manlypoodlekip

In my last years of teaching Human Geography the reproductive rate in the US was 2.1 which maintains the current population. It has now dropped to 1.7 which is much better than Germany’s 0.7 and Japan’s 0.8. On KPCC an expert stated that the high cost of housing was a major factor in California. Then I read that a castle in Northern Ireland which was the site of some filming for The Game of Thrones was being sold for less than the average cost of a house in Los Angeles. Maybe a couple could buy the castle rent out rooms and then they could afford 2.1 children. It would be a double bonus if they could get the guests to perform day care.

If we run out of children who will fill the schools and take care of the aging population? We could create robots but after watching Battle Star Galactica that could take a bad turn. I leave this problem to the Boomers and the GenXs. Milinnal s and whoever is next . Speaking of AI, my Nest Thermostat decides my house temperature. I thought I did but no. Anyway have just taken out the trash and will study Spanish. I study but do not learn which allows me to use introduction lessons over and over.

When I was young and scampering at dusk on the High Plains mosquitos were a constant companion. Sometimes I would smash one on my arm and it would be full of my blood. When DDT was sprayed in the alley we would run in the mist. Now I did not and do not like those mosquitoes. It is the new tiny, almost silent, invasive creatures that bring out fear and loathing. When I read about them they carry almost ever disease except Drain the Swamp Fever. But there is good news. Got my hair cut and beard and eye brows trimmed. If I got a ribbon around my neck afterwards it would be much like Manlypoodlekip after a visit to Pat’s Pet Grooming.

It’s another hot and uncomfortable day but one of special meaning. My eldest granddaughter is at this moment having a bridal shower. At the moment my feet are doing a little happy happy dance as I write this. Have the most wonderful Saturday ever.

The answer is “no!”And we have not been asked for a meeting in Moscow. But I have learned that my GPS maps can be upgraded. So much excitement as the hot summer retirement days sizzle by. Am thinking of writing a book for retirees. “There More to Retirement Than Waiting for the MailPerson to Deliver the AARP Magazine.” Wow , just heard that there are multiple suspicious packages found in Trump Tower. Certainly hope all will end safely.

Maybe calmly waiting for the AARP Magazine is not such a bad thing. We will not be able to see the complete lunar eclipse live but can watch it on tv. Maybe I will venture out tonight to see if I can see Mars. Like much of what happens in our lives today the surface of Mars is obscure because of a planet wide sand storm. Will stop now to wish everyone a most happy total lunar eclipse day.

And we can only wonder what the weather is like on the zillions of exoplanet throughout the universe. Will there be high tides on that lake as Mar comes within about thirty five million miles of the Earth? And will the gold and copper mine that is being purposed in Alaska be as big as the lake on Mars? There are many questions but few answers. What if we could build a big pipeline from the east coast and move the surplus flood waters to the Southwest and the West? If that works what about sending our excess CO2 to Mars?

Have time to ponder these questions as I enter the 7th year of retirement. Time has flown by like the spring winds on the high plains of eastern New Mexico. Do I miss turning in grade books, grading a million papers, and getting up early in the morning to drive to work? No. Had some great working companions and many wonderful students. Somewhere on all those planets are there many creatures who had such a rewarding work life? And that brings me to a memory of my first paying job. It was during WWll and the salary was based on the number of flies I swatted at my Aunt and Uncle’s Corner Grocery in Tatum, New Mexico.l