Primary election day

Our part of the voting is done but the voting continues for others.
There are six candidates for Mayor, three candidates for 3rd and 5th
Ward Aldermen, and four for the 4th Ward. This election will narrow
those down to two candidates then we’ll vote again in December.

After taking care of that I went over and had a visit with Dad who looked like he was rode hard and put away wet. He claimed he stayed up late because the dancing girls promised to show up. He then added that their bus broke down again so they didn’t make it.

The neighbors dog watched me working on the lawn and didn’t bark
until one of the feral kittens went into attack mode and chased the
dog. I wish I could have gotten some pictures of that chase.

Spent most the day outside enjoying the fresh air and blue skies
while watching some birds doing what they do. There weren’t a lot of
birds out and didn’t catch any pelicans soaring in the blue sky but
it was still a good day. Not sure what’s causing the bird viewing
shortage but wish it would turn around soon.

I had too big a lunch and am seriously considering a short nap to
get back on track. Or I could get ambitious and really get something
done. Not sure which way it will go can put up with either ending.

Enjoy our Tuesday and if there is a primary election where you’re at,
please get out and vote for the candidates of your choice. Now I have
a decision to make before I get a headache.
Comments are always welcome.

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NCVS

The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, released the
results from the 2018 National Crime Victimization Survery earlier
this month. The survey collects data on nonfatal crimes.

The link above is to a breifing on the survey and has a link to the
survey for those interested. The survey is a PDF file. According to
the survey, after a decline of over a decade the number of violent
crimes rose by 604,000 victims since 2015 among residents 12 and
older.

In that time the portion of the U.S. population age 12 and over who
were victims of nonfatal violent crimes increased from 0.98% to 1.18%.
There are more percentages listed in the link.

According to the survey the offender was the same race as the victim.
That breaks down as follows: 70% of violent incidences involving
black victims, 62% involving white victims, 45% involving Hispanic
victims, and 24% involving Asian victims.

I don’t know where they came up with those numbers as they add to
about 200% doing the math in my head.

Some good news, while violent crime is up slightly property crimes are down. Property crimes fell from 7.99% in 2014 to 7.27% in 2018. Over the same time frame, the percentage of households that fell victim to burglary fell from 1.27% to 1.07%.

Finally, in 2018 the rate of violent victimizations against U.S.
citizens was 23.9 victims per 1,000 U.S. citizens. The rate for non-
citizens was lower at 12.5 victimizations per 1,000 non- U.S. citizens.

Now we know. for more information go the link and look for the link
to the survey. Enjoy our Wednesday as we will.
Comments are always welcome.

Some days

Even though it wasn’t that hot, the kittens decided it was a good day for a nap. Every time we ventured outside yesterday in the afternoon they looked like the pictures. Pretty good life for feral cats.

Around the area a squirrel decided to climb into an old gutter and be designated lookout. Not sure what he was looking for but it looked like he was going a good job.

The old pine tree has a new branch coming out and the sunlight hitting the pine cones looked interesting. Hope this doesn’t mean the old tree will have 3 tops something in the future.

A little later the moon came up and looked like part of neon beer sign in a dimly lit bar. One could imagine it was cropped from a scene with a river, tent, and campfire below. Even though I haven’t had a beer since 1987, I could imagine the sign and myself setting on that river bank with a big smile on my face while talking to the moon. Some days you just feel blessed.

Enjoy our Saturday as that means the weekend is almost half done. Now I need some coffee and a heap of bacon before getting things done.
Comments are always welcome.

Summer days

The feral kittens found a new hiding spot and it took a while to find it. They would venture out then scamper right back at the slightest noise. Turns out, their new hiding spot was next to where I’d planned to stand and get a few pictures of the Blue Angels as they flew over.

While waiting for the flyover other things caught the eye. Like the splash of bright colors in an otherwise bland hill and the winged creature sunning in the alley. Not sure if it’s a butterfly or a moth.

Was worried at first that this one was going to crash. While the jet looks quite low the tree is a really big old growth oak on a lot that is elevated above our viewing spot. These things can scoot though.

Here are a few pictures of the Blue Angels in formation above us. We only had a short peek at them or would have gotten more pictures. No thought was given to cruising out to closer viewing spot for more shots as it was just too stinking hot out.

Sunday was a picture perfect summer day until about 5 hours after the Air Show ended when the skies opened up and the rains came. With winds strong enough to blow semi trucks over on the interstate and knock out power to about 40,000 homes. We weren’t one of those homes.

Enjoy our Monday as it’s the first day of the rest of out lives. Now for more coffee.
Comments are always welcome.

Who needs TV?

The Blue Angels are here for the Air Show that starts tomorrow and the rain has stayed away. I went to mow the yard yesterday and found the cord for the charger of the battery powered mower unplugged. I”ll try to get the mowing done today.

When I got the camera out and got on the porch I noticed an bright orange spot and a smaller black spot on the lawn. The pictures didn’t come out great as I was shooting through two storm doors. Yes, a cat was thinking the squirrel was lunch while the squirrel ate his.

And the clouds were a distraction that was something to see. At first I thought there was a fire somewhere but as I looked in all directions noticed it was just Mother Nature putting on a show.

Then Mama cat decided to bring a few of her kittens out of the garage to explore the great outdoors. The kittens were checking things out and didn’t run off as I got a little closer. I know if I pushed it to get closer they would have vanished for the day and I was having too much fun watching them frolic.

The two stayed out even as mom left to see if the food bowl by the porch got refilled. Mama cat is eating like she weighs double what she does but I imagine she gets quite a workout with the four kittens. When the other two show up we’ll get some pictures of them to share.

Enjoy our Friday, it’s the only one we get this week. Now for some more coffee before things get busy.
Comments are always welcome.

Running late

Last night the sky was clear as a bell so the moon and stars put on quite a show here on the east coast of Iowa. So Monte, the man in the moon, and I had a long talk. We talked of the crazy weather, the rare clear night, and rather or not we should start building an Ark. As you can see in the picture he was smiling as wide as I was.

This morning I went over to Dads for a visit and we had a great time while he ate some of the donuts I bought then later in the living room. Of course talk of the farm came up and different smells that went with that.

The barn with the hay in the loft and the leather of the rigging for the horses, even the livestock pens. Of walking the beans and corn, the huge country suppers, and family both here and gone. He got a gleam in his eye as he mentioned the old Johnny Pepper 2-cylinder tractor and again mentioned he thought the Model T was best car ever built.

He lives up to his self-proclaimed nickname of Antique Farmer. He again told me he liked the picture of a white barn that we got him for his birthday and had it hung on the wall by his TV.

As I was headed home a glance at the clock in the car told me I’d spent a lot longer than usual visiting. And even knowing that I’m still smiling. Enjoy our Tuesday as it’s the only one we get this week. Now for some coffee and leftover pizza.
Comments are always welcome.

Cute critters

I don’t get many pictures of cute critters but when I found where Mama cat hid her miniature brood the chance was there. We noticed Mama went from pregnant to skinny again and couldn’t find where she stashed the kittens. Until I went to get into the garage and noticed something moving behind the security door.

The orange object I saw moving was this kitten sitting on Mamas back and in a playful mood. Mama cat didn’t seem to mind so I put off going into the garage. When the kittens notice they’re being watched they scatter.

After all the playing the kitten took a nap. I just had to get this shot if I didn’t get any others. As luck would have it I got lucky and snapped a few more.

This little one seemed curious and was looking at everything. It makes me wish the glass was cleaner so it would be a better shot. With the rain everyday it’s not easy to keep the glass clear.

Finally, this one looks a little green but that is just a reflection in the glass. The green lawn gave the critter a different look. There is one other kitten and I’m working on getting his picture. He looks a lot like the famous Grumpy Cat and doesn’t resemble his siblings much.
Sooner or later I’ll get a shot of him.

Enjoy our Wednesday and enjoy the pictures as we have. Now for some more coffee.
Comments are always welcome.