Now What?

I don't know how much can be taken from the results of this election. It seems there was a decided push by the Democratic side to make this a referendum on the president. In some cases this perhaps could be true, at the same time I don't see the election as any kind of mandate on the part of the Democrats.

I hope there comes a realization from the conservative party that it is time for them to go back to the basics. The basics to me would be lower taxes, less government, strong military, and continuing the push on family values. The conservative voters don't want words to soothe their ears, they want action and results. No longer should the party of Reagan reward Republicans with their votes if they go back into office and fail to keep their promises. No longer will I give my vote to the politician that fails to work for the conservative interests but instead will worry more about his position than his promise to the voters.

The coming weeks and months will unfold and the cordial smiles will fade as the inner workings of the party chairpersons and members start their transformation into the new party in power. Perhaps I will be wrong, perhaps Charlie Rangle won't try to repeal tax cuts, perhaps John Conyers don't really want to impeach Bush, perhaps the Dems really don't want to tie up the congress with hearings, and perhaps Ms Pelosi doesn't think that Bush is unbalanced. I think that it may be very hard if not impossible for the Democrats to resist the power of this new power. No longer are they the minority and the power to control is what is at stake, and the urge will be strong, that urge to play, that game that no one wins, and that is the game of, payback.

Republicans must take a good look at the results of this election and then realize where they went wrong and then get about the job of correcting their course. They will have to go back to the roots of the conservative party, keeping taxes low, protecting this country, that includes, the border with Mexico, and there has to be a decrease in the spending and shrinking the size of this goverment. These are the priorities and they should be kept in mind this time.

To vote or not to vote?

Time has continued to pass and I have done little to impede its' progress. Much of my mind has been consumed with family matters which has taken a good deal of energy from me. Here soon I hope to put some of those worries behind me. The days ahead are where we must focus our attention. The past holds lessons and experiences which will help guide us through the challenges that lie ahead. I hope we all have remembered enough of certain lessons that we are able to apply them at the right time, otherwise we as a country are probably in for some unwanted surprises down the road.

The time is now, election time that is, and my absentee ballot has been sent in, and with sincere pride I might add, because I have done my part in this amazing experience we call democracy. I hope there are multitudes of citizen patriots out there who have done the same by absentee ballot or those of you that will be doing so in person. To those of you that may consider not participating in this, "fought and died for right", I plead with you, don't allow all those lives that have been given, to have been given in vain. Honor those who fought and died to give us this right of voting that we might choose our leaders by exercising this right. Do it for those fallen, do it for yourself, do it for your children, do it for this great country, but regardless, Do It!

A change in the air

I wanted to make a short post this morning about some changes to this little chat spot of mine. I have written about some of my activities with nothing yet said to upset anyone or to speak some of the thoughts really on my mind and that just seems to me wasteful on my part. I hate to have this place here where I can rant and rave and not use it for that reason. Surely there are some things I can come up with that can tick someone off or at least present a better idea of what goes on in this old head of mine. I guess we will see. I haven't gotten into the political part of life, but because this is such a critical time and subject I feel I have to do some of that. No better place to tick folks off than to start rubbing them about their politics.

Those of you that don't have a particular point of view I trust you will have one by the time a couple months pass, or at least I hope so anyway. I am out of here for now and will return next week to see what I can put in here to make this a bit more interesting.

Turkey Hunt in Pinion

The day was overcast and cool and while Vick was busy taking pictures I took a minute to just enjoy being there. We were expecting fewer folks to be in this area because of all the bad weather and road washouts but, as usual we were fooled. Lots of people had their plans to come and hunt as did we. We had rain each day and the nights were nice and cool. Lots of food for just two guys but we did our best not to bring any back with us.

Vick got his turkey the first morning out as we neared the top of one of the peaks not far from camp. Hunters as far away as Kansas, California, and Tennessee were just moving in to set up camp in that area as we made our way to the top. Later in the day the roads began to be more heavily traveled with four wheelers and folks began to scout and set up for their deer and elk hunts this activity also moved the birds we had spotted out of the area. I was not able to fill my turkey tag so once again it's Vick 1, Carl 0.

Many hours were filled, "even if my turkey tag wasn't', by just driving in the Lincoln National Forrest and enjoying the tall pines and the cool mountain air. We noticed the beginnings of color change in the aspens but there is still a ways to go before they create those beautiful fall scenes you see in the magazines. I look forward to going back there soon.

We sat around the campfire each night and on a couple occasions the bugle from an elk could be heard across the valley and we listened closely to those calls just trying to soak it all in. I took some pictures of our trip but, pictures seldom convey what you are seeing because it is more than just visual, there are the smells, the wind, the sounds, and the actual joy of being able to experience all this at once. Pictures help to show much of what was seen but they leave a great deal left unsaid.

I look forward to my next hunt or outing whichever it may be. I want to try and get enough pictures gathered for a decent slidesow that will show more of what I do when trips like this are made. I have quite a few already and if I would get my butt in gear I could do one now. Perhaps?

Today went by very fast. Diane came over to mow the back yard and in the process I got involved with helping out some. The riding mower came in handy, plus it saves time and energy. This was Dianes' first time to use the riding mower and she wanted to mow as if she was still using the push mower cutting only about 20 inch strips. I think near the end she finally began to see what I was trying to get her to do by using the wheel of the mower to judge distance and to get the most out of each pass.

I managed to get the water tank on the camper drained and flushed today and just now refilled it before I came in for the night. The morning will be interesting as I make those last looks around and then of course, there will be the wondering about what I left. When all is said and done the main thing is to get on the road at which point it will be too late to worry about it any further. I am looking forward to the trip and will fill in the blanks when I get back.

All of you take care and give pause Monday to remember those that lost their lives on 9-11 and pray God grant our leaders wisdom and the courage to stand strong in these trying times we now face. United we must stand but still we may undergo tremendous strain and turmoil. The election comes soon and I would hate to see those come to power this fall whose agenda would be to waste precious time and resources with investigation on top of investigation and in so doing lose what momentum we have in this confrontation with radical Islam. Think long and hard about the people that may end up in leadership positions after this election.

I will be there to pull the lever when the time comes this fall and although I am not totally happy with what did not get done this session, but knowing that, I look ahead and realize all the things that will not get done should the Democrats win this fall. Nancy Pelosi speaker of the house, how does that sound?

The packing continues

I am still in the process of packing for the turkey hunt. I found out that Hwy 24 from Dunken to Pinion has some washouts and is closed to traffic for some time. I will now drive on to Mayhill and meet Vick and from there we will head south on that end of Hwy 24 and check out some of the places around the Dog Canyon area for a place to camp. Lots of the roads where we would normally be driving are absolutely impassable till the road crews get in there and do their repairs.

The rain and washouts may limit some of the choices to camp this year. Oh well, what ever will be will be as the saying goes. I have lots of things left to do before I'm ready to leave Hobbs but I am still working towards the goal and will have all done when the time arrives I'm sure. I will try to get a bit more information in here tomorrow and see what is going on that is exciting and fill you in, yeah right as if exciting goes on in my life. I will check in here tomorrow and until then I'm outta here.