An Early May Arctic Blast Makes For A Chilly Texas

Supposedly when the Arctic Blast makes its predicted arrival in the D/FW zone we will know it has arrived because the temperature will drop 15 - 20 degrees in about a half an hour.

20 degrees colder than the current temperature would be 28 degrees, if my math is correct.

Freezing in May?

When is that much promised Global Warming ever going to arrive?

I remember way back in May of 2000 I had driven up to Washington to attend a funeral. On the way back to Texas, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, I was quite surprised to learn I could travel no further south due to the freeway being closed due to snow. One could not head south, east or west from Cheyenne. This had the motels getting full. I got the next to last room at a Super 8.

I doubt we will be getting any snow in Texas from this Arctic Blast.

This morning whilst in the pool a very light drizzle precipitated. And speaking of the pool. The pool was way less cool than the air, so much so that the temperature differential created the illusion that the pool was heated.

Congresswoman Kay Granger Ironically Claims TRWD Board Election Full Of Lies, Misinformation & Meritless Accusations

Yikes. The Tarrant Regional Water District Board Election keeps getting curiouser and curiouser.

This morning I blogged about an Anonymous TRWD Super Villain who was making what seemed to me to be unfounded criticisms of those opposing the TRWD incumbents.

And now I have received a letter, sent  by Congresswoman Kay Granger to her constituents, in which Kay Granger attacks those running against the TRWD incumbents.

Kay Granger is J.D. Granger's mom, with J.D. Granger being the unqualified guy nepotistically installed to run the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle Project, with many thinking J.D got this job so as to have his mom onboard with helping get federal money for the TRV Boondoggle.

In her letter Granger claims to have never seen a campaign with more misinformation and flat out lies as what she is seeing in the TRWD Board Election. Granger also claims the opponents have sent out mailer after mailer filled with meritless accusations.

And what would those meritless accusations, flat out lies and misinformation be, Congresswoman Granger?

Kay Granger can no more come up with facts to support her meritless attack than she can come up with credentials showing her son to be qualified to run a billion dollar public works project.

Regarding the letter from Kay Granger, if I was going to post this letter, I was asked to remove the Board member names, replacing them with "Incumbent" because "we don't want to give those bastards any more free ad space." Rather than alter Kay Granger's letter in that drastic a manner, I altered the names in a less drastic manner.

The next two paragraphs I believe were written by Adrian Murray, followed by the notorious letter from Fort Worth's Congresswoman, Kay Granger....

Somebody is not too happy about the way the Water Board election is shaping up. You'd think a Congresswoman would have more important things to do than worry about a local water district race, unless, of course, she has a vested interest in the outcome. You don't think......? Nah. Everything is on the up and up.

BTW, when she says, "The people who make up the board are just the kind of people we want", take her at her word. They are exactly the kind of people they want: don't ask questions, do what you're told, don't make waves, do as we say.

Dear (Name Redacted),

I have been through elections from Fort Worth City Council, to Mayor to Congress from Fort Worth, but I have never seen a campaign with more misinformation and flat out lies than what I am seeing in the May 11 election for the Tarrant Regional Water District.

Friends, I know the people who run the Tarrant Regional Water District. I work with them. The people who make up the board are just the kind of people we want to make decisions about the precious commodity that is our water. The people who serve today are Marty Leonard, Jim Lane, Vic Henderson, Hal Sparks and Jack Stevens. They are active in the community and have a long history of meeting our water needs and managing our resources. Just last week they traveled to Washington to show support as a vital water issue went before the Supreme Court. The Tarrant Regional Water District is respected throughout our state and our region and has won many awards for their efficient and effective leadership year after year.

Three opponents to the incumbents up for election have sent out mailer after mailer filled with accusations that are completely without merit. None of these opponents have been involved in water issues, paid attention by attending board meetings or attempted to set forth their histories, positions or reasons you should elect them. All they have done is send negative attack mailers financed by a Dallas citizen with an axe to grind against our board. Our elected board follows the rules, does not seek publicity or use their positions for anything except making good decisions for us and our water.

This election will choose the top three vote getters. Three members of the board are up for re-election and early voting has already started. Please join me in voting for these fine public servants.

VIC HENDERSON
HAL SPARKS 
JACK STEVENS 

Sincerely,

Kay

A Gateway Park Bike Ride Reading A Letter From Kay Granger With Connie D's Jalapeno Cornbread Poppers

Even though I had myself a real fine time, with Captain Clean, biking the Gateway Park mountain bike trail today, I did not feel like getting off the bike, getting out the camera and taking yet one more photo of my bike's handlebars sitting on a trail.

My momentary aversion to being repetitive will likely last less than 24 hours.

Or be over right now.

In addition to having a real fine time on my bike, earlier this morning I had a real fine time in the pool.

By tomorrow morning the pool should be more cool, what with an Arctic Blast blowing in, with the incoming cold expected to bring record breaking low temperatures. Which should make the pool feel way warmer than the air, come tomorrow morning.

A few minutes ago I received a letter that Congresswoman Kay Granger sent to her Fort Worth cronies. Earlier today I blogged about an Anonymous TRWD Super Villain.

I am almost 100% certain Kay Granger was not that Anonymous TRWD Super Villain, but reading her letter makes me wonder if my almost 100% certainty may be  erroneous.

Enough about political corruption, for now.

I know you are wondering what you are looking at in the picture above. That is a pizza pan in my oven. But, that is not pizza on the pizza pan.

A day or two ago, on Facebook, Connie D. (Fort Worth), not to be confused with Connie D. (Tacoma) posted the directions for making atn item called Jalapeno Cornbread Poppers.

I am not a big fan of following recipes. Recipes are way too much like someone telling me what to do, which usually makes me uncooperative. But, Connie D.'s Facebook photo of Jalapeno Cornbread Poppers looked so good I copied the directions. That and the directions appeared to be simple enough that I could handle following them.

So, I took 12  large jalapenos and sliced them lengthwise, removing the seeds and guts. Followed the directions on a Texas Style Honey Sweet Cornbread Mix I got at Walmart, mixed in a can of corn kernels, drained, of course. Mixed in a cup of shredded sharp cheese. Scooped the corn bread mix into the jalapeno halves, then spread another half cup of shredded sharp cheese on top. Baked 20 minutes at 350.

Delicious.

Thank you, Connie D. (Fort Worth)

TRWD Super Hero Captain Clean Attacked By Anonymous TRWD Super Villain

Last night the following blog post comment showed up....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Why Is Captain Clean So Mad At The TRWD Board One Can Not Help But Wonder?": 

Claims made by Captain Clean are based on 10-15 year old data. They have also failed to provide their plan for solving water quantity/quality issues. I'm always leary of group campaigns. These guys are just not passing the smell test.

To what Captain Clean outdated data claims is this Anonymous Villain referring?

The Captain Clean campaign mailer to which the Anonymous Villain refers contains no informational data.

In this mailer the main thing that Captain Clean is mad about is the fact that the TRWD Board spent money on a helicopter to facilitate flying to a private deer hunting preserve.

Does the TRWD Board no longer have this luxury helicopter? Was it 10-15 years ago the TRWD whirlybirded to do some deer hunting?

In this mailer Captain Clean is also mad about how polluted the Trinity River is.

Regarding the polluted Trinity River Captain Clean has previously said, "WFAA News recently reported that four out of five testing sites along the river in Fort Worth had dangerously high levels of E.Coli bacteria (from fecal matter) present; well above what the E.P.A. recommends as acceptable."

The Anonymous Villain is "leary" of group campaigns? Since "leary" is not a word I'm not certain what point the Anonymous Villain thinks he or she is making.

The "group campaign is not passing the smell test?"

The "group campaign" is failing to provide a plan for solving water quantity/quality issues?

Perhaps the Anonymous Villain neglected to check out the BNK Flush the TRWD website, where the Anonymous Villain might learn something about the current TRWD Record, based on current reality, not reality from 10-15 years ago...

Thinking About Doing Some Uncling With Mountain Lupine After My Mom Called About Getting Gas

With today being the last day of the month, with the month being April, I did what I always do on the last day of the month when the month is April, I went to Arlington's Village Creek Natural Historical Area to walk with the Indian Ghosts who haunt this naturally historic area.

In the picture you are looking at one of the Village Creek Natural Historical Area's Wildflower Areas.

This particular Wildflower Area is predominately colored by Pink Evening Primroses. You do see some other wildflowers when you are up close to this Wildflower Area, as in there are some Mountain Lupine (aka Bluebonnets) wildflowers trying to be noticed.

I heard on the radio this morning that an Arctic Blast is heading to North Texas, arriving on Friday, with record breaking low temperatures predicted, as in way closer to freezing than is the norm for early May at this location on the planet.

Speaking of the temperature, my mom called me this morning because, apparently, I have not called in awhile to tell my mom I got gas, how much the gas cost and what the temperature is. The Phoenix zone is already having 100 degree plus temperatures.

My mom asked me when I'm heading up to Washington. Why are so many people thinking I am heading up to Washington? Did I have a sleep walking episode and do some erroneous communicating?

I actually would like to head up to Washington and do some uncling.

Apparently uncling is not a word, because it just got red-flagged as a misspelling.

The lunch gong just went off. I must go have a feeding now.

Complaint Filed With The Texas Ethics Commission Over TRWD's Misuse Of Public Funds

On Friday I blogged about what I thought to be an ethically corrupt use of taxpayer funds by the Tarrant Regional Water District Board in a post titled Taking A Corrupt Shot From Tarrant Regional Water District Board Incumbents.

The following day the corrupt use of taxpayer funds showed up in my mailbox and in a blog post titled I Found 10 Pages Of Tarrant Regional Water District Propaganda In My Mailbox This Morning.

A lot of voters in the Tarrant Regional Water District zone are in extreme umbrage mode over the TRWD Board's unethical antics.

Including Fort Worth's Adrian Murray.

Today Adrian Murray announced, on Facebook that he....

Filed complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission this morning over TRWD's misuse of public funds in printing and mailing a 10 page 4 color glossy brochure promoting the Board of Directors just days before early voting begins in the board election.  Three fifths of the board is up for reelection and this was clearly a campaign mailer and should be paid for by the incumbents, not the taxpayer.

Addendum: The complaint filed with the Texas Ethics Commission is against each TRWD Board Member, individually, as in a separate complaint against each of the 5 Board Members, Victor W. Henderson, Hal S. Sparks, Jack Stevens, Marty Leonard and Jim Lane.

Texas Ethics Commission? Is this some sort of oxymoron? Or is this a rare legit Texas commission that has not been co-opted by the foxes that the commission is supposed to keep out of the henhouse?

Wikipedia has a short article about the Texas Ethics Commission, consisting of the following 4 paragraphs...

The Texas Ethics Commission was established in 1991 to "provide guidance on various public ethics laws" within the state of Texas. The agency is headquartered on the 10th Floor of the Sam Houston State Office Building at 201 East 14th Street in Downtown Austin.

It was created by a state constitutional amendment voted on by the voters on November 5, 1991, Article III, Section 24a.

It consists of 8 members and legislators are excluded from serving. By the constitution, the ethics commission recommends the salaries of members of the Texas Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

The legislature has also given the commission various other duties, including the filing of financial disclosure statements for government officials.

I can not help but wonder if the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is going to share with its dwindling number of readers the information that a complaint has been filed with the Texas Ethics Commission regarding alleged misuse of public funds by the TRWD Board.

Such an allegation seems totally newsworthy to me...

My Niece Ruby's Skagit Valley Texas Bluebonnets

A couple days ago I blogged Blue & Max Take David, Theo & Ruby For A Muddy Romp In A Tulip-less Skagit Valley Field regarding Blue & Max taking two of my nephews and my only niece to the Skagit Valley to tiptoe through the tulips.

In that particular blogging I complained that I had politely asked my poodle nephews to get a good photo of David, Theo & Ruby surrounded by tulips.

All I got was the trio in a field of mud.

But, today Blue & Max were looking through the pictures they took of their trip to the tulips and found the above beauty with Ruby standing in front of a lot of colorful flowers, some of which are tulips.

I found the blue flowers behind the first row of purple tulips to be interesting. These blue flowers appear to be Texas Bluebonnets.

The last time I was on Mount Rainier, August 11, 2008, I made the mistake of opining that a particular wildflower looked to be a Texas Bluebonnet. If I remember right I was told what I was looking at was a Mountain Lupine.

Well, color me shocked. I was right. The Mountain Lupine is a Bluebonnet. The state flower of Texas grows on Mount Rainier. And on the Flats of the Skagit Valley.

Taking A Sunday Walk With The Roses In Arlington's Veterans Park

The last time I visited the soldier who stands guard at the memorial in Arlington's Veterans Park was way back in July of last year.

I don't know why 10 months have gone by without me returning to one of my favorite parks in the Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington Metroplex zone.

It'd also been 10 months since I'd been to Arlington's International District to get Asian goodies at my favorite Asian grocery store, that being Saigon Cho Market on Pioneer Parkway.

The best Asian goodie I got at Saigon Cho today was 5 pounds of very lean ground beef. Asian ground beef is coarsely ground, which will make it excellent for a big pot of chili.

Nothing much had changed at Veterans Park since my last visit.

The view you see below I always find enjoyable. One would never think one was in the center of a metropolitan area with a population over 6 million when one looks at this view with nary an element of civilization as far as one can see.

Veterans Park was blooming a lot of wildflowers today. Flowers that weren't wildflowers were also blooming a lot of color, in the Xeriscape area.

Including a lot of red roses. Red roses smell good.

The above patch of pink Evening Primroses is the biggest Primrose patch I have seen this wildflower season.

I had myself a might fine time swimming this morning. At that point in time I did not need sunglasses. I think I may go for another swim this afternoon, along with some lounging under the now fully exposed sun. I am trying to reduce my pastiness level so I can lounge on a sunny beach without getting sunburned

Why Is Captain Clean So Mad At The TRWD Board One Can Not Help But Wonder?

With this morning's check of my mailbox I found the score is now 3 to 1 in the Mailer War between the TRWD Incumbents and the BNK Candidates to replace the TRWD Incumbents, with the BNK Candidates having the 3 to 1 advantage in election mailer output.

The BNK Candidates' Mailers are clearly election campaign literature, while the TRWD Candidates' one and only election mailer was a deceptive piece of election propaganda disguised as a 2012 Tarrant Regional Water District Board Report.

I never thought to wonder, til now, why this was a 2012 Board Report when the year is 2013.

In the latest BNK election message we learn more about why Captain Clean is so mad at the TRWD Board.

For instance, Captain Clean is mad "Because they used our money to buy themselves a private deer hunting lease and a luxurious private helicopter."

You can read Captain Clean shouting above, in the front page of the mailer that "While water shortages and pollution threaten our quality of life the Tarrant Regional Water District is busy spending our money on selfish perks for themselves!"

As you can see below, Captain Clean continues his mad tirade on the other side of the mailer, insisting "It's time to clean out the pipes at the Tarrant Regional Water District."

And that "The Tarrant Regional Water District's selfish perks must come to an end!"

What is Captain Clean's solution to ending the TRWD madness???

Apparently Captain Clean thinks "We must stop the lavish lifestyle of the TRWD Board and focus on what really matters - WATER!"

To accomplish this Captain Clean suggests we "Vote for THREE new Board Members to the TRWD, Basham,  Nold and Kelleher.

You can learn more at the BNK Flush the TRWD website.

Early voting starts April 29, til May 7, with the election taking place Saturday, May 11.

Biking The Gateway Park Jungle Because Elsie Hotpepper Won't Go To The Prairie Fest With Me

This final Saturday of April was the first time I've pedaled the Gateway Park mountain bike trail since late last winter.

On that particular late last winter Gateway Park bike ride the predominant color was brown. As you can see, via the photo, the Gateway Park jungle has returned, with the predominant color now being green.

Today, with it being Saturday, April 27, the 2013 Prairie Fest is taking place.

I could not find anyone to go to the Prairie Fest with me this year. It is well known that I rarely go solo to anything.

I called Elsie Hotpepper, thrice, thinking she might go Prairie Festing with me. I thought Elsie Hotpepper might go Prairie Festing with me because the last time I had myself any fun at the Prairie Fest it was with Elsie Hotpepper and her supply of adult libations of the sort I rarely consume.

Elsie Hotpepper did call me back, a couple times. One of those times I was in the pool, unable to hear my phone make its incoming call noise. I think it was that missed call that brought about my third call to Elsie Hotpepper attempt.

Another reason I was not feeling strongly motivated to help bring Power to the Prairie was on Friday I had myself an exhausting day with way too much human interaction and bruising bus rides that left me feeling in need of peace and quiet.

Hence the bike ride through a jungle.

However, I did subject myself to way too much human interaction, of short duration, with my regular Saturday visit to Town Talk. Today I saw, upon arrival, that the Town Talk reader board read "PRODUCE SALE."

For me, "PRODUCE SALE" meant two bags of red spuds, 8 yellow peppers, 8 green peppers, 2 bags of spinach, 5 pounds of broccoli crowns, 3 pounds of onions, dozens of Anaheim peppers and a lot of other stuff I am not remembering right now.

Currently the outer world, at my location, is supposedly heated to only 70 degrees, at a minute or two past 6. However, even though the temperature is supposedly only 70, I am way too hot inside this abode. I had the windows open all afternoon. This may have been a mistake that I think I am about to rectify by firing up the air conditioner.