– and it’s
pretty spectacular. I got a video of it somewhere. A few people
playing in the swimming hole below the falls. “Dona Nobis Pacem”
(Von Trapp singers.” Mexican family had dead battery. Getting a
jump as I leave.
Here’s Limekiln 537– did the hike there once. And
here’s the monastery at 540– drove up there once and attended a
service. It’s quite the drive, and view. “Lord I lift your name on
High” Here’s the Esalen Institute 555 – kind of a unique place with
natural hot springs I’ve heard– haven’t been in there– but did drive
down the driveway once.
Used to be popular with celebrities. “I
could Sing of Your Love Forever’ Here’s the Henry Miller library–
line of people at the gate– is there a concert tonight? Kind of an
eclectic place. Kind of cool to sit in there and have a coffee. “Drink
this water Thirst No More” “Oh God You’ve been So Good to Me.”
Here’s Molera State park 626pm. Making good time.
Bixby Bridge
638 pm. Rocky Creek Bridge 640pm, Garrapatra Creek Bridge 645
(cool place). “I’m getting into You because You Got to me.” “It’s a
Phenomena that Can’t be Stopped” Slept at Mission Inn Carmel–
Monday July 11 8 am Carmelite monastery morning mass. Been
here once before many years ago. Nice to see it’s still operational.
930 am take a hike at the Carmel Meadows area.
First time here–
wow, I’ve been missing out. Beautiful hike along the shore. Rocky &
beachy. But the main reason I’m here is to snorkel at the notorious
Monastery Beach– aka Mortuary beach because people have died
here from the way the waves break on the shore– especially people
with scuba gear apparently. It pulls you back at the drop-off– when
it’s not suspected. But there’s warnings everywhere now. And it
looks pretty calm today.
I walk to the far south end along the border of the Point Lobos
Reserve. I dip my feet in the water. It’s NOT warm, but not as cold
as it is in January. Maybe high 50’s at best. That’s cold but
manageable without a wetsuit.
And I’m used to cold water swims.
As I’m getting ready a gal comes by and just stands nearby– not
sure what’s up with that. But she says hi. SO I greet her and
exchange pleasantries. Then I make my way in– and almost
immediately I come across an abalone shell– but it has writing in it.
Definitely not too wild. Some gal wrote a love letter on the inside of
the shell. Hmm. Tons of HUMONGOUS starfish here.
Unbelievable. Also some fish, & jelly fish. I swam towards the
lifeguard stand (no lifeguard there yet) just to see if the beach is as
difficult and dangerous as they say. The gal I spoke with happened
to be walking back that way too.
As I came to the beach, she threw a
jellyfish in my direction. Then she saw me washing up on the beach,
and said “Sorry I didn’t know you were there. I wasn’t throwing the
jellyfish at you, just trying to help it out” It was kind of comical.
People don’t realize that I am practically blind without my glasses,
so I just see shapes even from a few feet away– I cannot see their
facial expressions & I am sure my face sends out ambiguous
expressions when I don’t wear my glasses– unintentionally on my
part.
It’s part of the reason I’ve been misunderstood and
misinterpreted for most of my life. Sometimes I will take off my
glasses just while walking around etc & people do NOT realize I
cannot see their faces apart from a blurry blob. I did this one time
when I was working as a chaplain intern at UCLA medical center
and it led to a serious misunderstanding or misinterpretation of my
actions. Ask me about it some time.
Maybe I will write about it
sometime. So I snorkel back to the deep part– the beach landing was
NOT difficult or dangerous at all. Maybe because it’s a calm day.
Safeway pulled pork, cottage cheese, 2 bagels. After monastery
beach I went to pacific Grove and their famous Loves Cove–
snorkeled there as well– snorkeled here previously but did NOT
notice the GIGANTIC starfish here – maybe the “sunflower stars?”
This time I was more exploratory– and took more time– I’m getting
better at being a cold water swimmer.
These starfish are stunning–
different colors & as big as half a basketball. Really amazing. A few
people on the beach today– relatively warm. But not many in the
water. After snorkeling I went over to the Pacific Grove Library–
they’ve remodeled. This old library was the original building for SO
MANY YEARS– nothing to be ashamed about– but definitely
needing some upgrades.
And they finally did. I exclaimed “Looks
good” and one of the librarians responded. “I hope so. It cost 2.5.
Million dollars”-- I think she said. I got a new library card and used
the computer for a while. Outside the farmers market was in
progress & I could hear the couple playing folk music. Walked thru
after library.
Tuesday July 12: attended mass at San Carlos Cathedral 745 am,
then over to the Walmart – picked up a few groceries. From there to
Moss Landing– got good close-up views of the otters. I almost
always pause here when passing thru to or from Santa Cruz- fun to
watch the otters.
Also there’s decent surfing here– watched the
surfers for a little while. Heard an interview of Jerome Davis for
congress. He sounds like a good candidate, & conservative. Prayers
for: Monterey migrant workers, Britney Griners being held by the
Russian authorities for having cannabis oil , road workers,
construction workers.
City of Watsonville 11:15am arriving in Santa
Cruz– thought I would attend the noon mass at the shrine, but
didn’t realize that their mass starts at 11:15. Too late. I park by
Steamers Lane and rest. A little while later I snorkel steamer lane–
out by the surfers.
One of the surfers acts annoyed by me even
though I am not interfering with them. Some surfers are A holes.
Most are cool. But I always wonder– don’t any of these surfers ever
enjoy doing other things like snorkeling or scuba diving or playing
other sports? Are they such hard core surfers that this is all they
ever do? Do they read books?
Have anything else happening in their
life? I know pro surfer Kelly Slater at least also golfs, and he’s a
businessman. I think he plays a little guitar too. Not much to see
snorkeling steamer lane– water is pretty murky-. Starfish on the
walls.
Wednesday July 13 2022: attended 830am mass at the mission
chapel. Used to come here more often when I stayed in Santa Cruz
for several days. Now only if the timing is right when I am passing
thru. Then I head up the canyon towards San Jose– lots of little
towns here.
First there’s Henry Cowell redwood state park. City of
Felton , Ben Lomond 920, Brookdale 924, Boulder Creek 924. I stop
in at Quarry Park at 1030- and take a short hike toward the “pond”
which turns out to be a dry indentation. Everything seems to be
going dry these days in CA. This was an old mining area. Some old
tunnels remain – with gated entrances (locked).
I wonder how far
back they go. Sign says bat colonies have inhabited them. Here’s
Montalvo– a beautiful estate– free to wander around– various
sculptures– nice long green lawn. An outdoor auditorium for events.
Free tootsie pop! Haven’t had a tootsie pop in decades. Then I pass
thru Vasona County Park in Los Gatos.
Happened upon this during
the height of covid a few years ago– when they made parking free
for a while. Normally it’s all paid parking. Lots of open space. A
pond. A train track for kids. Etc. From there I venture over to
Saratoga Library and use the computer briefly. Updated my Santa
Clara library card. Stop in at Cupertino Library (big).
Worked on
Audio Bible for a while. Added new Gmail “AudioBibleTube”--
maybe I will use it in the future. But for now my audio Bible is at
NewAudioBible Gmail & YouTube & blogger. Found an E85 station
in San Jose – filled up with a half & half combo of regular & E85.
Seems to be working. Saves me about $20 per fill up. This one had
regular gas for $5.49 (total $50) and E85 for $3.99 (total $36) 18
gallons total for $86 $4.77 average- that’s better than $5.77 or
more.
Stop in at good ol’ Sunnyvale Library- updated my card.
Started using the computer until some jerk started laughing loudly
at something on his computer. And again. And again. ... I started
mimicking him – hoping he would stop. & thought maybe the
roaming security guard would ask him to tone it down. But it didn’t
happen. He kept laughing loudly– seemed to be doing it
intentionally to annoy me. I couldn’t take it any longer. Got up &
left.
Noticed there are tents in the lawn by this library now–
apparently they are allowing homeless to camp out.
Thursday July 14 did some exercise on the musical playground to
start the morning. After exercise over to Mitchel Park Library –
they are setting up for a carnival of sorts in the park here.
Didn’t see
anything online about it. 10am enter library– start composing my
appeal of the Bellflower parking citation – there are 8 no parking
signs near St. Bernard Church. 6 of the 8 say “No Parking Saturday
or Sunday.” 2 of the 8 say “No Parking Friday from 6 to 11 am.”
This was a Friday.
When I pulled in I turned around in the church
driveway– and parked on the street west of the church. The two
signs west of the driveway say “No Parking Saturday or Sunday”
meaning ZERO of the signs west of the driveway say “No parking
Friday”- I argue this is unacceptable. They should combine all the
signs so that if you park anywhere on the block you know ALL the
restrictions.
It’s a $57 ticket. If they are honest they will void this
citation. We will wait and see. After Mitchell library I go to
Rinconada – and continue work on Audio Bible (or Tube Bible) –, I
haven’t been back here since “the incident” -which made me NOT
want to go here for a while.
Didn’t see the jerk that I remember
from that time– seemed like he had just gotten out of prison. Not a
nice guy. Continue doing movie reviews on Netflix- currently
watching “The Shack.” Finished “Blue Miracle” (based on true story
re orphanage in Mexico) (Dennis Quaid).
Also reviewing “I am
Legend” with Will Smith about him being one of the last survivors
of some sort of virus that also created zombies who want to kill the
last survivors. Also reviewing “Catch Me if You Can” starring Tom
Hanks & Leo DiCaprio. This is a different type of character for
DiCaprio. Decent acting. Also Martin Sheen.
#PrayTheNews: lefty CA governor Newsom shows up at the white
house when Biden is gone. Is he planning a run for POTUS in the
near future? Friday July 15 8am stretch/exercise at regular spot
on Stanford soccer field across from Palo Alto High School (“Paly”).
Then a lawnmower guy ruined the peace.
Seemed to come straight
in my direction– so I picked up my yoga mat and moved to the other
side of the soccer practice field- closer to El Camino– strange– was
he doing this just to annoy me– because the lawn on the other side of
the fence was clearly already recently mowed. And he only did one
lap around the outer perimeter.
Then he stopped. I posted a review
later expressing my concern & feelings about this. Stanford people
are usually NOT like this– they are a welcoming community–
usually. But if anybody isn’t, it would be some white guy on a
lawnmower, probably. After exercise & 9am #PrayerBook, I go to
the “cottage” library– actually the “college terrace library”-- had
another incident here a few years ago.
Seems like they got all new
employees now– seem to be foreign born employees. Continue
download progress on Scribd. Then Audio Bible progress. Lots of
lawns around here are yellow grass–dead– no watering allowed?
Now I’m at the Palo Alto main library at 1:25 pm an elderly white
lady is tutoring a black Stanford student in French language.
Completed the bellflower parking appeal yesterday. Nice employee
working here. Prayers4 her. 2 to 330 walk from El Camino to
Cantor & Anderson Museum.
Neat film at Cantor. Feeling nicer
here now. Parked by Frost from 4 to 630 walked around campus.
Beautiful evening. High school kids having jazz camp at Stanford
now. They’re playing outside the cafeteria area.
Saturday July 16th 2022 8 am mass at Nativity in Menlo /Atherton.
930am hiked the Dish while watching Sing II – funny movie. 1130
Menlo Library– they don’t have any computers at all anymore.
Maybe better this way. But they added a pool table. Go figure. The
brand new Atherton Library 1 to 3 pm – looks nice. Used to be an
old trailer– which seemed strange for one of the wealthiest zip codes
in America.
This library lives up to their socio economic status. Used
the computer for a while. Then over to Nativity for 5pm vigil mass.
Sl: quiet place. Sunday July 17th 2022 730 am Aquinas church in
residential Palo Alto. Then 830 Menlo Church– same greeter as a
few years ago– an Asian guy who likes to do a fist bump as you
enter. The church is much less busy than I remember –since the big
shakedown happened– and the pastor controversy.
They still do not
have a new senior pastor. Today’s guest pastor seems to be
indirectly preaching about the issue – he’s warning of the danger of
“Charismatic leaders.” Leave early. Didn’t like the sermon. 11am
Now at Memorial Church at Stanford- thought it was just going to
be sacred music..but there was a bit of Bible reading and preaching–
by the black female pastor from the Methodist church in P.A. I
remember her- went there once or twice.
Also passed by Wilbur
Field where the Catholics are now meeting outdoors. Then back to
the Stanford Oval where I park and rest from noon to 2. Wasn’t
expecting to get “injured” today– but it will happen.
Around 230 I decide to get some exercise and do “The Dish” in the
middle of the hot day. I start hiking– go up halfway and then turn
around to return- maybe about 3 miles total today.
As I am coming
back down the hill–as usual I am also reviewing a movie on my
phone- 2 people coming my way- a guy & gal- we pass each other–
next thing I know I am falling forward– and both my phones are
falling too.. And I can’t seem to get my arms out in front of me to
stop my fall. The next thing I know is my face is literally stopping
my fall on the asphalt in front of me.
I actually hit one side of my
temple above my left eye, and then the brunt of the impact was on
the right side – it felt like blood was coming down from above my
eye- but when I touched my eye- I didn’t have any blood on my
hand. Turns out it was “internal blood” for a brief moment– causing
a black eye-.
Also skinned my hand and knee. Could have been
worse. Both phones still working. The gal/guy who passed stopped
and the gal exclaimed, “Are you OK?” – she sounded more annoyed
or even angry at me than caring, but maybe it was a misperception.
I was stunned. I was still getting up and picking up my phones. I
turned toward them and said “Sorry”-- and they looked at me
confused why I said sorry.
Then I said “I mean, yes, I think so.” I
pointed at the large gap on the side of the pavement– and said “It’s
this gap.” The guy said “Yes.” I started walking again. They
continued onward. They were not very caring. Stanford students I
think. Probably thinking I was irresponsible or something.
I made it
back to my car and used a gallon of water to wash my hair, face, &
body. Felt a little better. Looked in the mirror and saw the start of
the black eye. Need ice. I went to Menlo McDonalds and ordered a
large drink and used the ice on my eye for an hour or so. Felt better.
Still feeling a bit groggy and lightheaded. Maybe a little nauseous.
Maybe a concussion. Probably. SL: quiet spot.
Monday July 18 2022 815 am St. Raymond church. Priest opens
door for me. Usually this door is unlocked. He’s a new priest. He
thinks I’m new because he hasn’t seen me before. That’s the way it
goes. Been coming here for decades now.
After St. Raymond I go to
Lucky in Redwood City and pick up some cheese, coconut oil. Then
I make my way to Filoli - the famous estate & gardens- I’ve been
meaning to come visit here for years. Finally am able to make it
work out. As I enter the driveway a group of wild turkeys cross the
road. I park and buy a ticket and walk thru the mansion. Not like a
Hearst Castle but nice for its time in history. The gardens are
exceptional– nice swimming pool.
Nice rose garden. Lots of visitors.
Then I see a big turkey thru some bushes– followed by a bunch of
little ones. It disappears. I keep looking for it– off trail a little bit I
find it leading a group of about 10 babies around– fun to watch
them. Got a few pictures.
Nobody else noticed them. Baby turkeys
are called poults. Still a bit light headed. After Filoli I briefly stop
by the Pulgas Water Temple- and then continue north towards San
Francisco. Stop at my old spot by Crissy Beach- rest a little. Walk a
little. Big dredging contraption by the Yacht Club– watch it for a
while.
Tuesday July 19 2022 9am St. Ignatius – they still require masks
here. 10am Legion of Honor Art Museum- haven’t been here in a
long time. They still have free organ recitals here. Nice museum.
Lots of good art including lots of Madonna painting.
They also have
an exhibit here called Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy – pretty
spectacular dresses by this Chinese fashion designer. I’m not
normally into fashion, but these dresses are like small exquisite cars
built around the body. Fun. After Legion I go back to Crissy around
1pm - take a walk, use the shower.
#PrayTheNews: re All Star game
at Dodgers Stadium – American League wins again– 9th straight.
Listened to Dr Simone Gold on the radio being interviewed– she is a
lawyer and a doctor– went to Stanford Law School– happened to
come to Wash DC on January 6 as an invited speaker, and
happened to enter the Capitol when the DC police were waving
people in.
She’s also with America’s Frontline Doctors & speaks
about the dangers of the vaccine, giving solid scientific facts. And
she was arrested & charged for trespassing – wrongly so. And even
worse she received a harsh sentence– to federal prison for 60 days
“She also must pay a fine of $9,500 and another $500 to the Capitol
architect to compensate for damage to the building.” [even though
she herself did no violence or vandalism]
And it turns out the judge
(Christopher Cooper) who gave the sentence was a former classmate
of hers- and she remembers him asking her on a date one time
which she declined– was he still holding a grudge about that?
Should he have recused himself?
Anyways, she starts her sentence
soon. She has no criminal record. She committed no violence. And
they put her in FDC Miami- which is NOT a “country club
prison.” Prayers for Simone Gold.
Wednesday July 20 2022 9am St. Ignatius again- the priests have a
new “thing” – at the beginning of the mass they say “nice to see
some familiar faces “ and seem to make an intentional effort to
differentiate between the regulars and the visitors.
Not sure what
this is all about. Two days in a row now. Two different priests. This
priest today mentions his previous time in “Hollywood”- not sure
what church. Don’t remember him from there. After mass I go to
DeYoung Museum– it’s been many years –park on “Nancy Pelosi
Drive” (ugg) and enjoy the museum for a little while. Would have
gone to Science museum too-across the way- but they still require
the vaccine. I won’t get the vaccine. No way. Nope. Never. I know
better.
Back over to Crissy Field. Walk to the presidio and the
brand new state park: Tunnel Tops – nice enough– good view of
Golden Gate, not far from Disney Museum. Lots of play activities
for kids. Definitely designed mostly for kids and families.
After
Tunnel Tops I take a swim at Crissy Beach– the only one- bare back
as usual- it doesn’t feel cold at all. The water may be warmer than
the air. Even a few waves –almost able to body surf. There’s an
artist with a little dog –selling little postcard size paintings - Lady
parked next to me– missed an evangelical opportunity.
Forgive me
Lord. I’ll do better next time with Your help. I hope. Also hiked
down the west side of GG Bridge- the southwest side to be exact-
first time doing that– kind of fun– unique view. Don’t waste your
money on Papermate InkJoy pens– they run out of ink almost
immediately. This ends my San Francisco chapter– leaving SF– over
the GG Bridge– foggy-. I notice it will be 25 degrees warmer in
Sacramento– HOT.
Thursday July 21 2022 Now at Walmart #1 – in Dixon- after
shopping for an hour– they’re credit card machine is down– so I
can’t make the purchase. I will remember this. Now at Walmart #2
in Sacramento- works this time.
Next day the system is down again.
What’s going on? Can you imagine what will happen if there is a
long term outage for credit card processing? Could be disastrous–
so many things we use credit cards for. Found gas station selling
regular for $5.09 – that’s nice.
Cash only. And E85 for $3.89 Total
about $70 and average per gallon about $4.38. Getting better. 10am
parked at Cal State Fairgrounds– bought entrance ticket– but so
hot–went back out to car- also concerned about parking there–
noticing broken glass when I got out of my car (ie window glass
from a “Smash and grab.”
Went to nearby library– this is a rough
area. Interesting cast of characters come in and out of the library as
I work on the computer– adding to New Audio Bible. And Lots of
homeless in this area of Sacramento. Prayers4.
I intentionally came to Sacramento and the fair today because I
wanted to see Guess Who- a 60’s rock band– still playing (not all
original members) from Canada– they have some good “oldie
goldies” – but realize I better pay for parking too given the amount
of break-ins happening. $15 for parking is worth the peace of mind.
As I pulled into the fairgrounds parking lot a cop parked nearby–
facing me straight on– not sure if he was surveilling me or just
happenstance. I was eating a few almonds and getting ready to go
into the fairgrounds, but decided to go ask him if it was safe parking
here even inside the fairgrounds parking lot.
There’s NO FENCE
keeping people out. I saunter over to his police vehicle– the window
is shut– it’s obvious I am trying to talk to him– but for a few seconds
the door and window remains shut. I give him space –several feet
from the door. Then suddenly he jumps out of the car and slams the
door. Seems a bit odd.
Why not just open the window. I’m dressed
in shorts & a t-shirt– nothing bulky– clearly no weapons. So he
jumps out– and says hello- I back up a bit- I hear a dog barking in
the back of his squad car. I ask him if there’s been break-ins and he
said “There were 7 on opening day” and since then only 1.
Seven on
opening day? Good grief. I ask him if they patrol the lot and he says
they try and that it’s probably safe now. I hope so. Say thanks. Give
him a thumbs up. Walk inside the fairgrounds. Strangely almost
immediately as I enter the fairgrounds 1 of my 2 phone cams stops
working. The good one that I use mostly for photography. Bizarre.
Nothing gets it working again.
SO I use the other cam– one of the
worst phone cams in the world. Meanwhile I send a message to
Linda re the news about Biden having tested positive for Covid
despite being vaccinated and double boosted. Her response
surprised me. I think she actually believes in the vaccine. She tries to
shrug it off as a new version of covid.
So they need a new vaccine or
booster for every new strain of covid? It will always be mutating.
Just like the flu every year. They’re in Michigan right now– maybe
the final time they said. Inside the cattle barn at the fair– the water
mister keeps them cool. Guy on electric saxophone.
This is the
California State Fair by the way– last time I was here– same
location– but it was the Sacramento County Fair. The state fair is
bigger–with more events. Some exhibits–include some old video
game machines–some of the originals that I used to play like
Asteroids, Pacman, & Donkey Kong.
And the Zuzu acrobats– are
these the same ones I remember from San Diego Safari Park? They
do similar activities including limbo. And there’s a hypnotist Tina
Marie. She’s pretty good. I’m always amazed at how susceptible
some people are to being hypnotized.
Also motorcycles jumping–
very close to the overhead tram-. And the “Greatest Showman”
horse show– kind of amateur. Good juggler. And finally what I
came to see: “The Guess Who” band– one original member -the
drummer.
Friday July 22 2022 black eye is healing well. No more
lightheadedness. Tried to go to St. Philomena church for mass in the
morning. Their website says 815am- but there was nobody there– all
doors locked. Go back to Walmart– their credit card processing was
down again. What’s going on?
To Crocker Art Museum- wow– they
added a new addition in 2010- beautiful modern update– but also
incorporated the historic old building into it–very nicely done- I
haven’t been here in decades. Prayers for the Bad Axis too. Leaving
Crocker- I notice my check engine light is on. I was waiting for it to
happen. They said it might-.
I expect it is for “lean bank” (code
0701) -- will check for sure later. Meanwhile I go to Walmart #3 and
everything finally works! But this Walmart does NOT sell raisins? I
specifically asked a clerk “where are the raisins? “ And she said
“We don’t sell raisins?” I said “You mean you are out of them or
don’t sell them ever?” She said “We don’t sell them. IT’s weird. I
don’t know why.”
What’s up with that? This is raisin country- down
south a little ways (San Joaquin Valley, Central Valley, Fresno area
etc.). After the Walmart I went to the nearby Sacramento library to
get relief from the heat – worked on Audio Bible. One guy coughing
loudly. Leaving library found packet of papers. Brought them back
inside for their lost and found.
Onward thru Woodland– stopped at
Auto Zone –confirmed code was indeed 0701 – lean bank. Should go
off when I put more regular gas in– and indeed it does– the next
day. On highway 16 small towns– heading towards Ukiah. Past
Clear Lake– mid day still hot– not a single boat or swimmer out
there– turns out this lake is infected with some sort of algae that is
dangerous for human contact. Very sad.
It’s been this way for years
now. All these people who bought houses on the lake– can’t really
enjoy the lake anymore. Nearby Blue Lakes is much better. Stop in
at self-serve car wash on west side of Clear Lake – interesting
moment there. I will never forget. Now at Blue Lakes – take a swim–
there’s a rope swing too– it’s almost 8pm now– so it’s emptying out–
-people leaving as I’m arriving. Water feels so good and refreshing.
Make it to Ukiah !
7/23/22 Saturday Buddhist temple – a tourist attraction– closed.
Picked up a few things at Walmart. Drove back thru Ukiah again.
Saw the gas station built out of a redwood tree. Made it to the
Coyote Casino gas station– owned by the Indian reservation I think.
Cheapest gas in the area at $5.34. No E85 anywhere in this part of
California. Total $53.99.
Also put some free air in one tire that
looked a bit low. Passed by Mendocino College. Now on Orr Springs
road towards the coast - and cooler weather. This is a nice drive- not
many cars. There’s also a grove of redwoods called Montgomery
Reserve that people stop at to walk around- nothing special
compared to some that are coming up further north.
There was a
car in the parking lot that said “San Francisco Taxi” on it. A family
got out of it. Did they really hire a taxi to take them here? Or is this
one of those taxis that people buy used? But usually they take all the
markings off the car when sold. That would be a big fare from SF.
Hair pin turns here & there. Getting near the coast. Here’s the
Mendocino Airport.
As I come to the main road I am exactly at a
place called Van Damme Beach State Park. Don’t know anything
about it. Cool & gray here, but I see lots of kayakers out there. Pull
in next to a green Colorado van with tons of stickers all over it– with
the various destinations they’ve been to– they’ve been around. No
waves. I see a sign talking about Abalones.
I just want to rest.
But after a while I get up the gumption to consider snorkeling here
even though I don’t have a wetsuit. I snorkeled Monterey 2 weeks
ago. How much colder can it be here? I ask a guy pulling a wetsuit
off how cold it is & if there’s good visibility– he says about 50 maybe
51...says there’s a cave down at the far end– water is more clear too.
That’s all I need to know. I grab my gear and walk to the far north
end of the beach. Dip my feet in and it is numbing. Wow. Can I do
it? This will be the coldest I’ve ever been in. I wade around for a
while to allow my legs to adapt. I’ve read about cold water
swimming and the most dangerous aspect is the initial entry shock.
I’ve learned that for me it’s best to slowly acclimate before going all
the way in (if I haven’t been in cold water for a while). So I take my
time.
Eventually I pull out my fins & mask & get ready for full
entry– but first I take time to do my stretches. Finally I put
everything on and enter the water– ahh- its cold– but no shock- I
start swimming. I keep my hands above water at first– for some
reason my hands have the most difficult time adjusting to cold
water.
Maybe I should at least get some gloves. (I used to use a
neoprene hoody but that disappeared one time when I was at
Corona Del Mar. Will have to buy another one of those too
sometime). So I snorkel out a ways and start seeing starfish– not the
giant ones like at Monterey.
Suddenly I hear laughter– it’s a gal on a
kayak. She exclaims “Don’t you have a wetsuit?” I don’t want to go
into my purist philosophy of swimming without one. SO I just say
“No” and smile. Then she says “Are you catching starfish?” Huh?
Catching starfish? No. Just looking at a few of them.
Actually
hoping to find a few abalone shells. She says she saw some. I haven’t
seen any yet. I wave and keep going. Then I come around in a circle
around a rock and there she is again– pointing at glittering abalone
shell. But she won’t go in the water to get it–so I swim down and
pick it up for her–and hand it to her.
I think this is her very first one– she seemed very excited. I tell her
there’s lots of live ones below her too- she thinks she sees them–
pointing at the red patches below– but that’s actually red kelp. Yes
these are “red abalones” and do have a reddish hue on the outside of
their shell– but only if you wipe away the moss or lichen growing on
most of them.
They look brownish green on top– it’s not easy to see
them even below the water with a mask– you can’t see them at all
from above the water– unless they are an empty shell turned
upward with their silverish interior glittering. She asks me “Aren’t
they endangered?”
Thinking I plan to take the live ones. I say
“You’re not allowed to take them, but you can look at them.” You
can’t really pull them off the rocks they are clinging to anyways–
just like a starfish who is firmly attached. Virtually impossible. I
think the abalone hunters where it is legal to hunt, use a bar to pry
them off. I’m getting cold so I tell the gal I’m going in. She thanks
me effusively for the abalone.
I make it back to shore and my car. I
see her coming back towards shore as I’m leaving the parking lot.
She was the one parked next to me- a brave gal if she’s all alone-
going to all these different places. Or maybe she has a friend with
her. Not sure. Heading north along the coast I come to Big River
Beach in Mendocino. By the way, a gas station near here is selling
regular for $9.35 per gallon. Wow.
Lots of kayakers in the river.
People on the shore. A few swimmers & waders. Probably not as
cold as the ocean. And the sun comes out. I search my phone for
other good snorkel / dive spots near Mendo Fort Bragg. Nearby
Mackericcher state park is mentioned as one so I head that way-.
Found it. No fee.
First I take a hike and see the different spots. It’s a
beautiful area. I don’t see other divers or snorkelers. But I’m not
dissuaded. I grab my gear and head out towards what looked like a
promising area with an easy entry near Laguna Point. Ahh. The
cold again. But easier this time since I was already in a few hours
ago.
Your body is more ready. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
Just like exercise. I see abalones here and there but no empty shells.
Some starfish. Fairly good visibility. Enjoyed it. That’s enough for
the day. I hike a little farther down the way and then head back to
central Fort Bragg.
Sunday July 24 2022 Last time I was here in Fort Bragg it
happened to fall on a Sunday morning as well. I remember going to
the Presbyterian church. Today I start out at the Catholic church at
8am, then to the Lutheran at 9am -and left early -leaving an offering
envelope on the pew seat with a few dollars in it –
there was an
elderly lady next to me and I pointed to it asking her to drop it in
the plate for me- she sort of nodded.. whatever. Feels good to give a
little bit. From there I go down by the water’s edge– near the
trestle– you can walk over it now- that may be a new thing– not
sure– and there’s some trails along the bluff. Nice views. Some locals
walking.
Some of the locals around here are “tough cookies” or try
to act that way anyways. From there I go over to the 1st Baptist
church for the 11am service. This is a little more lively service– the
pastor really putting some energy into his sermon. Over-the-top.
After that I go to glass beach and look around– hike some parts–
scouting out snorkeling spots.
I wasn’t planning on going again
today- after twice yesterday in different spots. But why not? I feel
good. SO I go back to my car and grab my stuff and come back to a
quiet little cove away from the tourists thinking I will be alone here.
Stretch a bit. Then make my way slowly into the water– not too
slowly.
Suddenly you’re all in. you can’t drag out the entry too long.
And almost immediately I find an empty abalone shell- the bright
flash of the inner side caught my eye. I pick it up and keep going–
exploring different parts- & there was another, and shortly later,
another. That’s 3 and counting. I probably could have found more
but that was enough for now.
Went back to shore. There was a
daughter & mom near my towel –seemingly looking for good glass
bits to keep. The teen or young lady ignored me– so much so that it
felt offensive. There I was coming out of the ice cold water– you
would think she would express some astonishment but she acted as
if she didn’t even know I was there. It felt rude. Not even a hello or a
glance of acknowledgment.
SO I grabbed my towel and dried off.
Then the mother came and started up a conversation. She also tried
to be a little “too cool” about how cold the water was– as if it was
just another swim. In fact she said “Did you just come in from a
swim?” Ahh. Yes. Obviously. Actually snorkeling.
Does she know
HOW COLD it is or is she playing dump. You see after one exits
cold water sometimes there can be a significant “cool down” that
can be dangerous if not handled properly. It’s called the “After
drop.” Here is what the experts say:
“After drop is the phenomenon
of your body temperature continue to drop even after you get out of
cold water and into a warmer environment – so that you feel colder 10
or 40 minutes after you exit than you did in the water. When you swim,
your body shuts down circulation to your skin, pooling warm blood in
your core.”
Anyways, fortunately I was not feeling an after drop. I felt fine. SO I
engaged in conversation with her. She told me they vacation here
every year, etc. She mentioned an Alaska cruise. Something about
wanting to go to Canada – but not sure about crossing border now.
She saw the abalones I had brought back with me.
I asked her if she
would like one. She said “Sure, if you’re sharing.” I wonder if
tourists would buy these for a few bucks – maybe, but there’s not
enough to collect to start a business. Supposedly there’s an abalone
farm somewhere around Santa Cruz – I wonder what they do with
all the shells– the business is primarily for the abalone meat.
Whatever the case may be, abalone shell is definitely cool to have,
but it’s not so rare that they sell for a lot of money. And it’s only
really cool if you find it yourself. Our conversation ended. I’m still
doing windshield wiper evangelism everywhere I go! Praise the
Lord. I do some on the way back to my car. Now I actually AM
feeling cold– maybe the after drop.
I turn my car heater on and let it
warm me up for a while. Found a place to refill my water bottles for
40 cents each. Bird on top of my car. Drop a quarter. Man sits by
the water refill. I empty my garbage into the trash can. Another guy
walks by and says “hey” and grabs something off the ledge nearby–
then he disappears–what was that all about?
Was that like a drug
pickup or something? There’s some serious drug and addiction
issues in some of these northern Cal areas. Whatever. It’s above my
pay grade. And I don’t do drugs. But it seems like everywhere I go
when I stop and pull in somewhere etc there tends to be what I call a
“confluence.” Always seems like strange merging of people and
activities precisely when I pull in.
Like I will pull into a place that is
normally quiet and empty and suddenly there will be a flurry of
activity of people arriving or leaving etc. And a few minutes later it
will be quiet again. This happens over and over– different times &
places. I’m going to start keeping precise track of these
“confluences”-- like I do with “synchronicities.” Still foggy.
202
Monday July 25 2022 Leaving Fort Bragg I drive down Ocean View
Ave and leave a note in the mailbox for my “Aunt Karen” – 857am -
she’s actually a half-aunt I think to be precise- kind of lost touch
over the years. We used to visit her when we were kids. Still try to
drop a note or even a gift one time when I pass thru Fort Bragg
which is only every few years.
Hope she’s well. Now passing by
Seaside Beach at 9am. Is there a new preserve here too? My check
engine light is OFF again. Predicted that. Now the city of Newport
CA 904 am. Prayers 4 KBMD, mission vehicle, America, etc City of
Westport 915am, Abalone Point 918 am, Howard Creek, Juan
Creek 922 am , Redwood Grove 934 am, small gravel parking lot
empty, This stretch of highway is kind of like Big Sur but less
elevation. Hale’s Grove 951am.
A plundered car at 10:02 - looked
like it almost went off the edge but a tree stopped it. Then it got
stripped of everything valuable. Good grief. You don’t expect that
out here. 95.3fm KOZT. South fork Eel River. City of Legget 10:18
am– and a drive-thru tree here.
But $15 fee to do it. NO thanks.
Standish Hickey 1024. Taber Trail. The “world famous tree house”
is now closed. 10:42am. It’s a big redwood with a small door built
into the bottom of it. Now near Confusion Hill & totem pole. I see a
nice looking water hole from the highway and take the next exit to
find it.
There’s a trail going down to the water. I grab my snorkel
gear. This is another section of the Eel River in Cooks Valley. Nice
& clear- and not as cold as the ocean. See a few small fish
underwater. 11 to noon. As I am leaving two gals pull up to go
swimming. Memorable moment.
Back on the road I notice there’s a Hindu monastic “retreat center”
called “krishnalaya” - wonder what that’s all about. “Hare Hare
Krishna Krishna? Now passing by the “grandfather tree.” They say
the tree is over 1800 years old. And 24 foot in diameter. 12:19pm.
Benbow Lake $8 fee? Really?
Near the Benbow Historic Inn. The
inn looks nice but there doesn’t seem to be much water in this
stretch of the river–nor a lake. AM I missing something? On the
radio something about “National Pro-life Bridge Day.” Now we
begin the Avenue of the Giants from the southern end 130pm.
Here’s Chimney Tree – wow- this one also has a door in it like the
World Famous Tree House– but this one is open and you can walk
in – right next to a creek. Free. Restaurant next to it. I guess that
was Ohman Creek. Now thru the City of Miranda 137pm, And
Here’s Bolling Grove at 2pm- nice.
A long caravan of vintage VW
vans passes by going south. That looks fun. I wonder if my brother
Steve still has his VW van. Williams Grove at 208pm. Garden Club
Grove 210pm. City of Burlington 215pm. & campground. Short
excursion on river beach where cars are allowed.
Looks to hot and
not enough water in the creek. Founders Grove at 230pm – walk
around a little. Didn’t take the formal trail like all the tourists were
doing. Found a nice branch of redwood to keep. Will give it to
JImLIn.
Now over to the Rockefeller Grove– a 4 mile drive off the main loop
that lessens the tourist traffic. This is one of my favorite spots in this
part of the CA redwoods (although my most favorite is near
Crescent City & the Smith River– some real gems- will mention
those more later). So I take the “Loop Trail” at Rockefeller but feel
like I am not looping back – did I miss something?
SO I walk off
trail to the creek- and wade back towards the parking lot. Not far.
Water very shallow. There’s a huge fallen redwood tree over the
creek by the parking lot but I don’t see anybody walk over it– not
even the kids. Shameful. IT’s as wide as a sidewalk. Kids should love
walking over it.
Are overly-protective parents saying no? I walk
over it anyways. I guess I’m a big kid. There’s also the officially
named “Giant Tree” here- which is pretty impressive. Don’t see any
stats on the sign though. Online it says it is 16.9 feet wide & 354 feet
high (and 53 feet circumference).
The highest redwood in the world
as best as anybody knows is the Hyperion Tree at 379 feet. And
while random redwoods can grow in various parts of the world- the
only significant redwood groves are in California and Oregon.
I’ve been enjoying grilled cheese on sour dough bread lately– it’s
delicious. Also at Rockefeller was another fallen tree over the creek
that new trees were growing upward out of. Wow. Great time at
Rockefeller (except for one “glare” person I passed on the trail).
Those people who glare & stare intently are very disconcerting.
Prayers4 the creepy people.
There was also a young maybe 20-
something white guy with tattoos in the creek with a younger black
gal - apparently a girlfriend– and her mom. That was odd too. Not
so much the racial difference but the age difference. Also did some
of my prayers as I walked thru Rockefeller & Founders. Praise.
Thanks. Love. Magnify. Unify. Glorify.
And prayers for young
people – to be allowed to take small risks– and parents to allow
them– you can’t learn to fly if you don’t spread your wings. Sign
says “Dyerville used to be here” – I remember more water in the
river by Ave of Giants last time. Now it seems like a small stream.
Here’s Arbor Day Grove 443 pm. Allen Grove 444pm. SO many
groves named for different people. Donors?
City of Redcrest 450pm
– big colorful sign here. And the Immortal Tree at453 - I remember
this place being crowded last time I was here. Now it’s empty.
There’s a gift shop too. Found this about it later: “An attraction
with a name like "Immortal Tree" is just asking for trouble.
Still,
this almost 1,000-year-old redwood has survived lightning, fire,
floods, and ax-happy junior Bunyans.”
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/21677
And this ends the Avenue of the Giants. I’ve probably done it 5 or 6
times in my life now. Maybe once every 10 years I pass thru. I come
up this way more often than that but always seem to take different
routes. Now City of Fortuna 513 pm, And Ferndale 520pm.
I
remember all these places & some of their perpetual eye-catching
tourist stuff. So Monday was all day from Fort Bragg to Eureka-
and numerous pictures and videos. Tuesday July 26 2022 730am St.
Joseph mass in Eureka. Priest from India. Mostly white
parishioners (make that all of them). 10am I go to the sequoia zoo –
pricey fee $25 for such a small zoo– but the sky walk is exceptional.
205
And I got a discount! cool red panda. Also the otters looked happy
and active, 1220. It’s Tuesday so it’s time for a discount movie
review or as I call it #PrayTheMovies: The one getting the buzz now
is called “Nope” by Jordan Peele best known for “Get Out.” He’s a
black director who usually uses black actors, and this one is no
different.
A “Monkeys Paw Production” (which is a short story I’ve
read). (Production assistant is Ruth DeJong) Perfunctory clerk at
theatre. Broken lamp. Living room? That was a flashback to the
monkey going crazy. It will be shown again later. Although in my
opinion it is a strange departure from the main theme. Maybe the
symbolism will dawn on me more later.
Now the Bible verse Nahum
3.6 “ I will cast abominable filth upon you, make you vile, and make
you a spectacle.” Basically, Nineveh arrogantly chews people up and
spits them out. So, Nahum says, God will do the same to Nineveh.
“ Jordan Peele’s Nope, explained - Vox. More of the monkey. Body
down. Now flash forward to a horse farm. Black horse trainer
feeding horses hay. And the elderly father is there on a horse.
Strange noises in the sky. Horse starts moving. Father falls off. Son
rushes father to hospital. The Father dies. Not sure what actually
happened. They just dismiss it as a health problem. The horse
trainer’s name is OJ (Otis Jr) & he has a sister – a live wire with
attitude. White horse named ‘Ghost’.
The horse trainer is an
ancestor of one of the first black Hollywood horse trainers, or
should I say the first Hollywood horse trainer was black?
“Haywood’s Hollywood horses” is the name of the business.
Is there such thing as a “bad miracle?” Nope. He replies. They have a
scene at Frys Electronics in Burbank (which is now closed).
The
Frys clerk becomes a character in the film. Somebody notices that
one specific cloud hasn’t moved in several days. Now they flash back
again to the 1998 movie set re Gordie the chimp who went crazy on
the movie set and killed a person or 2.
But an Asian-American kid
survived, and now he’s involved as an adult in a Hollywood ranch of
sorts that to whom Haywood provides horses (I think). Why the
“Jesus lizard’ shirt? Wrapped self in barb wire to get spit out by the
UFO.
Don’t look at the UFO? Guy from TMZ shows up on
motorcycle. END REVIEW. Now at Samoa Jetty – lots of solitude
here. Kind of futuristic blocks of concrete dropped here-called tetra
pods: “A Tetrapod is a form of wave-dissipating concrete block used
to prevent erosion caused by weather and longshore drift, primarily to
enforce coastal structures such as seawalls and breakwaters.” Large
raptor guarding nest at end of jetty.
Wednesday July 27 2022 heading north. Here’s the Carson
Mansion (guy glared at me as I passed by– turned around in
“private driveway.” Here’s Cal Poly Humboldt. And the Mad River.
And here’s City of Blue Lake where I get gas at the casino gas
station– a little lower price at $5.30, total of $71 for 13.3 gallons.
500
mile fuel range. Saved about $5.20. No E85 sold in this part of
California (or Oregon) – nothing along the coast. City of
McKinleyville and the “World’s Tallest Totem Pole” at 160 feet 915
am. That’s always cool to see again. Worker nearby however rolls
his eyes as I take pictures of it.
City of Clam Beach 922 am. And
here’s Trinidad Bay- it’s picturesque but there’s a jerk working at
the boat launch winch. I walk the pier and see literally 1000’s of
colorful starfish clinging to the nearby rock. Mostly orange & red.
It’s low tide. Also a dead bird that looked like a decoy duck on what
they call “boat launch beach.” I had to look a little closer to make
sure it was real, albeit dead.
I hiked up to the Trinidad lighthouse– but you cannot actually see
the lighthouse (although they have a small replica by the parking
lot). They only open the path to the lighthouse one Saturday every
month. But it’s a nice loop hike with good views.
There’s a group of
junior lifeguards doing some drills on the beach. One surfer. I was
considering taking a swim- went down to the water’s edge and
waded– then I decided to go snorkeling on the other side instead.
Drove back over there. Went thru the loop to turn around–
encountered the jerk. No details now. Parked my vehicle. Walked
down to the beach– and noticed a black cell phone on the sand.
I
picked it up & was looking at it for a few seconds- it was on - & not
locked. I didn’t even need to tap twice or anything- the screen was
on & open to some stuff– wasn’t sure what I should do with it– when
suddenly the phone rang. This was like a bad movie. What next? I
decide to answer it & said ‘hello” and somebody said “Mitch?”
At
first I played along and said “Hey how ya doing? Who is this?” The
guy says “This is Dave.” I was thinking about saying “I don’t know
any Dave’... And prank him. But then I said “I just found this phone
on the beach...” The guy said “Oh ok. Hold On. He’s coming to get
it...” I said “I will leave it on this stump of wood” Apparently they
knew where he left it.
Then I went in the water. A few minutes later
I see a guy searching around the stump. He found the phone. I pop
out of the water “Is that your phone” I yell. He says “Yeah.
Thanks.” I wave. Felt good to help him out. He was relieved and
thankful. They probably weren’t sure if I was going to take off with
his nice I-phone or actually leave it there.
I make a habit of doing
what is right in such cases. Not everybody does. Not much to see
underwater here– not much visibility. Back to my car, moving
onward. Here’s the Big Tree Rest Area 1226. Big Lagoon. Dry
Lagoon. Helicopter on the ground. And here’s Stone Lagoon – one
of my favorite spots- body surfed here later in the day.
Swam here a
few years ago (but in the lagoon, not the ocean). Today there were
some vintage sailboats in the lagoon. Made a nice picture. And
here’s Orick- often where the herd of elk hang out and yes indeed–
here they are, some lying down- lots of young ones.
Others grazing.
Right along the road. 1:10 pm. I go up to Lady Bird Grove - a few
stare people in the parking lot. Mostly full as usual. Highly popular
spot.
Back to Stone Lagoon 215 to body surf- it was great. Cold but great.
The sand was very hot. Had to run over it. Gal surfing lost her
board– it floated towards me. Seal popped up observing as she
drifted as if the seal was concerned about her. She made it safely
back to shore. Back towards Orick - the elk had crossed the road–
or were in the process of crossing.
Where’s the skunk cabbage trail?
Turn on Davison Road– Trillium Falls trailhead. Did that once some
time ago. Drove up Davison Road a ways observing the magnificent
trees. This goes all the way to Gold Bluff Beach– but now a permit is
required. I didn’t want to go that far anyways.
Also passed by Trees
of Mystery and their famous gigantic Paul Bunyan & Babe carved
out of wood 455. Onward past the Davison turnoff I come to Drury
Scenic Parkway– but don’t take the road this time. Onward Yurok
Tribe gas station– last time I hear a young native- American was
showing off his brand new Ferrari.
He even asked me if I wanted to
buy it? He persisted saying “How much will you give me?” I finally
said “I don’t even know what I would do with a Ferrari. I’ll take it if
you want to give it to me though.” He laughed. Here’s the Yurok
Loop Trail, a nice 1.5 mile hike above the beach and you can also go
down to the beach– and there’s some impressive piles of giant
driftwood.
It’s also part of the coastal trail which would be fun to do
sometime as well. But that’s 8 miles RT. Made it to Crescent City–
always enjoy it here.
Thursday July 28 2022 at Crescent City Library. I hear the
librarian with striped stockings talking to a patron about cannabis.
It’s become normalized. Start the day at the Del Norte Library –
completed dictation composition - 10 to 1.
Then over to the Smith
River near Craig’s Creek Trail– this is the PLACE TO BE on a
sunny summer day. Several rock jumping places into the crystal
clear river. Also a rope swing attached to a high bridge. I did both
rock jumps– the 2nd I believe is the highest I’ve ever done.
The trick
is to NOT THINK ABOUT IT for too long. I see young people
getting up to the top and then they start thinking about it. And the
more they think about it, the less likely they are to actually jump.
They do need to be pushed off, but not by me.
The water is plenty
deep. As long as you know how to swim there’s barely any chance of
injury at this height even though it seems high. If you keep going
higher then YES there is more chance of injury. But this level- NO.
The worse that could happen is if you leave your arms dangling out
when you hit the water you will get STUNG – and maybe have a red
mark for a while. Also did some snorkeling. And hiked a ways up
the Craig’s Creek trail– but it does not actually offer river views
along the way– so it was a little disappointing. Lots of elevation too.
Good workout. After the river fun I took Howland Hill Road back towards the city.
This is a historic road that goes thru the Stout Grove and alongside
a few other epic groves of redwood trees. I’ve already explored
Stout Grove on a previous trip.
This time I pull off and hike to
Grove of Titans - about a half mile each way and definitely worth it-
some incredible specimens of redwood. This trail continues on the
popular Mills Creek hike but at the moment it is closed for trail
repair.
Looks like it’s been closed for a while. Made some nice
redwood videos. One thing I realized as I hike thru the redwoods
was that there were NO BIRDS – no birds whistling or flying etc.
Later I looked it up and apparently the redwoods are too dark and
dense for some wildlife.
Friday the 29th of July 2022 I take the short walk to the Crescent
City lighthouse “battery point” around 7am. Somebody actually
lives in the lighthouse. But tourists are allowed to explore around it
outside during day hours. Didn’t see anybody there.
After the
lighthouse I went out to the jetty- a 2mile walk RT- they have those
futuristic tetrapods at the end of it like the one at Samoa. A fellow
came out towards me on his bike with a fishing pole as I was
walking back– he looked like Shaquille O’Neal. It’s overcast again
this morning.
The sun seems to be coming out later in the day lately.
On the road again, here’s the Del Norte Airport– a passenger plane
about to take off. Here’s the Walmart. Do a little shopping. Onward,
here’s Fort Dick 955am. 105.9 is a good radio station in Crescent
City.
Here’s Earl Lake– looked at a property for sale here last time.
#PrayTheNews: flooding in Kentucky has left 15 or more dead.
Here’s a HUGE PRISON– turns out to be the infamous Pelican Bay
Prison– Charles Manson was here for a while. I always do video
evangelism as I pass by prisons & jails. Managed to do so this time
as well.
Pray for prisoners. It’s an imperative. This is my way of
doing “prison ministry.” Here’s the City of Smith River 10:12.
Entering Oregon 10:19 AM. Now the City of Chetco 1025 am, now
Brookings 1026, Harris Beach 1122, Lone Ranch (full) 1142, House
Rock 1145, Whales Head 1148, Indian Sands 1150, Bruce’s Bones
Creek, Thomas Creek Bridge (highest bridge in Oregon?) Horse
Prairie Creek 1155, Natural Bridge 1156, Wridge Creek 1157,
Miller Creek 1158, Arch Rock 1159.
This stretch is sort of like a Big
Sur but without as much elevation– and also trees block the view– so
you have to pullout at the various parks & waysides to see the ocean
and coastline. I’ve hiked a few of these parks in previous trips.
Here’s the Pistol River at high noon.
Myers Creek, Cape Sebastian
12:10, Kissing Rock 12:19 (Gold Beach), City of Gold Beach, – And
I stop here to attend the Curry County Fair (anytime I see a county
fair in progress wherever I am I try to make a point of attending. It
gives me a familiarity with the people next time around– so it’s kind
of like pre-evangelism).
It costs $7 bucks admission. Saw the
various cattle and animals on display. There was also an archery
contest in progress– but it was too full to sit or even stand. I watched
a magic show for a while. There were various booths– one handing
out Gideon Pocket Bibles. ... onward here is Ophir Beach 246. , and
Sisters Rock 252pm - kind of like a small Morro Rock Beach.
Prehistoric gardens.
Arizona Beach 253, Humbug Mt., take a nap
from 3 to 4 pm.#PrayTheNews: more about the Kentucky floods. Also in ST. Louis.
Here’s the City of Port Orford 4pm. And Battle Rock. Cape Blanco–
I took the 6 mile road to see the lighthouse but it was SO FOGGY -
couldn’t see anything from the closest point you could drive to–
didn’t want to walk the extra mile in the cold gray fog. Also saw the
Hughes House 430 which was built in 1860. Very windy out here too.
Hard to believe it’s 104 degrees in Medford right now. Here’s the
Sixes River 442. Never forget: “Get outta my area.” God’s will be
done. Karma cycles. Flores Lake is supposed to be good.
City of
Langlois 453pm. Here’s the Safari Park– but it’s 5pm- they just
closed. Huge wood fence around it. People stare as I pull the parking
lot. Oregon people seem to stare more than usual. And you never
know what kind of stare it is unless you break the ice- which is
always risky.
Word of the day: “Confluence.” Onward. Here’s
Devi’s Kitchen 515pm. A beach with rocks. Apparently it’s named
this because of its “fertile waters” - all the food chain feeding on one
another. So why not God’s Kitchen? Here’s Bradley Lake ramp 530.
One fisherman. Face Rock or Cathedral Rock. IT’s very foggy &
cool. Stranded in mist.
City of Bandon cool old town 545 550 “Let’s
Go Bandon” coquille lighthouse. Coquille 606pm. & Bullards Beach.
Song by Mr Mister called “Kurie Eliason” – heard this song so
many times– didn’t realize that it means “Lord have mercy” - one of
the catholic liturgical refrains.
A secular rock song that is actually
Catholic/Christian albeit probably goes right over the heads of most
people. Yoakam Point 1⁄2 mile round trip nice view. Sunset Bay State
Park. The cove is calm 708pm, young kid swimming. Every new
beach park is called a state park in Oregon.
And most are free.
Shore Acres is another state park – and one of the few with a fee (to
park). They have a botanical garden as well. 714. And here’s
Simpson Reef overlook 713. And finally at the end of the drive is
Arago State Park (north & south). Lots of British Columbia vehicles
here. Are people from Oregon called Oregono’s (Oregano?), or
Oregonians? Anyways I wonder if they have traded mindful growth
and meaningful life challenges for too much simplicity? Are they a
little retarded? Just saying.
Saturday July 30 North Bend Library review. They apparently saw
me arrive before it opened and noticed my out-of-state plate– so
they were “ready” for me when I walked in. They had a category in
mind. That’s no fun. I used the computer and got out. Got 14.7
gallons of gas.
$75 total. $5.09 per gallon. Saw deer by Ferry Park.
Then I went over to the Coos Bay Library. Their alpha security
guard was even worse than over at North Bend, albeit the young
man at the desk was helpful and non- presumptuous. I worked on
computer dictation for 90 minutes then returned to my vehicle
trying to avoid the security guy.
I got in my car and then I did some
organization inside – and then I noticed the security guy was
pretending to be hanging out by his own personal vehicle but it was
obvious he was watching me. Waiting for me to leave. It felt like
harassment.
Didn’t like it. And later left a review expressing my
feelings about it. Hopefully it will reach a supervisor. Back on the
road I was planning to go to the Coos Bay County Fair (per my
ministry objectives) -- albeit it’s actually NOT in the city of Coos
Bay but out at the much smaller City of Myrtle Point- about 25
miles away- not sure why they have it there.
Nonetheless nice drive-
past the Coos Bay Speedway. They have a race tonight too. Arrived
at the fair, paid the $10 admission fee. Saw the various requisite
animals on display at any county fair. Bunnies, horses, sheep,
longhorn steers, chickens, roosters, pigs, etc. And a stage for
amateur musicians. Went thru various other buildings and the
different displays.
Then back to my car around 430– waiting to
return later for the evening rodeo– the big event. And around 630 I
did so and was surprised to see the grandstands were already full.
Wow. Popular event. Literally no room remaining to squeeze it.
They need a bigger venue. So I went over to a place where I could
sort of see the arena from afar.
Watched a while – but it actually did
not look very exciting– they started with some sort of roping event–
relatively boring. So I left early. I’ve seen more than enough rodeos
in my life to quench my thirst. For many years attended them at OC
Fair and at San Diego Fair among others. Did a little evangelism as I
walked to my car.
That’s the MAIN POINT! Back on the road,
passed by Johnson Pond & Coquille River. Also the House of
Confusion – what’s that? #PrayTheNews: Rest-in-Peace Bill Russell - you could make an
argument for him as the GOAT (greatest of all time).
He had 11
championship rings in 13 seasons as a Celtic. That’s astounding.
That’s more than Jordon, LeBron, Kobe, and Magic. Sunday July
31 2022 830 am Santa Monica Catholic was decent. Good priest.
213
Then I searched for Coast Life Church but when I found it – it was
too small– it would make me feel under a spotlight which I do not
want. So I went back out to the Sunset Bay area– actually the Arago
SP- walked down to the northern beach and did a brief snorkel but
the water was too murky.
Explored some of the tide pools on foot for
a while. Back to car. Later back on foot noticed a better bay to the
south. And went down that way with my snorkel gear. Arriving on
the beach I noticed a large dead mammal– almost large enough to
be a baby whale– too large for a seal I thought– maybe a large sea
lion– it was obviously decomposing for a while – had a reddish hue.
A few birds were pecking on it.
Put my gear on and waded into the
water– much more clear here– enjoyed it. Saw some big starfish & a
few other colorful sea creatures. Then explored the area on foot–
some cool places nooks & crannies. Made my way back to the car-
rested & warmed up. Ate some lunch. Finally left Cape Arago area
went back down the road- noticed an interesting trail towards
Norton Gulch.
Parked & hiked – turned out to be very cool- and a
challenging area that required the use of a rope– and if you slipped–
would be very injurious if not deadly. But I made it – and explored
more out on a big rock. Back on the trail– passed 2 meanies - why
are people mean or angry when they hike? Defeats the point doesn’t
it?
Went back up to Cape Arago and hiked the south trail which is
just a trail down to a beach I hadn’t noticed earlier. Passed a gal
with a Montfort shirt- where’s Montfort? She seemed snooty. Didn’t
stay long. Back to car. Here’s Bastendorff Beach. Some surfers. The
sun finally comes out. I sit and watch for a while.
Family arrives
with boogie boards- all of them go in the water without wetsuits &
stayed in a long time. One thing being chubby does help: cold water
swimming.
Monday August 1 Tried calling DPSS- long wait- try again later.
Called about my B Flower parking citation. They actually process
the appeal in Tustin- bizarre. So I speak to a person in Tustin about
a parking citation in Bellflower. They tell me my initial appeal was
denied but that I can appeal again in writing – I say “it sounds like
they rubber stamp denied it”-- the person on the phone says “Oh no.
They read it.”
I ask the name of the person who denied the appeal.
And she tells me it is “anonymous.” I exclaim “What a freakin joke”
and hang up. It’s so damn frustrating with these bureaucracies who
refuse to have any real accountability– so much so that they have a
service in Tustin to handle the appeals and payments. Give me a
break. They’re so lazy and want no accountability. Just big fat cats
robbing taxpayers of their money.
If I legitimately make a mistake
about parking I will pay it but in this case the signs are
contradictory and lead to confusion and misunderstanding. There
are eight “no parking” signs on Beach Street in Bellflower in the
block by St. Bernard Church. I parked there on a Friday for
morning mass. Six of the eight signs say “no Parking Sat or Sun.”
I
parked directly in front of one of these signs. Then I went to church.
When I came out I had a $57 citation. I walked the block and
noticed that two of the eight signs say “No parking Friday 6 to 11
am for street sweeping.” SO why can’t they combine these signs on
one pole?
Are we expected to drive the entire block before we park
and personally inspect each of the 8 signs to make sure they all say
the same thing? I travel a lot and in most places they put all the
parking restrictions on the same sign or pole. This is a NO-
BRAINER - unless the municipality is too lazy or intentionally
trying to deceive people to increase revenue. So now I must submit
another appeal in writing postmarked by August 9 as I a traveling
thru Oregon (& it must be accompanied by the $57 payment).
DO
you think there’s any chance of a fair hearing? But I will try. I have
a boat load of legal documents online for various cases I’ve been
involved with–and my logic is always victorious– even if the courts
don’t always see it that way– but anybody with a clear mind will
realize the truth if they sift thru my documents. And it is the
TRUTH that sets us FREE.
I am free because I stick to my logical guns which make sense. If I
abandon this logic I am done. “Stick a fork in me” as some musician
used to say. I am alive and free– and will continue to strive to be my
best for God. Onward I pass Empire Lake.
And here is Topits Park
on Empire Lake. One guy fishing. Didn’t notice this previously.
Simpson Park- big trees. The Itty Bitty Inn has Star Wars figures on
the exterior. Kind of cool. Here’s Horsfall Campground & sand
dunes. Need 4 wheel for the soft sand road.
Guys flying a remote
plane in the parking lot, 1054am. Umpqua River light house
1120am, Marie Lake (I remember), Saliman Harbor, Winchester
bay, Douglas County, (young people in Coos Bay wearing vintage
shirts– saw one with a Def Leppard shirt, another with an AC/DC
shirt). City of Reedsport.
Stopped in at Dollar Tree– bought some
orajel for sore gum that’s been bothering me for a while. Also a
whisk broom & a few double A batteries. Bolon Island? Really? And
the Smith River again? City of Gardiner at 1209. Why
historic? Cars “Shake it Up” Tahkenitch Lake 1215pm. Lots of
inland wetlands in coastal Oregon.
Oregon Dunes Day Use area
1225 -nice view need NPS pass. Silt Coos 1234. Carter Lake.
Woahink Lake 1253. Honeyman State Park nice (fee). Florence
Oregon weak Wi-Fi. Siuslaw River. Exploding Whale Park 210p.
North Jetty (fast current, clear water) Florence Oregon. Nice
relaxing nap on the beach with sun on face.
Here’s the Darlingtonia
Site (special plant, darlingtonia californica). Family surfing. Seal
Caves 348. Hobbit Trail 354. Missed turn for Baker Beach Trail
Here’s Washburn State Park 4pm.Nice tree tunnels at Washburn.
Noticed low tire. Uh oh. Should I keep going or put on the spare?
I decided to try to make it to the next town with air figuring its
Yachats.
Big Creek 414. Rock Creek, Ocean Beach 415,
TheOregonHouse.Com. Stonefield Beach 418, Ten Mile Creek. Bob
Creek 422, Strawberry Hill 423, Cummins Ridge Trailhead,
Neptune 424, Cape Perpetua Visitors Center. Cooks Chasm 426,
Devil’s Churn 428, I made it to Yachats! Asked lady at Dollar
General parking lot– she said they have NO AIR- no gas stations.
Got to keep going to Waldport- 8 miles. Tire is still about the same-
halfway- still driveable. It’s a tiny tiny tiny pinpoint leak. Going
slow – angry honker behind me. Tillicum Beach 440. Beachside SP
16 442. Made it to Waldport. Gas station has air but its $2. Nearby
NAPA fills it for free but they’re closing so they can’t check for
leaks. Hopefully the tire will hold overnight.
Back to the gas station
got $20 for $4.97.And back to s Devil’s Churn- kind of cool- but not
very exciting if the water isn’t pounding. Smelt Sands State Park
609 pm, Pulled into free weigh station – sign blinks on– tells me my
vehicle weights 4200 pounds– but I don’t think that’s correct. Not
sure if this thing is actually working– but it does light up with a
number (the next day I did it again and it didn’t even change from
zero).
Fun while it lasted. Gov Pattison State Park 635. Seal Rock SP
is nice. Beachside SP is long & wide open Ona Beach- I remember
this specifically from many years ago with Lola. 703pm. Lots of
driftwood back then. I will come back here in the morning.
Tuesday
August 2 2022 Make it to Les Schwab – they patched it where an old
plug was leaking. Guy in the waiting room started political
conversation. He indicated that he’s not a Trump fan but not Hilary
either. Says he didn’t vote in the Biden vs Trump election
either. Not interested.
That wildfire by the way is near Yreka.
Here’s the Log Cabin Church in Yachats 915 am– going back this
way to see Thor’s Well & the Spout Horn. It’s low tide so I can walk
down next to the well but not very exciting because the water isn’t
shooting up. 10am. Alberta car 2 gals.
#PrayTheNews: Pelosi made it to Taiwan without getting shot down.
She called China’s bluff. There’s a thing called the “Amanda
Statue” but the turnoff looks closed. Looked it up later: “Near a
footbridge over Amanda Creek, there’s a forest amphitheater and a
concrete statue, usually draped with necklaces, of Amanda De Cuys,
a member of the Coos tribe. a representative of the people who first
lived in what would become the state of Oregon...”
Alsea Bay
Bridge. Back at Ona Beach. Took the walk- Not as much driftwood
this time. Why is this particular spot so memorable to me? Beaver
Creek and Brian Booth SP. nice boardwalk trail. People are SO
CLEVER in a million ways of virtue signaling: 1) glance back
furtively, 2) double check door locks, 3) repeated lock beep
4) “Who
is this guy” look. 5) Look you over head to toe- stare at toes
derisively. 6) Blank stare -0 no facial expression or warmth or care.
Or even a mean glare. South Beach ! Great location - did the 18
holes frisbee golf course using a frisbee and a plastic plate (which
works better against strong winds- 1st time trying it and it works!).
Around the 17th hole my real frisbee got stuck in a short pine tree –
too far to reach- couldn’t climb it– finally found a long old stick to
knock it down. Then took a nice swim and a little body surf. Sun
came out. Up to this point it’s a rare sunny day on the Oregon
coast. Made it to Newport Library & then the Dollar Tree– need a
new charge wire.
Then I went over to the trendy NYE district &
beach. And it’s Tuesday so I go to the nearby theatre to do a
discount movie review: #PrayTheMovies: it’s DC League of
SuperPets – an animated superhero film- made up of mostly
animals, not many humans. It’s a “7 bucks production..
Puppy
jumps in at last moment. Dog stops bank robbers. X-ray vision. Dog
steals Superman’s hot dog. Starts getting jealous of Superman’s new
relationship with Lois Lane. By the way, just as I sat down in the
theatre- way in the back – a mom with 5 kids comes in and walks all
the way up back-towards me– so they want the back row too?
I get
ready to stand up and let them pass but they turn down the aisle just
before mine. Oh ok. Then I notice all the kids climbing over the
chairs to sit in the back row. Good grief. Why didn’t they just say
“Excuse Me?” The mom decides to not climb over and walks back
towards me. I jump up “no problem.”
Then I move to another seat down in front. I think I left my jacket
at my original seat- because I couldn’t find it later. Went back the
next day but they didn’t have it. I figure somebody took it. It was a
decent, nice jacket. SO here’s some weird karma:
Later I found a
jacket at a trail that had been there a while- a nicer one than the one
I lost- & North Face. There is a little bit of lefty propaganda in this
film– but just briefly. The dog character is named Krypto. He feels
left out of the new superman Lois Lane relationship. Superman
without his suit on looks like Duane Heeringa.
Something about
orange Krypto. Here’s Aquaman, & Cyborg, & Flash, & Batman, &
WonderWoman, & Green Lantern, “your problem is you” says one
character. The guinea pig is bald-. Some of the animals in the kennel
get new super powers. The kitten becomes killer kitten– her
whiskers are flame throwers.
The guinea pig saves Lex Luther- but
then Lex Luther abandons the pig. #PrayTheMovies: Use your
powers to save those around you with the good news of Jesus
Christ– to reach the lost sheep. Use the power of the Holy Spirit! It’s
real, unlike super power movies.
Wednesday August 3: drive around Newport –here’s the
fairgrounds. Attend church mass at 9am - an Indian priest (from
India). Go over to Moolack Beach- low tide. #2 Big Creek Park. #3
Back over to library– finished Book of Genesis on YouTube –
NewAudioBIble.
#4 back to Moolach again- good body surf session.
So cold but so good! 4-mile walk towards Yaquina Head lighthouse
on beach– surprised by an incredible perfect hole in the rock– with
a perfect view of the lighthouse in the distance. Strangely this is
NOT on any map or tourist guide. It would be a mecca for tourists if
it was in a national park. I just call it THE HOLE.
Red state matrix
MG show is a little too gung ho about Q – they passionately defend
Q periodically. This was a great walk on beach. Not many people.
Thursday August 4 back to 9am mass – same priest also a guest
priest friend of his from India.
They read the daily reading and then
instead of going straight into a homily- the priest allows people to
make questions or comments about the reading– to which he replies.
Never seen that before. A few ladies have come prepared.
Fascinating. Then he launches into a homily after Q & A. Beverly
Beach 1021 am- wide expanse. Walmart: braunschwegger, corn,
burrito, broccoli, lima beans, peas, sardines, mac & cheese, apple
cider vinegar, Onward: here’s the Devil’s Punchbowl again– been
here a few years ago. Explore more closely this time- it’s low tide so
you can hike down and go inside it. Kind of cool. This is Otter Crest
beach & even a little waterfall. 1030 to 1145.
Also stepped into the
Pura Vida Surf Shop– still looking for a new neoprene hood. Almost
found one but it was a little too big. They only had large size. No
medium. Oh well. Something better is coming. Here’s stunningly
beautiful vista point at Cape Foulweather– today it is the opposite of
it’s name– perfect weather, nice views.
Some people with binoculars
looking for the local whale colony that apparently stays here all year
‘round. And here’s Whale Cove– looks like a great snorkeling spot
but there’s no access allowed by land– only by boat. And here’s
Boiler Bay. Now Fogerty Beach 1220. Glen Eden Beach 140. Gals
with boogie
boards arrive. A few surfers.
#PrayTheNews: Alex Jones lawsuit continues. Silez Bay NWR
134pm, Drift Creek 135, City of Lincoln City 136. And here’s the
Xmas Cottage I remember passing by so many times on my winter
Christmas trip I used to do every year for a while back in the mid
2000’s.
Never actually been in there but it always caught my eye-
they sell Xmas gifts all year round. And here’s the 3 rocks site– and
trailhead. I blew right thru Lincoln City. Will go back. This is
apparently a popular trail– Cascade Head- will come back in the
morning. Find the local library– do some composition.
Friday August 5 Slept Comfort Inn. Rose early for hike back at
trailhead at 6am, beautiful hike, and saw the herd of elk on the way
back– they were in the distance on the edge of the cliff. Back to
Lincoln City– made it to noon mass at St. Augustine. Then to Roads
End Beach– noticed a guy with all his junk out of his car on the
parking lot– and spread out on a nearby picnic table.
What’s that
all about? Then a guy pulls up in the spot next to him and they talk
and guy #1 gives guy #2 some of his “junk”-- not sure what it was.
Later a different fellow comes by and appears to be giving guy #1 a
battery jump– but then guy #1 didn’t drive away. He’s still there.
Was this a scam? Drug deal? Were they pretending to do a battery
jump as a guise for something else?
220
SO I worked on Bellflower #2 appeal for a while and also converted
an old neoprene band to work on my head– and it did work. Saved
$50. Took a swim – did some body surfing– lots of kite surfers out
here on a very windy day. That looks like a blast. Made it back to
the library. Final print. Must send this postmarked by August 9.
Figure I will send it tomorrow.
Saturday 8/6/22 6am another hike –
this one to “The Knoll” and “God’s Thumb” - a nice hike with a few
spots of serious elevation. Good workout -about 5 miles total. Now I
look at post office hours– and the 2 here in Lincoln City are both
closed on Saturday.
When did that start happening? Are all post
offices now closed on Saturdays? SO I go to Safeway to get a money
order for $57 that must accompany the parking citation #2 appeal.
But I can’t send it with proof if the post office isn’t open. NO
worries. I have a few more days.
After End of Road I go over to the
library again. Some lady in a wheelchair in the parking lot stares
intently at me as I walk to a trash can and drop a few things into it.
She keeps staring – looks angry. Creepy. Worked on scribd docs at
library. Same big guy working behind the counter. A new younger
employee wearing an N95 mask –
I say “That’s quite a mask” He
responds “I’m immuno compromised.” Hmm. Whatever
buddy. Then a guy comes in and lays down on the couch inside the
Driftwood Library. He has a Burger King hat like he’s on break
from work at the BK across the street. I guess they allow this
here.
By the way I noticed a sign that this is the exact 45th parallel–
halfway between the equator and north pole. For what it’s worth.
After library I was going to pull into the D Street Beach like 2 days
ago- but it is packed. Pull back out.
I got a text message congrats
from Jim or Lin re completion of Genesis on Audio Tube ! That’s
nice. Appreciate that. Make it to 530 vigil mass back at St.
Augustine. Decent people here in general. Not presumptuous. Down-
to-earth– maybe almost too much so.
Sunday August 7 2022 northward – this is the Siuslaw National
Forest. Neskowin Beach -looking for the “ghost trees” but it’s too
far walk on the soft sand beach. Not in the mood. “Back in the
winter of 1997-98, a series of storms hit the central Oregon coastal
town of Neskowin.
The turbulent weather unearthed what is known
today as the Neskowin Ghost Forest, the remnants of an ancient
Sitka spruce forest. The stumps of the Ghost Forest have been
estimated at approximately 2000 years old, and when they were
alive,.. ”https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/neskowin-ghost-forest/ Lots
of dog people on the beach at 730am. Water shoes. City of Oretown
813am.
Little Nestucca River. Fishers Point Boat Launch (fee area
819am). Bob Straub SP – trails beach, confluence (CF as usual).
Man walking in middle of the road– made me drive in the other
lane. You can rent horses and camels to ride on the beach here. That
would be fun– to ride a camel! Here’s haystack rock – and now
Pacific City.
Cape Kiwanda sand dune and beach is the big popular
spot. $10 fee. I found one of the few free street spots. But ambiguous
sign said “No Parking Between Signs” What signs? What exactly
does this kind of sign mean? Is it a lazy catchall for anything they
want it to mean? Others are parked here.
Are they locals who know
something or is it the blind leading the blind? Anyways, I stayed for
a while then moved onward. Up the road is McPhillips beach on the
other side of the dune where you can drive on the beach. A little
bumpy entry but you can make it with any vehicle. Whalen Park &
campground 951 am.
Sitka Sedge 948 parking & trail inland or
beach. Sand Lake Rec Area (like our Silver Lake in Michigan– big
sand dune- ATV’s dune buggy’s etc.On the radio The Who “Tommy”
(Casey Kasem 1970 show). Camp
Meriweather Boy Scouts 10:18. Cape Lookout SP & trail 10:19 good
song on radio “Tell it All Brothers & Sisters” I do the trail– 5 miles
RT – some very muddy spots & tree roots– wow.
Quite a trail- good
challenge. The final viewpoint was not so stunning but fun
nonetheless. Passed a gal with old style Detroit Tigers hat - briefly
chatted about Michigan– she used to live in GR too. Small world.
City of Netarts. 3-Arch Rock 135, Swam at Symons State Scenic
Point & Beach– small waves. Refreshing swim but didn’t get the
mud off my legs.
Strange: There was a teenage gal– maybe Asian–
she arrived with her mom (?) around the same time I did. And as I
walked into the water to take a swim, she was walking by the
water’s edge and reaching down with her hand and scooping up sea
water and sipping it from her hand. I signaled to her she shouldn’t
do that.
Not sure if she understood. It won’t kill her but if she drinks
enough of it she won’t feel too well. She may have been a little
simple. 247pm. Larson Falls on the beach known as “Short Beach”
(not because of its length but somebody named Short back in the
day) rustic cool, artificial? .
It turns out there are two waterfalls:
One is a drainage waterfall right by the trailhead– artificial but still
kind of cool. But the real waterfall is down the beach about half a
mile– named Larson Falls (more about this later). I wonder why
there are no surfers on Short Beach? Rocks?
Old School Camper
van with dude driving passes by – also a dirt bike on the back & a
surfboard on the side. Up from Short Beach is Meares Lighthouse &
the Octopus tree. Driving up I had a flashback– I’ve been here
before – maybe about 18 years ago? In the winter. Nobody else was
here. Cool tree & nice lighthouse. 330 to 348.
On the map it looks
like you can continue on the road but it’s closed– and I remember
being surprised that it was closed back then too. They never open it.
You gotta go all the way around. Too bad. Bayocean Peninsula.
Tillamook Bay. Lake Meares. An expected confluence at turnoff –
kids on bicycles.
Took the scenic road that way– $10 fee to park-
just turned around. Trask River Tillamook 446. The group Air
Supply was in town on Friday & Saturday in Lincoln City at the
Indian casino- hmm. Just missed them.
Monday August 8 : And here’s Tunnel Beach- very cool. Back to
Larson Falls– it might have a pool at top but difficult to get up
there. Now looking for post office. Oceanside PO - the young
employee said he doesn’t know very much – they just “threw him to
the sharks” he informed me (tiny hole-in-the-wall post office).
He
didn’t know about proof of mail or certified mail. Netarts post office
not open yet. Back to Tillamook post office– sent my parking
citation appeal - add $5 to get proof of delivery. Sent appeal with
Christ cards ^& invitation signed “The Evangelist” BA/BA/M.Div ,
and added “Feels Like Highway Robbery.”
Over to the Tillamook
Library 10 to 1130 (nice library, lots of plants. Here’s Munson
Creek Falls 1230- pretty big– short walk. A few others. Road back
to Tillamook – huge old airplane (or blimp) hangar is now the
Tillamook air museum. And next to it is the “Near Space Center”
(seriously).
Got gas near Tillamook for $4.89/gal $45 total (Chevron)
-- no line here– but across the street at Fred Meyer there were big
lines– and gas was only a few cents cheaper. Onward: here’s the
cheese company– big lines there– I took the tour once or twice. Kind
of neat. Here’s Bay City 145pm.
And the Miami River. And here’s
Garibaldi 146. And now the “Three Graces”- a striking 3-rock
formation rising out of Tillamook Bay inlet near the road. City of
Barview. Rockaway Beach Big tree trail– walked about a mile each
way. They put a ton of work into this boardwalk–it’s very nice.
And
as I was leaving the parking lot after my hike I heard an old school
trail tooting– and it was the historical choo choo train – tourists
riding it. Kind of windy today- gal dropped $20 dollar bill in the
parking lot and was chasing it. Lake Lytle. City of Wheeler 243p.
Nehalem State Park. I remember this. Long drive to end and not
much to see, or do.
And it’s a fee area. REM CD playing: “Shiny
Happy People.” City of Manzanita is cool. Took a rest. Short creek
trail. Lots of cars. Cape Falcon? Arch Cape 413. Oswald State Park
4pm. Foggy. REM “I skipped the part about love..” Now near Ecola.
Hug State Park 420. Arcadia State Park (big broad beach, looked
like good waves but no surfers) 430.
Big Broad Beach. Good waves.
No surfers. City of Cannon Beach 438. And another “Haystack
Rock” – took a rest. 610pm. Indian Beach Ecola State Park (mean
stare from an alpha male). This is a popular hiking & surfing spot.
And a herd of elk by the road as I leave the park 715pm. Chapman
Beach 726.
#PrayTheNews: FBI raids Trump’s estate in Mar A
Lago. Tuesday August 9 2022 Slept in Seaside. Attended 8am mass. Then
9 to 1130 am at library. Dire Straits on radio: “Brothers in Arms”
1136. Drove out to Young’s River Falls around high noon. As
expected, a confluence upon arrival. Body surfed. Went back thru
an area I remember from last time.
Also Lewis & Clark Cemetery.
And Fort Clatsop. Painted Rock Beach. Beautiful day. Seaside. -
They say the water is warmer here because of the Columbia River
mixture. It’s true. I verified. Took a swim- felt about the same as the
ocean in L.A. in the winter- maybe high 50’s.
You can see huge
crabs by your feet occasionally as you walk thru the water here.
Kind of cool. They are scurrying away– trying to dodge your steps.
#PrayTheMovies: “Bullet Train” it’s a Japanese setting based on a
Japanese book– but the characters are mostly American actors
including B Pitt.\
I haven’t actually seen many of his films– if any– I
realized. Is this the 1st one? Oh no– I saw Once Upon a Time in
Hollywood. Code name Lady Bug. Step in puddle “my bad luck”
Pitt plays a character with emotional issues– going thru therapy-
some sort of bounty hunter or assassin or something like that. But
he leaves his gun behind at the advice of his therapist.
He lost his
train ticket. Tokyo disco music. Pitt tennis shoes & little goofy beach
hat– a geeky look. Flashback to a bell boy who commit suicide and
landed on top of Pitt’s car. Now he lost the key to his locker so he
has to pick the lock. Japanese? Brit? Girl stuns him.
2 others– blood
on shirt. Pitt’s searching for a briefcase– quickly finds it. The 2 brits
are brothers? They’re called “Tangerine & Lemon” Who’s the new
guy? Stickers. They argue about how many people they’ve killed -
with flashback visuals. He’s got wine in ear. Who’s the gal in
pink? The boss calls.
His name is “White Death.” F bombs. A
character who looks like Trevor Rubingh.
Now a flashback to Mexico - 26 years ago- Pitt was involved in some
escapade- where he made an enemy at a wedding– Pitt did
something to kill a bunch of people at a wedding in Mexico. He
killed the “wolf” but also a guy’s new wife (or bride).
Now that guy
randomly encounters Pitt on the train and tries to kill him. But Pitt
stops him. Not sure what the blood in eyes is all about. “You have a
shootable face” says one character. And what do they mean when
the say “You’re a diesel” (apparently it means a person is
exceptionally bad & evil).
Pitt & either tangerine or lemon fight in a
quiet car– stopping for the petite Japanese server– kind of slapstick
moment. And then there’s a few scenes with Channing Tatum wich
are pretty lewd– I would say beneath an actor such as Channing -
not that he’s a major household name but he’s done enough to not
have to do tawdry scenes like this one in Bullet Train.
“Thou Shall
Not Kill” Lemon kills Japanese guy (hornet?). The boom slang
snake– she puts bomb in brief case. Pitt accidentally gets injected
with the snake anti-venom– lucky for him– it saves his life ex post
facto when he does get bit by the snake. Lemon turns out to still be
alive.
White Death is played by Michael Shannon. And then Sandra
Bullock makes a surprise appearance at the end– she was the voice
on the other end of Pitt’s ear wire. The movie was kind of
entertaining from intrigue and action but it’s a throw-away film.
Here today, gone tomorrow. No redeeming value. The theatre itself
in Seaside has a dilapidated old sign- like they’ve left it this way for
years. And it has a cool old school video arcade including Pacman.
But not asteroids.
Wednesday August 10 8am mass again at the Seaside Catholic
church– not far from the beach. Awkward moment. Glad to move
on. 930 stop in at Walmart. $25 gas for $4.65 at Warrenton. Port of
Astoria – this is still Oregon. Stop in at library for an hour. Then
over the longer bridge into the state of WA! Back in WA !
1225 sign
says “unceded Chinook territory.” I do some brief research and find
out It’s not certain that they have been officially recognized as a
tribe by the federal government. Here’s Fort Columbia – cool old
historic fort. You can walk around it, or just drive thru it. And
there’s “Dismal Nitch”: “
A fierce winter storm forced the Corps off
the river on November 10, and pinned the group to a north shore
cove consisting of little more than jagged rocks and steep hillside.
Captain William Clark named the dreary spot “that dismal little
nitch.” For six stormy days, the group was trapped by fierce wind
and high waves at the rocky shoreline...”
https://www.nps.gov/places/dismal-
nitch.htm.
And then there’s Cape Disappointment. Such joyful names around
here. “Its naming is credited to English Captain John Meares, who
approached the cape in 1788, but could not locate the river's
entrance. Meares, therefore, named the headland Cape
Disappointment..” Here’s the City of Chinook & river 1235.
No rain
yet. And here’s the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse – cook like to
it – about a mile RT. Active coast guard base is here too. And
there’s Waikiki Beach– also cool- lots of driftwood in places. -- But
also a good surf beach. A family is boogie boarding right now–
without wetsuits. Onward. Here’s the north jetty. And north head
lighthouse– the other lighthouse– and a very nice lighthouse
keeper’s estate.
Saw a snake by the path to the lighthouse.. Did the
loop. Now driving past Beards Hollow view point 235. Spent the rest
of the day in Long Beach WA- watched sunset from the beach which
you can drive on. Bonfire next to me.
Super kite flyer–. Somebody
told me one of my brake lights is out. Thanks. Sleep.
Thursday August 11 2022: refill water 7am by the beach entrance.
Foggy morning. Wilapa NWR & Lake. Music “I’m learning to let
go, let God” Palix River. Stuart Slough 729. Bone River 724. Mac
Powell August 21 at SW Washington Fair.
City of SOuth Bend 738.
City of Raymond 739. Yes they have I- net here. Smith Creek 802am
North River, City of Tokeland has internet. Sign said “Annual
driftwood show.” Shoalwater Indian Reservation gas $4.39 820am.
Yee hah. New observation tower? – find out later it’s a tsunami
escape space.
Here’s the cranberry museum. City of Grayland
848am. Yes I-Net. “Grays harbor Lighthouse” you can see it from
the road 9am. Observation tower is closed but a lady just ducks
under and goes up. North Cove fishers. Random white water section
mid bay Day 2– still eating the brownie batter pie– that was
delicious– lasted for a week– just a little every day. West Haven
Beach (Westport Lighthouse State Park): popular surfing spot by
the jetty.
And by the marina there’s restaurants & shops & charter
fishing. Here’s Bottle Beach SP 10am. City of Markham– and the
Ocean Spray Factory. And now the Mermaid Museum & a nearby
prison. I’m also a “location scout” for planting new Christian
missions.
There’s a gigantic bald eagle out in the field as I drive by–
too bad no zoom lens. And here’s Stafford Creek corrections center
1018. Prayers for the prisoners. ! 1021. City of Aberdeen! Bigger
than I expected. And Grays Harbor College. Spent an hour on task
at the Aberdeen library (Timberland). Hoquiam High School &
Airport. 1225. Bowerman. Walked thru the Hoquiam library (also
Timberland I think).
Here’s Bowerman Airport. Lots of log trucks. Hidden Coast Scenic
Byway. Couldn’t find the historic homes. Didn’t try very hard.
Stopped at boat launch and cast my line a few times. Can’t find my
bait box though. Had to improvise.
This is not the Hump Tulips area
but a sign did say something about Hump Tulips. “The word and
name Humptulips means “Hard to Pole.” This term refers to the
difficulty in traveling the river by boat. “Onward: great swim Ocean
City Washington Park drive on beach. Warm water again. Griffiths-
Priday. 213pm Copalis Beach. North beach. Museum. MoClips or
MoCrocks. Quinalt Indian Reservation. Fish hatchery.. Brief drive
on beach near MoCrocks/MoClips. Randy Travis CD -listening to it
for the 1st time– it was a freebie from his appearance at the
Grammy Museum where I was a member in their inaugural year in
LA. “Women spell love T-I-M-E.” Quinalt Loop Here’s the world’s
largest Spruce tree (4pm). Sign for Colonel Bob Trail.
Merriman
Falls 408 – is really a waterfall or a cascade by the road? Oregon gal
with dog parked next to me. As I pulled out– some lady stared
angrily at me. Not sure what that was all about. Maybe she didn’t
like my proLife signage. Here’s Travis again #17: I’m gonna give
God the credit: How great thou Art. The Quinalt Loop is very lush-
green. Queets River 541pm. City of Gig’s harbor 551pm. City of
Queets 555pm.
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Entering Olympic NP 558. South Beach. Kalaloch Lodge.
Rainforest trail 6 to 7. Biggest driftwood beach ever. Or drift trees.
Beach #34 looked cool with rocky outcroppings. Tree of Life. Ruby
Beach closed 715. Hoh Indian Reservation. “Hoh made jam” said a
sign. High River 530 18 miles to rainforest trail Olympic NP. Slept
by big cedar - actually the “world’s largest red cedar.”
Friday
August 12 Early morning arrival at Hoh River area– did the Spruce
& Mossy trail- pretty cool. Hoh Hoh Hoh. Quick in & out. Trying to
find out why some big trees grow without a single branch? Did a few
quick online searches but still haven’t found a real answer.
Bogachiel River SP 853 pull thru. City of Forks 921.
John’s
Beachcomber Museum is cool. 3rd beach is the trendy place
apparently– no parking spaces– tried x3 – so if that’s where the
hipsters are going– glad to go somewhere else. Apparently there’s a
waterfall that empties into the bay (Strawberry Falls) & a rustic
trail. But 2nd beach trail is pretty cool too. Lots of rock formations.
City of La Push is an Indian town (native-American if you prefer).
Quilete Indians? Cool town too. Sign before that says “No vampires
beyond this point.”
Since I can’t get a spot at 3rd beach I go to
Rialto beach. This is another major driftwood drift tree beach. And
you can walk one way to something called “Hole in the Rock” –
another trendy destination.-- so I went the other way towards the
rock formations– one of them is called Little James Island– boulder
hopping– dropped my phone once– had to move a dead tree ==
literally = to get back to it–.
Why do things that drop –always find
the most difficult niche? Is that part of Murphy’s Law? I should
have learned my lesson of the day from that incident. But I didn’t.
Bigger trouble coming.
Took a brief swim at Rialto. Not ice cold. Then back over to beach
#2- near the Sol Duc River.-- nice hike– cool rocks– I started
climbing one by the water’s edge- and suddenly my phone just
popped right out of my pocket– and slid down the rock. I waited for
it to stop– hoping it would before the water.
But of course it landed
in a little tide pool puddle. And I pulled it out almost immediately
but that’s all it takes. I gave the phone several days to dry out but it
won’t re-start. That started some whole new drama: without a
phone- there’s no internet– no google maps. I go back to the city
center of Forks– fortunately the library is open– I stop in and use
the computer– tried google voice– but it won’t work on a public
computer without a microphone attached. Searched for payphones.
There’s a list of places on the internet where there are supposed to
be payphones across the USA– but in actuality most of these places
do NOT have pay phones anymore. There’s NO PROFIT in
payphones anymore but they are still critical in an emergency
situation. That’s something the federal govt could do some GOOD
ABOUT– they could make it federal law that every rest area has a
working payphone.
I finally got a Shell gas station attendant in
Forks to let me use her store phone 515 (plus strange confluence by
the door) I thought I could re-activate my older phone –but now my
company won’t activate this older phone. SO I had to order a new
phone but I don’t have an address here to send it too.
So I can’t do
that until later when I know where I will be in a few days.
Continued up the road towards Crescent Lake – where I planned to
do the Storm King trail– What’s the Rugged Ridge Trail? Maps
places Rugged Ridge near the Hall of Mosses which I did this
morning. Here’s the City of Beaver WA near Pleasant Lake 501pm.
Rain begins at 528 (briefly).
City of Sappho 530. Makah Tribal. La
Poel Day Area 558. And here’s Crescent Lake! Did the shorter
waterfall hike to end the evening. Beautiful sunset. Also a mama &
baby deer by the ranger station. Watched Kung Fu Panda 2 on my
phone– that I had earlier downloaded from Netflix just in case I got
stuck without internet (and/or my other phone). And fell asleep.
Saturday August 13: started out early to do Storm King. A few
other cars already in the parking area. This trail is 4 miles and 2400
feet elevation (. I thought it was difficult, but later I will do a 3-mile
3200 feet trail and another drama-filled chapter). Switchbacks-. 2
gals passed me going down– they were the early birds. And then
some guy who looked like Tarzan (without a shirt too) – passed me
going up as if it was a walk in the park.
Near the 1st peak (which is
where most people turn around) there are some ropes to help you
over the dusty rocky vertical area. And you can keep going
UPWARD– I was intrigued– and did so- up to peak #2 -more rocks
& even a chain. Be careful. Made it. Back downward. Don’t like it
when people say “good luck” –. I don’t rely on luck.
I rely on GOD.
And I dedicate my hikes to prayer for people or groups or issues etc
Going down a solo lady said to me “Tell me I can do this” – I
encouraged her that absolutely she could – but told her to “take a lot
of breaks.” Back at the Storm King Ranger station I took a swim
1030. Felt good.
Then drove onwards towards Port Angeles–
stopping first to see Madison Falls in the Elwha Valley area–.
1126am. Also Lake Sutherland near hear– cottages & boats. A few
stare people at Madison Falls. Took the Little River Road – rambled
into Port Angeles– the other Angeles.
Never been here before.
Didn’t even know where the city center was–and was navigating
without any computer assistance- the way we used to in the “old
days”-- finally found a helpful fellow standing at the entrance to the
Sasquatch Music Festival to give me directions. And found the main
business area where I stopped at the Port Angeles visitors center.
Found the library– used the computer for the 45 minutes they allow.
Then I used my old phone to connect to Wi-Fi and do some research
and planning – found a casino gas station selling unleaded for
$4.35/gal – the best price in town (maybe the reservations don’t have
to pay the same tax as others). Filled it up for $57.91. Found the
Walmart and was able to buy a temporary phone for $50 that
includes a month of phone service and 1 gig of data.
That should
hold me until I get a new phone. I also called and made sure a phone
was on the way. Will pick it up at the post office in Olympia. Sat at
the McDonalds for a few hours using their Wi-Fi to get things back
in order– so much daily tasks we use our smartphones for now.
Including bill pay.
Among other things. I also update all my blogs
from my phone. And my maps evangelism. And my YouTube
ministry. Then I found a hotel for the night. No Wi-Fi. Kept
watching Kung Fu Panda.
231
Sunday August 14 5am sunrise– driving up to Hurricane Ridge.
Took the popular Hurricane Hill hike– which is all paved– nice for
families & handicapped etc. Lots of deer at the top. And the birds–
learned later they’re called “Sooty Grouses” –
Apparently there’s
still mountain goats up here as well– but I didn’t see any– and today
is the last day to hike Hurricane Hill before they close it for 10 days
for a “Wildlife Operation” which I learn later is a continuation of
removing the goats from the Olympics to the Cascades– because
Olympics are NOT their natural habitat–
and they don’t get enough
salt from the rocks here-. So they use helicopters to move them. And
they apparently do not sedate them. Each helicopter carries 3 goats
in slings – it must terrify those goats. A few pics at
https://crosscut.com/environment/2020/08/olympic-goats-take-final-flight-their-new-cascade-home .
After Hurricane Hill I went down the road and started hiking the
“Switchback Trail” that you can take all the way to Lake Angeles if
you’re so motivated, or you can go to the viewpoint, or even not that
far at all and still get a great 360 degree view of Port Angeles,
Mount Olympus, Mt. Baker, and Mount Angeles.
Plus green
pastures with flowers– it’s beautiful- even a few snow patches
remaining in August. Great hike but my legs were killing me. This
was “only” 1400 feet elevation and around 3.4 miles but my legs
were dead from Storm King and Hurricane Hill. Nonetheless, I
thoroughly enjoyed the hike.
Monday August 15 2 miles on the “Discovery Trail” towards the
water’s edge. Saw 1 deer and a perfect wasp nest in a bush about
waist level high. There’s a creek here with a rope swing. Remember
that.
Drove around the Dungeness NWR– 5 miles from the 101-
that’s a hidden gem. And there’s a 5-mile “spit” here that goes to a
lighthouse– no road– the only way there is to walk– and I will– but
not today. And there’s a “game farm”-- apparently a drive thru
wildlife park– wasn’t sure if they were still in operation as I drove
by.
Apparently they are-. King’s Way Church has a huge wooden
cross in front. Here’s the City of Sequim (apparently pronounced
Squim). New Song: “God’s love is like a boom-arang. U give it away.
It comes back again.” Stop back in at Walmart–pick up some food.
Also refreshed my evangelical material at the Home Depot. Then I
go southward on the 101: Here’s the John Wayne Marina. Did he
have a house here too? What’s the connection? Just
admiration?
On the radio (a Canada station) they’re talking about
a new thing called “voice cloning” whereby they say if you have a
clip of anybody’s voice you can use it to program their voice to read
a book or whatever– like you might want to hear your grandpa’s
voice reading a book to you.
I suppose it could be used for nefarious
purposes as well, unfortunately. Sequim State Park & boat launch
149pm. Cline Split County Park. 224. Bald eagle on post at
Dungeness County Park. Rest of the day at library.
Tuesday August 16 530am taking the Cline Spit hike to lighthouse,
11 miles RT, what a hike– especially if you’re the first hiker of the
day– which I was! Saw at least 7 or 8 bald eagles- or should I say I
had 7 or 8 unique sightings of a bald eagle- not sure how many were
the same one.
But then I saw animal tracks in the sand on the beach
where I was walking– definitely a paw print- but dogs are not
allowed out here- and NO human prints next to it– so some sort of
wild animal is out here – and it’s a fresh track– the tide hasn’t
erased it yet.
What could it be? A little while later I see bird feathers
in a pile where the tracks end– whatever it was caught something
then headed inland. And right at that moment I see a bald eagle to
my right -0- I turn my camera towards it– and then it flies away–
it’s only a few steps to see over the slight bank of sand - so I move
that way- and then I see the track maker – it’s a coyote - maybe a
young one..
And it starts running towards the bald eagle – a fruitless
endeavor but nonetheless he tries – the eagle flies away– and the
coyote keeps running along the edge of the inset pond of sorts. Made
it all the way to the lighthouse arriving just around 9am– when they
are supposed to start giving tours– I saw a person moving in the
keeper’s house- maybe a “she”-- not sure– they must be people who
love their solitude to volunteer for this job.
Doing the tours is probably like getting their teeth pulled for them. I
decide not to insist on a tour. I take a few pics and turn around and
start walking back. By this time I can see a steady stream of people
heading towards me.
I’m glad I started early. All the eagles are gone
now. I feel like I could walk forever – as long as it’s flat. I have no
problem walking long distances without elevation– but add
elevation– as with most people- and that’s the game changer. Back
at the parking lot.
There’s a Dutch couple – I asked them a
question– not knowing they were Dutch– thinking they knew the
area– but the lady immediately tells me they are Dutch. I follow up
and say “You’re from the Netherlands? “ Yes. I tell them my last
name– it’s a very common Dutch name– and she says “That’s
Dutch.” I say “Yes I’m Dutch - American.”
They’re not very
interested. She picked up an Americanism and says to me “Have a
nice day” cutting off our conversation. It reminds me of a black
African- American who says he went back to Africa and found his
“tribe” and the tribe was NOT very interested at all. Likewise, I
don’t think my Dutch ancestors care very much about me being
Dutch-American. It’s kind of disheartening.
Anyways, this
Dungeness NWR is a hidden gem – a goldmine of wildlife– especially
the bald eagles. This water way is known as Juan de Fuca Straits,
and the section I walked is the Cline Split.
Passed back thru Dungeness County Park and there was the same
baldie (presumably) again on the same pole. It stayed there a long
time.
Then another bald eagle showed up– and they both sat on
separate poles for a while. Great place for pics: with both Mt. Baker
in the distance as well as the lighthouse– with the eagles in front.
Surprised how casual most people are/were about it.
Most people
pulling thru the parking lot periodically either didn’t see the eagles
on the poles or weren’t interested. I guess that’s how I’ve become in
Southern Cal about seeing seals. Originally, coming from the
midwest, it was fascinating to me to see seals (& dolphins) at the
beach.
But over time it’s become normalized.
Wednesday August 17 2022 Now driving south. Here’s City of
Gardiner 550am. City of Discovery bay. There’s a restaurant called
Fat Smitty’s. Lake Leland 6am. Long Lake. City of Quilcene 605am.
Dabob Bay. Falls View canyon hike is thru an abandoned NP
campground- like a ghost town or ghost campground. Used to be a
thriving campground– what happened?
It’s a short walk to the
waterfall – which could be impressive when there’s more water–
now it’s pretty thin. Mt. Walker 647. There’s a place called Camp
Parsons nearby 653. Point Whitney tidelands. Here’s the Univ of
Washington Shellfish Lab.
water is clear and clear here. City of
Brinnon and up the road a few miles is Rocky Brook waterfalls.
Upon arrival there were a few “private property” signs– not sure
what that was all about–was some neighbor trying to scare people
away? It’s a public area including a parking lot.
So I ignore the
signs and walk about 100 yards to an impressive waterfall. This also
near the Doswallips Recreation Area 707– where there’s lots of
trails- but my goal is to reach staircase today– and then later maybe
come back this way. I keep going. There’s also the Duckabush
Recreation Area, & Triton Cove State Park 758.
And here’s Hood
Canal– big! Hamma Hama is another recreation area 801. And now
City if Eldon 808. And finally the city of Hoodsport– the gateway to
Staircase area of Olympic National Park 830am. 16 miles to
Staircase. Dirt road - a bit rough. And I originally intended to start
small with the “easy” 2 mile loop hike called Staircase Rapids. But it
looks too easy– I need something a bit more challenging.
There are a few other hikes starting here– the one called
Wagonwheel Lake catches my eye– it’s only 3 miles each way– but
there’s a warning that it’s “very difficult” – because there’s 3200
feet of elevation - in comparison- Storm King which I did a week ago
is “only” 2400 feet. Am I crazy? I decide to go for it. So I start going
up, and up, and up. Glad I took two big bottles of water. Need it.
235
Nobody else on the trail. I use my walking stick to break the spider
webs across the trail. Clearly I’m the first person today. In fact
when I get near the top there’s bushes and branches that don’t look
like anybody’s pushed their way thru in a while. Didn’t realize it
was such a low- traffic trail.
I take several rests along the way–
sometimes reclining on my back. Over the years I’ve gotten used to
clipping my car key to the cross I often wear on a lanyard around
my neck. It has never failed me. I’ve never lost a key. Sometimes I
will flip the cross around to the back so that it’s not bouncing off my
stomach as I hike. I did so today.
Then I went thru a couple 100
yards of overgrown raspberry bushes– and roots of course – a few
times the branches knocked my hat back or off my head– I pushed
onward. Finally I made it a bright aqua blue-colored pond – not
really a lake. And it’s not an easy walk to the water’s edge. You
have to use all four limbs to go down an incline. I was intent on
taking a swim to cool off.
I yelled a few times “Anybody here?
“ Nobody responded. I took off my shirt etc & that’s when I
suddenly noticed my key with the purple hook normally clipped to
the cross around my neck is GONE! I LOOK CLOSER. Check again.
Double check. No purple key.
Not on the ground nearby. My heart
sinks. God please. Don’t let this happen. This is my ignition key –
and I have no backup– and it’s a “chip key” that requires special
locksmith to make new one- and it’s usually not cheap. And I have
NO connection on my cell phone– no data– no phone. And it’s
another 2 hours to get back to my car.
Good Lord. Help! Despite my
panic I still manage to take the time for a brief dip in the pond to
clean off the sweat and start fresh downward. I look all around
everywhere at the lake for my PURPLE KEY. It’s gone. I start
thinking maybe it got pulled off as I was going thru the bushes.
Maybe I can find it in the bushes.
Or if not that– maybe when I lay
down to rest somehow it got pulled off and maybe it’s right in the
middle of the trail somewhere. My mind is going thru all the
scenarios now– If I can’t find it– is there a ranger at the station? Do
they have a phone? Can I get a locksmith or tow truck all the way
up here? Etc etc.
It’s disheartening but I still have hope I might find
the key.I start praying and saying the Hail Mary prayer as I go back–
looking back and forth along the trail and pushing branches to the
side– it’s gotta be here somewhere. I also start thinking even if I do
NOT find it– sometimes God uses these “unfortunate” situations for
a purpose we don’t understand until later.
So I always add “Thy
Will be Done” when I pray for things like “Help me find the key.
According to Thy Will, Lord.” I kept going down. And then I
encountered another hiker for the 1st time– they were coming up- a
young guy & gal– with accents– not Americans– Europeans.
I ask
them to look for it. I make it back to the trailhead– and walk over to
the ranger station– nobody there– but there’s another building
behind it– and a pickup truck parked there. I walk over and knock.
The door opens quickly.
It’s a gal named Marie with a 12-year old
golden dog - a small one. She is not a ranger but a person employed
by the National Park to repair things. She lets me in and I explain
my predicament. She says nobody gets cell connection up here with
any service but she has a landline phone –she hands it to me but I
still need the phone number of my tow service – Good Sam–
fortunately she also has a computer with web connection–she looks
up the number.
Meanwhile, a ranger named Ginger has arrived.
Both Ginger & Marie are really nice and helpful and we engage in
conversation for a while as I wait for the approval from my tow
company. –And after almost an hour on & off the phone - having
been disconnected twice- and calling back -finally I get an approval
for a tow. Praise the Lord.
A guy named Clancey Phillips all the way from Port Orchard will be
here in about an hour. I call him- and tell him the situation. He asks
me if there is a car in front of mine. I say no it’s an open area– but
not really where a tow truck can drive.
In fact there’s a car on each
side of mine. One has a wilderness permit– probably won’t be back
for a few days. Not sure about the other. He asks me if my tires are
“straight.” I say “I think so”- He responds “It’s too far for me to
drive if you just think so.” I reply “I’m pretty sure”- I’m thinking I
pulled straight in. Not sure why this is so important. He thinks it is.
He says “Ok I’ll be there in an hour. I ‘ll figure it out.” Thank God.
It’s getting near dark. All 3 of us in the little back repair room give
a cheer. They’re cheering for me. Feels good that they care even if
they’re just doing their job. Or maybe they just want to make sure I
get going? So we walk outside.
Ginger gives me a comfortable chair
to sit on outside, and she even prepares a meal for me. An amazing
sandwich and a bottle of water and a few other things. That was
very considerate of her– even if it’s just part of the job. She was very
nice. I sat alone for a while.
Later she came over and asked me
about my trip– we chatted– She’s been a ranger for 2 years now– a
2nd career. She may be in her late 60’s- not sure. She’s from the
Minneapolis area– just does the summers here. Marie was from Port
Angeles - a local gal.
Ginger tells me about the “wildlife operation”
happening at Hurricane Hill. They actually move these mountain
goats by helicopter– without sedating those– holy smokes- three at a
time using slings– that must be quite the sight. It’s because the
Olympics is NOT natural habitat for them– not enough salt in the
rocks.
After about 90 minutes, almost 9pm, Clancey Phillips arrives with
an older model tow truck– loud enough to hear it coming– we direct
him to my car– which has a car on each side and no space in front to
get to– and, as it turns out- the front wheels are NOT straight. Oops.
He gets dramatic and says “I thought you said the wheels were
straight.” I thought they were. “I can’t do this.” Long silence. Then
he says, “Well, maybe if the steering wheel doesn’t lock.” But we’re
still NOT inside the car.
No key for ignition or door. He pulls out
some sort of inflation device that he connects to my driver’s side
window– pumps it up a bit to make a crack in the door so he can
insert a steel pole – tries to click on the automatic unlock– but it
doesn’t work.
For some reason my alarm actually does work at the
moment. Seems like most of the time it is NOT working– but it
randomly gets triggered– and I’m not sure what triggers it. So then
he tries to get the manual unlock– and plays around for a while–
and finally gets it!
So now we’re inside the vehicle. Will the steering
wheel turn to put the tires straight? He starts turning– so far so
good- and all the way– before the wheel locks! Another sigh of relief.
But now he has to pull the vehicle out backwards– can’t put it in
neutral. Can he do it without damaging anything? At first he says,
“There’s two options.
Not tow it – or drag it out and
risk damage.”
Silence for a few seconds. Then he says, “Wait– I know
what I can do” – and he pulls out some “tire sleds” to put under my
front tires to prevent the drag on them. Awesome. He fiddles with
these and moves it a few feet but he’s not satisfied with it– he goes
back into his box and pulls out a “dolly.” This is even better.
Ginger
and Marie are watching as well– and taking notes– for next time.
They tell me they learn a little from every incident. Finally he gets it
all the way out. Unhooks it. Drives around to the front. Re-hooks it.
And off we go. It’s dark now. I wave goodbye to Ginger and Marie
and say thanks so much – I will never forget you. They were really
nice about it.
Not taking the opportunity to shame me for losing my
key. I’ve learned my lesson– even though in actuality I was being
fairly safe and cautious. We drive all the way to Belfair - he leaves
me in an Ace Hardware parking lot – thinking I will be able to get a
new key there. Or if that doesn’t work he says there’s “Belfair Bob”
a locksmith down the road. Sleep.
Thursday August 18 The next morning I called the hardware store
from the parking lot and they said they could make a new key for
$65 but the person who does it won’t be there until 10am. I sighed a
sigh of relief. That’s not as bad as the $300 Clancey the Tow Truck
Driver said he got charged.
Around 10 I went into the hardware
store and the key guy informs me that without an original key, he
cannot make a new key. They thought on the phone I was talking
about getting a chip key copied, not made from scratch. So I call
Belfair Bob. He wants almost $400 to do it. I call the dealership in
Port Orchard– which would require another tow – they charge
$250.
Finally a 3rd locksmith said he could come to me and do it for
$300- cash only. That’s STILL A LOT! Makes me so mad that I
allowed this to happen. Nobody to blame but me. I agree and he
arrives around 1230. It takes him a while to make the new key. He
has a few different “machines” that he tries– the 1st 2 don’t work–
unable to communicate.
Finally, the 3rd one works! Voila! The car
starts again. He even promises me a 2nd backup copy free– but I
have to drive to his shop - to get it. Might as well. That’s a $65 dollar
value. I drive there– surprised how much traffic there is here– I
thought this was a rural area– NOT AT ALL.
Traffic is crazy here.
There’s a navy shipyard near here too. After new key went to
Timberland library in Belfair 230 to 4. The lady was nice when I
first came in but cold as I left– giving a perfunctory “Thanks for
coming in.” Made space on SD card. Now driving towards Twanoh
State Park in Union WA on Hood Canal.
And it’s packed with
people on a warm summer day. Found a parking spot and took a
brief swim in the salty water. Lots of oyster shells on the bottom.
Mostly families here– cooking BBQ, relaxing. Reminds me of
Holland State Park in the 70’s. Onward. Route 106 south shore. It’s
mostly cottages and private property along the waterfront here.
Here’s the historic Dalby Water wheel. Purdy creek.
Now Friday August 19 613 am. Shelton WA Who’s George Blush?
Thru historic Shelton. A few rain drops. Made it to Olympia and
picked up a new phone. Donated blood at Biolife. Mariah was nice.
But the other “person” was not. Over to the Olympia Library. Come
back out and my battery is dead. Good grief. What’s next? Call for
a jump.
Then drive to NAPA. Buy a new battery. It’s more
complicated installment than a regular car– this one requires a few
more tools which I don’t have. Napa won’t put it in for me claiming
“liability” blah blah. I call a nearby auto repair (Mike’s Plum Street
Auto) near closing time- they say they can do it if I get there by 5:15.
SO I grab the battery and get there by 505. Young man puts it in for
me in a few minutes, but then they charge me $50 bucks.
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Unbelievable. How greedy is that? I wasn't expecting a freebie but
$50 bucks is ridiculous. I thought maybe $25 at tops. But I didn’t
want to argue at the moment. Their reward will be in heaven if you
know what I mean. So that’s another $250 out of pocket.
The young
mechanic knew the history of his area. That’s refreshing. He knows
more than just tools and gears. He was nice and decent but the office
manager was the greedy one (as is usually the case). The mechanic
told me that Sequim (pronounced Squim - I learned from the ranger
at Staircase) is actually a desert– it’s in the “rain shadow” of the
Olympics –which gets quite a lot of rain- enough to make some parts
a “rainforest” -
but Sequim itself gets blocked from the rainfall. So
all in all- the trip thru the Olympics cost me an unexpected $550
dollars for new ignition key, new battery, plus installment. And it’s
not over yet I returned the old battery to NAPA for the $18 core
refund. Krista tried to be nice, I think. Here’s St. Martin’s
University.
Saturday August 20 8am mass at St. Martin’s Abbey- a monastery.
And then 9am mass at nearby Sacred Heart in Lacy WA. After the
2nd mass I came out to my car and realized my tire was low. But not
yet flat. I drive to a nearby tire shop- came here a year ago for a new
(used) tire-.
He finds a nail in the tire and plugs it up. That’s
another $10. Then I go over to Lacy Library 11am to 3pm and do
composition on my book (which you are reading). And then back to
Sacred Heart for 5pm vigil mass. And then to the Holiday Inn for
the night.
Sunday August 21 730 am St. Michael’s Catholic- came here a year
ago when they still required masks. Now it’s optional. These
Olympia churches the people all know each other and know if you
are not “one of them.” It’s a bit awkward. They try to pretend they
don’t notice but they do.
It’s like a 6th sense they have. After St.
Michael I go to 9am service at Evergreen Christian. This is a nice
atmosphere. Feels a little easier going. And then back over to the
abbey at St. Martin’s for their 11am Sunday service. And then I
drop in at the Capital Christian church for their 11 o’clock service -
arriving at 11:45.
I watch in the overflow room on the monitor with
a few others. The preacher is talking about the danger of debt and
even mortgages and notes that the word mortgage actually comes
from the root of the word for death. Wow. And most homeowners
think they are superior to non- home owners because they have a
mortgage. Have they sold their souls?
Just jesting but seriously–
some have too much of their identity tied up to being homeowners
and the house they live in rather than how they represent Christ in
their daily life. Afterwards I go back to the blood place and make
my 2nd donation for the week– trying to make up for my recent
unexpected financial setbacks.
I don’t really like the people at the
Olympia location. They are not very nice. After the blood donation I
go to the Capital Mall library and do a little more composition.
Afterwards I go for a swim at Black Lake. There’s a purse lady
there unfortunately. Why do ladies take their purse to the beach and
then act all worried that somebody might take it?
It’s ridiculous
sometimes– ladies and their purses – and their little red riding hood
complex. I’m NOT the big bad wolf just because you’ve never seen
me before. Drive by the Olympia Airport. Then I move onward
north towards Seattle .
Monday August 22 I make it to the 8am mass at St. James
Cathedral. I usually like coming here. Good atmosphere even
though the bishop is too much lefty. He’s made some public
decisions in that regard. There’s a traffic guy who looks like Wesley
Snipes by the catholic school.
I tell him he looks like Wesley. He says
“no, like Denzel.” We laugh. I walk to the Central Library– and use
the computer for a little while. That’s a cool library. But just as a I
sit down in the huge computer lab with many open spaces, a
homeless guy chooses to sit right by me of all places. He could have
sat anywhere else–
the place was wide open but he chooses to be
near me and to make noise– pulling out food to eat etc. I decide to
leave after 5 minutes, and express myself to one of the workers
there. There’s a red room or hallway on the floor below which is
neat. I make a short video of the library for my YouTube channel
and then walk out and back to my car 11am.
I drive to my favorite
Seattle Park – Volunteer Park. Lots of shade. I can relax. Also I can
refill my water bottles. 12 noon. Then I drive to the Space Needle
area– and go to the Pop Culture Museum - using a free coupon ($20
value!). They have some cool exhibits here including a horror film
history exhibit - with lots of memorabilia. From there I briefly walk
around and then go back over to Volunteer Park.
Tuesday August 23 2022 today I go to the wooden boats museum
and MOHAI (Museum of History & Industry, Seattle) on the shore
of Lake Union. It’s a nice museum– lots of exhibits. I watch a
pontoon plane land on the lake from the window of the museum. I
see some kids learning how to sail on little boats.
There’s a Bill
Gates exhibit (boo). There’s a native-American exhibit. Cars.
Planes. Boats. Logging. Etc etc. lots to see and enjoy. Very nice.
Then I go to noon mass at Sacred Heart church by the Space Needle.
What a picturesque spot for a church with the space needle almost
right next to it. After mass I drove south on the shoreline past the
aquarium, past T-Mobile Park, past the football stadium. Then
meandered back to Volunteer Park – watched the jugglers
practicing on the lawn. Took a nap. Added some oil.
Wednesday August 24 : 8am St. James , then back towards T-
Mobile park- bought a cheap ticket for the Mariners game using
TickPick. Parked by the Taco Bell and did some Cut n Paste for a
while. Then started the walk to the Mariners game (vs nats). Start
time, 1pm.
And Mariners lose today 3-1. Warm day. After the game
I go to the Beacon Hill Library, also stop in at the QFC grocery
store. Thursday August 25 8 am St. James. It’s going to be another
HOT one. So I decide to go to another Mariners game- literally as a
place to stay cool more so than excitement about a baseball game.
This time I buy the ticket from Seat Geek. 9am I’m parking again–
this time a little closer to the park. Do a little more Cut N Paste. 1pm
back at the ballpark. This time the Mariners WIN- reversing the
score from yesterday 3-1 vs Guardians- all the runs coming in the
1st inning with a 3-run homer by Mitch Hanger.
During the game I
had a strange experience– with some random lady coming up and
sitting near me– and after a while trying to ask me some questions–
I could barely hear her. 1st she asked if I could call somebody for
her. I’m a bit hesitant. What’s going on? Why is she alone at the
game? You see guys alone at games but rarely ladies. Why doesn’t
she have a phone?
But I’m a sucker– thinking it’s the Christian
thing to do – I call a number for her. She didn’t really explain
why. Nobody answers. Then she says “That’s my phone” -. I say
“Why do you want me to call your phone?” She doesn’t answer. She
doesn’t make sense.
I ask her if she needs help. I ask her if I should
get an usher to help her. She says “Hell no” as if that’s ridiculous.
Then she says “I just want to get out of here.” I say “Where’s your
group?” She answers vaguely. She says she’s a manager at an
Applebees restaurant in Wenatchee. And then she says she’ll pay me
$3000 to drive her to Wenatchee. I laugh.
Then I decide I better get a picture of her to document this – I try to
covertly do so– but she may have noticed– suddenly she got up and
walked away. She sat in another section for a little while. Then she
left. And I never saw her again. Weird. Whatever. Prayers for her.
After the game I went to the Beacon Hill library again. And QFC.
The clerk got angry at a customer while I was in there. Not sure
what it was all about.
Friday August 26 9am made blood donation in Tukwila. New area
to me. 11 to noon at the laundromat. After laundry I go to the flight
museum. I wasn’t expecting too much but this is like the GETTY
OF AIR MUSEUMS. Or the Louvre. This place is incredible. I was
there from 1 to 5pm and didn’t see everything. Will go back.
I’m not
a big gear head or anything like that but this is more than just
machinery. It’s history. And well-done- beautiful. Interactive
displays. Various actual airplanes including the Concorde airplane
from UK, as well as one of the presidential planes (Air Force I),
among many many others, including World War 1 & 2 displays.
Also: a Dreamliner, an Apollo exhibit, a space shuttle exhibit.
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English Channel air bike exhibit. Much more. And also a Disney
exhibit. As well as 1st man on moon. “That’s one small step for man,
one giant step for mankind” Armstrong, Cronkite, 1969. Also
animals in space. And a control tower. The X1 speed record display
was also cool.
Everything was cool about the Flight museum except
the Mexican ticket clerk. Not a nice fella. Lost connection with
phone. The cellular connectivity in the greater Seattle area is a joke–
it’s atrocious. I can never be sure when I will be connected or not.
SO now I have to carry an extra trac phone as well, just in case of
emergency.
It’s ridiculous for a major metropolitan area. By the
way, Mitch Haniger gets the game winning hit again for the
Mariners. They’re still hoping for a wildcard spot versus Tampa.
I’m keeping an eye on them. I’m an honorary fan.
Saturday August 27 it’s raining a little bit. Kind of cool. Lots of
Indian reservations that are a derivative of Snohomish:
Stillquamish, Skokomish, Swinomish, Suquamish, Stillaquamish,
Samish, and more. Kind of funny. Gas for $3.99 16 gallons
$64.40 total 10am Arlington WA.
Mt. Vernon. Burlington 11am
church at St. Charles. Samish Lake & Park 115pm. been here
before (BHB). A few jet skiers parked on the beach. A family
reading books. Made short video. Getting warm. Onward– stop in at
Padden Lake –take a swim. Then a blood donation– new place in
Bellingham. Blue hair gal named Jory talked about picking
mushrooms.
Sunday August 28 attended the bigger catholic church,
also a mega church called CTK. Monday August 29 went to the
sacred heart catholic church in Bellingham for the 1st time 9am.
Then to the branch library- nice little place. Then back over to my
favorite spot: Padden Lake.
Took a swim across lake (x2). 1 to 4pm.
Tuesday August 30 10am stop in at Bellingham main library. Then
over to Boulevard park 12 to 1 –. Then back to Padden Lake 2 to 6-
walk and swim. To Regal theatre for a discount Tuesday movie- now
they require you to have the app to get the discount- what a pain- it
takes me about 10 minutes to download, log in etc.
Do they want my
money or not? For the last 10 years they looked up my account by
phone number. Now they require the app. The lady would not
budge. I’m angry but I don’t show it. (A few weeks later I notice
Regal has filed for bankruptcy protection).
#PrayTheMovies: The
movie “Where Crawdads Sing” was a disappointment. I thought it
was about a gal who literally survived on her own in a North
Carolina forest/marsh. But it’s not really “survival” – she lives on
her own in a house from a young age- Not a true story either. And
it’s a romance etc. Not my kind of film.
Here’s my usual movie
notes: directed by Reese Witherspoon. Barkley Cove NC. 2 kids on
bikes find body. Chase Andrews was a local hero. The police think
the “marsh girl” did it. Now a flashback to 1953- family growing up
in house in the marsh– abusive father. Mother leaves. Then all the
kids leave. Except her. She remains. Song by Taylor Swift.
Now
flash forward– she’s a murder suspect- gets arrested. Meanwhile
they flash back and forward- the jail, the trial, her brief time at
school, a tutor, a boyfriend, another boyfriend. Etc etc. The teacher
at school ask her how to spell dog and she says “G-O-D” - and all
the kids laugh and taunt her. She runs out.
A letter from mom
arrives. Dad burns it. It’s the last straw. Dad leaves her. She’s alone.
She looks like Audrey – a gal I knew at Calvin. 4th July boyfriend
never returns from college. She is devastated- tears up some of her
sketches. She slowly recovers- starts drawing again– a publisher
wants to publish her material.
She meets a new guy- a rich guy from
town. But he’s two-timing her. Prayers for Washington people. Hear
my prayer. College boy returns - wants to reestablish relationship.
Now it’s Tate vs Chase– the 2 guys. Prayers for MijNil.
#PrayTheMovies (cont):
She publishes book “Shells of the Carolina
Marsh.” Chase destroys her house. Tate drops by. Jury deliberation.
Quick verdict: Not Guilty. Wednesday August 31 8am Ferndale -
north of Bellingham- did the Fragrance Garden hike near Nooksack
River. Also Tenant Lake - a lily pad lake.
And Hovender Homestead
Park. northward– back by Birch Bay State Park (during low tide
the boats just sit on the bottom and wait for the water to return) –
this is where I saw a deer last time walking out on the beach during
low tide, and now the Cherry Preserve and Whitehorn Park (BHB:
been here before).
Did the hike at Whitehorn- and went briefly
down to the beach-didn’t stay very long. Neptune Beach – didn’t
come here last time– it’s a community and some old military things–
lady gave a friendly wave- twice– as I passed going both ways.
Making good video progress.
Lummi Reservation is also a cool
drive– it’s only for native-Americans to live on- but the public can
drive thru. The Indians seem pretty friendly. Lots of totem poles by
the high school. A house with 3 or 5 old AMC Pacers sitting in a row
in their front yard- don’t see those very often anymore. I remember
the Kammingas used to drive one of those– came to Holland every
summer in it, from Minneapolis.
There’s also a ferry on the Lummi
reservation that you can take to Lummi Island- which I didn’t do-
maybe next time. Kept going up to SemiAhmoo area– went
swimming here last time. A few people swimming when I arrived.
And they stayed there a long time.
You can take a ferry here too
(weekends only) across the very short water way to the City of
Blaine. Funny thing is- a little further south there’s the city or
community of Alger. Blaine & Alger were the two main intersecting
streets where I lived in Grand Rapids MI as a child. They are etched
in my mind forever. You can also see across the water to Canada
and the city of White Rock.
I used to drive across Canada every now
& then and explore our neighboring country to the north-
sometimes crossing at Detroit. Another time crossing at the far east
location– I think Vermont- and drove all the way across to
Washington State to go to a wedding in Olympia.
But last time I
crossed was around the time of the winter Olympics in Vancouver
Canada– and it was a bit of a hassle. I did get across but it wasn’t a
pleasant experience with the Canadian border guard. And NOW it’s
even more of an ordeal with the vaccine requirement. I am NOT
vaxxed and am proud to be a “pure blood.”
But it means I cannot
drive into Canada or across as I hoped to do someday to Alaska.
Will the vax requirement be forever? After SemiAhmoo I drove
over to Blaine and the marina – and looked around– walked the
docks a bit– some cool boats there. TONS of crabbing boats too.
Crab traps laying around everywhere–stacked on top of each other.
Thursday September 1 2022 9am mass in Bellingham. 10am over to
Whatcom Park– did a 6-mile hike along the edge of the water– a
beautiful hike- not too busy. Lots of the ubiquitous wild raspberries
everywhere (& the thorns of course too). This used to be a train
track back in the late 1800’s.
They cleaned it up pretty good– not
many remnants of the track remaining. After the hike I took a
snorkel/swim and saw some decent-size fish in the deep section.
Thought maybe I could catch them – so went back to the car and got
my fishing pole. Tried for a while but no luck.
Not sure what kind of
bait they like– just used a general purpose glitter lure & a few other
things. But couldn’t let it drop down too deep knowing there’s so
much driftwood trees on the bottom waiting to snag anything.
Friday September 2 2022 7am blood donation. Employee named
Joy was nice.
I didn’t see blue hair Jory this time. They were
concerned about my low pulse (below 50) and had me talk to the
nurse. They said it might just be that I have an “athletic pulse” – the
nurse asked me if I exercise a lot. I said lately a lot of hiking and
swimming. She re-checked my pulse by hand and now it was 54 so
she approved me to donate.
Even if it remained below 50 they could
approve it as an “athletic pulse” with a little extra paperwork. The
donation went quickly and I was able to make it to 9am mass. Then
I took a walk at Boulevard Park- the water is fairly clear-
wondered
about going snorkeling- but the water is pretty cold– although that
doesn’t bother me- more of a concern was too many of the boring
conformist “looky loos” who just stroll around and drink coffee -
the type that make you feel embarrassed to do anything “out of the
norm.”
They try to make you feel stupid or crazy for doing
something that takes a little more guts or gumption than just
walking the dog.
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Onward back to Padden Lake for a swim in the relatively warm
lake. Then I took a hike on the other end that I haven’t done yet– it
starts near the dog park. Some big trees here. Part of it actually gets
pretty close to the 5 freeway.
Lady with an aggressive dog - started
barking at me- she said it was my walking stick that makes the dog
do it. Later I was taking a break- sitting down and another couple
with a dog approached– and the dog grabbed my long walking stick-
about 6-feet long- that I had just picked up to help me go up hill.
Funny watching the dog running around with this huge branch.
I
told the couple that they could have it– the hike was almost over –
and it was all downhill now. Grilled my own cheeseburgers for
dinner. Early sleep.
Saturday Sept 3 930 am took a walk along the creek in downtown
Bellingham. Didn’t know such a nice river walk was here. Including
waterfalls. Idyllic. But then there’s homeless camps right there as
well. Bellingham is very kind towards the homeless. But I notice
there is some animosity by some employees here and there- so that
they sometimes assume everybody who isn’t working there is some
sort of vagrant.
I guess they expect you to wear a suit or something
to prove you’re not homeless. Not gonna do that. The reason I am
here today in this area was to go to the Whatcom Museum which
opens at 10. And I am there right as they open the door. Pay the $10
admission. Chat with the lady briefly– then do the self- tour.
It’s in
the old city hall– a historic building. Lots of different exhibits
including a music history exhibit– highlighting some of the local
musicians who became well known – especially Death Cab for Cutie.
I know that name and at least one of their songs. The name of the
group always intrigued me. Later finally researched it– has
something to do with an old Beatles Sgt Pepper movie-.
They also
have a nice taxidermy exhibit. Funny. There’s actually 2 buildings
housing the one museum. The other one is back over by the library-
called the Lightcatcher building. They were in the midst of changing
exhibits– so only one small section open– a permanent exhibit re the
local native-Americans.
After the museum I take my daily swim at
Padden Lake– wearing my glasses this time- that makes a different
perspective - and I saw bald eagles overhead this time– at least 2
circling. Didn’t see them dive-bomb for any fish though. More
cheeseburgers for dinner! So good. 5pm Saturday evening vigil mass
at the bigger Catholic church- Assumption. They don’t have daily
mass here- only weekend. Same priest here as when I visited a year
ago.
Sunday September 4 back to Church of the Assumption for 8am
mass. Then I found Christ the King church for 10am service– this is
one of those CCM mega churches (always start out with about 20
minutes of Christian Contemporary Music –
with everybody
standing- and often the same songs used over and over and over
again- it’s almost like a “formula” that you find in almost every
mid-size city now – with a big auditorium– in a regular building- not
shaped like a traditional church.
It’s the repetitive music that
annoys me. Why can’t they play new music every week? They must
have done some research to suggest most people like predictability
to a certain extent. Most is not everybody. The sermon was better.
After church I went over to Bellis Fair Mall- walked thru it- making
a video.
One cool store was a video arcade including pinball
machines. I’m hanging around the area because I have a 1pm blood
donation appointment. Also found a store selling butane fuel that I
need for my portable stove. Used to be $5 bucks for 4 cans. This
place has jacked it up to $12 bucks. Ridiculous.
The problem is it’s
an Asian market (for some reason only Asian markets sell butane)
and there was NO PRICE TAG on it– so when I asked “how much”
the gal yells over to the Asian owner in their foreign language to
decide on the spot what price to charge me. I know I’m getting
ripped off.
But the owner comes over and says in his broken English
that it’s “Biden’s fault... everything has gone up in price.” Well,
there’s some definite truth to that but I don’t think this item should
have doubled in price. He says if I find it cheaper he will refund the
difference.
But I don’t have time to go shopping around for butane
to save $6 dollars. From there I go to my blood donation– and
almost immediately after I get hooked up– there’s a problem. They
tell me it’s a machine problem and that I’m done for the day but I
will still get full compensation. That’s nice.
At least they are honest.
Since I got out early I decide to start towards the big hike I was
tentatively planning for some time the upcoming week– but why not
tomorrow - Labor Day? My one concern is that it will be too busy.
I’m planning on doing Cascade Pass trail which I hear is the “most
hiked trail” in the north Cascades even though it’s pretty far out
there - and requires a drive on a rough dirt road for a little while to
get there.
So I head southward towards Burlington. Also looked for
a place with free air for my tires. Not always easy to find but some
places you can rely upon including Pilot truck stations - as well as
various tire shops - and Costco– which used nitrogen rather than
regular air in the tires.
Apparently there’s some small advantage to
using nitrogen-something to do with the size of the molecules- and
apparently doesn’t cost them more than air I guess. Otherwise I
assume they’d be charging for it. So I pull into the nearby Costco
tire station– and a guy actually fills up all my tires. I try to give him
a tip $ but he declines.
Thanks. Oh, by the way, Les Schwab tires
also does free tire plugs or patches– but if they are really busy it
could be a long wait. I also found a place to refill a few water bottles- always a concern
when traveling to have a regular supply of drinking water. You can
always but it at supermarkets for about $1 a gallon.
Or refill water
bottles in machines at the same markets for.50 cents/ gallon. But I
try to find free water as much as possible. There are maps and apps
online dedicated to this as well. Sometimes helpful.
Often not very
up-to-date –they rely upon user participation to make it work.
Libraries and parks often have water fountains- and I found a park
in Burlington to refill, slowly.
It can take 5 minutes or so in some
cases to fill a 1 gallon jug depending on the water flow of some
drinking fountains. Not many places have open taps that you would
find on the sides of homes etc that can fill a jug in a few seconds.
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And most business have locking taps on the sides of their buildings.
After the water refill I head eastward on highway 20 towards the
trailhead – the turnoff is near Marblemount. Pass thru Sedro
Wooley, City of Concrete, the beautiful aqua-colored Skagit River –
cast my line for a while there– wading in the ice cold water. A few
other fishermen out there also.
Some in rafts. I was thinking about
using my fly rod but when I pulled it out I noticed the reel is bent–
not sure how that happened. It’s unusable as is. Something heavy
apparently rested on it for a while causing a significant indentation
in the cast iron reel. Bizarre.
I might be able to bend it back –
maybe I’ll work on it later. For now I go back to my traditional
rod/reel. No luck. A little east of the fishing area is a rest stop that I
was planning on for a night sleep. No cellular connection. I fall
asleep quickly but periodically wake up thru the night to the sound
of pitter-patter on the roof– it’s raining.
Monday September 5 Labor Day Rise early around 5am - hit the
road- not far to the trailhead in terms of mileage but you have to
drive slowly on the dirt road- Finally arrived and hit the trail
around 720 am– still a bit dark mostly because the sun isn’t peeking
thru the clouds.
It’s kind of misty too. Not raining though. Tons of
switchbacks to start the hike. They could have created this trail with
half the amount of switchbacks– in some places they are extremely
close to each other. A few gung ho hikers pass me right away. Later
I pass some of them.
The trail to Sahale glacier is about 6 miles each
way and almost 4000 elevation. It goes quick going up. And then I
actually missed the turn off to Sahale Arm- went on the Stehenkin
trail for a while– turns out to be a “good mistake” - some good
views– and I get away from the maddening crowd.
Later I realize
the mistake and turn back–adding an extra 2 miles to the hike- but I
do not feel tired (yet). Back on the Sahale trail– it goes quickly
again– and I here’s Doubtful Lake- a beautiful pond down below
with a little island. There’s a trail to it as well but most people are
here to see the glacier up above. Me too.
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Little further along there’s a mama mountain goat with a baby
grazing right by the trail. They don’t seem overly concerned by the
presence of hikers. Even a few more beyond that.
Coming back I
met a group from France- 2 guys 2 girls - very polite and nice -
struck up a brief conversation – they actually are living in San
Francisco– didn’t get the details as to why– maybe students? They
chat to one another in French but speak perfect English when
talking to me. It’s a clear blue sky day now!
Beautiful day. Going
back down the switchbacks seem to take forever. Finally make it
back to the parking lot. Back on the road. Strange lady as I leave.
Dangerous WA driver passes me on the way back towards
Burlington.
For such a rural area it’s amazingly high- traffic – and
the locals just want to speed and pass. I find a road on the other side
of Skagit River that is much less trafficked- and enjoy a slow drive
back. Sleep.
Tuesday September 6 slept in a little bit. Feeling a bit sore – it
definitely took a toll on my feet and legs– just need a day of
recovery- drink a bunch of liquids. Stop at Fred Meijers- pick up
some groceries -including powerade with electrolytes. Go to the
Burlington Library.
I ask for a visitor computer pass. The lady
wasn’t very friendly. They think every visitor is some sort of
potential bum I guess. It’s a self-serving antagonistic attitude. And
its Tuesday discount movie so I find a local theatre– this one is an
AMC at the mall - not a lot of great choices.
#PrayTheMovies: I
choose a foreign animated film called “Dragon Ball.” Sometimes
these foreign films are surprisingly refreshing. This one’s not bad.
Dubbed into English- not subtitles.
Here are my notes: There’s a Dr
Hedo in jail –he’s a mastermind in pharmaceuticals– he has a drone
bee that protects him and does surveillance for him. And then
there’s a “bad guy” who wants to hire Dr. Hedo to do some dirty
work for him.
And they pick him up just as he’s getting released
from prison. The problem for the bad guys is that Dr. Hedo despite
having done some wrongdoing is actually motivated to do well. But
he’s also a little greedy.
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So he accepts the offer of the bad guy because he can line his pockets
for his own future inventions. And there’s a cast of other characters
including the Eternal Dragon who gives people 3 wishes – anything
they want.
Meanwhile there’s Gohan who’s a good guy but he’s
distracted by his own research – but the bad guy kidnaps his
daughter– waking him out of his slumber. Now he’s ready to fight
again. An epic battle. And the bad guy doesn’t realize that some of
his henchman are only helping him because they think he is
dedicated to good.
When they realize he’s bad they switch sides.
Then there’s Pan– the daughter of super powers. And there’s “cell
max” – who the bad guy activates to fight against the good guys.
And there’s a special “beam cannon.” Gohan eats a power bean for
extra fighting power.
Dr. hedo repents after he realizes what’s
happening. He switches over to the good side. #PrayTheMovies: We
can defeat Satan when we are unified as the body of Christ. United
we stand, divided we fall. The cellular connection is sketchy around
Burlington. Sometimes I have it.
Sometimes I don’t. That seems to
be the case everywhere around greater Seattle which is ironic
because this is the home of T-Mobile. And I use T-Mobile – so you
would think they would have excellent cell coverage around their
home base. BUT THEY DON’T.
Wednesday Sept 7 2022: to La Connor. Here’s the “rainbow bridge”
– listed as one of the “things to do” for this area– I thought it was
painted in rainbow colors but it’s not. It’s just shaped like a
rainbow.
There’s a big salmon statue in the nearby park. Looks like
it was also a slide at one time– you could slide down the fish tube,
but now it’s roped off- not allowed.. You can also see Mt. Baker
from here.
Stopped in at the free art museum in downtown La
Connor- nice little place- some interesting art. The lady volunteer
was originally from San Diego. Still has family there, but she doesn’t
miss it. We talked briefly about the severe heat there at the moment.
Real severe. Onward leaving La Connor. Towards Anacortes. Thru
an area with pipelines and several gigantic gas companies. Also
March Point.
Got gas for $3.74 - that’s a nice relief from the $4 and
$5 per gallon prices almost everywhere else. Some impressive
shipyards here in Anacortes. Cap Sante is a nice viewpoint. Great
views. Cliff. 12noon. Stopped in at Anacortes Library, and then
walked a block over to the Anacortes Museum– housed in the
original library building. Nice gal behind the desk. Tugboat beach at
230 - kind of cool.
Onward to Deception Pass & State Park– the
most visited of the WA state parks they say. Different trails here -
including the Maiden of Deception statue and loop trail behind it (or
her). But no Master of Deception Trail? There’s a long story that
goes along with the Maiden of Deception- like an Aesop’s fable sort
of.
There’s also a 7th Day Adventist marine biology university here–
right outside the state park entrance (Rosario Beach Marine Lab,
associated with Walla Walla University).Here’s Cranberry lake 415pm.
Also big trees at Deception Pass.
Lots of driftwood at West Beach. Do pickup drivers have a high
need for power & control? Are they obsessive compulsive (OCD)?
They are actually the opposite of the big strong truck- they are weak
and wimpy and fearful – and need their truck to make them feel
strong. Sad.
So Deception Pass SP goes on and on– different sections
and beaches. Here’s North Beach 424 pm. Beyond Deception Pass I
pulled into a county beach (Moran’s) where several people were
shore fishing– but not seeming to be catching anything. Navy fighter
planes periodically roaring overhead – from the nearby Navy Base
(Naval Air Station Whidbey Island).
Mariners lose to White Sox.
I’m keeping an eye on the M’s- hoping they make the wildcard spot.
Funny thing is about Washington is – you might look at a place on
the map and assume it’s rural and not too busy– but in some cases
you might be totally wrong– some of these island areas have some
intense traffic in some cases– maybe because of the military
presence.
Whatever the case may be– it’s NOT relaxing. Oak
Harbor is another NAS (Naval Air Station). Now Fort Ebey State
Park – there’s a surfer here in the parking lot. They actually get
waves big enough to surf around here? 550 pm.
255
Now arriving at Coupeville– wild deer wandering around
everywhere. And here’s Driftwood Park 634. Now Fort Casey – and
I realize I’ve been here before (with Lola, long time ago– I
remember wandering around the fort and Lola going up the steps
with me– nobody else there at the time).
There’s also supposedly a
good “underwater park” here where they scuba– the “Keystone
Jetty” - might be able to snorkel here too. Cold water – at warmest
maybe 55 but I’ve done colder water bare skin - including Northern
Cal and Oregon spots. I was thinking about going back towards
Seattle on the Ferry eastward- but at the last moment I decided to
take the ferry to Port Townsend – westward.
Enjoyed the ferry
across– it’s been a while since I’ve done this. Only $12 bucks.
Driving all the way around would be 100’s of miles and gallons of
gas. Justin Barkeley from Grand Rapids is on the radio filling in for
Glenn Beck. He frequently mentions WOOD radio and makes
references to places in Holland and Grand Rapids.
He also
mentioned John Gibbs - the black conservative from Lansing who
defeated Peter Meijer in the recent primary. Gibbs is no slouch. He
went to Stanford and Harvard and calls himself a “missionary”
(with World Venture) as well as having some computer software
background.
Meijer on the other hand was one of those who became
anti-Trump along the way- and it seems to have hurt his popularity.
Slept near the historic USPS in Port Townsend- one of the few
places where I was able to get a 4G connection.
In the morning Thursday Sept 8 I drove thru Fort Worden, and
then to the county park (North Beach) where a daily pass is not
required. From there I walked the beach back towards Fort Worden
and saw a few tiny starfish on the beach- already deceased– so I
saved them for my collection.
Never seen starfish so small– smaller
than the palm of my hand. Then I went over to the historic
downtown area– they are having their annual wood boat festival this
weekend– and were getting set up. Several wooden boats already on
display. Feisty little wannabe cowboy working on one of the boats
tried to boss me around. After walking around I go to the public
library – and around 2pm leave Port Townsend going south.
Here’s
the city of Port Hadlock, & Irondale. Now City of Chimacum
223pm. Port Ludlow 252pm – sign re Ludlow Falls but all I see is an
RV Park. I looked it up later–there is an actual waterfall back there
somewhere but not a lot of signage or parking for it. Looks like it’s
somewhere behind an office called Port Ludlow Associates. Maybe
next time.
Also a marina here. Onward Shine Tidelands SP 308pm.
Now Shine Tidelands SP 308– not much signage for this either– and
not much here. The “primitive road” ends at a primitive boat ramp
with a bunch of rowboats docked on the “beach.”
That’s the thing about Washington State Parks– whether big or
small or just barely a dot on the map– they call everything a “state
park”- so you never know for sure what it’s all about until you get
there.
Goodbye Seven Sisters Road. Onward: Fort Gamble has a
nice old town 324pm. Now Bloedel Reserve– had this starred on my
map from some time ago– must have seen a review about it– but
when I drove up– I find out you need a ticket reserved in advance to
hike here - so this is a mansion estate with trails - saw some pics
online -looks nice. Maybe next time.
Onward - still on Bainbridge Island- now 405pm- lots of nooks &
crannies here. The island was named in recognition of Commodore
William Bainbridge who was famous from the War of 1812. I see a
sign for Fay Bainbridge Park and I need a break from driving so I
follow the signs– farther than I thought– finally pull into the park
on the bay– with a view of Mt. Ranier- nice picture spot- although
it’s a bit hazy.
Apparently on a clear day you can see both Baker &
Rainier from here. There’s a ferry station here on Bainbridge Island
also– to Seattle. There’s a high school row team coming out of the
water at the park 605p. Sign says “The whole purpose of education
is to turn mirrors into windows.”
And here’s the Japanese Exclusion
Memorial 616pm- getting dark. And here’s Fort Ward and an
underwater park here as well. I drove around– one section I felt like
I was driving on the sidewalk thru a neighborhoods front yard– I
was expecting somebody to yell angrily at me– but it’s the actual
road. Nothing illegal.
And here’s a sign for Nute’s Pond Park– I
drove up the wrong road at first–and it was actually a long driveway
ending in a gated fence that automatically swung open as I neared
it– but I realized this is a house– not a park - and managed to turn
around. Toe Jam Hill road? And here’s tiny Lyttle Beach- a nice
surprise. Have to come back here some time. Also Gazzam Nature
Preserve.
I’ve been listening to 98.1 FM all day– nice classical
station. Suquamish /Indianola tribe here. Also “Old Man’s House”
park. And here’s the Naval Undersea Warfare Center ((NUWC
Division Keyport). And Island Lake Park (mostly lily pads). Is this
still Kitsap County? Poulsbo Fish Park supposed to be good fishing.
Finally I got a 4G connection here. City of Bremerton and ferry
station. This is also where the praying football coach caused all the
controversy and won his court case! Now I lost 4G. Found a place to
park. Arose early Friday Sept 9 2022 Thru Gig Harbor– quaint
marina.
And Port Orchard where Clancey Phillips the tow truck
driver lives. Got gas at the 7-11 for $3.78 - with 10 cent discount. –
went over the historic Tacoma bridge– paid the $5 toll - kept going
all the way to Puyallup – where it’s a free day at the Washington
State Fair–and includes a parade today– the “Stampede Parade”
with some cows and calves walking thru the street as well as a few
marching bands and floats etc.
They also ask attendees to bring
school supply donations – so I picked up a few things at the Meyers
before parking for the fair. Inside the fair I enjoyed the “hip hop
juggler” from NYC. Also the Little Mermaid skit. Free chocolate
milk – the lady didn’t laugh at my joke about chocolate milk coming
from brown cows. She was a meanie.
I tried joking twice and she
remained stone faced. There was another meanie at the archery
exhibit. I took my pics. Made my videos and then I wandered out of
there. Went to the Puyallup library for a while. Onward– not a big
fan of this area. Passed by the Angle Lake area. Warm day in the
80’s.
Saturday Sept 10 something about oliveTree.org on the radio - they
have some interesting religious material. Made it to St. James, and
in the morning drove around arboretum– found place to park for
the University of Washington game versus Portland State. Parked
near Interlaken Park- walk a mile- first time inside the impressive
UW stadium – and all the fanfare surrounding it.
It is surrounded
by the Montlake Cut and Lake Washington on one side– and lots of
people arrive in boats or party in their boats for the whole game.
UW boasts of their stadium being the “greatest setting in college
football” – and they may be right. I can’t think of anyplace else that
is SO impressive. And this should be an easy win for the Huskies.
And it is: final score 52-6.
Not very high attendance for this game.
Lots of empty seats. I watched from a spot where I could see the
boats as well. Noticed a sheriff doing safety inspections during the
game. That’s a bummer. Also enjoyed the UW hall -of-fame before
the game and got a free sample of watermelon coke from a nice gal.
After the game I walked back the same route– and stopped in at the
Montlake branch library– uploaded some of the videos I made of the
game. Still having difficulty getting a data connection- relying on
Wi-Fi mostly. Which is strange because the Seattle area (Bellevue to
be exact) is the home of T-Mobile– which is my service provider.
You would think that around their corporate headquarters they
would be pretty well covered. But they’re not. In some places I can’t
even make a phone call. Unbelievably, also in college football today,
Notre Dame lost to Marshall University: “The Thundering Herd.”
Sunday Sept 11 I went to every single mass at St. James today (8,
10, 12, 530). Learned a LOT. And ALSO to the Frye Museum. Have
a nice day. Then after evening mass at St. James I walked to the 711
for a refreshing drink–coming back - a strange gal. NFL scores:
Vikings defeat Packers (I’m still rooting for Kirk Cousins).
Buccaneers defeat Cowboys. Rams lost on Thursday.
259
Monday September 12 8am back at St. James, then 10am at Beacon
Library– now they’re doing road work - can’t park in parking lot. A
long hair eccentric comes in and sits across from me and starts
combing his fingers thru his long gray hair with a lady-like so-
called “man bun” on top.
Never liked that style.. It feels like he’s
looking for an audience. I pull my hat down. What’s the deal with
pseudo sophisticates at the library– laughing to themselves as they
watch something on the computer=-- as if something is SO FUNNY-
so freakin hilarious.
This happened at Sunnyvalle a few months ago
too. It’s a dysfunctional coping or defense mechanism of some
sort. Decided to try to get a ticket to the Monday Night Football
NFL game: Seahawks vs Broncos- the return of Russel Wilson! This
is a big one for Seattle– emotional. Found a decent priced ticket at
TickPick and I’m ready to go!
Don’t go to many NFL games: I’ve
been to a few Chargers games back when they played in San Diego.
Also a Rams game when they played at Angels Stadium. Been to a
Raiders game in Oakland. I think that’s about it. So add Seattle to
the list. Also been to a few training camps: including Chargers,
Rams, Broncos, Cowboys, & Seahawks (last summer).
So I walk to
the game– lots of pre-game festivities– then I enter the stadium –
also pretty cool- not sure why Seahawks couldn’t work something
out to play at UW field (I guess they did for a while). And the Seattle
fans booed Russel Wilson as he emerged from the tunnel. And for
the rest of the game.
And they say Seahawks fans are some of the
loudest in the NFL– I can vouch for that– almost deafening. Wow!
Here I am inside Lumen Stadium. Here’s KJ Wright– a fan favorite.
I guess he does a radio show now. They’re handing out free lime
green towels as we enter.
Aloe Blacc does the national anthem, plus
a military flyover by the Oregon National Guard. Seahawks come
out strong first half but Broncos actually have better numbers in
most of the categories– all except the final score: 17-16.
Doesn’t get
any closer than that. Hawks had at least 2 big goal line stands–. Lots
of criticism of Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett for trying for a 64-
yard field goal at the end instead of trying to get closer. From where
I watched the game I could also see the Bainbridge Ferry coming
and going. Great game. Pretty fun.
Tuesday Sept 13 8am St. James, 9am blood arrival, no 4G again.
Very busy. At least they have Wi-Fi. Afterwards: laundry. Same yug
inside the entire time, also man with dog/pickup– friendly dog kept
sticking his head out as I went in and out– patted his head a few
times.. Chaplet of Divine Mercy (Drew Mariani).
I keep flashing
back to what I call the “bad axis” – people in Grand Rapids– a small
group who didn’t really belong in our community– they arrived at
Calvin College from other places– and then they stayed– despite
having no real affinity for the community–they just were brash and
overbearing=-taking advantage of the niceties of the CRC
community. Just opportunists.
It perturbs me every time I think
about it. How they took advantage of our community. And there’s
nothing I can do about it– if they won’t repent and humble
themselves– which doesn’t seem likely.
An Asian couple in the
laundromat was having trouble with the change machine– I tried to
help them. After laundry, went to Walmart in Renton– I only go
there now for cans of veggies which are usually 50 cents- otherwise
I
try to NOT do business there –because of their support for abortion.
Lots of Muslim ladies working at this Walmart – with their faces
covered. From there I go to the Renton Library. 4G is sketchy
around here too.
Wednesday Sept 14 730 am mass at St. Anthony. It’s a “feast day”
for St. John Chrysostom (“golden mouth”). And then to
McDonalds– all Vietnamese working there. One of the glass doors
was shattered. From Renton to Bellevue – stop in at Art Museum-
its ok- kind of small- then I walked across to the mall- nice mall.
Made a few videos. Polestar. 2 ladies. Lego, Nordstrom, Macy’s, new
shoes. Then over to the big park on Lake Washington- hoped to take
a swim but the beach was closed due to high bacteria. This is a
regular problem at the various beach parks around Seattle.
They
regularly close and re-open all summer depending on the water
quality. I’m on the email list – so I get an update every time it
happens. From there I drive towards Kirkland and find a place for
the evening.
Thursday Sept 15 attend mass at the Kirkland catholic. Not sure
who the priest is- new? Guest? Cardinal? Dressed in red. Then to
the McDonalds– lazy worker there. Heading northward again– go
thru Everett– stop in at their library.
They have a cool model of the
Titanic on display. Also walked thru the Art Space down the way.
Drove past the Twin Peaks house. Also the arboretum, and the
equator boat from the 1800’s (which Robert Louis Stevenson was a
passenger on at one point). Spencer Island Park - took a walk out to
the island– kind of neat– some people picking berries. A row team
practicing.
Onward thru Marysville (BHB Church & Park) *BHB=
Been Here Before. Near Lake Stevens (BHB, swam here). Arlington
Swinging Bridge (BHB). Granite Falls (BHB). Staying on highway 9
north (hwy 20 reopens after landslide closure).
Now Hwy 538 into
Mount Vernon (there is a dairy farm where one of the ones I
mentioned as part of the “bad axis” grew up– and she is now a
brash overbearing type still living in GR– having ruined our little
hometown).
They have a high point here they call “Little
Mountain.” Also the Skagit River. Past the Big Lake and the special
golf course I remember. riday Sept 16 9am Sacred Heart mass.
$3.94 gas fill up- that’s a
good price. Back road to gas station. Thru Lummi reservation area.
Made blood donation at 12 noon. Blue hair Jory walked by me and
nodded. I can’t figure her out.
Afterwards a swim at Lake Padden-
starting to cool down - looking at YouTube - I see that this lake
freezes in the winter and they ice skate on it. Looks fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if9ihjOQruI. Library Wi-Fi. Chicken on
the grill- good.
Saturday Sept 17 early rise to go hike Yellow Aster
trail – arrive -still dark- sleep a few hours. Start hiking around 720
am. Cool morning. This is a great hike– not as busy as Cascade
Pass- but does get busy enough. And more colorful– so bright &
brilliant. Wow.
And at the top there are numerous “tarns” (little
mountain lakes or water holes). No goats here that I noticed. Did see
a big marmot. Lots of hikers had their dogs with them. Wish I had
Lola. Nice ranger- talked a bit in passing. One hiker had his rifle
with a scope– sounded like a military guy– says he could hunt bear
or deer.
Hmm. Looked like a sniper. And a gal running the trail- she
looped me– I said “Wow, you must have some strong legs” she
stopped and talked –nice. -- said she was this was her “last hoorah”-
- because she’s moving out of the state. She’s not the only gal
running the trails around here– I’ve seen several- pretty gung ho.
Sunday Sept 18 9am Cornwall Church– like this big mega church -
Bob Marvel preaching. They also play their own original music.
11:15 back over to CTK church (Christ The King) - not as
comfortable here. The pastor asked us to pray for one another near
the end– and I just didn’t feel comfortable with it– I feel like I’ve
transcended the average every day type of “prayer” you see people
doing.
I’m praying literally without ceasing inside my head –and
also in my new #PrayerBook. The average prayer seems mundane to
me. I can pray for all the members of CTK from afar but not face-
to-face on demand inside the sanctuary. That’s too clumsy and
insufficient.
After CTK I go to Lake Padden for a swim. Then from
Bellingham to Burlington– stop in at the Haggen– a wretched clerk
watches me like a hawk at self-checkout. Some Washington people
are a little too hawkish and even cocky at times. The humble ones
are nice.
Onward I go for my next big hike: destination Maple Pass
Trail– first stop at Ladder Falls – BHB - walk around a bit– cast my
line– could see some gigantic fish down below but they weren’t
interested. Talked to a lady as she walked by–she said she grew up
on a fish hatchery where her dad worked. Seattle City Lights
workers live here too. Slept near the Thunder Creek Trailhead. No
problems.
Monday Sept 19 7am I’m at Maple Pass trailhead- it’s a fun trail–
first stop at Lake Ann- a mile side trail- upward looking down on
it. You can see Lewis Lake in the distance too– separate trail. Later
there is Rainy Lake (BHB). Great views near and far. It’s a fun
trail– not too grueling. Not too busy since it’s a Monday.
But busy
enough. Tired enough too. Hike note: solo gal with dog at top. Stone
cold grim dude at beginning. “Yup” gal near end. Supercilious
couple near top (“it’s a loop trail.” Duh really. I just stumbled in
here and don’t know where I am). Finished around 1pm. Stopped
in at overlook. A few jerks in the parking lot.
Long downhill. Near
Winthrop I saw a black bear eating berries by the side of the road–
looked like a shadow at first– nobody else seemed to notice. When I
slowed down to try to get a picture–a motorcycle roared by and the
bear scurried away. Even in the country people drive as fast as if
they are on the way to an important meeting. I’ve deduced over time
that this sort of urgent driving is a self-serving mechanism- a form
of daily cycle of self-righteousness re-activation. City of Twisp.
City
of Methow. And Methow River. Alta State park. Lake Wells Dam,
apple trees, migrants, box houses, City of Chelan, City of Entiat.
Bighorns here? Sleep in Wenatchee.
Tuesday, Sept 20 McDonalds Wenatchee, Lowe’s videos. Nice drive
along Columbia River.
I wrote “Not a Californian” on my back
window for the truckers who make derogatory assumptions about
those with CA plates. High winds -Wenatchee to Quincy -
Columbia River. Sign says “Crop names in Fence Line.” City of
Quincy 955am.
Send text message to Jim Lin. Sunday day eastern
Washington. Past the turnoff for Gorge Amphitheatre. Here’s the
Gorge Viewpoint turnoff– strange thing– there were 4 Latinos
taking pictures here– but they had no car– and no backpacks or
anything. How did they get here?
IT’s right along the freeway-not
an easy place to walk to. City of Vantage hwy 243. Wanupam Dam
1055, Beverly Railroad Bridge 11am, City of Schwana, City of
Mattawa 1105, City of Desert Aire (priest rapids rec area).
#PrayTheNews: Puerto Rico Hurricane, Migrants Martha
Vineyard, Hanford Reach National Monument, – will come back
here for the Manhattan Project tour.
Tim Keller on the radio. Now
Chip Ingram (LivingOnTheEdge.org). I met his son– also a
preacher–at a high school church in the bay area. Richland Pasco.
1pm synchronicity. Blood donation. Gal named America.
#PrayTheMovies: “Woman King” Mahi? West Africa. Dahomey
kingdom, ghezo king, slave trade, oyo bad. Agodjie women. Vs Oyo
slave traders “King Gezo came to power in 1818, following a coup
d’état against his half-brother King Adandozan.
In 1823, when the
film’s action takes place, the British had already abolished their slave
trade, and were putting pressure on West African states and European
and American countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Brazil to end
their own. Brazil had declared independence from Portugal in 1822,
but continued actively importing enslaved Africans, including from
Ouidah.
Meanwhile, Dahomey had been paying tributes to the
Kingdom of Oyo (a state located in today’s southwestern Nigeria) since
1748.* In 1823, under Gezo’s rule, Dahomey fought a war against Oyo
and eventually succeeded in ridding itself of the tributes. This is the
action that’s portrayed in the film.” https://slate.com/culture/2022/09/woman-king-movie-true-story-
dahomey-amazons-slave-trade.html .
Fierce female fighters. True story. Not allowed
to marry. “Fighting is not magic, it’s a skill” woman leader realizes
new fighter is her long lost daughter. Cross necklace? Fairfield
cinema- nice atmosphere Tri-cities. No Tuesday discount. Guy said
“We’re trying to bring it back...”
Theatre almost empty. One other.
Blood oath. The gal was given to a missionary family instead of
being _. Portuguese visitors. Beautiful swimming pool below the
Agodjie village. “Relentlessly we will fight” good scene. Pray for the
persecuted. BT BTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB (yes this is
purposeful & is meaningful, to me).
Wednesday Sept 21 8am mass –one of the priests here was recently
accused of criminal activity– just read about it in the news. Gas for
$4.19, $80 fill up. Thought: “You cannot be a default Christian.”
Mid-Columbia library #1 & Kennewick branch #2. Spent time
composing. As I’m sitting in the library I over hear a conversation
by a patron asking another patron about psychology –
they chat
about Jesus– and then Buddhism, etc. I like the roundabouts in
Kenewick– much better than full stop signs or traffic lights. Trying
to get a $10 refund for tracfone- they don’t make it easy. Finally got
it. Stopped in at Fed Ex Office to make some evangelical copies:
turned into a fiasco.
Their machine didn’t work. They tried to blame
me. She tried to do it behind the desk. She messed up. She
apologized. Did I get overcharged? Now at Richland Library–
nauseatingly “woke” display in the entry way. Guy playing chess
with his son. Up to 2nd floor. Sat a while. Found a holiday inn for
the night. 4G yes.
Thursday 9/22/22 8am mass at Christ the King Richland- nice
building. 9am Fred Meyer- bread/avocado, 10am. Chamna Nature
preserve – surprise gem- including wild grapes! Also nice river–
took brief swim after walk. This is the Yakima River– drains into
the Columbia. Clean and clear. Good temp.
Amon Park 12 noon-
also nice – on the Columbia- lots of green grass, open space, normal
people. Drove up the way– passed by the Manhattan Project offices
where I will be tomorrow for the tour. Several nice parks along the
Columbia River. Back to Amon Park. Now there’s a huge
paddlewheel tour boat at the dock. Cast line- waded chest high-
cooled off.
Friday Sept 23 back at Manhattan Project NPS (National
Park) headquarters– about 20 people here for the tour. Brief
introduction by fellow who worked here for 20 years as a nuclear
engineer (after the historic era). We board the bus- head towards
Reactor B. nice bus, not an s school bus.
It’s a 40 minute drive- we
arrive at a fairly nondescript building with a smoke stack - and walk
inside– first impression-wow- looks so complex. Cool. Another
fellow gives us some more information. Then we are allowed to
roam around and see the different displays.
This is where they
literally created the plutonium that went into “little boy” that was
dropped on Hiroshima August 6, 1945 from the plane called Enola
Gay (google searches result in some confusion between little boy vs
fat man. Some say “fat boy” or “little man” etc).
But the main thing
is that this is where the plutonium was developed for the bombs that
ended World War II. After the tour I make another blood donation
(didn’t like either of the people I interacted with: Agnes & Brandon
(both Asians with attitudes).
Saturday Sept 24 leaving Tri-Cities to Pullman for the Washington
State football game. Palouse Scenic Highway is a nice surprise.
There’s a nice waterfall not far from here– wish I had time to go see
it. Maybe next time. City of Kahlotus. City of Washtucna. City of
Dusty 850.
City of Colfax 930am. Arriving in Pullman - waited to
last moment to find a ticket- good strategy– prices went down– got
one for $23 - they play Oregon- and what a thriller it turns out to be
with Oregon edging the Cougars 44-41. Got some good video clips
including a 95-yard interception pick-6 by WSU. I like the WSU
fans- down to earth-seem like pretty good people in general. Their
stadium is not as idyllic as WU but good enough.
I moved seats a
few times- finally found a decent spot. It’s nice going to a game
where you don’t have a favorite team– no tension. You just want to
see a competitive match. The only disappointment was the overly
“woke” halftime presentation. 4G is a bit sketchy around here.
Stayed at the Marriot Courtyard for the night.
Sunday Sept 25 715 am went to Catholic mass at Sacred Heart. Nice
environment. Good preacher/priest. Amusing bug moment.
McDonalds. Text TT12. 1030- Living Faith Fellowship church was a
nice surprise. Phil Vance preaching. Felt comfortable here. Onward
to Moscow Idaho.
Passing by University of Idaho– never heard of it
before– their mascot is “The Vandals” - very cool. Nice campus too.
Drove around. Explored Moscow city for a while- pretty small.
#PrayTheNews: Sports: NFL Vikings defeat Lions, Bucs defeat
Packers, and Seahawks lose. Jags over Chargers. Rams defeat
Cardinals. Broncos edge 49ers 11-10. Yesterday college upsets: Tex
A&M defeated Arkansas. Tex Tech defeated TX Longhorns. MLB
Dodgers keep winning - not red hot but BLUE HOT. Seems like
Idaho has a little better 4G than WA.
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Monday Sept 26 8am WInCo Foods is a nice chain of grocery
stores. Bought some cabbage, red pepper, cucumber, chili, soup,
shredded cheese, bananas, veggie juice, apple juice, tomato, etc. now
driving south towards Boise. All systems go. First stop: City of
Lewiston 9am. Put air in tires.
Stopped at USPS- guy mowing post
office lawn asked me if I was going fishing. He saw my fishing pole
thru the window. I hadn’t thought much of it but he told me the fish
are running. We chatted about fishing for a little while. Maybe I’ll
give it a try. Need to go to Fed Ex with this package (returning
phone).
It’s near the Lewiston Airport. Drop it off at 940 am. Then I
go over to the river (s) – this is actually where the Clearwater &
Snake Rivers merge. I found a nice spot by the historic bridge and
cast my line for a while. Nice day. Lots of fishermen in boats.
Onward driving– starting to see signs for “hells gate state park” –
here it is- requires fee of $14 to enter.
So this is the Hells Canyon
area– and we will be going that way- I don’t like the name but it is
what it is– apparently named as such because it is the lowest canyon
in North America. And there’s also Heaven’s Gate coming up!
#PrayTheNews: 15 killed in Russia school shooting. Took back road
back to main highway– becomes a primitive road near Mann Lake –
which I passed– but didn’t see a turnoff for access to the lake.
Doesn’t look worth searching for anyways. I always try to take the
“scenic route” and learn more about the communities I pass thru–
rather than treat them like “fly over” areas.
Emerge near City of
Lapwai (Indian reservation?). Nez Perce County. City of Culdesac
1240 - cool mile-long abandoned train covered with graffiti and
plants growing out of it. What’s the back story behind this? Can’t
find anything online. Winchester Lake 110pm.
Eating salad as I
drive. Using spaghetti sauce for dressing. Not bad. Did I invent
something new? Lots of geese at Winchester Lake. There’s a state
park here too– other side– requires fee- despite nobody being there
this time of year– they pay somebody hourly to sit in the entry
booth. City of Craigmont 159pm. Smoke? Wildfire? I smell it.
Lawyer Creek. Idaho County 205pm, near Cottonwood Butte Ski
Area.
City of Cottonwood 220pm. Sign for St. Gertrude’s
Monastery. Sign for Weis Rockshelter – looks like they have
petroglyphs here. City of Grangeville 245pm medium size. More
smoke. Shoo fly. This fly has been hitchhiking for a long time. Can’t
get rid of it.
I took the turnoff to Tolo Lake– sign says something about
“mammoth site” - turns out to be a pond with algae– apparently at
some point in time they found mammoth bones near here. 3pm
Looks like the farmers intentionally burn their fields around here.
Great hill down into White Bird-.
Big sign for Hells Canyon. White
Bird is an old cowboy town, plus a historic battlefield which I drive
out to see. You can hike a few miles – there’s a creek here too- but
it’s excessively hot today. One car in the lot- with an Iowa plate.
There’s a hay farm next to it.
Drive over to the nearby Salmon
River –found a place to swim- nice- refreshing - 445 pm. Back on the
road a house cat is inspecting road kill as I drive by. Joseph’s Plain.
Refreshing dip. Cool down. Hammer Creek. Pittsburg Landing.
Skook-omChuck cast my line– here – found a remote control device
for remote control boat. - looked something like this (link)
https://www.amainhobbies.com/pro-boat-2.4ghz-transmitter-
prb18007/p469074?gclid=CjwKCAjw7p6aBhBiEiwA83fGug82GRzbhp4DRg7iMOWhqV3miIQN5lS7dlRggJA2GqeP1S6qEW7RWhoC
n9wQAvD_BwE
I thought about taking it with me– maybe worth some
money– but figured maybe a kid or whoever would come back to
find it– so I left it there. Looks like they cost about $30 dollars. This
is a beautiful site with a sandy beach. Lucile Recreation Area 540
and old Lucile – nice cliff jump spot.
Jackass Flatt 544pm, also
Fiddle Creek. Lightning creek 547. City of Riggins– this is where
there is supposed to be a turnoff towards Heaven’s Gate but I don’t
see it. I keep going up to rest area– and consult the map –somehow I
missed the turnoff. I drive back 5 miles and find it- the sign was
down.
I head up the road– it’s paved at first– supposed to be 18
miles– but it becomes primitive after a while– but not too rough-.
Farms along the road, and a few homes. Sign says “Halfway to
Heaven.” Funny. Now it’s getting dark – I find a safe place by the
side of the road and pull off for the night. So quiet and dark here.
Beautiful night.
I sleep well. This is also 7 Devils Road.
September 27 Tuesday. Onward four more miles- sun is rising. I
come around a bend and there’s an elk with a huge rack– startled–
it scrambles off the road– much more frightened than some other
elks in places.
Finally make it to the top – the last half mile is more
rough– almost decided to turn around- but it would actually be
more difficult to turn around than to keep going - so I keep going–
very slowly. Don’t want to puncture a tire.
Been there done that
before. No fun changing a tire, anywhere for that matter. Finally!
I’m here. I see a wildfire lookout tower in the distance– more
upward- there’s a trail- I didn’t know there was a fire tower up
here- nor that it was still being used to spot fires. There’s an
employee on duty when I get there– looking off into the distance at
some smoke- and his wife is inside also.
Nice couple. They invite me
in to sign the guest book and look around- chat a while. There’s a lot
of lakes up here too, they say– although you can’t see any from here.
He offers a trail map- I see an area called Tower of Babel, 7 Devils,
Echo Lake, Mirror Lake, Basin Lake, Shelf Lake, Rock Island
Lake, Sheep Lake, and Horse Heaven Point- among others on the
map.
I find one nearby lake - and it’s called 7 Devils Lake- so many
Biblical references applied to geography around here. I cast my line
a few times but doesn’t look too hopeful.Back in the car I head down
the road– and suddenly there’s a pack
of horses crossing– say what? No human with them. I wonder if they
are wild– but then I notice some have shoes on. I get out and beckon
them– and one comes over like a friendly dog.
Definitely not wild.
Fun to see. I love horses. Further down the road there’s a guy on a
horse with a herd of cows he’s moving across the road. The Wild
West! Back on the main road I take another turnoff – this time to
the fish hatchery- filled with baby salmon– thousands maybe even a
million.
Stop at rest area again. Refill water bottles. City of New
Meadows 1pm- picked up a gigantic paper map of the Forest Service
roads around here- way too big to handle. I have a hike planned for
nearby McCall but don’t want to start it mid day– instead I decided
to do the Hell’s Canyon road trip–would rather start earlier- but
here I am– got to do something.
Sign for Zim’s Hot Springs - a
commercial site, not natural. Something on my shoulder as I drive–
I do a double take– it’s a big yellow jacket– I try to flick it off as I’m
driving– causing me to swerve a little- not too bad- but probably
making some people wonder what’s going on. I thought about
taking a forest service road to Hells Canyon– save a bunch of miles -
but the way is not clear and my gps only shows a dot– not the actual
roads–
I pass thru Fruitvale- sign says “Yes this is Fruitvale” 2pm. 2
guys standing by the sole store. Onward. City of Council 112pm-
cop parked exactly where speed limit decreases. City of Cambridge
238pm. “Gateway to hells canyon.” Briefly get 4G surprisingly.
319pm.
Dam #1 is Brownlee- entering Oregon. Back by the Snake River.
Still 35 miles to Hell’s Canyon. Stunningly beautiful drive along the
Snake. Now at Oxbow Dam 235- now 22 miles to Hells Canyon Dam.
Back into Idaho. Payette NF. Here’s the Big Bar area, & Eckels
Creek. and “Big Dry Gulch” and finally we arrive at the visitors
center for the Hells Canyon Dam.
Also a boat launch here for Hells
Canyon Adventures. Their website has some cool pics– could be a
fun thing to do. Swim & cast line at Big Bar area. Fish jumping 530
to 6. Three pheasants. Two deer - mama & baby. Now two more
deer. Missed the turn.
Fish feeding on the surface of the snake -
cruising around like half-submerged submarines– never seen
anything like it. Now near Oxbow Reservoir– wanted to pull in and
look closer but gal exiting with kayak. She would be scared if I
pulled in alone. Darn.
It’s frustrating these days– I have to be self-
conscious about other people being fearful– while hiking, walking,
whatever. It doesn’t matter if it’s irrational or unfounded fear–
their fear trumps everything else. Now three deer crossing road –
jammed on brakes. Great drive! Long day. Back to McCall- holiday
inn. No 4G.
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September 28 Wednesday 8am Ridleys has Wi-Fi. 9am Now driving
towards Louie’s Lake- in the distance I see something in the road–
as I get closer I realize it’s a herd of elk. And there’s a fence on both
sides of the road keeping the cows in their pastures.
The elk start to
panic as I approach (slowly, not trying to scare them- but trying to
get some pictures) – so they start jumping over the barbwire fence–
most make it no problem- a few “bounce” over the top strand–
probably doesn’t hurt their thick hide too much- but two of the
smallest ones have trouble getting over. I just watch– rooting for
them to make it- and finally they all get over. Good for them! Great
video too!
Now at the Louie’s Lake hike– went down the wrong trail for a little
ways– – suddenly I’m looking at a black face in the trees– thinking
it’s a black bear– it doesn’t move– just stares. We have a stare down
for a few moments.
I move a little and then realize it’s a black calf–
a baby black cow. Wow-and it remained motionless the entire time–
I started thinking it was fake– some kind of prank- until it finally
blinked - a few feet forward I saw the mother cow– also staring the
way cows do– this must be a cow trail or something– after a while I
realize I am on a side path– not the main trail to Louie’s Lake.
Backtrack.
Onward. - fairly busy trail- for a Wednesday– finally arrive at
Louie’s Lake– supposed to be a good fishing lake (stocked)=- and
there are several anglers – didn’t see anybody catching anything–
but I didn’t hang around for too long– I cast my line for about 10
minutes– and then decided to keep going towards Boulder Lake-
because of my detour that caused an hour delay- a kid with a bunch
of Illinois garb (hat, sweatshirt) walked by with his fishing pole.
I
should have known better but I teed him up with a fishing question:
Catch anything? He started gabbing – said he caught 2 yesterday- I
asked what time? He said “One in the morning, one in the evening.”
I accepted it at face value but then as we continued to converse he
272
said “It’s strange– yesterday they were very active around this time
when I caught them” -. It was noon now. I think I was getting a “fish
story” (or a fishy story). He just said he caught them in the morning
and evening and now he was saying he caught them around noon.
Onward. Nice hike.
Now looking down on Louie’s Lake. Passed by
3 talkative ladies- one of them had a bear bell – I told them the story
about the bear/cow. They laughed. Then another 3-some- some
fellows– friendly- I confirmed with them that this is a loop trail,
right? He showed me the map on his phone– he had the Gaia app-
maybe I should get that too. Shortly later I arrive at Boulder Lake–
I can see some fish near the edge– a few other men fishing- one has a
dog who keeps barking– doesn’t like being tied to the tree.
Cast my
line for a while- they’re inquisitive but not biting on what I’m
offering them. That’s all I got. Onward. There’s a reservoir down
below– looks like it’s drying up– more cows here grazing. On the
road again– dirt road half way here.
Back to McCall- spend the night- my body muscles are seriously
cramped. Guess I didn’t drink enough water as I hiked– 2 big
bottles not enough? Or salt? I really couldn’t move much for the
next 10 hours or so. Just kept guzzling water with extra salt added.
Not much 4G around here- Wi-Fi in a few places. Les Schwab is one
reliable place for free strong Wi-Fi.
And it rained most of the night.
Free car wash. Thursday Sept 29 4. #PrayTheNews: Hurricane Ian
is hitting Florida– a big one. Prayers for them. I pick up some
groceries at the McCall Albertsons: - hamburger, white milk (rare
for me)! Powerade, cliff bar, bananas, etc. Back on the road towards
Boise. City of Lake Fork 1015,
City of Donnelly 1021 cloudy but
sunny now. Gold Fork River 1024 Horse Thief Reservoir is up the
way from here. Maybe next time. City of Cascade 1038 & Cascade
Lake. Yes 4G or is it false 4G here? Sometimes I will get the 4G
signal with all the bars- but still can’t connect. Sometimes I have to
restart to connect.
Other times it still doesn’t work. Sage Bluff area.
Big Sage Campground open. Pelican Cove 1046. Blue Heron area
open. Snowbank area open. Cabarton day use area on lake. 1000’s
of little ducks with white heads on the lake.
Also pass by Kelly’s
Whitewater Park- looks like a nice launching place for tubing or
kayaking etc. This is the Payette River scenic byway - and it is nice.
Very beautiful drive along the Payette River. Weatherman on the
radio talking about his website weatherbell.com .
Now at Smith’s Ferry at noon. Brief break. Found a very sweet spot
by the river near the junction of Porter Creek Road and highway
55- the river moves fast but there was an eddy here– and some cliffs
– and some deep spots – including fish– I could see them– almost got
them to bite-and then I did some cliff jumping into the cool water.
Had the spot all to myself.
It’s near Horseshoe Bend - now 310pm./
Finally arriving in Boise around 4pm I find the cheapest gas as I
arrive in Boise - at a Safeway- $4.19 per gallon. Total of $84.40. No
E85 around here unfortunately. Then I make a blood donation at
the BioLife in Nampa, bossy gal 6pm. Holiday Inn for the night.
Friday Sept 30 8am catholic church Nampa.
Tire Nampa. Boise
State Broncos vs SD State Aztecs $21 ticket- tonight 6pm. Meridian
library vid. Boise library vid. Arrival BSU - free parking spot. 6pm
it’s game time! Giant USA flag donated by Camping World.. 1st
half unknowingly sat in student section- not –; 2nd half moved over
to a less crowded section – opposite side.
New QB for Boise Taylen
Green is a good runner- he started using his legs 2nd half and Boise
went on to win 35-13. 2nd half: TD, punt, TD, TD, TD, TD. After
the game back in my car I found a hotel for the night but as I was
moving some stuff in the back of my vehicle– suddenly something
started beeping–
and wouldn’t stop- it had something to do with my
rear passenger door– an automatic sliding door– that I have
purposely stopped using because of a problem with the “actuator” –
but if you accidentally bump the “open door” button which I guess
I’ve never done until this evening–
it causes a warning beeper to
start– and never stop- I tried the door handle– all the buttons– went
under the hood and one by one removed each fuse – this didn’t
work– my manual tells me there’s another fuse box near the glove
compartment. I haven’t found it yet. Meanwhile beep-beep-beep.
Finally I find this other fuse box– with a little help from YouTube–
and start pulling each fuse one-by-one– and putting each one back if
it doesn’t stop the beep. I get thru most of them and it’s still
beeping. Then finally SILENCE. Oh my, silence IS golden. I was
almost about to give up and just let it beep all night and find a
mechanic in the morning. Good lesson to never give up.
Wow– that
was 2 or 3 hours drama– because I drove around part of the time
looking for a place to park for the night near an auto repair shop
thinking the battery might be dead in the morning– so keep it close
to a repair place so I don’t need a jump or tow. And I needed WiFi
or data connection to look things up on my phone. Silence is golden-
Never felt so good. And I slept great.
Saturday, October 1 8am Cathedral mass in the basement chapel–
too crowded so I left early. 9am stopped at Les Schwab- got the
same tire repaired– this time finally patched– not another plug.
Thanks Les Schwab- they do a good job (usually).
12 noon: donated
blood. After blood donation, I went to the library for a little while.
Then 5pm St. Mark’s church (big) Sunday October 2 930 am
Stonehill Church– popular place- they meet in the high school
auditorium. Then over to Life Church at 1115. After the service
greeter named Mack said hello.
1pm Catholic Mass at Holy
Apostles– they still require masks at this afternoon service.
#PrayTheNews: sports; TCU upsets Oklahoma, Michigan defeats
Iowa, UCLA defeats WA, #1 Georgia squeaks past Missouri 26-22,
Alabama defeats Arkansas,
NFL: Vikings defeat Saints in London.
Seahawks squeak past Lions 48-45. Dodgers win again to tie a most
wins record since1909. News: 129 killed in stampede after soccer
match in Indonesia. Monday October 3 9am Albertson Park - lots
of ducks.
Albertson’s name is on a lot of places around Boise– this
is where their corporate headquarters is -0-and the original store
was here. 10am toured the Boise Library. 10:15 am toured the Idaho
state museum across the street from the library– pretty nice place–
tech savvy too- lots of interactive exhibits.
11am then over to the old
jail– historic penitentiary. Pretty cool place. 2pm- found a co-op
FCU (America First) to withdraw cash- to transfer to my other
account-. Delayed by technical issue- had to call my FCU in
southern Cal. Issue resolved.
City of Kuna– heading out of Boise- found a cave I saw on “things to
do “ - the Kuna Cave– drive down a bumpy dirt road - adjacent to a
farm- there’s a hole in the ground with a metal ladder- 2 cars there.
One lady standing near the top. She said her son is down there. She
wasn’t going down.
She said she did it when she was a child many
years ago. I said “Been there done that eh?” I guess no need to do it
again. I waited for the adult child to come up the ladder- Then I
went down- nice and cool down below- you can stand up and walk
for a ways in one direction before it narrows- the other direction
narrows pretty quickly.
Lots of colorful graffiti on the walls. Might
be fun to do some spelunking- fun for kids especially. But not me– I
don’t feel like crawling on bumpy rocks. No stalagtites or
stalagmites. No water. Stayed in Nampa for one more might. Best
Western. No 4G. Tuesday October 4 uploaded vids at Lowes before
heading out of town,
8am Lake Lowell, Dear Flat NWR, Clint
Eastwood filmed some scenes from Bronco Bill here back in 1979.
Historic dam looks like good fishing spot. Signs for Ammon Bundy
for Gov. Lizard Butte cross 833. City of Marsing. Owyhee County.
Sign for Givens Hot Springs. Sign for Leslie Gulch Recreation Area.
Back in Oregon 920 am.
Sign for Jordan Craters.
#PrayTheNews: RIP Loretta Lynn dies. Hurricane Ian fatalities
surpasses 100 in FL. City of Jordan Valley 942 am. We live in a
post-truth society. Also a Russian Submarine with Poseidon nuclear
is missing?
Supposedly it has the “armageddon weapon” Supposedly
this submarine can be parked underwater– and remote explode
something so powerful it can cause a tsunami. Supposedly. There’s
news about it. It seems far-fetched. But read for yourself if
interested: https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-doomsday-weapon-submarine-nuke-2018-4 Also in the
news–
there may be a serial killer in Stockton CA. Antelope
Reservoir. McDermit NV City 1151 am has library WiFi– perfect
stopping place as there is road construction stoppage for 30 minutes.
I time it perfectly to start my car and get in the line just as they start
going again. Some people always leave their cars running no matter
how long the stoppage may be. Crazy.
This is the border of Nevada
& Oregon: There’s a casino named “Say When” across the street.
This may also be the Paiute Shoshone nation /reservation– I make a
point of praying for the Native Americans - by name as much as
possible - as I travel thru their area. There’s a sign about
PeopleOfRedMountain.com – seems to be a concern about proposed
lithium mining.
Are you kidding me: Trucker with “wide load”
passes me even though I’m doing 65mph–. What the heck was that
all about? And then he can’t make it up the next hill so I have to
pass him. What an idiot. Most truck drivers are great– but if you
travel enough you occasionally encounter the 1% who are NOT.
13opm Took the turn off for Paradise Valley– looking for a public
hot springs a few miles off the beaten path. Found it!
It’s not really idyllic but the water is hot– and clean enough–
actually maybe too hot. I sit in it for a while – but in the middle of a
warm day–it’s not so comforting– so I get out and soak in the cold
water creek next to it– that feels better. There’s an old geezer and
his wife in their van– not in the water– just hanging out. Not very
sociable which is fine with me.
He looks like an old hippie. As I got
out of the cold creek he approached to pick something up he left on
the ground – he was brushing his teeth as he walked in my
direction- he looked like that actor named Sutherland –the father,
not Kiefer– what’s his name?
I attended one of their Hollywood star
ceremonies many years ago– back when I was doing that for my
Christian ministry (I founded Mustard Seed Ministries in the heart
of Hollywood). I said to the guy “Do you know what the water temp
is?” He responded “Hot. That’s all I know.” Back on the gravel road
– stopped to fix something– had to try opening the driver’s side
sliding door– I rarely do so– it’s one of those automatic doors with
so many buttons and beepers I try to avoid it– but at least this side
still works.
Now arriving in Winnemucca- and God threw a curve
ball – suddenly my Shok phone is not working– or seems not to be.
Difficult to navigate thru cities without maps on phone. I randomly
drove around until I found a gas station. Then the pump wasn’t
accepting credit cards. I asked the old fella on the other side if his
pump was working.
He said yes, and then added “You have to pay
first.” Duh. Really? Is there any gas station in America where you
don’t have to pay first anymore? Actually a few years ago at the gas
station near Grand Canyon’s north rim– they allowed you to pump
before paying.
But such gas stations are few and far between. It may
be the ONLY ONE - and it’s not because they are trustworthy but
because they hadn’t gotten the technology upgrade. I go inside to
pay. Came back out. Pumped the gas.
Sat there wondering what to do without a working phone. Thought
about activating the other phone. Drove around until I found a
McDonalds – meaning free WiFi.
I connected using my other
phone– at least with phones that are not activated you can still use
them for WiFi internet – and also GPS (but no search). As I sat at
the McDonalds a young fellow with Spiderman stickers on his car
pulls in next to me –he sees me sitting in my car – then he goes into
the McDonalds- a few seconds later he comes out and makes a
dramatic point of checking the lock on the passenger side (near me)
to make sure it’s locked.
Thanks for the virtue signaling, you creep.
The scary thing is these days– If I ever get in a situation where I get
robbed, mugged, or break down and have to walk on a rural road,
etc.- I fear I won’t get any help from a good Samaritan. Everybody
is so busy fearing for their own safety– or virtue signaling that they
are a “little red robin hood” that they won’t help others, only
themselves. It’s sad. Tragic.
Now I notice my regular phone is
working again– for some reason it blacked out for a while. Never did
that before. Never since. Reflecting on my drive– I’m surprised I
could make it from Boise to Reno in one day– and it was NOT a
marathon. Pershing County 421 pm preacher on radio: How you
know the Holy Spirit is in you 1) assurance/conviction 2) awareness
278
of surroundings 3) meaning/fulfillment/purpose 4) endurance, City
of Lovelock 515 City of Toulon 528, back by Rye Patch Dam- I
remember pulling in the old rustic area of this dam/lake a few years
ago early in the morning- a few campers- a few kids doing some
sunrise fishing. It was cool.
But last time I passed by it seemed like it
was getting very low on water (like too many places) around NV and
CA. Now saying a pass by prayer and video evangelism for the
prison near Coal Canyon - apparently this is Lovelock Correctional
Center (medium security).
Tim Garret is the warden. I continue to
“Pray the Plates’ as I drive the freeway towards Reno. And I try
something new as well: counting the types of vehicles I see going the
other way (from Lovelock to Fernley) I would have thought cars &
pickups would be the highest in number but as it turns out - the 18-
wheel trucks are overwhelmingly most frequent. Here’s my count:
Big Rig Trucks about 175. Passenger Cars about 55. SUV’s only 17.
Pickup trucks about 50. Only one motorcycle. Found a hotel in
Fernley.
10/5/22 Wednesday. Stopped in at Walmart for a few items before
hitting the road. I’ve cut way back on my shopping at Walmart after
finding out they are doing more anti-Life activities after the Roe vs
Wade repeal. That’s disappointing.
Before leaving Fernley I
attended the 930 catholic mass. Indian priest. Nevada people in
general are pretty cool people. No airs about them. Not
presumptuous. Kind of like the midwest of the west. Also did a car
wash (sort of). 1044 signs for Derby Dam- so I turn off to see it– but
there’s not much to see.
Why do they advertise it? They call it a
“historical place” because it was built in 1903. But you can’t even
get very close to it. Not worth the turn out to see. Now at Clark NV
11am- I pull off on Wild Horse canyon drive– and believe it or not
there’s actual wild horses roaming here. There’s also a famous, or
infamous, ranch near here.
I notice it only because it’s on google
maps- and because I remembering reading about it in the news. Not
my thing for sure but its part of having “total awareness” of one’s
surroundings. #RepentAndBeBaptized This is also the Truckee River
going thru here. And a nice spot for fishing– which I try for a while-
no luck- but enjoyed wading in the cool river for a while as wild
horses grazed nearby.
Tried to get close to these horses– but they
weren’t having it- moved away quickly. This is the McCarran
Ranch Preserve- there’s a trail as well. Onward from Clark - thru
downtown Reno. Found Idylwild Park- nice place by the river–
waded and sunbathed on a warm rock in the middle of the river for
a while.
Then I went closer to the downtown area- ate lunch-then
walked to the downtown library- I’ve been to Reno a number of
times– even went to an Aces baseball game once- and been to some
of the churches more than once- but never been to the library yet-
and it’s very cool - like a greenhouse inside– so many green plants
growing.
I make a little video and then continue my walk back along the river
and eventually back to my mission mobile. I remember arriving
here a few years ago when it was an extreme heat day and so many
people in the river, and floating the river etc. There’s numerous
parks and swimming holes along the Truckee near Reno and going
up thru the pass as well.
Right here alone there’s Barbara Bennet
Park, Bicentennial Park, Wingfield Park, and where I just was only
a mile or so away is Idylwild Park. It’s nice but there are a few
derelicts roaming around. Onward. City of Verdi 335pm. Now
Placer County, Nevada County 434, Donner Lake & Pass 430 –
did
the train track tour here once- the old transcontinental railroad that
went thru here–and the incredible history of the work required to
make it happen- lots of China men did the labor. “From 1863 and
1869, roughly 15,000 Chinese workers helped build the
transcontinental railroad.
They were paid less than American workers
and ...” some cool tunnels near here. Added a few gallons of gas for
$6.99 per gallon- just to make sure I have enough to get to
Sacramento. Also explored some new roads - saw sign for Royal
Gorge Ski resort- apparently a cross-country skiing resort. Also a
sign for “Camp Wamp”- apparently something for those with
disabilities. Here’s Soda Springs Ski Resort.
They sell themselves as
the “longest running ski resort in CA” - ad looks like it’s mostly
kiddy hills for sledding, tubing, or learning to ski, etc. Now near the
Serene Lakes. City of Troy. I make a stop along the river - to
interact with God’s creation- as I call it.
I think we need to do more
of that– not just “pass thru” an area and look at it thru the car
window. There’s also the historic “Rainbow Lodge” around here
(built in 1869). Also Loch Leven Lakes. Here’s Emigrant Gap (all
trucks must stop for brake check.
Long downhill coming up). And
here’s Lake Putt. also Blue Canyon, Forebay, Baxter, Casa Loma,
Dutch Flat, Gold Run, Cape Horn, Shady Glenn, Slept in Colfax-
got 4G connection. Griffith Quarry?
Thursday October 6, City of Loomis. Found a place for smog test-
it’s that time of year again- and I pass! Add another $50 bucks to
my registration bill. BioLife left a message saying my protein level is
too low to donate blood. Need to take a break for a while. Eat more
protein. Come in for a re-test.
Got gas in Sacramento: 9 gallons
regular for $5.70 per- total $50. 8 gallons E85 at $4.19 per- total $32.
Total $82 for 17 gallons. By mixing the two types I save about $17
dollars here- making the average per gallon about $4.82. A small
relief.
Big Fresno fair Oct 5 to 16. Clarksburg Bridge. Hate honker
behind. #PrayTheNews: serial killer in Stockton. Also an entire
family killed in Merced. Now taking my favorite back road way to
Bay area- starting near Clarksburg along the Sacramento River
passing the old sugar mill.
Here’s Netherlands road. Here’s the
Grand Island Mansion. High-speed A-hole just passed as a rare car
was coming– literally almost caused an accident– if I hadn’t hit my
brakes he wouldn’t have made it. And here’s Hogback Island at
130- take a break here- this is Steamboat Slough now- and I use the
water to wash my car with a bucket-
hope it’s not salt water. Then I
cast my line a few times and even do a quick snorkel in the water-
there are fish down there. Not much else to see- a few logs etc. Not
many boats around here. A few fishing boats. 2 jet skis. A seal
popped up- surprising me. Now at the City of Isleton 3pm. Over the
bridge near Antioch 430.
Sherman Island, Pittsburg CA to SF over
Bay Bridge. Heather Farm Park. Walnut Creek- Took walk-. F
word gal being obnoxious on her phone.
Friday October 7 2022 Parade of Ships coming in around 11am for
the “Fleet Week” here in San Francisco- and the Blue Angels as
usual- but it’s foggy. We can see some of the boats- or parts of some-
depending on the fog- that’s how thick it is– we’re almost right
above them- and it will stay this way for the next 3 days - meaning 3
days that the Blue Angels could NOT fly- the fog was so thick they
definitely couldn’t do their “high show” nor even their “low show.”
The best we got around 3 pm - their schedule start time was the roar
of a few planes way high. Lots of disappointed people who were
lined up on the shore and various places and on the Golden Gate
Bridge. I made the best of it by working on my storyboard cut and
paste projects. Also explored the fort under the Golden Gate for the
first time. That was kind of neat- there’s even an old lighthouse
down here.
Saturday October 8 found a new spot to wait for the
Blue Angels that will never come. This is good R & R time- recovery
from travel– been on the road for so long- it does exhaust you after a
while. Evening mass at St. Ignatius. Sunday October 9 another
foggy day -
parked near the Fort again for a while and then moved
over to the national cemetery. Good view over the bay from here.
And thanks to all the men and women for their service to our
country (“Some Gave All”). I call this the “Invisible Air Show.” I
make it to 5pm evening mass.
Monday October 10 Columbus Day 9am mass good priest.. It’s
Columbus Day. Driving south towards Palo. Tax return CA. Here’s
a planned parenthood– prayers for the unborn- there’s some people
with signs from “40 Days for Life.” I stopped at the USPS forgetting
that it’s Columbus day- it’s closed. And the electric scale is out of
order. Situation normal.
Here’s Sequoia High School. Moto cop
gave me the eyeball. Mark Levin angry at Kanye West for some
remarks he made about Jewish people & “def con”- apparently he
apologized. Continue along El Camino Real. Tuesday October 11
slept good last night. Watched end of “Thai Cave Rescue” on Netflix
- amazing how much work and effort went into saving those kids
“(the wild boars”) and their coach.
They all made it out alive, but
one diver died. Now at a Stanford event about “whistleblowers &
watchdogs”- disappointed that it seemed to lean left - in favor of the
status quo favoring the vaccine and big pharma. Lots of “psycho
babble” as they say- trying to defend big pharma it seemed. Skipped
the free lunch. Walked back towards mall where I parked. Went
past the Stanford hospital– there’s always some new construction
happening here.
Picked up some cottage cheese & apple juice at
Safeway. Also some Rustic Sour Dough bread- pretty good stuff.
Sent CA state #TaxReturn Wednesday October 12, watched film at
Stanford called “Secret ballot” about collecting votes in a rural area
of Iran -. Kind of whimsical. Also attended a conference re Japan &
FOIP. And also a presentation about a “utopia community” called
Auroville.
Attend noon mass at Aquinas church in Palo.
Thursday Oct 13 2022 Back at P.A. Library – black guy talking to
himself incessantly across from me– I finally ask him to be quiet
please– and he says I am racist because I ask him to be quiet. He’s
actually from Africa sounds like– based on dialect. Noon mass
again at Aquinas.
Water refill at basketball park. Downtown
library. African dude. Still trying to get TracFone unlocked. Finally
got the code. Looking at Q - link also. Another event at Stanford
tonight re same Iranian director– this time it’s about the Ukraine
passenger plane that was shot down by Iran- called “PS752 is NOT
a NUMBER” - and the subject of the film is also in person on stage.
He is a dentist but also an author- and lives in Canada– an ex
patriate of Iran- some of his books banned in Iran. He lost his wife
& daughter on the flight. It’s a documentary about the aftermath
and their search for truth. And it’s a packed house in the CEMEX
auditorium. Mostly Iranian-Americans - during the Q & A many
asked questions in Arabic.
283
10/14/22 now at the College Terrace Library– neurotic lady
obsessively cleaning table before sitting down. I had a water spill in
the Bible mobile today. Trying to dry it out now. Last night I saw
the film entitled “PS752 is not a number” about the Ukraine flight
shot down by Iran. A doc film by a man who lost his wife &
daughter in the crash.
Most notable about it all is HOW PACKED
the crowd is here– at the CEMEX Stanford- mostly people of Iran
descent (Iranian-Americans) - they gave the guy a standing ovation
several times– he’s a dentist– but also an author–so apparently he
was known by the Iran community prior to this plane crash– in fact
apparently some of his books are banned in Iran. Not sure why.
Didn’t get all the history.
They kept moving the location of the film–
I guess Stanford didn’t realize how busy it would get either– until
the last moment. Strangely, after the film I got up to stand on the
side– my legs sore from sitting- and the fellow next to me followed
and said “Excuse me, you left your phone.”
I said “my phone!?” In
fact I was holding one phone, and my other phone was in my shirt
pocket. Was he mistaken or what? Anyways, he left. And I still had
both my phones.I stop in at the College Terrace library. Noon film at Oshmann - not
very interesting. Hiked the dish late in the day - watching some films
on my phone as I walk.
Then I go to the Alex Goldberg recital at the
Knoll. Some ladies were lost and asked me how to get there. I
escorted them in. Saturday Oct 15th Now at the Stanford tennis
center - big tournament (“northwest regionals” ITA) for the best
women players from Stanford, UW, Portland State, Sacramento
State, and several other universities.
And they are fun to watch- top
notch– good tennis, doubles and singles. Made it to evening mass at
Nativity– left early but noticed a monastery across the street which I
had never noticed before. And they have a daily mass. Sports:
Tennessee upsets Alabama.
Michigan defeats Penn State. Sunday
the 16th 730am at Aquinas church. 9am at Stanford Catholic–
they’re back inside. 11 am back at the tennis courts. NFL: Vikings
defeat Dolphins– can you believe Minnesota is 5-1? Are they legit? I
keep an eye on them because of Kirk Cousins (Holland Christian).
Patriots defeat Browns 38-15.
Monday the 17th - more tennis- now
they are in the semi-finals doubles & singles. Chargers defeat
Broncos. Yankees game postponed.Tuesday the 18th Yankees win.
Now at Rinconada library. Receive text re MVG death. Stunned. Unexpected.
That’s my Aunt Martha. I
had a special bond with her from living at their Jackson Hole home
for a few summers.
Wednesday the 19th Leaving Palo. Patchen Pass
Highway 17, Silicon to Santa Cruz. 10:15 $5.35 gas at Safeway
Aptos (yelled at A-hole who was being crude & rude), x 10 gallons
$53 total, also added 2 in Palo, and prayers for migrant workers as I
pass them by in the farm fields of Monterey. So many migrant
workers around here.
Commencing prayers for the repose of
Martha VG. That’s a Catholic thing more than a protestant thing
but I feel comfortable with it as well. I’m pro-cath-ordox. City of
Moss Landing 1030, City of Castroville (artichoke capitol) 1048,
11am added 9 more gallons of gas (E85) in Salinas AT $3.79 per
gallon total $34 - by combining the two types of gas I save from $20
to $40 per fill up.
If I had just pulled up to a pump and put in 21
gallons at the average station around here at close to $6 per gallon it
would have cost me $126. This way cost me about $88. Makes a
difference after a while. Passed by Laguna Sega race track. Now at
Monastery Beach (aka Mortuary Beach) - ready to do some
snorkeling at this world famous spot.
Nobody else in the water. Big
swells. I walk to the far south end. Didn’t expect anybody to be there
but there were two Asians sitting in a hidden corner. Strange how
this far end seems to beckon people. Happened last time here too. So
I take time to acclimate to the cold water. Finally submerge.
Unfortunately, the visibility is not too good. Last time much better. I
swim around for a while- try to make some underwater videos but
not too successful. After about an hour I get out– make a quick run
up the sand- with a new swell coming in. I could see how this might
be dangerous especially for scuba divers with tanks & equipment
etc. It’s still warm for late October in Monterey. Enjoy the sun.
As I
lay there drying off in the sun, three male Latinos come walking
towards me. They pass by and wave and go into the same corner as
those Asians were. Three Latinos having a picnic. One of them
comes over and offers me a slice of cantaloupe. I say thanks but no
“muchas gracias.” Wow. At least their nicer here than in So Cal.
After Monastery beach I stop in at Safeway for some hamburger,
then head towards Pacific Grove for another snorkel session – at
Lovers Cove (or Lovers Point to be exact. I think they should call it
Lovers Cove to rhyme with Pacific Grove). There’s a wild fire in the
distance – smoke fairly obvious. Not sure the name of it.
Still
praying for MVG. Will be for a while. Repose. Can’t get 4G around
here. Go to Fed Ex Office for a WiFi connection. It’s 20 degrees
cooler than yesterday.
Thursday the 20th Driving to Catholic mass at St. Angela Merici I
see 3 deer in the road (mama & 2 fawns). Priest preached about the
important thing being love. Foggy morning. Stop in at Lucky
grocery– a few items for the drive thru Big Sur. Lucky has better
prices than Safeway.
Also stop in at Goodyear and get my air
checked- give the guy a $1 tip. Starting coastal drive south.
Garrapata 10:15 , Marine Pollution Studies Lab 10:19, Lots of road
work- temporary traffic signals. Granite Canyon Bridge 1020.
Another red light 1022. Garrapata Creek Bridge 1022, I need a
bumper sticker that says “I’d Rather be Praying. Oh wait. I am
Praying.”
Here’s Rocky Pt Restaurant. Now Palo Colorado mostly
private. 1025. Prayers for private residents in their elite areas.
Rocky Creek Bridge 1027. Bixby Bridge 1028. Long open green
space. 1080 am Rob Carson radio show- good - coming from Santa
Cruz. Point Sur Lighthouse- did the tour here once.
Andrew Molera
State Park 1042. The Coffee Bus 1047. Fernwood 1049. Pfeiffer
State Park 1050. Big Sur Bakery 1053. Another traffic signal 1054.
Nepenthe restaurant 1056- I always stop here for a break & usually
do some evangelism too. Little further south is the Henry Miller
286
Library. I used to stop in there & browse but most of the time I
don’t go in anymore.
I’m making a video dedicated to MVG as I drive (with Michael W.
Smith music in the background, “Above All “ I call it the MVG
song) ( 1138. )
Now at Partington tunnel trail– and across from it is
the Tan Bark Trail. First I go down to the tunnel (with my snorkel
gear) and enjoy a snorkel session – some beautiful anemones here–
the lime green ones and one that I had never seen before- bright
orange.
Also some large starfish. Not many fish- but a few. Water
nice and clear and not too cold. Back at the top I take the Tan Bark
trail– it goes along a creek for a ways– with several cascades and
small waterfalls- until you get to a junction that ends with a medium
small waterfall– and the trail continues upward thru a redwood
grove to what they call the “Tin House”-.
I actually turn around
here– I don’t have time to do a longer hike. This is a nice creek for
cooling off in on a hot day. Will remember it.
Next stop: the popular McWay waterfall view point. There’s also
Canyon Falls in back of it along a trail but the trail is closed due to
damage from a wildfire some time ago.
And there’s the Pelton
Wheel- but you can’t see that either - not sure why. Onward: Big
Sur Park school 308. Esalen Institute 310. Big Creek 320. Pray for
tourists. City of Lucia 329, monastery road 331 (drove up there
once- kind of cool- you can join them in mass if you come at the
right time). Limekiln is closed 333 (done that once).
Big Sur Taco
truck , Pacific Valley Fire 344, Sand Dollar Picnic area & Plaskett
Creek , inland route turnoff near Kirk Creek 336pm (did that a few
times), Willow Creek picnic area (popular surfing spot, 9 miles
north of Ragged Point), Gorda 421, Arleen’s Slide 423, reckless
ranger passing coming towards me– 424- no lights on- he pulled
back.
Cruckshank trail 427, Soda Springs Trail (did that once) 432,
Salmon Falls (been here many times, 435), Now at Ragged Point
444pm no WiFi. San Carpiforo Creek San Simeon, Coyote running
(got video, 450pm), Here’s the lighthouse I toured once- many years
ago. Elephant seal viewpoint– always popular- and they seem to
always be there now- several jousting. Slept at Cambria Hotel.
Friday the 21st of October. 9am Catholic @ Cambria, scarecrows
everywhere around the small town for scarecrow festival– and each
one is unique. Surf is up- numerous surfers at the Cambria main
beach 957. Saw some dolphins too. Impatient local Cambrian
behind me. On the radio something about be a “prisoner of the
heart” for the Lord. Holy Spirit in us. Love One Another.
Harmony
Headlands SP 1010. Cayucos 1013. Around this part of CA there is
a noticeable change in demeanor of people- and especially their
driving style- from here southward you encounter more of the “self-
righteous drivers.” I think they get their daily dose of self-
righteousness by driving aggressively and demeaning others. It
makes driving always like being on pins & needles.
You never know
when such a driver will suddenly emerge and find something to
nitpick about you. Either too slow or too fast or this or that.
Sometimes pickup trucks will drive will blinding bright headlights,
or they will tailgate. Also dangerous passing. And no matter what in
their minds, it’s always the other person’s fault.
I think some of
them just go out for a meaningless random drive to try to get a dose
of self-righteousness. They will find some “idiot” on the road to feel
better about themselves. Anyways, enough of that.
Here’s Morro Bay 1045 - I used to come here going north and often
would stay the night and in the morning walk the beach and find
numerous sand dollars- you could gather as many as you wish to
your heart’s content.
Wonder if they are still here. Also memories of
going to Montano de Oro a few times– also a cool places. Here’s
Cuesta College. And here’s the CA men’s colony (prison) 1054 near
SLO. I’m always looking to see if I got a 4G on my phone– it has not
been very reliable on this summer trip- actually worse than when I
had an older phone and connected to 3G.
How sad is that? Cell
service is getting worse, not better. So now my motto is “I got Jesus,
but NO G’s.” Song : “Mack is back in town.” Here’s the pink
Madonna Inn, also a historic place right next to the 101 freeway.
Take the turnoff to Avila Beach. Been dropping in here for many
years now.
There’s beaches and piers, and a historic lighthouse you
can take a tour of, which I did once. I sit and eat lunch. Onward
thru Shell Beach, Pismo, and here’s Monarch Butterfly Grove 1250
- also stop here usually to see the butterflies – and there’s several
that I can see immediately- and a sign showing the count of the
Monarchs over the past decades.
In 1990 they counted 230,000, By
1995 it went down to 150k , in 2000 even many less at 40k, in 2010
24k. In 2015 it went back up to 28k, but then in 2017 it dipped again
as low as 12k, and even less in 2019 at 6000, And in 2020 they
counted less than 200– seems unbelievable. I wonder what the
reason for that might have been? But by 2021 they were back up to
22k.
Nonetheless, it’s a drastic change from 30 years ago. As I’m
leaving the grove I find a wetsuit on the side of the road– all dusty –
looks like it fell off somebody’s car. It turns out to be a lady’s
wetsuit size 10 (later I examine it more closely and notice a large rip
in it near the armpit. Looks like somebody discarded it). City of
Grover Beach, City of Guadalupe 120, Pt Sal trailhead 130 - want to
do it sometime but not today.
Here’s Rancho Maria golf course– unique entrance– a golfer carved
out of a tree. 149pm, City of Orcutt - an old oil town. And here’s
Vandenberg Air Force Base– now called Space Force Base. I do a
drive-by prayer for our service men & women. And I know there’s a
prison coming up too so I get prepared to do a drive-by video prayer
& evangelism for the prisoners as well.
It’s the Lompoc prison-
looks serious but apparently it’s “low security.” I took an interim
class at Calvin College about prisons & we took a class trip to the
prison in Jackson Michigan. And we are called by God to remember
the prisoners, see Hebrews 13.3.
So this is the best thing I could
come up with to do for them- video evangelism– and I’ve done it all
over the USA– and am pleased that they get frequent views on
YouTube. Maybe its helping- we hope. Enter Lompoc- 2pm NO 4G,
so I find a Home Depot for WiFi- take a 2 hour break. Tired of
driving. Onward. Now Gaviota 504 pm.
There’s some “wind caves”
here that I hiked too once. And some rest areas which seem to
always be closed. Here’s El Capitan State Beach. All along this
stretch of the 101 you can park alongside the road and walk down
unmarked trails to unnamed beaches– some are kind of cool-
usually not too busy - you can have some solitude and swim – even
body surf sometimes. Been there done that, but not today. Now city
of Goleta 521.
Arriving in Santa Barbara- I park by the old catholic church- where
I’ve slept numerous times and attended mass in the morning but
this time I just take a nap and around midnight wake up and start
driving again. I want to get gas at Oxnard at a specific gas station
that has much lower prices than most others.
However, in the day
there are long lines, so I figure I can pull in around 1am without
lines. And then I pass an In-& -Out Burger at 1230 and see long
lines of cars. Hopefully, they’re more interested in burgers than gas
at this time of day but you never know when or where you might
encounter a line or traffic jam in southern Cal.
Fortunately it’s not
busy at 1am: I get regular for $4.79 per gallon and combine it with
E85 for $3.37 per gallon. Brings me to an average of $4.17 per gallon
- total $75 dollars. Save $11 to $25 dollars.
Saturday Oct 22 slept in Camarillo, decision to go to Pomona via
118, City of Somis 830, City of Moorpark 837, lots of farms &
migrants, sign for el rancho Simi adobe. Here’s the Church of
Rocky Peak – looks like a mega church.
Big cross by the freeway-
near where we went rock climbing with our Koinonia group from
Bethany CRC in Bellflower. And there’s the Shepherd church –
went there once– Pastor Dudley Rutherford. Something on the radio
about Kevin Short, surf artist.
City of Simi Valley. Here’s Hansen
Dam 909 am. #PrayTheNews: college football: Ohio State vs Iowa -
1st play Iowa got intercepted by the Buckeyes. Syracuse vs Clemson
is a big top 10 matchup today– not your usual suspects. Michigan
has a bye this week. Yankees are playing Astros in MLB playoffs.
UCLA (suprisingly 6-0) at Oregon.
I saw the Ducks vs Washington
State a few weeks ago– great game final score 44-41. Passing by
Fuller Seminary– saying a video prayer. Sunday Oct 23 after
stopping in at the office, I went to RB – takes a while to get back to
feeling “normal” after being gone for 3 months or so. 12 noon -
check in at St. James, 1pm swim at RB.
MLB announcer Dan
Shullman says “swing and a miss” way too much. Can’t he think of
anything else like “that’s a strike?”
Monday Oct 24 Sent MVG card #1, also Big Sur video RIP, and an
RIP blog dedicated to Martha, JimLin leave Thursday for funeral in
Jackson Hole. 10 am at Malaga Library. Same fella shows up a little
while later.
Another fellow blocked me as I entered for a few
seconds, pretending not to notice I was there- even though he saw
me walk in. That was weird. The other guy was also bewildered at
this dude’s strange behavior.
I’m looking thru my photo gallery for
pics of Martha to make another memorial card of letter. And I come
across some pics of our 1967 Evinrude Sport - it was a slick boat
back in the day– they even used an outboard model in a James Bond
movie (“Operation Tonnere” or “Thunderball” starring James
Connery).
Some pics online if you google it. We even transported
that old boat in a moving truck from Grand Rapids to Los Angeles
in 1984. Used it for a while and then Jim apparently donated it to a
Christian organization. Keep searching: here’s a pic of Martha by
the tetherball pole at the cottage with me & some of the cousins.
We
used to stay at Grandpa’s cottage in Holland every summer for 2
weeks back when there was a huge sandy beach in front. Now in
2022 the beach is almost totally gone. Maybe it will come back. Who
knows. From Malaga I go to Peninsula Library– start updating
blogs– an bi-annual tradition.
Walking thru the library I see some of
the omnipresent regulars who don’t miss a day at the
library: There’s the crude dude. And there’s the Jewish gal. I don’t
see the robot yet.Tuesday October 25 I still have a $27 balance on MyPostcard.com –
so I use it to send a photo mosaic postcard to the VG’s in Jackson,
and also a copy to the Peters Sisters in Olympia. Scheduled credit
card payment.
Now a movie review for Christians on Tuesday
discount day: #PrayTheMovies: film called “Black Adam” - starring
Dwayne Johnson– it’s actually Shazam- but apparently the name
Shazam doesn’t sell too well - so they disguised it a little bit? Or did
I miss something? Googling it doesn’t help me too much. Anyways,
his power or lack of is associated with saying the word “Shazam.”
Somewhat entertaining. My main takeaway is that the popularity of
all these super hero movies in the last decade are evidence of
people’s need for a Savior. And the films give them that feeling at
least for a little while. However, there is ONLY one real Savior:
Jesus Christ- and contrary to most movie heroes who defeat the
enemy by staying alive and killing the opponents.
Jesus did the
opposite- He gave us salvation by dying. Although in this movie
there’s an inscription on the crown which the lead female character
misreads at first– thinking it says “Life is the Only Path to Death”,
but near the end she realizes it actually says “Death is the Only Path
to Life.” Aha! For Christians this is more Biblical.
For example “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will
also live with him.” Rom 6.8 and “For to me to live is Christ, and to
die is gain.” Philippians 1.21 and “The saying is trustworthy, for: If
we have died with him, we will also live with him;” 2 Tim 2.11. So you
can pluck some Biblical things out of these secular films.
Anyways,
the actual name of the Dwayne Johnson character is Teth Adam. It
begins with finding “Eternium” a blue jewel with some sort of
supernatural-giving power. Zehut, shazam, miracle? Khandax 2600
BCE, re demonic powers, champion gone but will return, “hey boss”
in this movie too. “Intergang” checkpoint.
“Radicals” or rebels-
kind of like a star wars movie. “The crown” she found the crown
but the bad guys take it. She says “Shazam.” Hooded figure
appears. Bullets don’t hurt Seth Adam, He levitates (rock johnson).
He’s invincible? Even missiles can’t hurt him. He’s the champion-
been asleep for 5000 years or so they think. Henry Winkler? The
fonz?
I saw him at the Bellflower Bravo awards a few years ago.
And is that the lead actress from Woman King? And Pierce
Brosnan too. Now at an estate in Louisiana. “Justice Society.”
Mighty man. She thinks it says “Life is the Only Path to Death” but
does it? Apparently the only way to stop Teth Adam (aka Black
Adam) is to get him to say “Shazam” - to voluntarily relinquish his
power.
This is like a light switch for him– he can turn his powers on
and off by saying Shazam.#PrayTheMovies: We need a Savior!
And we have one: Jesus
Christ. Superhero movies are a shadow of the real savior. Like a
parable.And here’s the “Smasher” -he can enlarge himself to the size of a
skyscraper. Finally, Adam relinquishes his power– missed the
reasoning – why.
Now the real translation on the crown emerges:
“Death is the Only Path to Life” – aha! That’s almost Biblical. But
then a satanic figure arises in the movie. Satan vs Shazam in the
final battle. They don’t call him satan in the movie -but he looks
satanic. Its good vs evil. God vs. Satan, so to speak. But in real life it
is the believers plus God against Satan. God is not doing it alone
against Satan.
He allows us to battle with him. Of course God could
eliminate satan altogether in one blink but he allows the cosmic
battle to play on – and He (God) won’t allow us to be tempted
beyond our will– nor will we be defeated in the end if we trust in
Him and remain unified with Him- but we may lose some battles at
times. Nonetheless, we rise up again and become stronger. As they
say “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Sometimes. And
there’s a post-credit scene.
Wednesday the 26th of October, 2022: Finished MVG funeral paper
& started new blog RememberingAuntMartha.blogspot.com , stopped in at
Staples to print it but the printer malfunctioned. Go to Fed Ex
Office 70 cents per color page–.
Take a swim at Redondo- catch 20
waves body surfing- a little stretch and exercise. Feel refreshed. Saw
2 dolphins doing some flips right by each other like something you
would see at a Sea World show. Right near me.
Thursday the 27th. Dropped off the MVG material at Jim Lin’s.
Went to new blood donation. They put me thru the new donor
process but won’t give me the new donor bonus. 1pm NBPL 7pm
author event. Sports: Bucs lose to Ravens. Tom Brady’s divorce
finalized.
10/28/22 at OCPL University Library finished the LA
MAIL-in ballot using Jennifer Horn’s guide from 870am. It helps.
Otherwise you have to do a lot of research for each choice. Friday
the 28th 830 OLQA, Why so many cars here? Not that many in
church. There’s the chef in white.
He’s been coming here for a while
- not sure what is his story- spends a lot of time in the restroom. New
priests now? New zeitgeist? I hope so. 930 take a walk around
University Park library. 10 to 1 on computer. Finished my mail-in
voting research. Dropped in mailbox by UCI.
Saturday the 29th Now at NBPL - more blog work- now it’s 130pm
post- watching the Martha Funeral. Starts with slideshow. There’s
Warren doing the introduction. Sounds like he has a cold. Barb
Peters couldn’t make it. There’s Jim & Linda, also Ani Blickley &
Adam,
all the VG kids: Todd, Craig, Eric, Courtney. Pastor Ben
Pascal says a few introductory words (he went to Fuller). Warren
now introducing his brother Scott who’s a professor at the
University of Colorado Boulder (architect?). Some of the Larry VG
family.
Ani Peters reading Bible verse re 1 Cor 15 “Oh Death where
is your sting” & Luke 10 re “Martha Martha...” More words from
Pastor Ben: 1st met Martha 20 years ago. She had quiet strength,
humble repose, rooted in Christ. She led groups here. She attended
Tuesday Bible study for years. And served the less fortunate.
She
was a peacemaker. She had no fear of dying. He pronounced Van
Genderen wrong. There’s Caitlyn! And Di. Caitlyn played the bass
with Linda on piano & Sandra on violin. Caitlyn is a professor at a
music school in the country of Trinidad.
Linda is reading her memories, occasionally tearing up: I was the 2nd
daughter.
We had a happy childhood, Martha our leader. Mother
died, dad remarried 2 more sisters, and brother, Martha was big
sister to all of us, sent for a purpose , used all her talents, brilliant,
creative, hospitable, loving, giving, more about her childhood—born
1937, before America WW2,
in her 1st 8 years America was centered
on the war , always a wonderful sister, and helping mom like first
borns, caring, she was fun—stood out to me she was fun, could turn
any incident into an adventure, one summer lake Michigan
grandma’s house—dad hunting for house in Evanston.
-huge stump
washed up- nice and smooth—a toy for us—our ship for the
summer, adventures every day led by Captain Martha. Ww2 ended
1945 – life changed radically- during war no car no bikes not much
butter or sugar, we knew nothing else. After war parents able to get
a bike for Martha – too big for her—she had to ride standing up-
Martha taught me to play with paper dolls, ice skated, dad bought
canoe for lake Michigan, Martha wrote plays for us to perform, she
had many friends, they came from variety of faith backgrounds,
Martha so enjoyed that, she was a strong Christian but loved and
accepted all.. We will miss her a lot.
Now Di reading” I will pick up where Warren entered my life.
Warren added another dimension. We followed him like the pied
piper. Our new big brother. Martha made delicious dinners. Martha
a math teacher. Took train from Michigan to Boston. Di lived in
Denver with the VG’s for a summer. Martha was a cheerleader,
took hikes, adventure.
Martha never preached her faith. “My
daughter Caitlyn was the first to stay here.” Martha’s bright &
beautiful spirit. Song: “I know my redeemer lives” + Now San
reading Barb’s letter: I didn’t recognize San at first.
Martha
wouldn’t want all the fuss but it’s wonderful. She was bright,
capable, quintessential oldest child. 1st summer without mother she
was our mom. We tagged along as she tried on wedding dresses. I
was in awe of Martha. Hillary stayed there too.
Now San gives her own thoughts. Martha would take care of our
kids occasionally so Mark & I could get away. She was a docent at
the wildlife art museum. In 1999 they took a bike/barge trip to the
Netherlands. She mentions the Malindibar adding San in front of it.
Martha was grateful when I organized a trip for once.
Now a piano
solo 235 pm. Now Courtney is reading her memories: one time we
saw a snake and everybody screamed and Martha said “Don’t yell,
you will scare it” and she picked it up– it was a garter
snake. Courtney emphasizes Christ.
Now Craig: epic road trips
from CA to MI. before DVD’s and streaming. Jabberwocky on tape.
Brain teasers etc. Martha was on another level. I’ve been hearing
Martha stories all week. As Hunter Thompson says “There she
goes.” I feel like we should be lighting off fireworks. Martha needs
no identification at St. Peters gate-. She was a force for good, a light.
Like a good Calvinist. Humble rockstar. She’s in good stead. Thank
you for coming.
Now Eric sings a song. Now Pastor Ben leads the
Lord’s Prayer. Closing Hymn: A Mighty Fortress. Jim closes with a
few words and adds “Father Son & Holy Spirit.” End funeral
ceremony at 3pm.
Sunday the 30th: 830 am Mariners church, 930 University Library,
blog updates, over to UCI for an event in the evening
(disappointing). Monday October 31 Halloween day (also All Saints,
All Souls, & Reformation Day are around this date). 830 am St.
Jbap church costa mesa.
New priest? From Jbap over to blood
donation at 1030. Then gas in Anaheim 9 gallons E85 at $3.20 for
$29.16, 10 gallons regular at $4.79 for $47.90. 19 gallons total for
$77, average of $4.05, saving about $29 by mixing the two fuels.
After gas I stock up at Walmart even though I normally try to avoid
Walmart- I will go there for cheaper cans of vegetables (they still
sell them for.50 cents per can while almost everywhere else its $1 to
$1.25).
And now they are saying diesel may be running low – could
be a problem for truckers. Along with the Mississippi River barges
having trouble moving due to low water levels. You never know
when the next shortage may happen.
From there I pass by Artesia
Library– door was open so I assumed the library was open- but only
the outer area was open for voting. There was a guy monitoring the
doorway– he said I shouldn’t carry my cellphone in my shirt
pocket– it could cause heart problems. Really? That’s a new one.
I
said to him “Make sure you keep an eye on the drop box. Don’t let
people stuff the ballots.” He acted like he didn’t know what I was
talking about. Was he playing dumb or is he just “low informed?”
Tuesday November 1: I meet with Jim Lin at McDonalds. They tell
me that Jim’s sister Faith is not doing well. Prayers for Faith
DeKam. Then we converse about the Martha funeral.
Martha
apparently did not want a cell phone but they finally convinced her
to have one just for emergency. Warren bought her a snow blower
but apparently she didn’t use it. She liked to shovel. They stayed at
the house across from VG’s for the funeral. The sisters met in
Portland for a reunion in April. So that was the last time Linda saw
Martha. Eric lives in the basement of the house with his new
Russian wife and his son from his 1st marriage, EJ.
They want to
move to Florida. His new wife is a musician (piano). Warren also
has a place in Scottsdale now. Martha didn’t want to go there.
Warren still dealing real estate. I mentioned my summer trip a little
bit– they weren’t very interested - unfortunately I don’t think they
appreciate the significance of these summer mission trips- and the
evangelism I do, as well as pre-evangelism. Linda ends our meeting
by saying she’s “Strong.”
After the meeting I go to PV- computer- then to #PrayTheMovies: a
Bollywood film called “Ram Setu” - some of these films from India
are now better than many American films- at least none of the lefty
political agenda-. I don’t mind reading subtitles. Starts with
bombing of Buddha in Afghan.
Then UNESCO starts restoration–
to rebuild Buddha. They find a box of jewels/coins. Immediately
attacked. Fall into pit. Reclining Buddha. The archeologist is an
atheist– that was emphasized- in contrast to his wife who had
“faith” – albeit faith in what? Hinduism?
There’s a bunch of
history– not sure if factual or just made for the movie– re Shree
Ram etc. - the gist of the story is trying to prove who or what
created Ram Setu.
Something also about Ramayana. Now I am
googling it and it’s also known as “Adam’s Bridge- and apparently
has some factual history. The bad guy in the movie wants to destroy
Adam’s Bridge for money-making purposes- known as the
Sethusamudram shipping canal project - an area between Sri Lanka
& India - But if the good guy atheist can prove something about it–
and that it has significant cultural value– then they can stop the bad
guy from destroying it.
But the bad guy wants to kill the atheist so
he can’t prove his point. SO it’s an action/adventure film, pretty
well done– keeps it exciting. Essentially it’s religious groups vs
developers, and in the movie the religious groups win this time. It’s
kind of like an Indiana Jones movie, but I guess you could call it
“India Jones” instead. Not a bad movie although the fighting scenes
could be improved. Very unrealistic.
This guy named Dane Wigington at GeoEngineeringWatch.org has
a very pessimistic podcast about the future of our world and climate
that I’ve been listening to lately (this is not an endorsement just an
observation).
Here are some of my Geoengineering notes Re: “geo
atmospheric rivers in central Cal Deadpool levels (lake Mead, lake
Shasta, lake Oroville ,flow of Colorado river, ) ; VPD vapor pressure
deficit, wet bulb point (heat/humidity level beyond which humans can
survive), stratosphere aerosol injection (SAI)aka chem trails ;
life
insurance reports 40% increase in "all cause deaths" &470% increase
pulmonary embolism , coronal mass injection, Carrington event, blue
ocean event, greenhouse runaway scenario Venus syndrome , Easter
island scenario , Drought deluge scenario, planet of the humans, re
911 3rd bldg crash see Richard Gage 911.org , pfas chemicals
("forever chemicals"),
Atlantic plankton wiped out, world's largest
renewable magazine 2004, ionospheric heaters, Britain red heat
warning, white train tracks, biosphere implosion, heat dome, new
problem of solar panels disposal, "Iron fertilization is the intentional
introduction of iron to iron-poor areas of the ocean surface to
stimulate phytoplankton production.
This is intended to enhance
biological productivity and/or accelerate carbon dioxide (CO 2)
sequestration from the atmosphere", Canfield ocean, cloud's tipping
point , anthropogenic aerosols, desalination plants contamination ;
Raytheon & Lockheed Martin (RLM) giving weather forecasts to
weather channel.
Why? Because RLM are involved in geoengineering.
Ice nucleation, Lake Michigan ice balls, does Dr Kelly victory have a
blog podcast? "Wildfires serve geoengineering agenda", biomass
plants, planet of the humans documentary, chemical ice nucleation ,
methane more harmful than co2, operation mockingbird re CIA
manipulation of media, Dr Ken caldera? Climate engineer, coronal
mass injection?
CMI, project starfish, John Brennan supports aerosol
injection, IPC intergovernmental re climate change, open fields
provision govt can enter your land home, extinction debt .”
Lots of science jargon & mambo jumbo. But he’s not a lefty.
Unfortunately, nor does he seem to be a religious believer of any
kind.
Unfortunately, he never mentions hope in a Higher Power. He
only pontificates on how bad things are and how worse it is getting.
He believes strongly that the government(s) of the world are
engineering the climate via various means including “chem trails”.
Ironically, it makes me believe in God even more. If we are coming
to the end because of climate disaster, I am ready to go because I
know Jesus Christ as my Savior ! I hope you do too !
THE END (for now)
Soon there will be an AmeriPrayer VI
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