Walking With The Village Creek Indian Ghosts Thinking About Running Past The Interlochen Christmas Lights With Cori

Otherworldly Red Leaves In
 Village Creek Natural Historical Area

Even though it was only 42 degrees at the time I did so, I did get in the pool this morning. For a short time. And then I retreated to the hot tub.

On my way to Pantego to the ALDI Food Market today I stopped for a walking with the Native American ghosts who haunt the Village Creek Natural Historical Area in Arlington.

Since I last walked with the ghosts the red leaves you see in the picture appeared. My photographer skills do not do justice to how other worldly this plant was looking today.

The paved trail through the Village Creek Natural Area takes you to the Interlochen neighborhood, widely believed by many who live in this parched part of the planet to be the location of the best Christmas lighting displays in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

I don't know if it ironic or coincidental, or both, but the first email I saw upon waking up my computer, upon my return, was a comment from Cori asking me about Interlochen.....

cori has left a new comment on your post "Interlochen Christmas Lights Map & Directions": 

Durango!
I am thinking about setting up a little group run with my friends through a Christmas lit neightborhood and interlochen seems to be the best one around, but do you think they would let us in, and would there be too much traffic? I'm not sure of the set up with the sidewalks and what have you. 

Let me know your thoughts and you're of course invited! 

I can not remember the last time I went running with Cori through a neighborhood lit up for Christmas. I don't see why this would not be doable. One would need to find a place to park and assemble outside the Interlochen zone and then jog right past the police directing the traffic.

It has been a few years since I've toured the Interlochen Christmas lights. I think the last time was with Miss Puerto Rico. Those Interlochen lights will be lit up a week from today, that being the day after Thanksgiving.

The Cold Morning Of The Third Friday Of November Thinking About Snow & Ferris Wheels

Looking through the bars of my patio prison cell the morning of the 3rd Friday of the next to last month of 2011 I can see the sky is clear, I can feel the wind is blowing.

And it is cold.

As in 41 degrees.

I don't know how warm it got yesterday so I don't know if the 24 hour temperature average meets my 50 degrees of above criteria that allows for getting in that turquoise body of water.

The most outrageous thing I read in the local news today was the story of a mom going to pick up her kid at a Fort Worth day care to be told that her daughter had been complaining of sore ears. When the mom looked at her kid's ears she saw they had been pierced and had earrings dangling from them. A day care assistant had pierced the kids ears.

Now, where this gets outrageous, to me, is the piercer was not immediately fired, the police did not treat the piercing as a crime and instead called in Child Protective Services to investigate the day care center.

Bizarre.

Switching the subject from bizarre Fort Worth news to Western Washington news.

A slight chance of snow is in the forecast for the Puget Sound lowlands today. There is no slight chance of snow in the forecast today for the lowlands of my zone of Texas.

In other interesting news from Washington, a big Ferris Wheel with air-conditioned gondolas has been approved to be built on Pier 57 on the Seattle waterfront.

Pier 57 is the pier with the carousel, so a Ferris Wheel will fit in nicely. I believe the wheel will be at the end of the pier, likely sticking out over the water. If I remember right, Pier 57 is near the bottom of the Pike Place Hillclimb, near the aquarium.

I wonder if when the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle finally clears its vision if piers will be built out onto the little lake that is part of the vision? I doubt there will be any ferry boats taking people across the lake.

Below is a short YouTube video of Pier 57....

On The Tandy Hills At A Fork In The Trail Not Liking Google Changes & Other Things

This location on the Tandy Hills, with a fork in the trail, forcing a choice to be made as to which direction to go, was a perfect metaphor, today, for how I'm feeling.

As I get evermore elderly I find I don't like change. I also don't like to learn new things. I used to like change and learning new things.

Just a little thing changing can vex me these days. For instance Google has been "updating" what Google calls their products.

For a couple months now Google has been trying to get its AdSense users to switch to the new interface, telling users the new interface will be activated in mid-November. And so it was. On November 15. I don't like it. I was used to the old interface. I liked the old interface. The new interface faces you with way too much information.

Google is also updating the Google product I am using right now, the one Google calls Blogger. Right now I am looking at a message at the top of the screen that says, "Try the updated Blogger interface."

I tried the updated Blogger interface. It looks way different than the old Blogger interface. Eventually I was able to figure out the new Blogger interface, but I'm continuing to use the old Blogger interface til Google doesn't let me.

Changing the subject to my favorite one, the temperature.

I did not go swimming this morning. It is only 54 degrees, currently, at my location.

Changing the subject from the not hot temperature to Elsie Hotpepper, who has been being cryptic lately. For instance, minutes ago I got an email from Elsie Hotpeppr that said "I do not understand Lucy." Who is Lucy and why can't Elsie understand her, I sat here and wondered.

And then there is Beale who is unhappy with me because I said I thought his French girl friend was awful. In my defense I did not realize this was Beale's new girl friend when  I said I thought she was awful. I feel darn bad about this.

I have not heard from Betty Jo Bouvier at all this week. The last I heard from Betty Jo she told me she was heading to Seattle on, I think, Saturday. I do not know if Betty Jo made it back to the Skagit Valley from Seattle.

And then there is Carlotta Camano who has also gone missing. Usually Carlotta checks in with me regarding the Reality TV Shows we both watch. This week's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was particularly comment worthy, as was Top Chef, with no commentary from Carlotta Camano.

I wish I was constitutionally able to take a nap and momentarily not think about anything vexing me. Sleep really is the only peace I get. And I get very little of it.

On The 3rd Thursday Morning Of November The Redbird Provides Me Some Charity Clarity

The 3rd Thursday of the next to last month of 2011 has dawned frosty looking in the view from my primary viewing portal on the outer world.

It is currently 34 degrees at my location on this parched part of the planet.

I won't be going swimming this morning.

Yesterday I mentioned an email I got from Alma, the Songbird of the Texas Gulf Coast regarding various charity organizations like UNICEF and the Salvation Army and the supposed salary paid to the top official in those organizations.

Well.

I heard from The Redbird and someone calling him or herself Anonymous. Mr. or Ms. Anonymous pointed me to a Scopes article about this charity subject. Below is what The Redbird had to say...

The Redbird has left a new comment on your post "Alma The Songbird Of The Texas Gulf Coast Pointed ...": 

I totally agree with the spirit of Alma's letter and kudos for giving, but just fyi (because your know your blog kinda functions like news around these parts).... http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/salvation-army-salary.htm and http://www.salvationarmyexpectchange.org/2011/05/27/dont-believe-every-internet-rumor-you-read and a bunch of other articles on the google. So that email should probably be amended to be factual. The truth doesn't hurt their appeal at all. 

What I got from The Redbirds's comment besides the charity info was the disturbing idea that my blog functions like news around these parts. If my blog functions as news I probably should pay closer attention to the veracity of that about which I blog.

Here's some news for you that I am certain is correct.

It is one week til Thanksgiving.

Here's some other news about which I am almost 100% certain I am correct about.

It is cold this morning. Barely above freezing.

If the weather predictors are correct in their prediction, by tomorrow the 24 hour temperature average will again be above 50 degrees, which is what I currently require to go swimming.

Michele Q's George Washington Update On Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving

This morning Michele Q reminded me that 51 weeks ago today I blogged about Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation of October 18, 1863 proclaiming the "last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."

Lincoln had such a poetic way with words.

Below is this morning's comment from Michele Q....

MicheleQ has left a new comment on your post "Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation":

Actually it was president George Washington who issued a proclamation on October 3, 1789 naming Thursday, November 26, 1789 as an official holiday of “sincere and humble thanks.” After that different states celebrated on different days until Lincoln’s proclamation on October 3, 1863 when he made Thanksgiving a national holiday to be celebrated specifically on the last Thursday of November.

In 1939 FDR moved it to the third Thursday of November to lengthen the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy still recovering from the Depression. That move, which set off a national debate, was reversed in 1941 when Congress passed and President Roosevelt approved a joint house resolution establishing, by law, the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.)

In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November to lengthen the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy still recovering from the Depression. This move, which set off a national debate, was reversed in 1941 when Congress passed and President Roosevelt approved a joint house resolution establishing, by law, the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.

Source: The National Archives

The Trinity River Vision's J.D. Granger Wins A Coveted FW Weekly 2011 Turkey Award

J.D. Granger Wins Coveted FW Weekly
2011 Turkey Award

If I remember right, last month I mentioned going to a TRIP sponsored forum at Fort Worth's Botanic Garden.

J.D. Granger was scheduled to be on the forum panel, but panicked and cancelled at the last minute. This news was greeted with loud booing when it was announced to the assembled forum goers.

This week's week before Thanksgiving edition of FW Weekly is the 2011 Turkey Awards issue.

J.D. Granger won one of the coveted Turkey Awards.

This is what FW Weekly had to say by way of explaining why J.D. deserved this coveted award in the cover article title "The Big Bird".....

Last month, the Trinity River Improvement Partnership (TRIP) sponsored a forum at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden to discuss the merits of the $900 million Trinity River Vision project and ask questions about where that money will come from, what the justification for the project is, and what it has to do with flooding and water quality issues. About 125 people showed up, but it was one person missing that stirred the ire of the citizens. J. D. Granger, executive director of TRV, had promised to sit on the panel and give direct answers to those important questions. But at the last minute, he cancelled. The only one to show up on the “pro-TRV” side was a gutsy Jim Lane, a board member of the Tarrant Regional Water District. Lane did his best to answer some of the questions, but the water district is handling only part of the project. The reason given for Granger’s backpedaling was that he realized the event would involve discussing policy, and, shucks, he’s just the hired hand (although he’d known about the format of the event for weeks). But the fact is that Granger is in charge and is one of the few people who can sort out where this multi-agency project is going. Canceling at the last minute just doesn’t cut it. Maybe voters should drop him from their holiday invitation list. Oh, wait. That’s right. He’s not an elected official.

A Cloudy Cold Tandy Hills With The Dallas Cowboy Stadium Scandal Back Haunting Me

The drop in temperature has arrived. It is currently a chilly 61 degrees in the outer world at my location.

The brisk chill made for some brisking hill hiking on the Tandy Hills today.

As you can see, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth, there is a layer of clouds blocking the clear blue sky.

The clouds were very interesting looking in the noon time frame. They looked like snow clouds.

Changing subjects from the weather to the Dallas Cowboy Stadium Scandal.

Way back in 2004 when homes, apartments and businesses started being taken from their owners and destroyed, often via abusing the perfectly legit concept of eminent domain, to build a football stadium, I was totally shocked at such thing happening and the idea that a community (Arlington) would go along with doing such a thing to their neighbors.,

I documented the destruction and the building of the new stadium.

Today I heard from someone associated with something called NFL Films. This is what someone asked me...

Hi! I work with the Footage and Photo Acquisitions Department at NFL Films. I am looking to see if I can get copies of the photos on your site that show the demolition of the home in Arlington.  Do you own these photos?  I am looking to possibly license the photos for use in an upcoming segment that will be produced for the show NFL Films Presents. The segment is on Fred Jackson, whose childhood home was demolished. If you do own rights to the photos, I do have a standard release that I can email over to you for your review.

Several years ago a magazine called Backpacker paid me $100 for a photo of a Longhorn surrounded by wildflowers on a hill by Lake Grapevine.

I wonder why, after all these years, NFL Films is going to film a segment about the destruction of one of the homes demolished during the worst abuse of eminent domain in American history?

Alma The Songbird Of The Texas Gulf Coast Pointed Me Towards The Right Buckets To Drop A Quarter

I was just fixin' to write a check to make a donation to UNICEF when I got an email from the Songbird of the Texas Gulf Coast, Alma, currently crooning at various venues in Port Aransas, that caused me to change my mind and decide to drop a quarter into the next Salvation Army bucket I see instead.

Below is the email from Alma....

As you open your pockets for the next natural disaster, or for Christmas donations, please keep these facts in mind:

The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses.

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

No further comment is necessary. Please share this with everyone you can.

Day 16 Starts With Another Warm Morning In Texas

I thought I'd awaken to Day 16 of the next to last month of 2011 chilled in the outer world to barely above freezing.

But. I must have mis-read the weather predictors prediction because this morning it is 58 degrees in the outer world at my location on this parched part of the planet.

As you can see in the view from my secondary viewing portal on the outer world it is not quite clear whether the sky is clear or not. The sky appears to be gray, but very bright. I see no blue.

Changing the subject from my favorite subject to something else.

I heard from my favorite grammarian, who's expertise in that area is unsurpassed, this morning, pointing out a grammar error I made and which I repeated three times. The grammar trouble came from one particular word, who's misuse of an apostrophe, which on 99% of English words indicates possession, on this particular word, simply implicates a contraction.

Now, I have long been a believer in helping the language evolve, which for me means with those pesky type words who's grammar rule seems to fly in the face of logic and common sense, I opt to make the mistake and pay the consequences.

Even if that means I risk rising the wrath of CatsPaw, who's advice I greatly value.

Wondering About Green Graffiti On The HOT Humid Tandy Hills With Bubba

Un-Natural  Tandy Hills Manhole Cover & Post

Today whilst wandering the Tandy Hills Natural Area I found myself wondering why manhole covers in the Natural Area have been painted a very un-natural shade of green with what looks like graffiti.

Previously I wondered why the cash strapped, library and pool closing City of Fort Worth spent money sticking green poles in the ground next to the now green manhole covers.

The green poles say "CAUTION SEWER" on them, along with the City of Fort Worth Molly the Longhorn logo.

For years these manhole covers did not have a "CAUTION SEWER" sign by them. Did something change and what is under those manhole covers has become dangerous? Requiring a cautionary warning?

It's very perplexing.

On a related Fort Worth note, someone named Bubba made a comment regarding yesterday's blogging about the Lone Star International Film Festival. I don't know why, for sure, but I found Bubba's comment to be amusing...

Bubba has left a new comment on your post "Up A Creek Did Not Win Best Documentary Short Film...": 

FW and Tarrant county are notorious for overhyping any positives and ignoring or minimizing their deficiencies. And that's a big loss for everybody. 

Changing the subject from Bubba to my favorite subject, that being the temperature and the weather.

Earlier today I said as far as I knew no rain fell yesterday. Well, as I often am, I was wrong. A little rain did fall. But, even though the amount of precipitation was small it was enough to amp up the humidity, with that humidity making it feel HOTTER than the real temperature, as in right now it is 81 degrees in the outer world, but feels like a HOT 83.

I refuse to turn the air-conditioner on in the middle of November. But, if it gets any hotter that resolve may dissolve.