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Three Things

MAY 31, 2023

3 Things

05/30/23 01:05 PM

Well, life seems to be primarily focused upon three things. Now that doesn't include my regular activities like daily prayer and daily bible reading, but it does include those things that consume most of the rest of my day.

So, what are those three things? Well, there's the running with healing feet saga, there's the Patty's garden story, and there's the Ham Radio race to 5,000 contacts and my pursuit of the Master of Oceania award.

I still manage to get my daily activities done including the runs and workouts. The left-over time winds up being allocated between Patty's garden support and the ham radio pursuits - with the occasional Fox News story or movie slipped in for good measure and/or additional entertainment.

I thank God often for this season of retired life and all of the wonderful blessings that come with it. My father used to say that I got far better than I deserved when it comes to my wife, and while I always agreed with him I could say the same thing about life in general.

In all things, I am indeed a blessed man!




Patty's Garden

MAY 30, 2023

Eastside 3

05/29/23 05:05 PM

Today was a busy outside day in Patty's garden area. It all started with a trip to Lowes to purchase 8 knockout roses and 8 hostas.

Patty and I were then faced with the monumental task of digging 16 holes in very hard dirt. Man was that ever brutal!

We hope to finish up tomorrow with a lot of mulch to cover the ground and fill in around the new bushes and plants.

Mike and Kim, our handyman and his assistant, did a great job of terracing the place and we can't wait to fill out the rest of Patty's amazing vision.




More About Running

MAY 29, 2023

Mar 2

05/28/23 10:45 AM

I'm a stubborn fool when it comes to a runner who probably shouldn't be running. My feet need to heal but I'm trying my best to figure out a way for that to happen without the quitting of my running.

Today I decided to try the running shoes thing again. I've got two pairs of tennis shoes and one pair specifically for running (pictured left.)

The second pair are big clunkers and don't hurt my toes but are not running shoes either (pictured right.) There's just too much room in them (and too much weight too!) It would probably feel like I was trying to run with shoe boxes on my feet if I tried them out on the treadmill.

So, how did my big toes do in the running shoes? Just as I expected - not too good. However, I did the first mile in them without much issue and then just stepped off the treadmill at the beginning of mile two and kicked them off and stepped back up on the running treadmill and did the last two miles in a single pair of white footie socks.

It actually worked out just fine. No sore toes and no blisters. I guess we'll see if I can keep that up until my running shoes quit talking to me and I decide to keep them on for the entire 3 miles.

Hopefully that will happen sometime in the not-to-distant future.




Socks on a treadmill

MAY 28, 2023

Socks

05/27/23 07:25 AM

Well, my toes are not quite ready for running in shoes but the small white footies I'm using now seem prone to creating blisters. At least I'm fighting a potential blister on the pad of my left foot right where the middle toe connects.

Slowing down the speed and shortening the distance appear to have helped the situation. At least for now anyway.

It seems to me that trying to keep up my running while allowing big toes to heal is not the best combination. And running two miles after working so hard to get to three does not do much for my patience toward the healing either.

The shoes hurt the toes, wearing socks only offer the possibility of blisters, and no running is just not intended to be part of the equation. What a dilemma!

Maybe I need some of those running socks like the ones in the picture. Perhaps Walmart carries them.




Band Conditions and Running

MAY 27, 2023

Band Conditions 2

05/26/23 07:00 AM

It doesn't matter what your antenna farm looks like. If band conditions aren't favorable it's pretty difficult to create an opening.

Yesterday (Thursday) was amazing. Today started out to be less than exciting but picked up somewhere along the way. I made over 100 contacts yesterday and am up to 50 already today.

What's amazing to me is that I'm nearing 5,000 contacts in this new location and still have 3.5 months before I've been on HF for a year. That's the power and speed of the new FT4 and FT8 technology.

Treadmill 2

On the running front I've decided to back down to 2 mile runs on the days when I work out with weights (like today!) and stay with the 3 milers on the days when I'm just running. I'm also going back to a 7.0 setting on the treadmill which is right at 8.5 minute miles.

Staying away from hills and no incline on the treadmill is the only thing that makes that doable. In fact, I did an 8.0 setting which is 3 miles at a 7:30 pace. That was brutal and I won't be doing it again anytime soon.

Only reason I did it at all was because the treadmill display quit working and I was forced to use a setting with which I was not familiar. If I had known that feature would result in a sub 8 pace I would never have considered using it.




Running

MAY 26, 2023

Treadmill

05/25/23 03:45 PM

Well, my running has been all over the place in terms of speed and strength. Almost without exception I've had good (and strong) runs, even after working out with weights.

However, today I did things differently and the run was pretty bad. Let me explain.

I often run by mid-morning, sometimes even earlier. It's rare that I run after lunch, but that's just what I did today. And keep in mind that today was a non-weight day so that should have helped my run.

I also usually have my first (of two) 32-ounce bottles of water down by lunch time. Today, I only drank half of one and only right before going for my run after getting home from lunch.

A high sodium Chinese meal for lunch and a quick potty break before my water and run suggested I was a bit dehydrated. I paid dearly for that on my run, in terms of strength. In fact, I never stop during a run but did today due to the fast pace (8-minute miles.)

I ran the last mile (mile 3) at an 8:30 pace and it was still a tough finish. And the wonk (balance) factor was off the map bad today. I just cannot allow myself to change up the water routine. That seems to always introduce problems here in my senior years.

I've also got to be sure to get that run in earlier while I'm still fresh. That is another factor that seems to make a difference in the quality of my exercise.

Lessons learned!




Trump

MAY 25, 2023

Donald Trump

05/24/23 10:05 AM

I was watching Sean Hannity last night on Fox News and he said that he thinks if Trump runs Biden will run and if Trump does not run (for one reason or another) he thinks the Democrats will go for a younger candidate and remove Biden.

Personally, I guess I'm putting more stock in the American people that they will not tolerate another term with Biden's mess and that it will turn out to be Trump versus Biden and that Trump will win.

Okay, there's my prediction. We've got a long way to go before we see who wins the Republican nomination but even with Desantis, I don't see anyone but Trump pulling out the nomination and winning the entire thing.

On top of all of that, I would vote for Trump again. Sure, I don't like a lot of his antics, but I love his policies and hope he can restore what he had done while he was in office.

I can tolerate what I don't like just to get rid of Biden. I guess we'll see.




Ohatchee Sunset

MAY 24, 2023

Ohatchee Sunset

05/23/23 07:25 AM

As I write, it's a rainy Tuesday. I took this photo last night of a beautiful Ohatchee sunset and wanted to share it.

We are so blessed to have retired up here in the foothills of the Appalachians here in Northeast Alabama, or more formally in the tiny town of Ohatchee, Alabama.

Only God could have designed and executed things in such a way that the blessings from home purchases and sales would allow us to retire in comfort.

We pray for God's continued anointing upon us for our provision, health, and safety and that we would be obedient in all things as directed by Jesus Christ our Lord.




Monday

MAY 23, 2023

Busy Day

05/22/23 09:10 AM

Monday is always a busy day around here. In addition to the normal things that have to get done there's grocery pickup at Walmart and the arrival and work performed by the yard crew (every other Monday.)

Those 3 guys on the yard crew (one with a riding mower and 2 with weed-wackers) work very hard and definitely earn their money. I am amazed at how fast they work and yet the level of quality they maintain.

We've got a good crew and I don't mind paying them to handle the one acre lot which also has a very serious slope to it. I've tried and there's no way I could do it - not with my balance and not for an entire season.

This year when the leaf season arrives, I plan to pay them to do the cleanup on that too. I tried it last year and it was too much to handle.

It wasn't as much the raking as removing the leaves from the property. And, my oh my, we have a lot of leaves!

I've also got leaves in the downspouts and need to decide what I'm going to do about that. Fortunately, the water does escape without risk to the house but it still needs attention.




Big Day

MAY 22, 2023

Jon 1

05/21/23 07:15 AM

As I write it is Sunday morning. I am anxiously awaiting Jonathan's arrival after lunch and I plan to take some pictures of him helping with my antenna so that I can share one or two here.

Just finished my run and have pretty much knocked out everything on my to-do list. After the antenna work, I hope to get the two beds made around Patty's beauty berry bushes.

The grass cutting guys are supposed to be here tomorrow although we have rain in the forecast. If it turns out to be like recent forecasts, we may not get a drop. Still, I hope to get the beds made today to provide Patty with the comfort of knowing the guys will be careful with their cutting and weed-wacking around her bushes and beds.

I also have garage work to be done on Tuesday and an eye doctor appointment on Wednesday for my prism analysis. I hope to squeeze in some good time on my ham radio (with the new rotor) alongside my busy schedule.

05/21/23 07:00 PM

As I write and publish, it's Sunday evening. Jonathan came over and did a great job as always! As you can see in the picture above, the new rotor is in place. And by the way, it is working great!

The picture below (of Jonathan) was taken after the work and during a well deserved rest to enjoy the back deck.

Jon 2




Antenna Rotor

MAY 21, 2023

Project

05/20/23 07:30 AM

Looks like were slated for some rainy weather today and into tonight, to be followed by a beautiful sunny day tomorrow and just in time for Jonathan's arrival after lunch to help install my new antenna rotor.

As I've said before, I am so grateful to have my son make the drive over and to do the climbing that my wonky stature just won't allow me to do any longer. Letting go of that and letting someone else do it is truly a way to exercise turning control over to God. I'm sure that's what He had wanted me to do all along.

I've got a bit of prep work to do for Jonathan's arrival but don't want anything sitting out in the rain today until it's installed and water-proofed. I should have plenty of time tomorrow, before Jonathan's arrival, to do the prep work and get things ready for his arrival.

There's great excitement heading into this project and even more awaiting me when it's all done and I'm able to use the new equipment.




Faith

MAY 20, 2023

Faith

05/19/23 07:15 AM

I have come such a long way from where I started in Jesus Christ. I don't mean to say that I have accomplished anything, but in me Jesus Christ has accomplished much.

I'm not saying He has accomplished anything 'through' me, but He has accomplished much 'in' me. He has taken me from a place of dependence upon knowledge and perceived control, to a place of dependence upon faith.

I never thought I would find myself with such dependence upon faith for I lived so long in a mode of dependence upon worldly knowledge and the things of this world.

I even found myself confident in Christianity not for knowing Christ and him crucified, but for knowing scripture and placing it in a high place where only faith in Christ should reside. How could I think I knew anything about scripture? In all honesty, I still don't!

I must admit that the world offers a compelling narrative and it takes great strength to see the lie that lives within it. Learning to live in a world in such a way that I am 'in it' but not 'of it' will be a task that is forever in front of me. I must continue to learn how to walk in faith and not facts that are actually worldly lies.

I know what it means (and how it feels) to be content when I have much, but I never learned how to be content in those years when I had little. I would like to think I did, but that would not be the truth. When finances are bad, they become the full focus. Even when they are good, it is so easy to fall into the trap where they remain the full focus.

Lord, I am grateful for this season of much and pray for your wisdom, that I might know how to walk and live in it in such a way that you remain at the center of it all. Help my focus to be only of necessity and not of a perceived control.




Diet and Sugar

MAY 19, 2023

Sugar

05/18/23 09:55 AM

I have to confess that I don't know what a 'good' diet looks like. In fact, I don't even know if 'good' is my goal - especially since I just changed the word 'adequate' to 'good' in that previous sentence.

It's odd that the idea of enjoying retired life (for me anyway) seems to include sugar in my diet. Everything I read seems to indicate I should drop sugar entirely. In fact, some around me are doing just that and they seem to be okay with it.

When I get off of sugar for a while, the craving seems to go away - for a while anyway. Then, suddenly and out of nowhere, the craving comes back with a vengeance and I begin to question my objectives, goals, and motives for what I am doing. That can't be a good thing - can it?

I know this about myself. I draw hard lines in the sand and set very rigid rules for myself. In some areas (e.g., exercise, bible reading, etc.,) that does not seem to present any problems. I can manage/handle the tough goals. In other areas (e.g., diet, sugar, eating, food, etc.,) it seems to present big problems or at least areas where I don't seem to want to follow through with my initial plan.

I have yet to be able to get off of sugar and some snacking. I'm like the woman I once heard who said (in terms of her diet) she wakes up each morning a success and goes to bed each night a failure. My snacking and sugar genes kick in sometime well after supper and rule me in a way I don't want to be ruled.

Does that happen because I'm starving myself during the day? Does it happen because I'm addicted to sugar? Does it happen for some other reason that I have yet to identify? Does it happen because I'm doing something wrong? And, if so, what am I doing wrong? All I know is that it does indeed happen!

Patty and I have crossed this bridge before in our chats. When it comes to a final decision on sugar intake and a proper diet, I have yet to make a decision upon which I can follow through.

My studies have taken me to the terms 'moderation' and 'temperance.' I know there is very little I seem to do in moderation (which can't be a good thing) and I'm honestly not sure I even knew that temperance was another word for moderation.

Lord, please help me to understand, adopt, and apply where it makes sense.




Bible Reading & Running

MAY 18, 2023

Bible Reading & Running

05/16/23 08:40 PM

Patty and I read through the book of Acts together. Then we decided to part and read to ourselves. It seemed right due to the differences in the versions of the bible that we were reading and the challenges we faced with reading aloud.

I have since finished Proverbs, Romans and both 1st and 2nd Corinthians. With mostly small books remaining in the New Testament, I plan to finish up to Revelation by the end of May and then hit Revelation in June.

After that, I will go back and read the four Gospels and should be nearing the end of Psalms which I have been reading a chapter per day. I plan to continue that pace.

Afterward, I plan to move back and read the rest of the Old Testament. It's been too long since I have gone through the bible like this. I post this as an accountability measure and for no other reason.

On the running front, back on May 12th, I bumped my speed up from 6.5 to 7.0 on the treadmill. So, I was doing 3 miles at a 9:14 pace and am now doing my 3.0 miles at an 8:34 pace. I hope to move up to a 7.5 pace somewhere in the not-to-distant future, which would be an 8:00 pace. No rush on that since I want to make sure that I am ready and since that's a pretty serious pace.

When I do my 'quick-step' running pace, I wind up with about 145 steps per 1/10th of a mile. When I do my 'big-step' running pace I move that down to around 135 steps per 1/10th of a mile. There's a comfortable pace right in the middle of those two and it nets out a perfect 140 steps per 1/10th of a mile.

It's interesting to compare that to past inside and outside paces. Not sure what has changed but it is definitely different. Perhaps the answer lies with the fact that I'm still running in 2 pairs of thick running socks with no shoes.




Rotor Test

MAY 17, 2023

Rotor Test

05/16/23 07:20 AM

Well to start with, I discovered a lot more places where I had code tucked away that needed to be changed to accommodate the new banner. I have since made those changes and hopefully all is good to go now.

On an unrelated note, and more to the point of this post, I performed all of the necessary testing on the rotor, and that was described in the product instructions, and it looks like all is ready and good to go.

That I can't do this myself, but need assistance, is where my catastrophizing gene kicks in and causes unnecessary stress. So many other hams have assumed a much greater risk and they pulled it off. I need to look at the positive and realize that my installation is relatively risk-free.

Thank you Lord for helping me see the flaws in my thinking. Help me to put my trust in you and to set my cares aside.

On another unrelated note, my wife cooked up some kale yesterday and despite all of my kidding about how bad it is supposed to be, what she made turned out to be very, very good. I was pleasantly surprised!

I continue to be amazed at how my wife can try something new in the kitchen and it always, always turns out great! I actually went back for seconds on the kale that she cooked up. It was that good.




Arriving Today

MAY 16, 2023

Yaesu Rotor

05/15/23 06:35 AM

I'm excited to see that my new rotor is scheduled to arrive today. I plan to hook it up in the radio shack and test it out.

I went the affordable route to start with, but the old rotor just wasn't up to the job. Not long after the installation, the rotor failed and had to be tied down and locked in a single position to avoid having it rotate freely as it was blown around by the gusty winds we enjoy up this way.

My awesome son is slated to come out this coming Sunday or soon thereafter to do the roof climbing and installation for the new rotor. I'm blessed to have him be willing and able to get up in the air and put this new thing in place for me.

The rotor and antenna are being installed on top of a push-up-pole (mast) which is attached to the house with 2 brackets. When all is said and done, the antenna should be about 25 feet off the ground. I would love to put it up higher but don't want to deal with the messy guy wires in the yard.

With the way it's going, it currently allows for the rotor to sit just above the top bracket and the antenna just a few feet above that. It will be great to have a rotatable antenna once again.

A big word of thanks goes out to my son for making the drive over and doing the climbing and installation. What a blessing he is for this old grounded guy!




Another Busy Day

MAY 15, 2023

Amy's Birthday

05/14/23 06:00 PM

Well, you can probably see that I fixed the banner problem. I had some technology in place to show multiple banners, but was only using it to show one banner. The technology was working fine until it quit working. I still have no idea why.

To correct the problem, I simply removed the technology and put a simple image statement in its place. The image is called 'banner' so to change the banner, all I will have to do is to assign the current name to the new image.

On an unrelated note, Jonathan and Amy made the drive over and we celebrated Amy's birthday and Patty's Mother's Day. We went out to a massive flea market and followed that up with a wonderful Mexican lunch and a birthday celebration for Amy back at the house.

Finally, Patty assisted Jonathan and Amy and together they picked some items from Patty's garden before Jonathan and Amy put the goods in the car and started for home.

What a great day we all had.




Banner?

MAY 14, 2023

Banner

05/13/23 09:35 AM

Have you noticed? I'm having technical problems here on the website.

The banner has just quit appearing at the top of the web page and I have no idea why. I'm not aware that it even touches anything I've changed in presenting my new posts.

It still shows up on the webpage on my cell phone but that could be a cache issue. They again, it may be something to which I should be paying more attention.

I'm able to point to it with the above picture and it shows up just fine. That only makes the mystery a bit more mysterious.

Why it just suddenly quit showing up at the top of the page truly is a mystery to me. When I finally figure it out, I'm sure I'm going to get a good laugh about it.

That is unless it just starts working the same way it quit. If that happens, I'm going to feel a bit perturbed. I hope I'm able to figure it out before it shows up as an intermittent problem.

That would be a bummer.




Rainy Forecasts

MAY 13, 2023

Rainy Forecasts

05/12/23 07:50 AM

I've become so cynical on the actual delivery of those rainy forecasts that I went to bed without giving a thought to my normal before bed review of the late night forecast. I crashed without giving it a look.

Well, much to my surprise this morning there was water all over the porch and a rain gauge review revealed 2.5 inches of rain had fallen last night. That was a big surprise and I wasn't awake for any of it.

I'm sure the yard is happy and I'm confident that Patty's garden received a super-charge from all of that rainfall. I suspect we also made a pretty good dent in our annual Ohatchee, Alabama rainfall forecast of 52 inches.

We've had 3.75 inches of rain this month and 11.25 inches since I started tracking rainfall back in the last week of March.




AI - The ChatGPT Model

MAY 12, 2023

ChatGPT

05/11/23 12:25 PM

This is going to be a very long post.

Last night I decided to dabble with AI. I created an account for ChatGPT, signed in, and started dabbling.

I wanted to test some of the limitations and asked the appropriate questions to do just that. Here's how it went:

Me:

Who will be the Republican presidential candidate in the 2024 election

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model, I don't have access to real-time information or knowledge of future events beyond my last update in September 2021. Therefore, I cannot accurately predict the Republican presidential candidate for the 2024 election. It's best to refer to the latest news sources or political updates for the most current information on potential candidates for the 2024 election.

Me:

Can you predict market trends

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model, I don't have access to real-time data or the ability to predict market trends. Market trends are influenced by numerous factors, including economic conditions, geopolitical events, consumer behavior, and more. Predicting market trends requires in-depth analysis, expertise, and access to up-to-date information from reliable sources. It's always advisable to consult with financial professionals, economists, or market analysts for accurate and informed insights on market trends.

Me:

Is there a god

ChatGPT:

The question of whether or not a god exists is a deeply philosophical and personal one. It has been a subject of debate and contemplation for centuries among theologians, philosophers, and individuals with diverse beliefs.

Different cultures, religions, and philosophical traditions have offered various perspectives and interpretations on the existence of a higher power or deity. Some people hold strong beliefs in the existence of one or more gods, while others are skeptical or hold atheistic views, denying the existence of any gods.

As an AI language model, I don't possess personal beliefs or opinions. My purpose is to provide information and assist with factual inquiries to the best of my abilities. Ultimately, the question of whether or not a god exists is a matter of personal faith, individual interpretation, and personal exploration.

Me:

Do you have favorites like a color or a song

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences, emotions, or preferences. I don't have the ability to have favorites or subjective opinions about things like colors or songs. I'm here to provide information and assist with any questions or tasks you may have based on the knowledge and data I've been trained on.

Me:

What can you tell me about Donald Trump

ChatGPT:

Donald Trump is a prominent figure in contemporary politics. He was born on June 14, 1946, in New York City, United States. Trump is a businessman, television personality, and politician. He gained fame through his real estate ventures, including the development of numerous properties and his involvement in the entertainment industry as the host of the reality TV show "The Apprentice."

Trump entered politics and became a Republican candidate for the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Despite facing initial skepticism, he secured the Republican nomination and went on to defeat the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, in the general election. Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017.

During his presidency, Trump pursued a range of policy initiatives and faced both praise and criticism for his actions. Some notable policies and events during his presidency include:

1. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Trump signed into law a significant tax reform bill in December 2017, which aimed to reduce corporate taxes and simplify individual tax brackets.

2. Immigration Policies: Trump implemented strict immigration policies, including efforts to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and the introduction of travel restrictions on several predominantly Muslim countries.

3. Trade Policies: Trump pursued a more protectionist approach to trade, implementing tariffs on imported goods, renegotiating trade agreements like NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), and engaging in trade disputes, most notably with China.

4. North Korea: Trump engaged in high-profile diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, holding multiple summits in an attempt to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

5. Impeachment: Trump became the third U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. He was impeached in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress but was acquitted by the Senate.

It's important to note that opinions on Donald Trump and his presidency vary widely. Supporters credit him for his efforts to stimulate economic growth, reduce regulations, and take a confrontational stance on trade. Critics, on the other hand, express concerns about his policies, rhetoric, and handling of various issues.

This overview provides a brief summary, but there is much more to learn about Donald Trump and his presidency. It's always advisable to consult multiple sources and perspectives for a comprehensive understanding of any political figure or topic.

Me:

Please write the lyrics to a beautiful song

ChatGPT:

(Verse 1)
In a world of endless wonder, where dreams come alive,
There's a melody within us, waiting to thrive.
With the rising sun, a new day unfolds,
As the story of our lives, gently and softly, unfolds.

(Chorus)
Oh, let this song take flight,
Through the darkest night, we'll find the light.
In every note and every rhyme,
A touch of magic, frozen in time.
This beautiful song, our hearts unite,
Guiding us with love, soaring to new heights.

(Verse 2)
In the chorus of laughter, and tears we shed,
We discover strength, as we face what lies ahead.
Through the rhythm of hope, our spirits arise,
And the power of compassion, forever magnifies.

(Chorus)
Oh, let this song take flight,
Through the darkest night, we'll find the light.
In every note and every rhyme,
A touch of magic, frozen in time.
This beautiful song, our hearts unite,
Guiding us with love, soaring to new heights.

(Bridge)
When storms gather, and shadows grow long,
We'll sing our anthem, brave and strong.
With harmony as our guide, we'll never fall,
Together we'll conquer, and stand tall.

(Chorus)
Oh, let this song take flight,
Through the darkest night, we'll find the light.
In every note and every rhyme,
A touch of magic, frozen in time.
This beautiful song, our hearts unite,
Guiding us with love, soaring to new heights.

(Outro)
As the final chords resonate, and echoes remain,
This beautiful song, forever in our veins.
A reminder of the journey, we've traveled along,
A testament to love, in every sweet, melodious song.

Me:

Please write the lyrics to a song about a kind horse

ChatGPT:

(Verse 1)
In a meadow bathed in golden light,
A gentle spirit shining bright.
With eyes so warm and a heart so pure,
There's a kind horse that we all adore.

(Chorus)
Oh, kind horse, you bring us joy,
With every gallop, every gentle neigh.
Your spirit runs wild, yet tender and true,
Oh, kind horse, we're grateful for you.

(Verse 2)
Your mane dances on the gentle breeze,
As you roam through fields and ancient trees.
With each stride, you carry dreams untold,
A symbol of freedom, both strong and bold.

(Chorus)
Oh, kind horse, you bring us joy,
With every gallop, every gentle neigh.
Your spirit runs wild, yet tender and true,
Oh, kind horse, we're grateful for you.

(Bridge)
Through meadows green and valleys wide,
You offer solace, a comforting stride.
A loyal friend, a companion so dear,
You listen with ears that are eager to hear.

(Verse 3)
With a nudge and a nuzzle, you speak your love,
A gentle creature sent from above.
In your presence, worries fade away,
For a kind horse, you light up the day.

(Chorus)
Oh, kind horse, you bring us joy,
With every gallop, every gentle neigh.
Your spirit runs wild, yet tender and true,
Oh, kind horse, we're grateful for you.

(Outro)
So, let us honor this noble friend,
Whose compassion knows no end.
Oh, kind horse, forever we'll be,
Bound by a bond that sets our spirits free.

Me:

Do you have sufficient knowledge to predict anything

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model, I have been trained on a vast amount of data and can provide information on a wide range of topics. However, it's important to note that I don't have real-time data, access to future events, or the ability to predict the future with certainty. My responses are based on patterns and information available up until September 2021, and I cannot guarantee the accuracy or reliability of predictions.

While I can offer insights and discuss possibilities based on historical data and trends, any predictions or forecasts should be taken with caution. It's always recommended to consult domain experts, conduct thorough research, and refer to reliable sources when seeking accurate predictions or forecasts.

Me:

Where do you find data to answer questions

ChatGPT:

As an AI language model, my responses are generated based on a mixture of licensed data, data created by human trainers, and publicly available data. I have not been directly trained on specific books, websites, or proprietary databases. I should note that while I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, my responses may not always reflect the most current news or developments. News is constantly evolving, and new information can emerge that may change the context or understanding of a given topic.

Me:

Can you play chess

ChatGPT:

Yes, I can help you play chess! While I don't have a physical presence or the ability to move pieces on a physical chessboard, I can provide guidance, suggest moves, and simulate a chess game through text-based interactions. Just let me know if you'd like to play a game, and we can start!

Me:

Let’s play a game of chess

ChatGPT:

Certainly! Let's play a game of chess. I'll act as the white player, and you can make the moves for the black player. We'll use algebraic notation to specify the moves. Here's the initial position:

Comment by me:

From here forward, the AI had problems displaying the board correctly. So, I decided to stop the game as follows:

Me:

Thank you. Let’s quit our game of chess

ChatGPT:

You're welcome! If you would like to quit the game, that's absolutely fine. If you have any more questions or need assistance in the future, feel free to ask. Have a great day!

Me:

Goodbye

ChatGPT:

Goodbye! If you have any more questions in the future, feel free to ask. Have a wonderful day!

Comment by me:

And that was that. I signed off of ChatGPT and relayed the event to my wife.




Malachi 2:17

MAY 11, 2023

Malachi 2:17

05/10/23 07:25 AM

My wife has been reading Malachi and brought 2:17 to my attention. It reads:

17 You have wearied the Lord with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.

By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

As she pointed out, and with which I agree, it sounds very much like what I would call wokeness or wokism from the root, woke, with which all in this period of time are so familiar.

I hate to provide an idea that so many have abused. But even my 'peace-maker' wife noticed it and brought it to my attention. Isn't it interesting how the bible predicts so far ahead on various matters?




Balance Issues

MAY 10, 2023

Balance Issues

05/09/23 02:10 PM

I had another visit to my neurologist today. I went in with a plan and my patient neurologist heard me out, and then took me in a different direction.

I went in with the idea that my running and weight lifting might be veiling a case of Parkinson's that's sitting just beneath the surface. My neurologist respectfully disagreed with me and with a well-informed perspective suggested another idea.

I mentioned my tremor (that rarely appears) and she reminded me that I had mentioned I have had that tremor even since high school. That's a different type of tremor, she offered. In my mind, I had to admit that she seemed to know me better than I know myself. For a person who doesn't seem to take that many notes, she seems very familiar with what I've shared.

She has decided to refer me to the team of neurologists at the University of Alabama. She offered that if my problem is indeed a neurological one, that she is fresh out of ideas. She did tend to agree with me that the problem seems neurological in nature; but basically, because she suggested that the symptoms tend to rule out the other options.

For example: If this was an ear problem, it should be a problem even when I'm seated. However, and based on my comments, the problem involves standing and walking, but never sitting. I also tend to think that the problem would show itself in varying degrees at different times if it were ear related, but the problem is far too consistent, to be defined in that fashion, from my way of thinking.

I guess we'll see what the good folks at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have to say.




What to Post?

MAY 09, 2023

Scrap Book

05/08/23 12:45 PM

In adding blog posts, I really don't have a lot to say. That's why this blog has continued to take on the image of a journal or scrapbook. That's all I really have to share. Things to which I can return and upon which I can reflect, at a later time.

Technically speaking, I thought the blog would be fun. And, from a technical standpoint it has been a lot of fun. But I'm not interested in attempting to compete with the screaming match that is going on around me. It seems so many people want and need a lot of attention and that's just not where I find myself.

I set a difficult goal to publish a post each day. It has indeed been a very difficult goal. I say that because there are some days where I'm busy and have to work around writing and publishing a blog post. And, there are other days where I find myself scratching my head when it comes time to write content.

I suppose that's why it's good that I'm not trying to maintain anything that seeks an audience. That's a lot of pressure and I'm retired and trying to avoid that kind of pressure.

For me, this has been a relatively simple task. Why? Well, it's like I've already said. People are out there competing for attention. Just, not me.




Create in Me...

MAY 08, 2023

Psalm 51

05/07/23 07:05 AM

I was in the book of Psalms today and read Psalm 51. It reminded me of years long ago.

Of all the things toward which I tend to struggle with my past in 'that church' which had so many problems, I cannot include the songs we sang.

It was an honor to play guitar and to have an ear where I could determine the chords while our leader sang the songs a capella. It was his way of teaching the songs to those of us who played the instruments.

Songs he had obviously learned by attending other services in other locations. And there were so many of those songs that we learned directly from scripture.

Today's passage in the book of Psalms was no different. As I read Psalm 51, the song came back to me immediately.

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy holy spirit from me

Reading the scriptural basis for so many songs which are located in the book of Psalms has been happening a lot lately. I mentioned it to my wife recently. Each and every song has come back to me just like I had learned it recently.

For all of the things that cause me to struggle with 'that church', coming across these songs has been a pleasant reminder of what was good about the things I experienced.

Interesting that Patty was reading in the book of Malachi today and mentioned to me that she also found one of our old scripture songs there as well.




Politics

MAY 07, 2023

Men in Women's Sports

05/06/23 07:20 AM

Where we're at right now with the current administration of Democrats reminds me of the nobles in the movie Braveheart and particularly the scene where William Wallace speaks to those nobles and says:

There's a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.

That pretty well summarizes my feelings toward the Democrats. Like the nobles in Braveheart they are more concerned with position and power (and working along party lines to retain their jobs.) I don't see how they can support some of the policies that come with their platform.

Believe it or not, I can see their argument with abortion. That's a tough one! There are definitely situations where both sides have a strong point.

However, I have no idea how they can support men in women's sports. And like I've heard said before, surely some of those men and women (Democrats) have daughters whose athletic endeavors are tragically impacted by the way they are voting.

Knowing how they just voted to support the guys competing with their daughters, how can they go home and look their daughters in the face? That's a real problem from my way of thinking.

I honestly hope I'm wrong on that one. No daughter deserves to have to deal with that kind of parent.




Coming Soon!

MAY 07, 2023

Pic

05/06/23 07:30 AM

Coming Soon

(This page is intended to appear with the blog post below and [as mentioned previously] is here for a better visual understanding of that post.)




Coming Soon!

MAY 06, 2023

Pic

05/05/23 01:45 PM

Coming Soon

When I began to set up this website, I wanted to be able to view the site in a test mode and then move things to production when they were ready. That way I was able to do a spell check and get a visual feel for the accuracy of things before presenting them to the public.

Everything above this text appears when I review things in test mode. I keep it as basically a blank web page that I can copy and paste, fill in, and change the picture when I'm ready to add a new web page. I've intentionally left the test mode pages visible for purposes of demonstration.

There may be one or more blank pages that show up in test mode, depending upon how much I want to prepare in advance. Sometimes I'm writing a few days ahead and that allows me to publish when able on a busy day. Other times I'm writing a day ahead (almost never the same day) and usually publish around supper time for the next day's content. Publication may occur earlier or later that same day depending upon my schedule.

As I've noted before, the publication date is the date at the top of the page. The date and time the content was produced is displayed below the image. I leave a random date and time in that location that is to be over-typed when I decide to produce the content.

The purpose of that date and time is to provide clarity in case the content in a post is date and time sensitive. That's the only reason it's included and often may not even apply to the content for the associated post.




Noah

MAY 05, 2023

Noah iPhone

05/04/23 08:30 AM

Stories don't get much wilder and crazier than this one! People over in the Marshall Islands area have been giving their broken phones to Noah so he can play with them.

Apparently, they're doing the same with their broken laptop computers. Well, it turns out that Noah is repairing them and returning them.

Have you heard the one about the lady who got her phone wet and tried drying it in rice, but with no success? She brought it to Noah and he knew exactly what to do to get it working again and gave it back to her in working condition.

When asked by the former owners why he is returning the phones and computers he is reportedly responding, My parents said it was the right thing to do.

Don't know about you, but I am impressed! That's quite a story for an 11 year old.

As it turns out, Allie and Josh have now directed Noah that he should probably start charging for his services. Everyone seems very impressed (as am I) for his ability to repair these broken devices and get them working again.

Now Noah stands to make a profit from these repairs and the owners stand to get their devices fixed in a highly affordable fashion. What a cool story!




Patty In Her Garden

MAY 04, 2023

Patty In Garden

05/03/23 01:35 PM

Patty has so much love for being outside, and nowhere does it show up more than in her garden. That's her pictured above spending time in her garden.

Whether it's the lettuce for our salad, a mess of greens for the pot on the stove, or spices and herbs for our spaghetti, her efforts in her garden produce a wonderful contribution to our meals. Her efforts in her garden also seem to produce a wonderful contribution to her life as can be clearly seen from the smile on her face, especially when she returns to the house after time tending her garden.

It is such a blessing to have her in my life for I learn so much from her wisdom and I so enjoy her company. And to top it all off, there's nothing more satisfying than seeing her visit her garden and enjoy the rewards of her labor.




Weather

MAY 03, 2023

Tornado 1

05/02/23 10:15 AM

Well, it's Tuesday and it's sunny. The weather is supposed to remain sunny up until Friday.

With the arrival of Friday is supposed to be the arrival of a week of rain. That's according to the forecast anyway.

One thing is for sure - although we've had a lot of rain, the forecast has far exceeded what has truly arrived and hit the ground. Somehow or another, it seems the forecasted rain usually tends to slide by us - either to our north or to our south.

Ohatchee, Alabama has an average annual rainfall of 52 inches. That's 4.33 inches per month.

According to my rain gauge, we had 5.25 last month. We had almost 2 inches in the last week of the previous month when I started measuring. From what I remember, we probably had a similar month to last month with over 5 inches.

The picture above is of an area of Ohatchee, Alabama where an EF-4 tornado struck back on April 27, 2011. With images like this, it's no wonder that they have added storm shelters to new homes up this way (ours included.)

Winds were around 180 mph and for all of the tornadoes that struck that day there were 81 injuries and 22 fatalities according to the National Weather Service. The path of damage for the day was over 70 miles in length.




Antenna Radiation Patterns

MAY 02, 2023

Antenna Radiation Patterns

05/01/23 03:20 PM

Antenna theory, within the world of ham radio, can be very complicated. I would have never guessed some of the results I have had with my antennas.

I was fully expecting to see an improvement when I went from my 20 meter dipole to my hexbeam. However, I was not expecting some of the ways those improvements came about.

For example, I had no idea why I've had such success off the side of the beam. I've heard of a front-to-back ratio and assumed that meant that some signal should be expected off of the back of a beam. Additional research proved that theory to be correct.

However, I'm still only learning why I'm experiencing such benefit off of the sides of the beam and from angles away from the front and the back. I can assure you I had no expectations along those lines.

I'm guessing that the antenna is high enough to act as an omni-directional antenna that includes directional aspects. I was thinking that theory might remain a mystery but further research suggests there are additional lobes in the radiation pattern for a beam. (See image above.)

I know from discussions held long ago that environmental factors also play a part in radiation patterns. For example, how high off of the ground is the antenna? What obstacles are around and/or close by the antenna?

What is the slope of the land upon which the antenna is mounted? Is water close by? How about sunspots, the solar flux index, and A and K indexes? All of these things contribute to the radiation pattern generated by an antenna.

Answers to the questions of radiation patterns are more available than ever before thanks to things like antenna analyzers and pskreporter.info. I love using the latter of those two with my digital modes and am always pleasantly surprised by what I discover.




Jonathan's Drive

MAY 01, 2023

The Drive

04/29/23 08:15 PM

Well, today was a special day. My kind son, Jonathan, made the one+ hour drive to come over and to assist with my ham radio project.

As I've mentioned previously, I completed my Master of Africa award and now need to work on the last award - Master of Oceania. The award focuses upon Australia and many of the islands around that area.

I've got a non-working antenna rotor so the project involved reorienting the antenna away from Africa and toward the Oceania area. Conditions were not favorable today, so the antenna change did not produce any new Oceania contacts, although it did produce a number of other contacts that were mostly based here in the USA.

It didn't take long to reorient the antenna and it was great to have the rest of the day for Patty and I to spend with our son. Patty made a great lunch and dessert and then we all hung out on the back deck to chat and enjoy a beautiful day.

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