LIFE IS NOT EASY!

It seems to me that the "K Rails" are getting closer to the fenders of my life! It has been several years since my retirement and you might expect that life's exigencies would have gotten less not more. Nothing could be less accurate. One of my chief obstacles is the modification of this blog. All I want to do is upload a collection of pictures so that you, dear reader, may have some insight or enjoyment to share with me. After sixty fun filled minutes I am no closer to accomplishing that task than when I started. So, you say, grow up, it's only part of the learning curve. However, dear friends, that curve does not lead anywhere! It is, I believe, more of a learning maze that in no way leads to success. I tend to fight the notion that technology is a super power in favor that, if some monkey can write the directions, I (mere mortal) should be able to follow them. I object however when the monkeys either don't write the directions or hide them from me. So, let me appeal to you, other mere mortals, to assist me. All I want to do is place a collection of pictures I have taken into this blog space for public access. If you know how, and can give me directions (using words of one syllable), please write me. Thank you.

It's the Economy - Stupid!

It has been awhile since my last comments, but because of the tremendous demand, I am back with words of wisdom and wonder. (I wonder about the wisdom of them) I have recently been attending Pitzer College. I have just finished a class called Anthropological History: 1492 to the present. I wonder how many of us understand the evolution of capitalism? It is clear, if one studies American history, that now more than ever, we need a strong leader in government and a change in the direction this country and the world is going if we ever hope to return the greatness we once knew. I don't think it matters much if you belong to one party or another, conservative or liberal, what ever that means in today's society. As long as we return to the Progressive ideals we embraced in the 1920s. We are a rich country that can't pay our bills. We love to produce innovations and great inventions and our people are loosing their jobs. We rejoice in being players on the larger world chessboard and we reject the opinions of our one time allies. We fear and defend immigrants on our Southern boarder while the greater illegal immigration comes in from the North and West. We cry about air pollution and global warming and still refuse to sign the Kyoto accord or enforce laws that would put regulation on industry. Like many of you, I watch my hard earned savings go up in smoke because of GREED and the TOLERANCE OF GREED. A retirement filled with well earned rest and activity is not so slowly being erased while those who caused this economic turn down take bailout money and go on vacations or give themselves bonuses. We all need to do our part! Just don't sit there in front of your computer, write someone. Send a note to that deadbeat Congressman of yours. Find out what your union, or church or The League of Women Voters, or your political party is doing about it and GET INVOLVED! Send me a reaction to this rant. If you have any ideas let us know

Ceramics: Hobby or Blood Lust?

As you can probably see, I like and make pottery. It all started when I was contemplating retirement and wondering what I would do to keep busy. My wife suggested taking up pottery because the studio was next to the jewelry workshop where she went. Being the obedient man that I am I went. We all know that "if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Little did I know that it would become one of my most happy activities. I sometimes feel that if you were to open on of my veins, you would find clay slip instead of blood. I have been "throwing" for about six years. I go to the studio at least three times a week and wish there were more days in the week so that I could go more often. I love my kids and grand kids, my wife is my best friend, skiing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on, and golf is the Devil's curse! I tell you this because if I can get some of you retired people to try something new I know you would never regret it. Remember the advice we learned on M*A*S*H, "Listen my children, hear my advice. Pull down your pants, and slide on the ice.