Another storm this past weekend -- rain, then snow mixing with rain, then snow. The trees and sage were suitably frosted when we got home...and back to their old selves by morning.
Welcome to Colorado.
We spent most of the week hanging out with the Brick's big brother, sister-in-law and his family, in the Seattle/Bellingham area. It was WONDERFUL -- peaceful, a lot of questions about their growing up, what happened to us as we grew up...and what the future may bring. Plus, we had a chance to see their kids, grandkids -- and great-grandkids! Yes, it rained...but we needed this time away.
We even made a quick trip into Canada for a walk around the bay at White Rock, fish & chips...and a stop at a grocery store for Dare maple and LeClerc chocolate butter cookies. (Yes, they are worth traveling for.)
The only blight on the trip was on Frontier, which was repeatedly 'delayed.' After a ride from our friends, we made it to Castle Rock at 10 p.m...and got home about 2 a.m. Lots of rain, and yes, it was snowing on La Veta Pass.
It's good to be home.
Meanwhile:
The Columbia Gaza protestors are being cleared away as I type this. UPDATE: Well, sort of. Another UPDATE: the hall has been cleared, and dozens of students arrested. (Here's the NY Post's version -- and CNN's.) I have a better solution than police and threats --
Step One: Close all the surrounding buildings, so there's no access to bathrooms.
Step Two: Pick up all the tents, sleeping bags, etc. Make sure to grab any water bottles and food containers, as well.
Pick up the masks...people who wear hijabs and keffiyehs normally can continue to wear them, provided they show their faces occasionally. (Otherwise, they come off, too.) Require i.d. cards to be shown regularly -- and take down names. If the cause is important to them, these students should have no problem showing their faces.
Step Three: Restrict anyone from coming back, once they leave. (Hey, they wanted to be there -- they can stay there.)
Step Four: Restrict any food deliveries -- unless the delivery drivers also want to stay. (See Step Three.)
Step Five: Cut electricity to the area, including overhead lights. And now the best solution of all:
Step Six: Decide to fertilize the lawn in that area. After all, it's taken a lot of wear and tear in the past few weeks. Get a nice juicy truckload of fish fertilizer -- then spread a thick layer all over the grass. Say, a foot or so.
Then you'll find out how dedicated these protestors really are.
A New York DA makes a startling -- but honest -- apology for chewing out a cop who gave her a much-deserved ticket. It's about time...
A millionaire interview (no. #394). ESI Money has been running these for years; they're interesting and occasionally helpful.
John Jacob Astor's gold pocket watch sold for nearly 1.5 million dollars. Why? Because the bazillionaire died on the Titanic, and the watch was found on his body when it was recovered. Titanic artifacts with good provenance have been skyrocketing in recent years. (Some appraiser has a very red face, after valuing this at $189,000.)
Wallace Hartley's bag, went at the same auction for nearly half a million -- also far above its presale estimate. Hartley was the bandleader; his bag, including his violin, was found strapped to his body. (Tradition says that Hartley's orchestra played "Nearer, My God to Thee" as the ship went under, although some accounts say it was a then-popular song, "Autumn.")
This price was just for the bag, monogrammed with Hartley's initials. Not the violin, though -- that's in the Belfast Titanic Museum.
After a hung jury in the first trial, the Arizona rancher charged with shooting a migrant will not be charged again. Good -- we have strong opinions about this. (In fact, he never should have been charged in the first place; he was simply protecting his property and family.)
Now who pays his legal bills??
Have a great week.
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