Anonymous Wants To Know If I Dislike Texas Weather So Much Why Don't I Go Back To Washington?

Last night another storm blew through this part of the planet that I once again slept through.

As you can see, in the picture, this morning is looking a bit stormy, as well.

The weather predictors are predicting more rain and electrical action today.

This morning when the sun came up the wind was blustering so hard it had knocked my swimming suit to ground level. I don't recollect that happening before.

Yesterday, somewhere among the many locations I was reading about the latest Texas Judge Scandal I read one comment that said something like, "God must really love stupid people, because he made so many of them. Like that judge in Texas."

Speaking of stupid people.

Yesterday when I saw that the temperature in Fort Worth and Phoenix were both 95, but with the Real Feel Temperature in Phoenix being higher than Fort Worth, despite Fort Worth's humidity being 9 times higher, I blogged about it, including the temperature at that point in time at my old home zone in Mount Vernon, Washington and the fact that humidity was even higher in Mount Vernon.

I then got the following comment from someone calling him or herself Anonymous...

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Taking The Temperature In Fort Worth, Phoenix & Mount Vernon": 

If you dislike TX and the weather so much, why don't you go back to Washington? So much criticism from a tourist begins to just sound whiny. 

Whiny? I would not say that I am impervious to whining, but I detected no trace of whining in the post about yesterday's relative temperatures. I certainly said nothing that indicated I wanted to go back to Washington due to the weather being better than Texas.

The fact is I prefer Texas weather to Washington weather, except for the months of July and August, when Western Washington's weather is often perfect.

If I moved back to Washington it'd be because I miss the scenery, saltwater, mountains, skiing, fresh seafood, fresh for the picking fruits and vegetables, better outdoor recreational opportunities, better parks, multiple National Parks, Canada being nearby, Oregon being nearby, the highly educated people, the liberal politics, the activism, the libraries and the coffee.

But, since I like whining so much, Texas is a Mother Lode of whining material, compared to virtually Mother Lode-free Washington, where I don't remember whining about much of anything, except maybe the rain.

Taking The Temperature In Fort Worth, Phoenix & Mount Vernon

I believe today has been our HOTTEST day of the year, so far, in North Texas. 95 degrees with the humidity making it feel like 103.

When last I talked to my mom and sister both mentioned being relieved to have the temperature back in the 90s after already hitting 110. Right at this point in time when I checked temperatures Fort Worth and Phoenix are both being heated to 95 degrees, with the Phoenix humidity making it feel like 106 in Arizona.

But, currently, Phoenix has only 5% humidity, while Fort Worth is smothering with 43% humidity. So, why does it supposedly feel 3 degrees HOTTER in the dry Phoenix desert?

Meanwhile, up in my old home zone, in the Skagit Valley of Washington, Mount Vernon is currently chilled to 55 degrees. And is more humid, at 62%, than Fort Worth.

Which, I guess, is why it supposedly feels like a relatively balmy 62 in Mount Vernon.

I see in the 3 forecasts that only Washington has rain in its forecast. How unexpected.

Dishonorable Texas Judge Lanny Moriarty Sentences Honor Student To Jail For No Crime

UPDATE: The Matter of Dishonorable Judge Lanny Moriarty before the Texas Ethics Commission.

It has happened again. An idiot who should not be a judge, is a Texas judge, and has embarrassed himself, and Texas, in front of America and the rest of the world.

A hard luck, hard working honor student has been fined and sentenced to jail by a miscreantic Texas judge named Lanny Moriarty.

You can go here to sign a petition asking the judge to cancel the fine and the sentencing.

UPDATE: The 24 hour jail sentence has already taken place, last Wednesday, in the notorious Montgomery County Jail, where Diane spent 24 hours surrounded by what Houston defense attorney Ned Barnett characterized as suspected murderers, drug addicts and prostitutes.

I don't know if there is another petition demanding this judge be de-judged.

If I were the governor of the state of Texas and one of these embarrassments occurred I would make some noise. Does Rick Perry not pay attention to what happens in the state he governs? I suspect not. Watching Rick Perry in the Republican debates, before he got laughed out of the race, I was not sure the man can read.

Below is what you will read at the location where you can sign a petition...

Diane Tran isn't like most seventeen-year-old girls her age. Sure, there are many honors students taking dual credit U.S. History, dual credit English Literacy, College Algebra, and Spanish Language AP. Sure, there are some who work part time and full time jobs like Diane does at a dry cleaners and a wedding venue. 

But, since Diane's parents have moved away, Diane does all of this to support herself and her two siblings.

For a student facing these challenges, a teacher or authority figure should have reached out to her and made sure she didn't slip through the cracks. Despite her situation, she's not just an extraordinary worker and student, she's an extraordinary human being with a fighting spirit.

The reason why we should care about her is this: The state of Texas is sentencing a young girl to a night of jail for being too emotionally and physically exhausted to go to school. The institutions that are to provide resources to youth and ensure justice are instead punishing her like a criminal and fining her $100.

The Judge in Diane's case said he was making an example of her with this severe punishment. Diane is already an example of how people her age should be acting.

Please tell Judge Lanny Moriarty, the State of Texas, and the U.S.A. to make sure that the future leaders of our nation are looked after and taken care of. Thank you.

The Texas Judge setting a bad example is currently the top story on FOX News online.

Last Night's Rain Turned Village Creek Into Chocolate

No, that chocolate in the picture is not a scene from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. That chocolate in the picture is a muddy Texas creek.

Village Creek to be precise.

I was in deep slumber mode last night when Mother Nature decided to drop some water at my location. I did not realize rain had fallen overnight til I found myself having to traverse puddles on my way to the pool this morning.

I did hear thunder booming last night. But the booming never got close enough to rattle my windows.

Not enough rain fell to flood Village Creek to the point that the Village Creek Natural Historical Area had to be closed. So, I was able to have a nice walk today with the Native American Ghosts who inhabit this part of North Texas.

I do not recollect ever seeing Village Creek look as muddy as it looks today.

Summer is still several weeks in the future. It feels like summer has already arrived in North Texas. Currently the temperature is 93, with the extreme humidity making the temperature feel like 103, according to my computer based temperature monitoring device.

Perplexed By Memorial Day BBQs At Fort Worth Parks With No Running Water

Fosdick Flower Blooming Bright
On Memorial Day

I went to Oakland (Lake) Park to walk around Fosdick Lake today for my memorable Memorial Day aerobicizing.

There were a lot of people in Oakland Park today memorializing Memorial Day with picnicking barbecues.

So far today I have not memorialized Memorial Day with a picnic or a barbecue.

I did have some memorable meatloaf for lunch.

The Oakland Park Pavilion was packed today. With multiple barbecues spewing tasty smelling smoke.

The Oakland Park Pavilion has no running water. The restroom facility is an outhouse.

Have I mentioned before that I find it bizarre that in Texas it is considered perfectly okay to have picnic facilities in parks with absolutely no running water?

Or modern restroom facilities.

I can not think of a single park, with picnic tables, I have been to, anywhere in any west coast state, that does not have restroom facilities of the non-outhouse variety. And does not have running water in the form of a faucet.

Are the health codes for such things more stringent in other states?

Kayaking Arlington's River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail In The Unsafe To Swim In Trinity River

Stored somewhere in my abode is an inflatable kayak that I have not inflated in years. I think the last time I inflated my kayak was to go floating in Lake Joe Pool at Cedar Hills State Park.

Since I last inflated my inflatable kayak River Legacy Park, in Arlington, has added something called River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail.

I have seen people launch kayaks in the Trinity River from the River Legacy Parks Paddling Trails kayak launch pad.

The Trinity River flows through River Legacy Park in its natural state, with none of the levees that guide the river through Fort Worth.

There is a lot of information on the River Legacy Parks Paddling Trail information sign.

The Paddling Trail length is 4.2 miles. How is this determined, I could not help but wonder? Float Time is 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on water level, flow rate and wind speed.

A note on the sign notes that "This trail can be paddled as a "loop" trail in which paddlers can launch from the park's access site and paddle upstream as far as desired or flow condition allow. Paddlers can then turn around and travel downstream to complete the loop. If paddling this trail as a loop there will be a set of riffles that will require a portage approximately a mile upstream."

Riffles? Are riffles little rapids?

On the sign, under the heading "Fishing" we learn "The river supports catfish, drum, sunfish and bass among other fish. Fish can be caught with the use of light tackle and a variety of baits. The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a formal advisory regarding the consumption of fish from the river."

Under the heading "Be Safe" we learn "Rivers are ever-changing dynamic systems with inherent dangers. Follow basic safety rules. Never paddle alone. Always have a float plan - tell someone where you are going and when you are expected to return. Check weather forecasts. Carry a map of the stream so you can find your location at any time. Wear a Coast Guard approved Type III-V lifejacket and protective footwear. Carry drinking water, sunscreen, cell phone and insect repellent. Plan your trip so that your paddling skills are equal to the water conditions."

Where does one get a map of the Trinity River that will allow one to find ones location at any time, I can not help but wonder?

Under the heading "River Conditions" those riffles are mentioned again, "This reach of the Trinity River is a natural channel with a few fun riffles to navigate, but flow and water quality are influenced by upstream reservoirs, storm water runoff, and wastewater treatment plants. The water quality is suitable for canoeing, kayaking and incidental contact, but not for swimming. Trips should not be attempted in high and turbulent water conditions."

So, the Trinity River in Arlington is not safe for swimming, with only incidental water contact being okay.

Meanwhile, upstream, in Fort Worth, somehow the Trinity River is safe to float in via an inner tube in J.D. Granger's Trinity River Vision Boondoggle's Rockin' the River Happy Hour Inner Tube Floats.

Very perplexing.

Visiting Arlington's Veterans Park Soldier Talking To My Sister About Going To Alaska

I stopped for a walk in Veterans Park in Arlington on my way to Arlington's International District.

As you can see in the picture someone has laid flowers at the feet of the soldier who guards the Veterans Park Memorial.

It is Memorial Day Weekend, which likely is the reason for the flowers at the feet of the soldier who guards the Veterans Park Memorial.

I called my eldest sister whilst walking in Veterans Park. This eventually had me sitting on a park bench which caused my visit to Veterans Park to last much longer than I had anticipated.

In about a week my eldest sister is leaving Washington on a 3 month trip to Alaska, via the Alaskan Highway. She will be transporting herself, my ex-wife and 3 dogs in a bus sized, high-tech RV, which gets a couple miles per gallon.

Behind the RV my sister will be towing her Honda SUV. At some point after they make it to Anchorage the RV will be anchored at a RV storage spot, with the Honda SUV unhitched to serve as their vehicular transport to the Arctic Circle.

I have seen my sister's latest RV only once, on August 4 of 2008 at Bay View State Park. The RV is push button operated. Push a button and the bedroom expands. Push a button and the living room expands. Push a button and the flat screen TV appears. Push a button and Rosie the Robot delivers an adult beverage.

I made that last one up.

I like to stay in motels, rather than drive a motel on wheels.

All but less than a mile of the Alaskan Highway is paved these days. There are no longer long stretches without services.  Wi-fi is available at the campgrounds along the highway, so my sister will be emailing photos.

I have only been to Alaska once, a long long time ago. That trip was not made via a RV and the Alaskan Highway, it was via Alaskan Airlines, landing in Juneau. And then getting on a float plane to go to Hoonah, then Alaska Ferry to Sitka, then Alaskan Airlines back to Seattle.

Listening For The Sound Of Music On The HOT Tandy Hills

In the picture you are looking north on the Tandy Hills, about 4 hours before the hills come alive with the sound of music.

And people.

But, the hills were people free, except for me, in the noon time frame today.

Prairie Fest x3 Part 3 starts up in about an hour.

I am currently not in a very festive mood.

I talked to my mom this morning. My mom tasked me with the task of calling a cousin I've not seen in decades. I don't like making cold calls.

Elsie Hotpepper may or may not go see The General tonight at Movie Night on the Prairie. I am experiencing Elsie Hotpepper type ambivalence on The General viewing too.

The hill hiking was highly humid today. The temperature was in the upper 80s, but felt way HOTTER due to that vexing humidity problem.

I know today's Prairie Fest event is solar powered, including solar powering the movie projector. What I don't know is if there is solar powered air-conditioning. I suppose one could consider wind to be solar powered air-conditioning. I know the wind blowing on the hills today had a pleasant cooling effect at times.

Tonight Is Movie Night On The Prairie At Prairie Fest x3 Part 3

Sometime this coming summer the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle will see the first new drive-in movie theater open in America in decades.

If you can not wait til summer to watch a movie under the stars head to the Tandy Hills Natural Area, today, to Prairie Fest x3 Part 3, where tonight is Movie Night on the Prairie.

The movie tonight on the Tandy Hills is the Buster Keaton classic, The General, a movie Orson Welles considered possibly the best movie ever made.

I don't know if Orson Welles verbalized this opinion before or after he filmed Citizen Kane.

• Movie start time is approximately 8:45 pm.
• Seating is on the grass in front of the stage.
• Food & Beverage by Chadra Mezza & Grill, Good Karma Kitchen and The Wiener Man.
• Nature Hikes and Live Music from 4 - 8 pm at Prairie Fest x3.
• Admission is FREE to Prairie Fest and Movie Night.

See you tonight at the movies!

What Is Happening At My Neighborhood Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Drilling Operation?

The past couple days I've been perplexed to the point of bum puzzlement wondering what is going on at my neighborhood Chesapeake Energy Barnett Shale Natural Gas hole in the ground.

Bulldozers have moved a lot of dirt. Pipes and equipment have been moved in.

Along with an outhouse.

The most curious looking thing is the metal wall you see behind the bulldozer.

There have been many a gas drilling location where I wonder how they can run a pipe to carry the non-odorized natural gas that pops out after a successful fracturing.

The Scott Avenue Chesapeake Energy operation turned notorious with its proposed pipeline route along Carter Avenue. That turned into quite a brouhaha, including protests in front of the Tarrant County Courthouse.

How will the gas from my neighborhood Chesapeake operation be moved? To the south is an Albertsons with a stripmall of other businesses. To the east is Loop 820. To the north, as you can see in the picture, is storage units and an apartment complex. To the west is another apartment complex.

How is the gas going to leave my neighborhood Chesapeake Eneergy operation?