For over a year I’ve caught glimpses of these creatures but never got a good shot of an adult skink on the property. Finally, this fellow allowed me a photo op. before I let him scurry off.
Archive for August, 2008
Finally, a Skink Captured on Film… err… Silicon
Monday, August 25th, 2008Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)
Monday, August 25th, 2008A Criminal or a Champion? A picture like this could get a child suspended or expelled from school in a big city. I find it amazing how stupid the people who run our public school systems have become.
Here in small town America where people are farther away from gun crimes, there a very different attitude. As it turns out this was an entry in the county fair and the colors illustrate the different parts of the gun. It’s interesting how society can criminalize an object without coming to the realization that they are denying the real cause of the problem. Therefore banning guns will do nothing to solve anyone’s problems.
My point is not about gun control or advocacy. It’s about putting bandages on sharp objects rather than the real wounds.
Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)
Monday, August 25th, 2008This marks our second visit to the county fair; Making it a full fledged tradition.
I observed something disturbingly different this year. Last year, we attended before the judging of the animals was complete. My observation then was how clean the cows, sheep, pigs, goats, etc. were kept. This year however, we attended the last day of the fair which is the day AFTER the awards were given out and the animals were sold at the fair. Mind you, the buyers of cows are not buying pets. I realize this. Which is why Jenny and I can never own a cow. Anyway, it appears that the gnomes that kept the animals to be sold so perfectly clean were no a little lazy the day after the sale. Let’s just say that cows can make a pretty big mess if left alone for a day. Sorry, no picture except for the cute bunny above.
Smoke on the water
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008August has been dry here with about 3 days of rain in the last 45 days. Lightning storms are few but when they come in August they’re cause for concern because of the chances of lightning starting a forest fire. We had a storm last night with only a few drops of rain falling but the rumbles of thunder woke us up. This morning greeted us with a very smokey sunrise. A fire was started about 80 miles west of us and the smoke rolled through our valley this morning.
Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)
Monday, August 18th, 2008It’s simple, make small police department buildings like this one in Priest River Idaho and you’ll reduce crime tremendously. Proof: In cities where the police population is larger than the entire population of Priest River, there always seems to be a crime problem.
Is it possible that smaller government might solve America’s crime problem?
Observations of Small Town Living (OOSTL)
Monday, August 18th, 2008Jenny and I have taken up playing a little tennis. Look, here are pictures of us with our new rackets.
Today, we expected to have to compete for tennis courts because in the park just beyond the trees is a concert by the Spokane Symphony Orchestra that 1000+ people have paid $35 per ticket to enjoy. As you can see, the courts are empty. In fact, so is the park where you can sit and enjoy the music for free.
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We did our best to make the best of it. We brought a cooler, liquid refreshment, cheese and crackers and after tennis, enjoyed a wonderful concert in the park practically all alone.
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Some observations: No cops roaming the crowd searching for drugs, alcohol, and breaking up fights. No need for guys holding up signs asking people to be quiet (ala Ravinia near Chicago. Here’s the best example I could find: http://mythermos.com/uploads/pic-0020-20080714154639.jpg ). No worries about or having to camp out the day before to find a good seat. We weren’t cramped and didn’t have to rub up against sweaty strangers all night. Parking is always free. It’s different here.