And now - summer begins!

"So as we remember the brave souls who died for this country, enjoy the heck out of this weekend. This is the start of summer in Minnesota. And as most of us know, as slowly as winter goes in this state, summer goes by very quickly."

For those of us who are still foolish enough to live in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, Memorial Day is a right of passage. It really is the start of summer. Many folks venture up north to open their long abandon cabin; some brave souls go to one of our many wonderful state parks to camp; and others (like myself) just enjoy the wonderful weather, and count the unlimited shades of green, which are now appearing in the yard.

Hold the phone Bird! What you mean summertime? Did you not look at the temperature gauge this morning? It was 35 degrees! With colder weather to the north of us! Yes, yes, - I know. In my long life, I have lived through some real stinkers on Memorial Day weekend. Cold, rain, even some rare flakes of snow coming down. But this time of year, weather can turn on a dime. It may be 35 degrees this morning (and Mom is worried sick about some of her more fragile plants), but it is going to be a scorcher by next Thursday.

Someone asked me a few years ago, why I continue to live in a frigid, high taxed state such as this. My answer would not be the same today, as we now have grandkids. Prior to grandkids however, I would always gave the same two reasons for living here - May and June.

I love these two months in Minnesota. The state is so wonderful during these two months, it is like Minnesota is apologizing for November thru April. Everything is all things new. Spring literally is bursting out all over - it is laying down a green carpet for summer to entertain us on.

We do however, need to remember this weekend is much more than just picnics, family, fishing, and hiking. It is also a time to remember. Countless thousands of young American men and women gave their all, so the rest of us could have the freedom to enjoy this weekend. Memorial Day is the one weekend of the year, that we honor only the fallen. The ones who went to a far away land, to fight for our (and others) freedom and liberty, and never came home. May God rest their souls.

So as we remember the brave souls who died for this country, enjoy the heck out of this weekend. This is the start of summer in Minnesota. And as most of us know, as slowly as winter goes in this state, summer goes by very quickly.

What is the lessons learned? Each day, every day these two months, enjoy them and live in the moment. Way too soon we will be digging out our sweatshirts and jackets again. Way, way too soon...

  

Biden's Busted Budget

"This is for the 60 + percent who still think 'Uncle Joe' is doing a splendid job. It is time to quit taking your blue pills and WAKE UP! He is ruining this country. He is taking it apart, brick by brick, in record time." 

The man has no shame. He had no brains. He is a fool. Worst of all, he might be a Manchurian Candidate. Might I add, he is also a liar? This was proved again by his son Hunter's laptop. Seems there is some damning evidence on the laptop about Joe Biden meeting with "business associates" of Hunter. Even though Joe Biden has been asked point blank more than once, if he had ever met any of Hunter's business associates (like from Burisma Holdings), Biden denied it. This accidental President is a piece of work.

Today, Biden's new budget is being rolled out. $6 trillion dollars. No - not a typo. That is trillion with a "T". Economists who have looked at this budget have said pretty much the same thing. Inflationary, and very modest growth in the GDP as far as the eye can see. Plus, as one economist said, interest rates are going to be going back up. When that happens, it will cost between 1 and 2 trillion (trillion with a "T") dollars to service the debt.

What really is this budget? First off, not much in there for our border patrol or ICE. Plus not a dime to keep building the wall. It does have free Pre-K, and lots of other goodies for just about everyone. Bottom line? This budget is a socialist dream come true. It will erase equality, and replace it with equity from now on. This is why many (including myself), think there is a Manchurian Candidate involved. If not Biden, then the puppet master(s) pulling his strings.

By the way, besides busting our economy with this ridiculous budget, something else is happening in the background. "Conservatives" and "patriots" are now being conflated with "domestic terrorists". Huh? How? The socialists are using January 6th, to be a new awakening of their twisted politics. They will beat the real lovers of this country, the patriots, with the events which transpired on January 6th. They will use it like a propaganda cudgel. In this new world of up is down and black is white, patriots, lovers of this country, will be looked upon as evil - and the "Squad" will be looked upon as sane. Scotty - time to beam me up! 

This is for the 60 + percent who still think "Uncle Joe" is doing a splendid job. It is time to quit taking your blue pills and WAKE UP! He is ruining this country. He is taking it apart, brick by brick, in record time. 

Biden is transforming the United States of America, into the untied, unfit states of America. In fact, with Biden's form of tyranny, maybe he will also change the spelling of our great nation to something much worse. Like, Amerika.  

When is over, going to be over?

"The question remains, when is over, going to be over? For most of us, the answer should be not soon enough. And yes, it is time for a mask burning party."    

Yikes! I am still seeing some people, walking down the street, with masks on. And why, one might ask? Beats the sugar out of me. Like everyone from the CDC down to the most uninformed person, will all tell you the same thing. Wearing a mask outside, does NO GOOD WHAT-SO-EVER.

This morning in the paper, there was a story about a family who, even though the mask mandate is over, insist on wearing masks in their own house. Huh? What in the world? How does that work? How does supper time work, if everyone is wearing a mask? How about night time? Do you sleep with a mask on? How about shower time? Plus, dare I ask this one? What if mom and dad want to get intimate at night?

I have addressed this many times before, as have countless others. A cloth mask does NOTHING to protect you from viruses. Some cloth masks are three layers thick and have a two level filter. Those are close to be protective, but try breathing through those things for an extended period of time. My wife and I tried them, and we both felt almost light headed from lack of O2.

My wife and I had a medical appointment at a new provider this week. Everyone in the provider's office had been vaccinated. My wife and I have been vaccinated. Still, we had to have our temp taken, hands cleaned with antiseptic, and a provider mask put on. Why? Who knows. About halfway through the appointment I started to think, "when is over, going to be over?" Yikes!

We have been doing this stork dance for over a year now. My friends who believe we can really help protect ourselves by taking proper supplements to keep our natural protections up, might be onto something. Why are kids almost immune to Covid? When we are young, our immunity is very strong. As we age, not so much. Taking supplements, help us maintain some of that natural  immunity. If we have learned nothing more from this past year, we should have learned at least that much. Natural immunity, can lead to herd immunity. 

The question remains, when is over, going to be over? For most of us, the answer should be not soon enough. And yes, it is time for a mask burning party.    

Bullets over Broadway

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have the same crap going on right now in the autonomous zone. This madness is brought to you, live and in color, by the Democrat Party. Enjoy the show."  

Okay. Maybe not Broadway. And maybe this is not about the 1994 musical by Woody Allen called Bullets over Broadway. Let's just called it bullets over George Floyd Square. Huh? What you mean, Birdman? It is all about yesterday. A day in which the President, the Governor of Minnesota, and the Mayor of Minneapolis, tried to make into somewhat of a holy day. In fact, it was such a big shebang, reporters from all over the country were in town to cover it. Including a BBC reporter from the UK. Once again, our sleepy little burg was on display.

Of course, Minneapolis did not disappoint. In a city where after defunding part of the police department, crime is up over 100% percent from the previous year, we showed the world what the wild, wild west really looks like. A bit after 10 in the morning, when some of the reporters were trying to get set up for nice screen shots of the autonomous zone, a noise similar to firecrackers sounded off. Soon, it became evident to all that this noise was not firecrackers - it was a gunfight between two rival gangs. Somewhere between 30 and 40 rounds were exchanged. When it was all over, two wounded thugs were dropped off at HCMC for treatment.

For reporters in town from other big, blue cities, the sound of gunfire is all too familiar. For those from other civilized countries, it was quite a shock. These reporters from other countries did not sign up to cover a war zone. So they thought. But guess what? In the autonomous zone, the "law" is whatever the thugs want it to be. You enter into that area at your own peril. And why in the world won't our elected officials fix this mess? Mob rule. Nobody in our state or local government wants to piss off the mob.

Our country right now, has a huge crime problem. What is the solution to fix this problem according to big, blue city leaders? Get rid of the cops. What cops remain, handcuff them from doing their job. In Brooklyn Center, the City Council recently voted to have their cops do traffic stops unarmed. Sounds good except for one thing. No cop in his or her right mind is going to do a traffic stop armed only with a baton and mace. The result? More lawless behavior.

We live in a world right now, of upside down. Backwards. Black is white, north is south, and the rule of law is crap. This is the world of socialist democrats. This is the world of Jacob Frey. This is the world of Tim Walz. This is the world of Joe Biden. This may not be the world that you and I recognize, but the morons who voted these feckless idiots into office, do recognize it. The inmates are now running the asylum - literally.

In 1981, there was a futuristic movie made called Escape from New York. It was dystopian and dark. It was about the borough of Manhattan in New York City becoming a maximum security prison. Life inside Manhattan was total mayhem and lawlessness.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have the same crap going on right now in the autonomous zone. This madness is brought to you, live and in color, by the Democrat Party. Enjoy the show.  

 

The Wuhan Frankenstein lab...

"Can China ever be worthy of our trust? Not so long as the CCP is running things. They have proven to be untrustworthy time and time again. There are reasons they wanted to get to Hunter and Joe Biden. None of them good reasons. Hopefully, the die is not yet cast." 

The two most pressing questions for many of us, might be getting closer to being answered. First, any time in June, we are due to get a UFO/UAP report from the Pentagon. Could be a doozy, or it could just be a dud. In any event, the Pentagon has been tasked with telling us if these "things" their pilots have been seeing for years now, are a "black" technology of ours, super secret new technology of Russia or China, a "bug" in the new Navy radar, or something from "out there".

The other question is not as much "other worldly", as it is terrifying. Where did the corona virus (Covid) 19 come from? The one which has killed as many as 10 million people worldwide (new estimates from the WHO). Even the regal and very overpaid Dr. Fauci, is questioning if the CCP are playing a shell game with the right information. Bats? Probably not. Wuhan Institute of Virology Lab? Now we might be on to something. But getting to the truth means making it through the maze of the WHO and then the CCP. 

As bad as Covid -19 is, there is a rumble there might be something else cooking in Wuhan which is even worse. Much, much worse. Wait - how can anything be worse than a epidemic? Or a pandemic? Ready? Try a "civilization killer". It would be bio warfare on steroids.

Gordon Chang was on the morning news today. He is one the smartest folks we have on the entire issue of China. He has been convinced for quite a while now, that Covid -19 came out of the Wuhan lab. But because (as it is reported by the WSJ) that three Wuhan scientists got deathly sick in November of 2019 and had to be hospitalized, Chang is suspecting something very nefarious. Like, the CCP Army is looking for a more permanent solution to allow Chinese world domination. In other words, exterminating everyone who does not have Chinese DNA. 

A "civilization killer". A virus developed to be deadly to anyone and everyone who comes in contact with it. That is, unless you have Chinese DNA, which will allow this virus to "pass over" you, without ill effect. 

Where does that leave the rest of us? Hunkered and bunkered for the lucky ones. Dying a terrible death for the not so lucky ones. And if this rumor is true, what can we do? First off, wake up our accidental President. He needs to tell China in no uncertain terms, that we are on to the mischief going on in the Wuhan lab. Insist the lab be shut down - permanently and immediately. Then we need to tell China if they ever did unleash a "killer virus" meant to exterminate us, we would retaliate beyond measure. We would turn as much of China as possible, into a nuclear wasteland. And the first ICBM, would take out the city of Wuhan.

Can China ever be worthy of our trust? Not so long as the CCP is running things. They have proven to be untrustworthy time and time again. There are reasons they wanted to get to Hunter and Joe Biden. None of them good reasons. Hopefully, the die is not yet cast. 

"Broken window" policing and graffiti

"In the local paper this morning, there was an article about taxpayer money being squandered just to keep up with the proliferation of graffiti artists. Young hoodlums in training, are 'tagging' anything and everything they choose to."

Before I get started on the subject at hand, let me first tell you about what I saw on the news this morning. It was an article about St. Louis, Missouri. You know, St. Louis - the Gateway City? The city with the humungous arch? Like most of the big, blue cities in this country right now, they have a huge crime problem. In fact, they just registered a 50 year high in homicides. 50 year! And the new liberal Democrat Mayor - what is her solution? Defund and re-imagine the police. Once again, the sane law and order types, are left just to shake their heads in total amazement. 

What about our little piece of paradise? The Mill City? Well, it was yet another bloody weekend. Little kids being shot, a young man just graduating from St. Thomas being shot, plus others killed and wounded. Our City Council believes that "violence disrupters" and "community influencers" are the solution. Good luck with that one! Meanwhile, crimes which are less severe than homicide are growing in scope and depth. In other words, "broken windows" policing is all but a distant memory. Many of the lawless, now have the run of the land.

When Rudy Giuliani was asked by the citizens of New York City to clean the place up, he started with a basic premise. Any law being broken, is law breaking. In other words, a broken window, done by a perp, is going to be punished. Start with enforcing the small laws, and then the more serious crimes will start to diminish. It worked. The crime stats in NYC fell like a rock under Rudy's leadership. 

In the local paper this morning, there was an article about taxpayer money being squandered just to keep up with the proliferation of graffiti artists. Young hoodlums in training, are "tagging" anything and everything they choose to. Hard to find any kind of railroad car, which does not have some kind of garbage painted on it. These are private property which belongs to a private enterprise. The tagging on I-35 infrastructure is a crime against all taxpayers. But it just goes on. No stopping these taggers. Just cleaning up their mess, on the taxpayer dime.

Minneapolis is on the super highway to become another St. Louis. Or another Chicago. No more sleepy little "cold Omaha". Now we want to be big league. "Murderapolis" we have been called in the past. Nice name, for a town made famous by Lou Grant and Mary Tyler Moore. It is a town now, that most sane people are staying a long way from. 

Back to St. Louis. This is a city which has not practiced "broken window" policing for just about forever. Some woman was interviewed on the news about the mess in St. Louis. "Most of us don't have to be too concerned, as we just don't go there. The suburbs we live in have police who are empowered. We do worry however, if we have to go into St. Louis to see a sporting event." 

Minneapolis, you are not dead yet, but are close to being on life support. People don't want to live there, work there, eat there, or go to sporting events there. What few cops who remain, are treated with total disrespect. Almost to the point of young thugs being abusive towards law enforcement.

Minneapolis is now reaping what is has sown. The town is littered with crime and graffiti. Driving in parts of the city is like being on a Hollywood set, filming a movie about a dystopian future. Only this is reality. This is Jacob Frey's and Lisa Bender's mess - their reality. As for the rest of us, we will stay in our universe, and out of this alternate universe, called Minneapolis.    

Unbridled Joy

"How did one know that my friend Jodie had this unbridled joy? It was written on his face, demonstrated by his manners and mannerisms, and how he lived his life." 

Listening to a song the other day called Praise you in the Storm, sung by the group Casting Crowns, reminded me of the unbridled joy in a believer's life. How in the midst of trouble and turmoil, a follower of Jesus can find joy. Not just a little joy, but unbridled joy. Does that make any sense, what-so-ever? Actually, it does.

M-W defines the term "unbridled" as "unrestrained or uncontrolled". So unbridled joy, is joy which is joy which is unrestrained or uncontrolled. The Holy Bible talks about joy numerous times in numerous places. How we are to be joyful in our faith. Still, many times it is easier said than done.

In the early 70's, while serving in Okinawa, I was stationed on a small Army base, close to Kadena Air Base. One of my shipmates was a young man named Jodie. He was different than most others. There was something about him which attracted him to me as a friend. He was deep in the faith, and yet did not protolyze. He would just live his faith with joy. How did one know that my friend Jodie had this unbridled joy? It was written on his face, demonstrated by his manners and mannerisms, and how he lived his life. 

There was a small chapel on this small base. Three services every week. A Jewish service on Saturdays, a Catholic Mass on early Sunday morning, and then a ecumenical Protestant service later on Sunday morning. Jodie and I would attend the Protestant service together. Coming from a stayed Lutheran background, I always loved to watch Jodie worship. His worship experience growing up was anything but stayed. The man knew how to get his worship on.

Jodie is in the picture above. He is the one who gave me my first lesson in leading a joyful life. Later in life, when I became involved with the Alpha Program, I started to understand living with joy much better. How to live more joyful in everything I do. I am not there yet. But I am trying. I am still a work in progress.     

Karen - GO HOME!

"Actually, none the 'Karen's' get it. It is time for all of them to just go home, and leave the rest of us alone." 

As I live and breath. Last night I got "Karened" at a take out restaurant. I went in to get my order sans mask. Why? Three reasons: 1) I didn't want to, 2) I was only in there for less than a minute, and 3) The CDC, President, and Governor of this state told me that if vaccinated, masks were unnecessary. But that did not stop some crochety old Democrat from going full blown "Karen" on me. I thought for a minute, he was going to burst a blood vessel. SMH.

It is time for all "Karen's" to go home. Like, get the blank out of here. Get the blank out of our faces. It is not okay to live under this lie anymore. Lie? What lie? That cloth masks protect you from viruses. They do not. Only a medical mask like a N95 or N100 will protect you. I have heard this over and over and over again by medical professionals. A cloth mask will protect others from the moisture (with attached viruses) we exhale, cough or sneeze. And that is it. Period. 

I have also been told by medical professionals, wearing a mask outdoors, unless your space bubble is less than a foot, is useless. Don't need it. Vaccinated or not, you DON'T NEED A MASK OUTDOORS. If you are indoors, and want to be super safe, limit your time. Like going into a take out restaurant for less than a minute is about as safe for everyone, as one could get.

I have never "Karened" anyone. None of my business. If someone wears or does not wear a mask, that is up to that person. Same with getting vaccinated. Someone needs to tell Ms. Nancy these facts. Many Republican Congressmen and women have been listening to the CDC. They don't need to be wearing a mask while in the House of Representatives. "Oh, no", said the Botox lady. "If you don't wear a mask, I will fine you. I will not have this House turned into a petri dish." Huh? 

Back to last night. When I was asked where my mask was, I told the truth. It was in the wash. I was washing my masks, so I could pack them away. Why? No longer need them. The lady behind the counter said, "You know, you can by disposable masks to keep in your car". I smiled at her and said, "Sure can - and I bet they are real cheap right now." She didn't get it.

Actually, none the "Karen's" get it. It is time for all of them to just go home, and leave the rest of us alone. 

Our Accidental President

"Why is Joe Biden accidental? He should have never been picked. Someone said Biden's family allowing Slo Joe to be put into this situation, is tantamount to elder abuse. And what Biden is doing to this country right now is taxpayer and citizen abuse."  

Did you know that Joe Biden is solely responsible for curing Covid - 19? Ending the pandemic? Parting the Red Sea? Okay - maybe not parting the Red Sea, but he sure is anxious to take credit for the hard work others have done on Covid. But what has Joe done then? In his first 150 days? Not much. Except undo many of the good things that Donald Trump had put into play. In fact, knowing that Biden still carries a 60% approval rating, speaks volumes about the electorate. It also explains how a moron like Joe could have beat an incumbent President who actually got things done. 

For those of us who are paying attention, whenever Biden tries to take credit for Operation Warp Speed, it is like nails on the chalkboard. Biden did NOTHING to create Warp Speed. Donald Trump was the one who "plowed the road" to shortstop the regulatory FDA approval maze, was well as helping to garner funding for the pharma companies who would do the heavy lifting. To date, our accidental President has not given Donald Trump one iota of credit for this miracle of medicine. 

How about the Egyptians? You know, the ones with the guts to wade into this quagmire and help forge a cease fire between Israel and Hamas? Never mind it was Egypt who deserves the peace prize for doing this - Joe Biden got on national TV and claimed credit yesterday. Wait - what? How could Biden claim credit for something he had NOTHING to do with? I don't know - you will have to ask Slo Joe.

BTW - one thing many of us have wondered is how the wounds healed so fast after the blistering Commie Harris gave Slo Joe in that infamous debate. Like, when she all but called him a racist. Seems that even though Joe looked like he was getting ready for beddy-bye time, on the inside, he was doing a slow burn. And "Dr." Biden, Slo Joe's wife, was even more pissed than Joe was. Then why in the world did Biden pick Harris? Because she is supposedly the first black female who served as Veep. The reason I say "supposedly", is whenever Harris says she is black, her parents dispute that fact. Ouch.

Someone said that having Biden and Harris as our President and Vice President is like having a pilot and co-pilot flying a commercial airliner. When neither the pilot or co-pilot know how to fly a plane. Meanwhile us passengers (taxpayers), are sitting in coach, wetting our pants. Why? With this flight crew, the chances of a successful landing are dubious. Our only chance of a successful landing with this flight crew, is if we can get better air traffic controllers (House and Senate) in 2022.

Why is Joe Biden accidental? He should have never been picked. Someone said Biden's family allowing Slo Joe to be put into this situation, is tantamount to elder abuse. And what Biden is doing to this country right now is taxpayer and citizen abuse.  

Garage Prepping?

"Prepping is being prepared in good times. Hoarding is panic buying in bad times. In the southeast and eastern part of the United States, many folks would have given their eyeteeth for some five gallon cans of gasoline."

Last year, I did something I have dreamed about for years. I had our garage floor coated with an epoxy "fleck". Not only does it make the garage floor much more durable (especially living in this harsh environment), but it also makes the garage floor look more "inside" than "outside". Half the fun now that winter is over, is putting my "stuff" back in the garage, and having it look truly, like an outside "man land".

As the garage (my outside man land) started to take shape, I posted a picture of it on social media. Got some interesting comments, especially concerning how much charcoal and gas cans I have. Like, I guess I have more than average. To that charge, I plead guilty. But there is method in my madness. And this past month, exhibit "A" to why I prep my garage, was played out with the Colonial Pipeline.

Prepping is being prepared in good times. Hoarding is panic buying in bad times. In the southeast and eastern part of the United States, many folks would have given their eyeteeth for some five gallon cans of gasoline. Many started to hoard. But many others, did have some stored gasoline. If you lived in WDC, and did not have stored gasoline, you were really in trouble. About 80% of the gas stations were out of gas. Having a few gas cans in your garage (fuel stabilized), is a smart play. Besides being there for emergency purposes, they also fuel your lawnmower and/or tractor.

Now the charcoal. Why have more than one bag? I read an article a few years ago, about cooking your food if the natural gas and/or electricity got shut off. We have seen the ransomware or malware hackers can shut down just about anything at any time. Having charcoal and/or cooking gas on hand in your garage to use on your grill, will allow you to cook some of your food. Matches, charcoal lighter, cooking gas, and charcoal are handy to have around. Plus - they don't expire - and are not affected by temperature.

In any event, doing the garage floor really dresses up the entire garage. It makes it look brighter and more inviting. I have had a couple people ask if I am happy with it. Extremely so. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Do I have it set up like in the image above? Nope - not even close. But I do have it set up where it makes sense to me. Where it is comfortable to me. 

Bottom line? When I am outside busting my butt doing yard work, having that little piece of man land paradise, works just fine for me.

 

Name calling

"Have I forgiven this person for calling me this once powerful name? Sure. Do I care that he called me that? Not really. Like I said, I was bemused and amused, as the name does not mean anything anymore." 

Big news! Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I got called a racist! You mean, by someone of color I might have insulted? Nope. It was a white liberal. Did I say something which deserved that retort from a Woke limousine liberal? No again. Not even close. But there is more to this story.

In my Navy career, I worked for people of color, with people of color, and had people of color working for me. Nary one issue - ever. In my civilian career, I worked for people of color, and worked with people of color. Nary one issue - ever. Worked with many different people of color in my church associations, volunteer associations, working with the homeless and hungry. Nary one issue - ever. By the way - never been called a sexist either. But I digress. 

What did I think when I got called a racist? Bemused, and then amused, more than anything else. My wife and I have talked about this "racist" term for a while now. How is used, overused and abused by the left. Bottom line? The left has ruined this once powerful word. Today, it means nothing like it used to. People who get called racists by white fragility types, are met with a "whatever" or just a "meh".

When we talk past each other, when we name call, when we seek to besmirch instead of edify, we as a society, lose out. In fact, when I explained to this name caller, that most of us conservatives are "color blind", because we took MLK's famous speech to heart, this Woke limousine liberal accused Republicans of "misappropriating" Dr. Kings words. That the Party of Lincoln has changed over the years, and it is really us who are racists. Rubbish!

Have I forgiven this person for calling me this once powerful name? Sure. Do I care that he called me that? Not really. Like I said, I was bemused and amused, as the name does not mean anything anymore. 

Onward and upward. We have bigger fish to fry. America is at the tipping point, and we need all hands on deck to save this great nation. The damage being done to America right now is huge. We have no time for name calling. Only action. 

 

Mill City mayhem

"Blue cities. Baltimore, Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis and many others. Most have turned into a toxic brew of wanton crime and a visceral distain for cops. Welcome to our brave new world of urban living. That is, if you can call it living."  

We are now coming up on the one year anniversary of the George Floyd incident. Derick Chauvin has been charged with his murder (and awaiting sentencing), so peace should have returned to the shire - right? Well - not exactly. Minneapolis is still a very dangerous place to live. With cops retiring by the dozens, and the City Council still calling to have "a different kind of policing" in town, crime is having a field day. Like what? 

This past weekend, a young girl was shot in the head while playing on the family trampoline. What was her crime? Nothing - just playing. Some gang bangers in a car decided to spray bullets at another target. But bullets are dangerous - especially in the hands on an untrained, unlicensed shooter. One of the wayward bullets hit the young girl in the head. She is now fighting for her life.

Another person was shot and killed by other gang bangers. Shot from a moving car. Why? No idea. All I know is it added to the already high number of homicides in Minneapolis so far this year. But who needs cops, right? Minneapolis just needs "influencers" and social workers to talk folks out of crime. 

Here are some eye openers so far this year (taken from Minneapolis Date Source website):

Homicides:                      26

Rape:                            150

Robbery:                       601

Assault:                        858

Domestic Assault:        259

Burglary:                      807

Larceny:                    3,279

Auto Theft:                1,338

Arson:                           32

Besides Minneapolis having a crippled police force, plus an out of touch (and very sophomoric City Council), they also have a boy-Mayor who only knows how to dog paddle in the deep end of the pool. When the times call for adults being in charge and turn this thing around, Minneapolis has graduate students from the "Dr. Phil school of hug therapy" running things. Meanwhile, the Mill City is a great city to be from - far, far from.

Minneapolis is intent on becoming more like Chicago. Still have a ways to go, as Chicago's murder rate is eye popping, year after year. How so? This year, Chicago has recorded 227 homicides as compared to 26 in Minneapolis. But the car jacking rate in Minneapolis this past year has been through the roof. Many of them happening in broad daylight.

Blue cities. Baltimore, Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis and many others. Most have turned into a toxic brew of wanton crime and a visceral distain for cops. Welcome to our brave new world of urban living. That is, if you can call it living.  

  

Channeling our better selves

"Where does that leave us? It leaves us in control of our situation. We can channel our better selves by reading the book of instructions which has been around since the beginning. The Word of God is what will change things. It is what will change us. Always has been, always will be." 

As many, if not most of us have noticed, the very fabric which holds this great nation together is starting to look a bit frayed around the edges. There are a myriad of reasons for what is happening to us. I don't think any one of us has it all figured out as yet. All we know, is that something is wrong - terribly wrong. Every marker we can think of or imagine, is now pointing in the wrong direction. So what can we do? What can only one person do to help turn things around?

I have looked deep into my own self as of late. Am I helping, hurting, or just existing? Then it dawned on me. Am I channeling my better self? I know this might sound corny, but have I become part of the problem, or part of the solution? Then I started to think about how God wants us to act. I thought about the greatest commandment - "Love thy God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as you love yourself."

I started thinking about that very sage direction which divinely came to us two thousand years ago. What kind of a world, what kind of a country would we have today, if we all truly following that greatest of all commandments? Even in a broken world, things would be much closer to perfect than we have today.

Instead of talking at each other, or past each other, we would be able to talk to each other. The only race we would be concerned with is the human race. Houses could remain unlocked, as we would not steal from each other. We would be looking at each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, rather than people of different tribes. Violence would be a word used infrequently, as it would have no meaning. 

As messed up as things appear to be right now, guess what? God is still in control. The Creator of everything great and small, is still in control. Is He disappointed with us in the way we act at times? I would guess yes. But the agape love which the Lord has for us, trumps anger and disappointment. If we can only show just a fraction of the kind of love for each other which God has for us, things would start to turn around quickly in this world.

Where does that leave us? It leaves us in control of our situation. We can channel our better selves by reading the book of instructions which has been around since the beginning. The Word of God is what will change things. It is what will change us. Always has been, always will be. 

The death of the face diaper!

What am I going to do with my old cloth masks which were not that effective anyhow? Put them on Ebay? Burn them? Save them as souvenirs from a sad period in our history? I guess my vote is the burn pit. 

Today just might be the day! Now that the nitwit who is running the CDC has FINALLY given the correct guidance on masks (to get rid of them), the President and our Governor were close behind. Of course, the twin socialists who are Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, differ with the higher ups. "Oh no", they said - "We are keeping our mask mandates!" Hey Mayors - don't you have bigger fish to fry right now? Like, your out of control crime? Just asking...

I have never been a big fan of the mask. Why? At the beginning of the pandemic, there were short episodes of truth telling by "medical experts". They told America that masks are worthless. Other than the N95 or N100 masks, which we were asked not to buy as the CCP  hoarded much of the world's supply before pandemic really set in, cloth masks are only decoration.

About a year ago, at St. Luke's International University in Tokyo, an extensive study was done on cloth masks. It was to determine the effectiveness of cloth masks. Funny, the results of this highly accredited study were not made public in our country. The Tokyo study found that most cloth masks had 100% "leakage" with the novel coronavirus. In other words, they are as worthless as screen doors on submarines. 

The question has already been asked. If today's guidance is only for people who have had both shots (or just one with J+J), and then two weeks thereafter have the proper protection, can others cheat? My response? Who cares? Some people are immune due to having the antibodies from already having Covid, some folks have natural immunity, and some folks are willing to just risk it. I am just fine with everyone going mask-less, and getting their old space bubbles back. Shots or no shots, I am fine with it.

What am I going to do with my old cloth masks which were not that effective anyhow? Put them on Ebay? Burn them? Save them as souvenirs from a sad period in our history? I guess my vote is the burn pit. 

The four political parties of 2021

"How is this going to play out in the 2022 midterms? I have no clue. All I know is this - should the AOC Socialist faction win out in 2022, what will be left of our great nation, will be in tatters."

What are you talking about Bird? We only have two major political parties, and a bunch of splinter parties on the side. Where did this four party hogwash come from? My opinion? It came from reality. And part of reality was yesterday, when Liz Cheney was ousted from her leadership post in the Republican Party. Why? Although her voting record was mostly conservative, she became a "Never Trumper". These days, being a "Never Trumper" in the Party of Lincoln is not a good place to be.

A friend of mine sent me a note yesterday, and was not happy about Liz being tossed out of her position, just because she didn't care for Donald Trump. "This is why we are a minority party right now." He had somewhat of a point. Democrats, will stick together like glue, even if Genghis Khan or Jeffery Dahmer were their guys. Republicans like purity tests. Sometimes, so much so, it fractures the party. But I digress. Who exactly are the four parties?

Trump Republicans - Right now, there are tens of millions of Americans who absolutely love what Donald Trump has done for America. How he woke many of us up. Made America great again. Donald Trump is one of those rare types, that people either love fiercely, or hate with a passion. Very few are neutral on this man. In the past, there were many times you needed a microscope to see the difference between a cottage Republican, and a moderate Democrat. Donald Trump is a Republican who stands tall in bright red colors, and looks NOTHING like any kind of today's Democrat.

Establishment Republicans - Sometimes called RINOs, or the "good old boys (or girls)". We have seen them for years. The Bushes, Mitt Romney, Bob Dole, or parts of the Senate and House. The "reach across the aisle folks", to find common ground. The problem is, common ground no longer exists. Reaching across the aisle today, means surrendering your position. Many citizens and patriots have watched this practice for years, and wondered who in the world was representing them. The party was ripe for an iconoclastic, bull in the china shop type candidate. Someone with the guts and wisdom to overturn the tables in the temple. And in 2016, they found him.

Establishment Democrats - Look quickly, as these folks are disappearing faster than the Dodo bird. Once common in Congress, they looked more like Americans with goofy ideas than socialists. But no longer. The establishment (or "conservative") Democrats have either left office voluntarily, lost in a primary, been beat in a general election, or -  changed. Changed? Changed into what? Next paragraph please.

AOC Socialists - This next group, I can't even begin to call Democrats. There is nothing in the establishment Democrats which look even close to this crowd. This new, younger group of Turks, who have had their heads filled with government school mush, now have positions of power. Because they have been taught revisionist history, Common Core nonsense, and Critical Race gobblety gook, they have no clue on what they are doing. But they are "woke". They staunchly believe that taking this country in a new, uncharted direction towards socialists gulags, is the way to go. Wealth - bad, sameness - good. Equality - bad, equity - good. White - bad, color - good. Who is an example of someone who has morphed to fit into this group? One only need look to the White House. 

How is this going to play out in the 2022 midterms? I have no clue. All I know is this - should the AOC Socialist faction win out in 2022, what will be left of our great nation, will be in tatters. Already Biden has taken down the road to ruin. And the road to redemption? Can't hardly see it anymore.  

   

An angry, dangerous world - erupts

"Welcome to Biden's America. Shortages. Hyper inflation. Ransomware. Violence. Riots. Wars. Lawlessness. Tyranny. Anybody have buyer's remorse? None of my friends voted for him. Those who might have voted for Slo Joe, are keeping their heads low, and mouths shut."

What has happened to our nation, the "shining city on a hill" for all to see? I will tell you what happened. We had an election. And for reasons that few of us totally understand right now (although, we have strong suspicions), one of the best Presidents we have ever had, got beat by a confused old dolt. And then the "baddies" in the world cheered. It was now time for the "baddies" to test this old man, who has afternoon cookies and warm milk before going to bed. As America slides into a socialist stupor, an angry, dangerous world - erupts.

Someone on the news asked a very frank question yesterday. In the midst of the largest ransomware attack in recent history, a southern border to our country, which is now being controlled by Mexican cartels, violence, spiking in just about every American city, and the new mess in Israel - how much of this is Joe Biden's fault? Either directly or indirectly? The organization which was once known as the unbiased media, still thinks it is Donald Trump's fault. Most clear thinking Americans however, know the truth. This is all Joe Biden, and the cabal of socialists who control him.

As soon as Biden got into office, he gave Hamas money. Just like Obama did. Hamas then takes the money, goes to Iran, and buys a boatload of new rockets to fire at Israel. Trump would have never have done that. He might have given Hamas some money, but there would have been a strong string attached. If Hamas had done some crap like this under Trump, he would have financially cut them off at the knees. Or worse. What has Biden done? He has taken another nap.

Back to the southern border. We now have people flying into Mexico from Venezuela, taking a bus up to the border, and surrendering to the border patrol. We have folks from Africa, the Middle East, Asia - all over coming to the southern border. Why? The word has gotten out. Joe Biden has invited them here. "Come to America, stay for the bennies! We will shower you with cash and goodies!" This is a transformation of our country which few saw coming. That is, except for the socialists who operate Biden. They knew exactly what was coming. 

The ransomware attack from Russia? Biden does not believe his buddy Putin was involved. On this issue, Biden is a minority of one. Of course, Putin knew about it. Of course, Putin could stop it. This would not have happened under Trump. If it had, Trump would have been on the red phone calling Vladimir, and the conversation would not have been pleasant. He would threaten retaliation, not with bombs and missiles, but rather ones and zeroes. What is Biden doing? Nappy nap time.

Welcome to Biden's America. Shortages. Hyper inflation on some critical items. Ransomware. Violence. Riots. Lawlessness. Tyranny. Anybody have buyer's remorse? None of my friends voted for him. Those who might have voted for Slo Joe, are keeping their heads low, and mouths shut.

What else does the world have coming, to test our accidental President? I shudder to think. I expect North Korea or China to be the next ones to act up.

Rome burned while Nero played his fiddle. Today, the world is burning while Biden brushes up on his social engineering - especially critical race theory. That is Biden's "fiddle". Lord help us all... 

 

Infrastructure Woes...

"The time is now to prevent Darkside, and others like them, going from a cottage industry, to a full blown organization. It is time to see if our President is just an empty suit, or if there is anything there, to protect this great nation."   

I guess up here in the north country, we can all be grateful we don't live in the southeast or eastern part of the country - this time. Colonial Pipeline Company, which supplies almost half of the gasoline and jet fuel to the eastern part of the United States, is all but shut down (again) today. Why? Welcome to the 21st century, of ones and zeroes. 

Darkside Ransomware, a criminal enterprise which exists in Mother Russia, is responsible for this cyber attack. Even though Russia has claimed no responsibility for the attack (even though Darkside is an organization which exists within Russia), few of us believe it. We do know this however - the United States got caught a bit flatfooted by this latest ransomware crime. 

Here is the weird thing about this attack. Darkside has told the world, they have no intention of hurting anybody. All they want is the ransom. Once it is paid, they will assist the victim organization, on how to restore their services. (This one is hard to believe) - They even have a "help desk" to walk you though the restoration process. Meanwhile, the price of gas is going up, and the lines at many gas stations in the southeast, are getting longer.

Here is the bottom line. This cyber attack, albeit bad and very disruptive, could have been much, much worse. Like, what if a cyber attack happened on any part of our ancient and frail electric grid? That would be terrible this time of year, and deadly if it happened in the winter time. Or an attack on the stock market, which perturbated many big time traders? Or an attack on our water pipelines, or sewage pipelines? Or a nuclear plant? The list of potential targets for a cyber attack is almost endless.

Now this is mostly for Slo Joe. Your "Infrastructure Bill" is mostly made up of fluff. Things which are NOT infrastructure, even though you are trying hard to change the definition of the term. What we REALLY need in our infrastructure right now, is updating many critical items we depend on, making them more robust and "smart". Otherwise, what is happening with Colonial Pipeline might only be the first act in a long line of disruptive, or maybe even horrific events in our country.

It is time to take off the gloves with these "baddies" who think they can hide behind the former Iron Curtain. They are not immune nor invincible. I would like to see this accidental President we have, first, grow a pair. Tell Putin we hold him partially responsible for this attack, and then inform the cyber criminals that we are not paying them a cent. If oil is not flowing through the pipeline they attacked by tonight at midnight (GMT), everyone responsible will be a "dead man walking". Yes, we do have versions of Jack Ryan on our side.

The time is now to prevent Darkside, and others like them, going from a cottage industry, to a full blown organization. It is time to see if our President is just an empty suit, or if there is anything there, to protect this great nation.   

  

Spaced Out?

"So what are they then? Aliens? Intelligent life from another planet, another dimension, or another time? Whatever (or whomever) is behind these thousands of sightings we have had over the past 70 years, are unknown to most of us, but I believe fully known to parts of our government."

Did you hear the big space news last week? You mean the 10 story tall Chinese rocket which was going to fall to Earth (last) Sunday? Uh - no. But it the rocket did fall, and the odds were in our favor. What did not burn up in re-entry, landed harmlessly in the Indian Ocean. You must mean the news about Space X, launching another 60 satellites for Starlink? No - that is not big news either (happens all the time). Then what in the world (or, outside the world) could it be?

Our normally buttoned down, keep a deep secret, Defense Department has made a shocking announcement. A few different publications of merit, have recently disclosed that the Pentagon confessed it is in position of "alien material" and has been testing it. Some of this material includes the "memory metal" which goes back to the 1947 Roswell days. What? Wow!

It seems the FOIA process has finally struck gold. UFO/UAP researcher Anthony Bragalia has sent FOIA requests to the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) to find out just what is up with all these rumors. This has been tried before, many times, by many others. What is released (if anything), are sheets of almost totally redacted nothingness. This time however, the Pentagon opened up their kimono, and did an astonishing disclosure.

Some of us are saying it is about time. These intrusions of our airspace by "somethings" have been going on for way too long. In 1952, several UFOs hovered right over our nation's Capitol. Who did they belong to? Never found out. And then the Phoenix lights in 1997, when a mile side UFO silently slid across Arizona, including the city of Phoenix. And who did that belong to? Again, no clue. 

Senator Marco Rubio is very concerned, and wants some detailed answers. Not that he is worried that these UFO/UAP sightings might be "little green men", he is more concerned that Russia or China have come up with some break out technologies, and we have no answer for it. My take? It is indeed possible that these sightings could be from another country here on Earth. But highly unlikely. Our intelligence services would have had some clue on this over the years. Something like this would have been way too hard to keep covered up.

So what are they then? Aliens? Some intelligent life from another planet, another dimension, or another time? Whatever (or whomever) is behind these thousands of sightings we have had over the past 70 years are unknown to most of us, but I believe fully known to parts of our government.

First the "Tic Tac" Navy video was released, and now this FOIA response. Are we in the first stages of the long anticipated "disclosure"? Stay tuned on this one. Rumor has it there will more coming in June.   

The Mother's Day Trifecta

"In any event, as I have gotten up in years, I sold my Lund fishing boat. Too big, and too heavy for me. Plus, I no longer fish on opener. Whatever fishing acumen I have left is to be shared with my grandies." 

Today is my Mother's birthday. She would have been 103 today. As it was, she lived to be almost 97. All in all, she had a good life. Married for 66 years, lived in her dream home for 50. There were a few bumps along the road, but like I said, for the most part, she lived a good life.

But as much as I liked to celebrate her birthday with her, there was always something lurking right around the corner. Mother's Day. She really disliked (sometimes more than disliked), when Mother's Day hit on the same weekend as her birthday (like this one). The only thing which could aggravate her more, were those rare occurrences when her birthday AND Mother's Day hit on May 8th. Ouch!

Then to finish the trifecta, was something I enjoyed doing once a year, which often times also happened on this weekend. Fishing opener. After suffering through a long, cold winter in Minnesota, the thought of being out in a boat on a beautiful May weekend was better than good. It was a right of passage, for living in this northern state. Myself and two friends from work had an annual date to fish on this weekend.

Now, if I mix Mom's birthday, Mother's Day, and fishing opener all up into the same weekend, it became a real conundrum. A big time puzzle. Often times my Mom would say things like, "I don't understand why fishing opener has to be so close to Mother's Day!" I agreed with her. I often thought Minnesota should be like Wisconsin, and open up Walleye AND Bass season on May 1st. 

Sometimes I would tease Mom by saying, "It is too bad Mother's Day does not come in February - then there would be no conflict." Needless to say, that went over like passing gas in church. I was on the receiving end of a cold stare, and some harsh words. 

In any event, as I have gotten up in years, I sold my Lund fishing boat. Too big, and too heavy for me. Plus, I no longer fish on opener. Whatever fishing acumen I have left is to be shared with my grandies. 

I would however, give my eyeteeth to have my Mother back to celebrate both Mother's Day and her birthday. Bottom line - I could have fished on any other weekend during the summer. Those two days in early May were very special to my Mother. And to see her joy in celebrating those two events, made them very special to me also. 

Toxic Masculinity?

 

                                             

"I am a fan of NCIS and Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I am not a fan of John Kerry, Barack Obama, Joe Biden or Pete Buttigieg."

Okay. I am game. What the Sam Hill is "toxic masculinity"? Is that yet another name or term I need to be concerned about? Like "white privilege" or "white fragility"? Or do I add it to the fact I have been accused by the left of being homophobic, xenophobic, sexist, racist, or whatever? Did you know that NCIS is just finishing its 18 season? And there are rumors about a season 19? What does that have to do with anything, you might ask? The answer is simple. Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, is a man's man. He is the polar opposite of girly men like John Kerry and Barack Obama. Although the character of Gibbs is flawed, most guys (like myself), would like to have a couple of shots of bourbon (in a dirty glass) with Gibbs in his boat building basement. And just talk about "stuff". Is Gibbs a sexist? Hardly. A racist? Not at all. Does he suffer from "toxic masculinity"? Nope. He does however, have a huge dose of just plain masculinity.

What is it with these new socialist Democrats? Why can't they just let us be? Quit rewriting our history. Like, America stated in 1619 instead of when our colonies became a Republic. Or even when our Constitution was ratified. Nope - we had to pick a day back in the pilgrim era, when our country was not even a country. When slavery was common amongst many nations of many colors. And the loony left wants our kids to be taught that our early settlers were not explorers - they were conquerors. Those early white guys enslaved just about everybody. 

It has been asked many times, if we had a "D-Day" event today, could we get enough brave young souls to storm the beaches? When I think of being a "man's man", I think of Normandy. These young men, barely old enough to shave, went into a hellish salvo, knowing the chances of getting killed or wounded were high. But they still did it. Many were killed or wounded. But D-Day was a success, and the war started to turn.

Let's compare those brave men of World War II, with girly men like John Kerry. Kerry, who when he got back from Viet Nam and started to hair out, he could not wait to show his anti-war rant. This former Secretary of State, threw his medals over the White House fence. There are terms other than "toxic masculinity" I could use to describe John Kerry, but that would violate my code of conduct on this blog. Suffice it to say that John Kerry would not have lasted one season (as Gibbs) on NCIS.

Sorry, if I am coming across as a cisgender (another new term) male. I am a fan of NCIS and Leroy Jethro Gibbs. I am not a fan of John Kerry, Barack Obama, Joe Biden or Pete Buttigieg. Does this country have too much "toxic masculinity"? No - but it does have a shortage of good old normal masculinity. Especially at the top. 

 

 

A normal summer?

"We need to realize that (thanks to the CCP), Covid-19 may be with us maybe forever. Or, it might just mutate itself into oblivion, and disappear. In any event, we (as a nation) have spent over a year playing duck and cover. Enough."

Today is May 6th. The day after Cinco de Mayo. A few days before Mother's Day. It is the National Day of Prayer (which we should have weekly, instead of yearly). We have been told by our Governor, who always is on the level with us about the pandemic (a bit of satire), we might have a normal summer. Say what? Here is a news flash for the Governor, the President, or whomever. We ARE going to have a normal summer. Period. End of story.

If I were in charge, this is how summer would look. Twins - Starting in June, every game should be as full as fans want it to be. I mean, over 50% of us will be vaccinated by that time, and even some doctors are admitting there are certain folks who have natural immunity. Or anti-bodies from having Covid earlier. So, PLAY BALL! Sell that sucker out! BTW - the same applies to the Vikings this fall. Sell that sucker out also!

State Fair. No, we are not looking at it. We are doing it! The vendors can claim their spots, the entertainers can get booked, and the Midway should be fully operational. By Mid-August, we should have over 60% vaccinated. I mean, the reason most of us volunteered to have the jab with this new vaccine, was to get back to normal. What we have had in 2020 and so far in 2021, does not cut it. Not in my normal category.

Restaurants? Fully open in June. This stupidity of wearing mask in the front door and then taking it off when you get seated has got to stop. It makes no sense. In addition, all bars open like they were before the pandemic. Same with movie theaters. And gyms. Plus concerts, both inside and outside. 

Finally churches. I think they have been hit the hardest of all. Open them up, no social seating in the pews, and masks will only be voluntary. It is nice to go to church again, rather than watching it on the computer. But it is still not normal. Having church be church again, like it was before the pandemic, would really help - all of us.

We need to realize that (thanks to the CCP), Covid-19 may be with us maybe forever. Or, it might just mutate itself into oblivion, and disappear. In any event, we (as a nation) have spent over a year playing duck and cover. Enough.

Our Governor should declare June 1st, as the first day of "return to normal". It is time. We are long overdue. Time to start living again. 

Drugged out in Minnesota

"One needs to wonder if Biden and the Democrats are really that dumb, that stupid, that tone deaf, they can not see what is happening by opening up our southern border. Why, then why, did Biden do it?" 

The interesting (yet depressing) news which hit recently, is the shockingly high number of drug overdoses in Minnesota last year. The reason(s) "why" could be vast and varied. But the fact remains, that in 2020, 1008 Minnesotans died from drug overdoses. And the outrage? We seemed to have missed it. Should we be pissed off about this? The fact that drugs are making into our state, drugs (like fentanyl), which are strong enough to kill a horse, much less a person?

Many drugs are making up from the southern border. Why? Even though some are caught by the border patrol, the drugs which make it to Minnesota are part of the "get aways". The amount of illegal aliens, illegal drugs, gang bangers, terrorists which are referred to as "get aways", have skyrocketed since Slo Joe has opened up the southern border.

Here is the real scary part. The number of drug deaths were over 1,000 in Minnesota BEFORE Biden became President. BEFORE the southern border was opened up. Already this year, sheriffs all over the country are sounding the alarm about bad things and bad people making into their territory. Making into their territory, after waltzing across our open southern border.

One needs to wonder if Biden and the Democrats are really that dumb, that stupid, that tone deaf, they can not see what is happening by opening up our southern border. Why, then why, did Biden do it? When so much progress had been made under Donald Trump? Hatred. Pure and simple hatred for Trump. Hatred so strong, Biden will throw the security of our country under the bus. He should immediately be impeached for doing such a thing. The death of any American by drugs which come across our open border, is on his watch. He is accountable.

Even though the Republicans picked up seats in the House in the 2020 election, losing control of the Senate, has relegated the Party of Lincoln to be nothing more than spectators, as Biden destroys our security. Many are saying that when we take back the House and Senate in 2022, we can muzzle this socialist President. But that might be too late for many. The damage he has done in 100 has been immense. The further damage he can do before 2022 might be incalculable.

Welcome to 2021. We could not wait until 2020 was over, so we could get into 2021. Now, we can't wait until 2022. 

  

 

Through the roof pricing

"Is there any blue sky with all this economic cloudiness? Yes - interest rates. Interest rates are still close to zero to mortgages and most car sales. However, this might not be the case for much longer. Any additional risks, besides hyper inflation? Yep - government spending."

It all started earlier this year, when my insurance company informed me the premium on our house was going up - way up. When I got the notification, I immediately got on the phone to make an inquiry. I mean, in the almost 40 years we have lived here, we have had only four claims. Two of those were due to roof damage from hail, and the other two were very minor.

The insurance agent on the phone informed me the only reason for the increase was the "rebuilding cost". In other words, should we have a total loss on our house (due to fire or something), the rebuilding cost was up many thousands of dollars. I was perplexed. "Why?" I asked. "The price of materials, specifically lumber" the agent said. Not having bought any lumber for a while, I had no clue of just how much lumber had gone up.

Here it is only May 4th, and the price of lumber is up 67% since the first of the year. And (here is the whopper) - up 340% from a year ago. So what has that done to the price of a house? According to CNBC, it has added about $36,000 on to the price of a new home. That is about what we paid for our first house in Coon Rapids in the mid-seventies. And here is the kicker. It has added value and pricing not only to the new homes - but also existing homes.

Even though some experts are predicting a flattening of lumber prices by the end of the year, right now we have (hold on for this one) - hyper inflation in lumber. Some of the wiser folks in economics have also warned that this might not be all. Besides housing becoming much more expensive, there is also a chip shortage which is expected to affect auto manufacturers. Bottom line? Look for the price of cars to go up also. Houses and cars. Two of the items that most all of us need.

Is there any blue sky with all this economic cloudiness? Yes - interest rates. Interest rates are still close to zero to mortgages and most car sales. However, this might not be the case for much longer. Any additional risks, besides hyper inflation? Yep - government spending.

To quote someone from a weekend financial show - "Our government is now spending money like a 15 year old, with a new credit card, and no limit on what he or she can buy."