Corona Deaths

We have now had more American deaths from the coronavirus in less than three months than battlefield deaths during the entire Vietnam War.

Eatin' & Drinkin'

Half of us are going to come out of this pandemic as amazing cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem.

Which is which?

When this is over. what meeting do I attend first.....Weight Watchers or AA?

Tuesday Takeaways

On a bright spring day, here are some of my Tuesday thoughts.

First - the price of gasoline at the pump is great for the consumer's pocketbook.  Probably not so for those making a living on the oil patch.  Those folks who take a shower when they get off work, instead of taking a shower when they go to work!

On a recent trip to Santa Fe, required because of a dental emergency, the price of gasoline at a reservation station was $1.19 for regular.

I had to blink twice!

In a sense, I wish our gas guzzling SUV's were using more gasoline, it's so cheap!   But, that's not logical, is it?

Then, the trip to the neighborhood Target.

No problem, most of the folks shopping were wearing some type of face covering.

The shelves were filled with paper towels and toilet paper.

Thank goodness!

Keeping physical separation, I couldn't help but overhear the cashier conversation with the senior citizen in front of me.

"Thank you for coming to Target.  How are you today?"

"Not good!"

I wondered what that was all about.  The clerk continued her job and courteously told the lady to have a better day.

Last night, the big event of the last week.

Following the conclusion of the Better Call Saul season, off it was to America's Drive-In!

There was no place to park, they were all filled.   About a dozen cars were line for the drive-thru.

The wait was worth it!

Now, maybe it's time for a trip to:

ABQ Jack Frost

It happens every year!

Early Spring!

The grape vine begins to grow.

The snow arrives!

A deep freeze!

So, here's what it looked like the day after Easter!

Snowing!

Here's a shot of a protected grapevine leaf!

And, here's a shot of a grapevine leaf, high and mighty, exposed to the elements.  Jack Frost paid a visit.  The leaves crinkled as they crumbled to the ground.

Another freeze is yet to come!

Stand by!

AOC Biden

 

AOC - Congressperson Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says Joe Biden hasn't contacted her.

Who cares?

She's sounding like someone else from New York City.

"I'm the most important person in the world...pay attention to me!"

Earn the respect!

You haven't yet, all you've done is holler!

Pine Needles

When?

That question comes up all the time in many different places.

When was the right time for Bernie Sanders to say, I quit?

When should Barack Obama surface in support of Joe Biden?

When will Donald Trump quit lying?

When will self isolation end?

When can I go to the hardware store?

When will the wind stop blowing so I can get the pine needles raked? You see, our house has 5 Ponderosa Pines and 2 pinon trees protecting us from the blazing hot sun. They like to shed their needles, and it’s a mess.

When? 

That’s the most important question of the day.

Bob Woodward Missing

Where oh where is Bob Woodward of "Watergate" fame?

His face and opinions have been nowhere around for a few months.

Betting he's in the final throws of a book on Donald Trump's White House, and is making revisions, everyday. .

Some would predict that book will be out just in time for the election.

Barn burner!

Book title:

It's not my fault!

Shut 'er Down

The opportunity to see neighbors at the local grocery store...lessening.

The opportunity to meet and greet neighbors at the local pub...delayed.

The opportunity to buy a bottle of hooch...more restrictive.

The opportunity to play a round of golf is...delayed.

Sure, this isolation thing is a bit testing on the soul.

But, it's what we gotta do. 

Buzz Aldrin, the 2nd man to walk on the moon, and his moonmates spent weeks in isolation upon their return.  There were no computers, cable TV, smart phones.  Just smart people.

What's he doing to protect himself from the Coronavirus, Aldrin answered: "Lying on my ass and locking the door."

All because of a little bug that's so small it can't be seen.

And, it's not the love bug.

Sing it, George Jones!

Bearly Hunt

Word is it has spread all the way from New Zealand to Albuquerque.

Yep, we've got it!

The New York Times puts it this way:

It’s like a scavenger hunt suited for social distancing: People put teddy bears and other stuffed animals in windows, on porches, in trees and on parked cars. Then, children go for walks or drives with their families and try to spot as many as they can.

Not wanting to be left out of the latest trend - we've joined!

Here are just a few of the creatures that are adorning our windows.

They may not be "bears in the air" as C.W. McCall called cops in choppers on the record and in the movie Convoy...but they they are bears.

BTW - By The Way - I interviewed C.W. McCall - in the gallery of the New Mexico State Senate.  He was making the rounds of the promoting the record and the movie.   

C.W. McCall was a stage name.  The author and recording artist of the song was an ad agency guy by the name of Bill Fries.

Fries went on to be elected Mayor of Ouray, Colorado a number of times. 

Here's more from Wikipedia

  

Thursday gun musings

So, I see the FBI processed a record 3.7 million background checks for gun purchases in March - more than any month previously reported?

Why?

Gun shows are declared "essential" businesses under the federal government guidelines, which allows them to continue selling firearms.

Why?

The month of March included five of the top 10 days in the history of the National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS), started in 1998.

March was said to be the second-busiest month ever for gun sales - lagging only behind January 2013 when President Obama took office.

So, why so many in March?

Do the purchasers think they can kill a Coronavirus with a gun?

Huh?

This 'n That

Wikipedia: April Fools' Day or April Fool's Day (sometimes called All Fools' Day) is an annual custom on April 1 consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes.

In 2020, we don’t need any hoaxes (we have enough already) and, it is my suspicion that not many folks are ready for practical jokes.

As they say down on the oil patch, we’re into some serious bidness right now with the Coronavirus creeping around, and the Saudi’s and Russian’s playing with the price of oil.

However, I’ve been assured by someone that this too will pass.

Which brings me to a comment on the world “that”.

In a journalism class at The University of New Mexico, my instructor/professor instructed and professed that “that” is the most overused word in the English language – and aspiring journalists should remember that.

His name was Tony Hillerman – a newspaper editor back in those days, and later on an acclaimed author.

I’ve told many folks the story I just told you.

Notice, I didn’t say “that” story I just told you!

I did learn something!

It’s Springtime in the Rockies.

Enjoy a day without too much wind and those pesky dust devils.

Carry on with whatever it is that you’re doing!