Pentimento

Earth Hour 2009: Oh Baby!

(Hopefully, Earth Hour.org won't sue me for this!)


It strikes me that 40 weeks from Earth Hour 2009 there might be a bit of a world wide baby boom. I suggest the hospitals start gearing up for this eventuality right now.

Guess where 40 weeks falls next year...give or take a day, right around New Year's Eve. Don't say I didn't warn you! What did you do when the lights were out?

(That lovely little girl with the "call me" look is our granddaughter Shelby who was born 31 Dec 2009)

~~~~~

From date: Saturday, March 28, 2009

Added 40 weeks

Normalized to 280 days

Resulting date: Saturday, January 2, 2010

Now, what would be some good baby names to celebrate their links to conception during Earth Hour? Suggestions?

Eagles, Bees and Canopies

The old bear and I have ventured outside all through the winter for one thing or another, but today was the first day we really felt like it was time to come out of the den and think about spring projects. Mostly, that consists of mulling things over, lamenting that we have no money, and trying to figure out a way to do what we want on a shoestring budget.

 

We have this lovely 30 by 15 foot deck but the problem is that there is little or no shade for it during the hot summer months when we want to be out there. We have a nice patio table with an umbrella that helps a little, but what would be nice is a pergola. We had a fabric canopy up on the deck a few years ago, and I really liked it because we had side curtains so it was really cozy and private. But, it is a beast to tame in the wind and hard to put up and take down if we want to go anywhere for a few days. We need something sturdy, wind resistant and a shade provider. We have even considered having just an outdoor fabric awning on cables from the house to a bracket off the end of the deck, but once again, the wind is a factor. If things go as usual, nothing will get done and we will just use the table for shade.

Not that his is a major earthshaking event, but we saw a honey bee today. We saw it on the deck in the bright sunshine and then we saw it again where it had landed on the front cement in the shade. It was very lethargic there, so we carefully scooped it up and brought it back in the sun on the deck. It flew off again though, because it was gone when I looked a little later. Live long and prosper!

The black chinned hummingbirds are coming through and stopping at our feeder for a drink. They've been around for a couple weeks now, but I suspect they will head further north unless Mt. Redoubt (volcano in Alaska) disrupts their migration. The Anna's have been here all winter enjoying nectar at the feeder.

Have you been keeping an eye on the eagle's nest up on Hornby Island, BC? Mama has hatched an egg and you can watch and listen to her and her mate as they keep it safe in the nest. There are two cameras with which you can watch them. One is a wide angle and such a great camera you can see the waves breaking on the shore way down on the beach. The other camera is of the same nest but a close up view of the nest. That makes the sound a little louder too, so adjust your speakers accordingly. They are just so marvelous to watch.

To all of you who have been dumped on with snow instead of enjoying spring, I send you warm wishes for more temperate weather. Can you believe it, it's almost April!

Please Leave NO SENIOR Behind: Repeal GPO and WEP Now!

Why do I rail on and on about the Social Security Offset and Windfall Elimination Penalty? Because my husband worked for private industry and paid into Social Security from age 18 (1967) until he was 31 (1980), BUT because he began working for the United States Government in 1980, our retirement income is reduced by two thirds because the government has deemed that money to be a "windfall".

What is the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)? 
  

Retirees drawing any government pension and also qualify
with a minimum of 40 quarters for Social Security benefits 
 may have their Social Security benefit reduced by as much as 60%

"Retirees drawing a benefit from a private pension fund
  do not have their Social Security benefits reduced.
 Why should we do this to our civil servants. "  Rep.Max Sandlin

As it is right now, he gets a very small pension from a corn processing company he worked for before going in the military and serving in the Air Force for 4 years (also paying Social Security), and also after he got out and reclaimed his job there. The government does not reduce his government pension because it's a private pension fund through Kraft. Before he ever hired on with the government, he had fully paid his 40 quarters for Social Security benefits.

From 1981 to 2008 my husband worked for the Federal Government as a civil servant with the Dept. of Defense paying into his government pension each paycheck.  Right now, he is only 60 years old and so not old enough to begin collecting social security, but he is collecting his government pension. He was in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).

Now, here's where it also cuts to the quick. I was a stay-at-home mom, and haven't worked enough in my lifetime to pay into Social Security. At this point, I'm disabled with fibromyalgia, but I rightfully don't qualify for any disability insurance or anything. I didn't pay into it, so I shouldn't get it. But, because my husband's Social Security benefits are reduced by this supposed 'windfall', so are any that I will get through him!! Just for being a woman, and being married to him for almost 39 years, I too am being penalized financially while he is alive.

Why don't they fix it and repeal this provision?

Because Congress, since 1977 (Carter) has fed at the pork trough and robbed Social Security so much that there is (seemingly) no way to pay federal retirees the full amount to which they are entitled. They could repeal it, but we need to speak up. We need to tell Congress to do the right thing.

Whether or not you are a federal retiree, or about to be, personally write to your Congressperson and express your opinion.

House of Representatives: H. R. 235 - Social Security Fairness Act of 2009

Senate: S.484 Social Security Fairness Act of 2009

Bush asked Educators     "Leave no child behind" (he blew that one, didn't he?)

Offset Windfall asks Congress    "Leave NO SENIOR Behind"

Free Genealogy Book Contest on iPentimento - Enter Today!

Are you interested in documenting your family history? Have you ever wondered who your ancestors might be? If so, you might be a family genealogist at heart. I'm currently running a contest (U.S. addresses only, sorry) over at iPentimento | Genealogy and History if you would like to stop by, read the directions and comment for a chance to win a FREE genealogy book.

You can read more about the contest here.

I'm looking forward to making new more new friends.

Contest ends at midnight 31 March 2009.

The Wolf Slaughter By Palin Just Got Worse

In a letter to the governor today, I personalized my letter by beginning it with this statement:

Are you totally insane? I cannot understand your stance on this slaughter of defenseless animals. If you are doing it for political gain you are wasting your time. I will be one of the people doing everything in my power to make sure you don't hold any office where you can commit such atrocities ever again.

Why can't we stop this woman!? I have to tell you, I'm not some radical nutcase, but I can recognize someone who is, and Sarah Palin is one. We all recognized her for what she is and made sure she didn't get elected as Vice President. So, she went home and continues this kind of illegal activity. I'm putting the Defenders of Wildlife video on here if you want to watch it. I couldn't bring myself to do so. My imagination is good enough. Please help stop this slaughter of wolves in any way you can. It's just crazy to let it go on. Thanks for reading.

Skullsplitter For What Ales Ya

My friend Chris at Thermal blog first told us about Skullsplitter ale at least a year ago, and it wasn't until recently that I got to taste it for myself. I have to say, it's very hearty and you can certainly taste the malt in it. I don't drink per se, but I do enjoy tasting the various beers and ales my husband and his friends enjoy. I really liked this one!

Skullsplitter ale is from the Orkney Brewery located in Scotland's tranquil Orkney Islands. By the way, Skullsplitter is named for Thorfinn Einarsson, 7th Viking Earl of Orkney. Read more about him on Wikipedia.  No matter what, I'm sure you will enjoy the ale named for him.

This is a non paid endorsement.

Walter Minnick: A Democrat That Votes Like A Republican

I received this email from my friend in Idaho today:

19 Mar 2009

2:45 pm

202 225-6611

I called Walt Minnick’s office.  "I voted for Walter Minnick and I want him to pass the budget that Obama proposed, not one watered down by special interests.  I want him to support THIS President.  I want him to be a Democrat and stop acting like a Republican.  I voted for him because he IS a Democrat.  I have called and emailed him several times and I have note been pleased with his voting record.  I have called all my friends, emailed all of my contacts, I have submitted this to my friend’s blog.  I will not give up!  I will keep on!  I want him to FULLY support THIS PRESIDENT!!!!  Thank you."

So my question to my readers is, are you keeping tabs on your elected officials?

 

William Gale Yates - 16 March 1920 - 10 June 1996

It was 89 years ago today that my dad came into this world. Probably kicking and screaming...lol. He was a healthy little guy, as you can see from his picture taken when he was about 3 months old.

I just wrote a new article on my other blog iPentimento | Genealogy and History, including a letter Dad wrote in 1944 to my mom who was still living in Seattle while he looked for a place for them to live in Forks, WA. They were newlyweds and anxious to be together, no doubt.

Meteor Or Space Junk Sighted Near Olympia

Meteor or Space Junk?  

We were on our way home about 10:30 tonight on I-5 near Cabela's in Olympia when we both noticed a bright light in the sky to our left. We were going about 60 mph and it flashed by us on a low path that lasted maybe 5 seconds. I have never seen a meteor last that long. I suppose it could have been space junk too. Maybe  parts of those satellites that collided are still coming down? Just guessing, but going by its direction (south to north) and the length of time we could see it, it may have burned up before hitting the ground, or it could have gone into the Sound.

Is Cher Japanese? 

We celebrated our nephew Eric's 40th birthday (I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that reality) tonight with a dinner at Fujiyama's in Olympia. The food was very good, and Patrick the chef was entertaining. We even had a visit to our table by the manager near the end to see if we enjoyed ourselves. No complaints from any of us, although on the way home Jim and I did agree that it was a little weird to hear 'modern' music playing in the background instead of something asian inspired.  Even some instrumental music would have been better, in our opinion.

Meteor Or Space Junk Sighted Near Olympia

Meteor or Space Junk?  

We were on our way home about 10:30 tonight on I-5 near Cabela's in Olympia when we both noticed a bright light in the sky to our left. We were going about 60 mph and it flashed by us on a low path that lasted maybe 5 seconds. I have never seen a meteor last that long. I suppose it could have been space junk too. Maybe  parts of those satellites that collided are still coming down? Just guessing, but going by its direction (south to north) and the length of time we could see it, it may have burned up before hitting the ground, or it could have gone into the Sound.

Is Cher Japanese? 

We celebrated our nephew Eric's 40th birthday (I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that reality) tonight with a dinner at Fujiyama's in Olympia. The food was very good, and Patrick the chef was entertaining. We even had a visit to our table by the manager near the end to see if we enjoyed ourselves. No complaints from any of us, although on the way home Jim and I did agree that it was a little weird to hear 'modern' music playing in the background instead of something asian inspired.  Even some instrumental music would have been better, in our opinion.