Tired Election Tuesday

Posted on June 5, 2018 by vanbraman

I am a bit tired from my trip last week, so be prepared for some random wandering thoughts.

Today was Primary Election Day in California. I wanted to make sure that I got home in plenty of time to go vote, but almost didn’t make it.

Election Stickers, I voted, primary election, electionsI did however get to the polling place in time to get another sticker to place on my bedroom mirror. The ballot took up two full sheets so even it took a while to complete. I was really interested in only a couple of the elections, but took the time to vote on all the races.

Election material, Sample Ballot, Election Information, Candidate MailersThis pile of mail is from the primary election four years ago, but I had a similar pile again this year.

Gaoqiao, Song Dynasty, China, Old BridgeToday was a long and tiring day so I am trying to think some positive thoughts before getting some sleep.

Last weekend in Shanghai it was a bit rainy and people were out and about with umbrellas.

Umbrellas, West Lake, Hangzhou China, Sunny DayThis weekend at home people have been carrying umbrellas for the opposite reason. It was very hot and sunny and people need some portable shade. See: Umbrellas on a Sunny Day

I really did see a few people carrying umbrellas in the sun while out running errands, but I spent most of the weekend inside where it was cool trying to get caught up on a lot of things. Especially sleep 🙂

Tall grass, lawn mowing, yard work, vacationThe one thing that needs to get done and hasn’t is mowing the yard. The yard looks even worse than in this picture I took sometime in the past. I actually just looked at when I took the picture and it was almost exactly one year ago. I used it in my post Vacation Yard Work.

It was way too hot on the weekend and I have gotten home way too late each day so far this week. Perhaps on Thursday ? ? ?

So, indoor chores have been on the agenda in the evening. Laundry is actually caught up for the moment and I have done a bit of pre-packing for my next trip.

OK, I will quit wandering and get this posted.

Oh, for a better day tomorrow.

Steven

 

 

Posted in Blog, China, Culture, Memories, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Case of the Monster Fire

Posted on June 4, 2018 by vanbraman

This weekend I picked up a book at the library that had finally come in. I requested the book when I first heard about it and before the library had any copies.

The book is The Case of the Monster Fire by John R. Erickson and is #71 in the Hank the Cowdog series.

The Case of the Monster Fire, John R. Erickson, Hank the Cowdog, BooksI have been slowly reading through the Hank the Cowdog series, but decided to jump to the most recent one since it is about events that effected many of my friends last year.

Last spring there were major wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. See my post: Burning Kansas

Kansas Grass Fires, Southwest KansasI grew up near where John R. Erickson worked as a cowboy before moving to the Texas Panhandle and starting to write the Hank the Cowdog books. My home county in Kansas was greatly damaged by the wildfires and many of my friends are still in the recovery process. This book really hit home.

Erickson also lost his home and ranch in the fire so he is writing from personal experience in this book.

The Case of the Monster Fire, John R. Erickson, Hank the Cowdog, BooksIn this story Hank the Cowdog helps Slim Chance as he tries to save his herd of cattle. The story begins with Slim taking out a loan to buy cattle. Along with his girlfriend Viola they pasture the cattle on her father’s ranch. All is going great until the wildfire hits.

The Case of the Monster Fire, John R. Erickson, Hank the Cowdog, BooksAs mentioned on the back cover of the book it is a ‘hair-raising and heart-warming tale of cowboy-bravery, true heroism, and the blessings of friends and community!’

While reading the book memories came flooding back of working on a ranch when I was just out of high school. Memories also came back of what my friends went through last year. Some of my best friends from high school lost homes and cattle in the fires. But the best memories were of the outpouring of good will by farmers and rancher across the country as they sent feed and supplies to help in the rebuilding process.

The Case of the Monster Fire, John R. Erickson, Hank the Cowdog, BooksSlim experiences the same outpouring of help after the fire and finds that he is not as alone as he sometimes thinks.

This is a great book and you will enjoy it even if you are not familiar with the Hank the Cowdog series. I really like this series as it brings back so many memories of growing up in ranch country.

Now to get some sleep to continue fighting jet lag. It has been a long day in the classroom.

Steven

 

Posted in Animals, Culture, Memories, Nature | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments