Greetings to all you nice people out there in our E-mail universe. First off, today is Joshua Troy Casselman's birthday, he is our youngest son and works for the FBI in Washington D.C.. He will also be getting married next month to Jenny, his long term lady-friend who we like very much. They make a wonderful couple. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON!!!!!
So, it was windy this morning, about 40-degrees and for a brief spell the smoke has mostly left us. We are just hoping the wind blows in the right direction so the fires burn back on themselves. Rain clouds overhead, but we're not expecting any rain to fall, but we sure do not miss the smoke. Our Alaskan Governor visited all the fire spots over the weekend, not sure if he actually got involved in fighting a fire, but I hope the crews working the fire line were impressed with his showing up. With 250 fires burning across the state, he had a wide choice of where to go.
These fires have sure put a large dent in the state's tourism trade, closing down bus lines into tourist spots, fewer cars on the road due to road closures and even the train between Anchorage and Fairbanks was stopped for a couple days. Hotels are seeing a lack of business and having to refund a lot of tour funds for people canceling their trips. But, for the Alaskan citizen the October Alaska Dividend this year is set for $1600 approximately. Our will go toward firewood, maybe some window, roof sealant and filling the freezer. Governor is still trying to raise the dividends to $3,000 but this is doubtful it will pass the politicians. We did have one year where we each got $3200 because the governor at that time added an extra $1200 to each dividend. Got a lot of bills paid that year.
Because of the extremely hot summer this year, most of the people we talk to are wondering what sort of winter we might have. Most expect a deep snow year. We had one of our deep snow years about 10-years ago and we had over 16-feet fall. Our driveway almost resembled a long tunnel. Our plow guy said he couldn't move anymore snow without bring a big dump truck in to haul snow away. Did a lot of shoveling that year.
It seems we will have two more retired school buses being brought onto the backyard. One for Elizabeth and Chris to live in and another for their friend to live in. We still have the old bus we use for storage, so we might resemble a school parking lot. Got to get another bathroom built!
It was another 5 a.m. morning, but the dogs like it when I wake up early and they can get outside. Our toy poodle has surprised us by becoming a critter hunter, going after mice and voles, maybe a hare or two. She came home the other day with the biggest vole I've seen so far, but I took it away from her and used it to fertilize a outside plant. Our cinder-block basement keeps the voles from being able to dig into the house, which is nice. But those dang flies still find a way in.
Mona and Ava are awake now. Ava usually does the dishes every morning and does some cooking as a way of helping out the household. She also does my editing and is waiting for me to finish my latest writing endeavor. Being a former professional secretary she does a real nice job. Susan, who used to do my editing, moved up to Fairbanks to be with her daughter and 2 granddaughters. I once enquired into hiring a professional editor and they quoted me $100 a page. I said thank you, but NO. The Good Lord has blessed me with 6 books published and I have 5 books pending. Gives me something to do and I do enjoy story telling.
HEADLINES: "Brazil's President Calls in Military to Fight Widespread Amazon Fires".... "Trump Announces He Can Force US Companies to Leave China".... "After Period of Relative Peace, Protests in Hong Kong Turn Violent Again, as Police in Riot Gear Charge Demonstrators, Using Water Cannons, Tear Gas and Even Shots being Fired, While Protesters Respond with Molotov Cocktails. Protesters also Form Human Chain Across the City for 30-Miles"...."NASA Investigating Fire Crime in Space, as Astronaut on the International Space Station is Suspected of Improperly Using Station's System to Access Estranged Wife Bank Account"....."Trump Threatens to Raise Tariffs with China to 30%, But China Responds With Same Plan".... "Report: Scientists Claim Black Hole in Space Has Gobbled up a Neutron Star, Causing Ripples in Space and Time".... "Wizard of Oz" Movie is now 80-Years Old and Remake Due Out Soon".... "Trump Orders U.S. Mail Carriers to Search Chinese Packages for 'Fentanyl', Angering China".... "Report: Palestine President Abbas Vows 'Millions of Fighters' Will Take Over Jerusalem".... "Iran Test Fires New Missile".... "Canadian Editor Sentenced to Prison for Promoting Holocaust Denial and Rape"...." China and Pakistan Begin Joint Training of Their Air Forces".... "Sudan's Flooding Kills 60 People and Injures 101".... "Long Beach, California K-9 Police Dog Dies After Being Left in Hot Police Car".... "Report: Patients Face Higher Fees and Longer Waits After Planned Parenthood Quits Federal Program".... "Russia Test Fires Missiles From Submarines".... "Russian Spacecraft Being Flown by Humanoid Robot Fails to Dock With International Space Station".... "Russia's First Float Nuclear Power Plant Sets Sails in the Arctic, Amid Environmental Fears".... "North Korea Test Fires Two Missiles into The Sea"....
"Kashmir Protesters Clash With India's Military".... "Report: Arctic Wildfires Spew Soot and Smoke Cloud Bigger Than European Union".... "Report: After Claim Comes Out About Amazon Fire Threatening World's Oxygen Supply, NASA Says Amazon Puts Out Less Than 20% of the World's Oxygen and Whole Amazon Not on Fire".... "Philippines Advises Google to Remove Fake YouTube Videos"....
""Report: Countries Failing to Honor Funding Pledges is Causing Chaos in Yemen"...."Court Jury Awards Former Planned Parenthood Employee $3 Million for 'Wrongful Termination' "..... "1.7 Million Protesters Attend Hong Kong Anti-Government Rally"...." "San Francisco Changes 'Convicted Felon' to 'Justice Involved Person' "...." Indonesia Sends 1,000 Police Officers Against Protesters".... "52,000 Gun Parts From China Seized by U.S. Customs".... "Cherokee Nation Names Delegate to Congress".... "Russia's Putin Tried to Smash Rivals, But Protests Have Spiraled".... "Iran Issues Sanctions on Trump Admin Officials".... "Australia to Block Internet Domains Hosting Extreme Content".... "Japan 'Slams' South Korean Military Drills Around Disputed Island, Further Stoking Tensions Between These Asian Neighbors".... " Pope Asks For Global Effort to Fight Amazon Fires".... " Report: Violence Has Forced 1.9 Million Children Out of Classes in West and Central Africa".... "Report: Migrants From Countries Racked by Ebola Virus, Tuberculosis and Measles Crossing Over Southern US Border".... "Democrats Sponsor Contest to Redesign 'Old Glory' Flag Without Stars and Stripes. Saying Our Flag is Racist". (BELONEY!).... "G-7 Countries Commit $20 Million to Protect Amazon Rain Forest".... "Israeli Court Bans 'Racist' Candidates From Upcoming General Election".... "Russia Admits Radioactive Isotopes Were Released in Incident At Arctic Missile Test Site".... "German Theme Park Forced to Close Ride That was Built in the Shape of Giant Nazi Swastikas"....
I've noticed that the lack of volcano eruptions and earthquakes continues. I also couldn't help but notice the rise in tension between so many parts of the world. From Moscow, Russia to Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, India and Kashmir, Africa, China and the US, Russia and the US, Iran and so many others- to include US. UK, Australia, Israel... the list is long. Jordan and Israel, Palestine and Israel, Pakistan and India. Makes me wonder where the "Doomsday Clock" is showing right now. Then we have the religious factions as Christians and Muslims, Buddhists and Muslims and so many Terrorists Organizations.it hard to remember them all. So, things are tense and hopefully the people in charge can keep their fingers off the buttons. Maybe we could get all the terrorist groups to go fight the fires in the Amazon....Ya, I doubt it too. That would involve actual work.
Mona and I fought forest fires while in the Air Force. Her group got surrounded by walls of flames and a helicopter pulled them out, but she was a bit singed and just happened to be wearing my jacket. I fought one fire out behind Eielson AFB, near Fairbanks, using a 5 gallon water tank on my back, when I was tackled from behind and rolled about 10-feet. Just as a burning spruce tree fell exactly where I was seconds earlier standing. But the closest person to me was well over 50-feet away and busy cutting a tree down. No one else, left me asking a lot of questions. Later, I became a Christian and I've had my life saved 5 times where only angels could've done it. So, yes I am a believer!!!! Mona watched it happen once, left her speechless.
After reading the Old Testament and how often the Lord grew angry with the Israelites and their stubborn behavior and turning away from Him to worship other Gods, just after having their lives saved over and over again, it makes me wonder how the Lord can tolerate us? Big question. Is He behind the climate change? Who knows? Its not like we could stop Him. But we can pray and ask for miracles. They still happen.
Okay, all for now. Hope you have a wonderful week and may eh Good Lord answer your prayers. BILL
These fires have sure put a large dent in the state's tourism trade, closing down bus lines into tourist spots, fewer cars on the road due to road closures and even the train between Anchorage and Fairbanks was stopped for a couple days. Hotels are seeing a lack of business and having to refund a lot of tour funds for people canceling their trips. But, for the Alaskan citizen the October Alaska Dividend this year is set for $1600 approximately. Our will go toward firewood, maybe some window, roof sealant and filling the freezer. Governor is still trying to raise the dividends to $3,000 but this is doubtful it will pass the politicians. We did have one year where we each got $3200 because the governor at that time added an extra $1200 to each dividend. Got a lot of bills paid that year.
Because of the extremely hot summer this year, most of the people we talk to are wondering what sort of winter we might have. Most expect a deep snow year. We had one of our deep snow years about 10-years ago and we had over 16-feet fall. Our driveway almost resembled a long tunnel. Our plow guy said he couldn't move anymore snow without bring a big dump truck in to haul snow away. Did a lot of shoveling that year.
It seems we will have two more retired school buses being brought onto the backyard. One for Elizabeth and Chris to live in and another for their friend to live in. We still have the old bus we use for storage, so we might resemble a school parking lot. Got to get another bathroom built!
It was another 5 a.m. morning, but the dogs like it when I wake up early and they can get outside. Our toy poodle has surprised us by becoming a critter hunter, going after mice and voles, maybe a hare or two. She came home the other day with the biggest vole I've seen so far, but I took it away from her and used it to fertilize a outside plant. Our cinder-block basement keeps the voles from being able to dig into the house, which is nice. But those dang flies still find a way in.
Mona and Ava are awake now. Ava usually does the dishes every morning and does some cooking as a way of helping out the household. She also does my editing and is waiting for me to finish my latest writing endeavor. Being a former professional secretary she does a real nice job. Susan, who used to do my editing, moved up to Fairbanks to be with her daughter and 2 granddaughters. I once enquired into hiring a professional editor and they quoted me $100 a page. I said thank you, but NO. The Good Lord has blessed me with 6 books published and I have 5 books pending. Gives me something to do and I do enjoy story telling.
HEADLINES: "Brazil's President Calls in Military to Fight Widespread Amazon Fires".... "Trump Announces He Can Force US Companies to Leave China".... "After Period of Relative Peace, Protests in Hong Kong Turn Violent Again, as Police in Riot Gear Charge Demonstrators, Using Water Cannons, Tear Gas and Even Shots being Fired, While Protesters Respond with Molotov Cocktails. Protesters also Form Human Chain Across the City for 30-Miles"...."NASA Investigating Fire Crime in Space, as Astronaut on the International Space Station is Suspected of Improperly Using Station's System to Access Estranged Wife Bank Account"....."Trump Threatens to Raise Tariffs with China to 30%, But China Responds With Same Plan".... "Report: Scientists Claim Black Hole in Space Has Gobbled up a Neutron Star, Causing Ripples in Space and Time".... "Wizard of Oz" Movie is now 80-Years Old and Remake Due Out Soon".... "Trump Orders U.S. Mail Carriers to Search Chinese Packages for 'Fentanyl', Angering China".... "Report: Palestine President Abbas Vows 'Millions of Fighters' Will Take Over Jerusalem".... "Iran Test Fires New Missile".... "Canadian Editor Sentenced to Prison for Promoting Holocaust Denial and Rape"...." China and Pakistan Begin Joint Training of Their Air Forces".... "Sudan's Flooding Kills 60 People and Injures 101".... "Long Beach, California K-9 Police Dog Dies After Being Left in Hot Police Car".... "Report: Patients Face Higher Fees and Longer Waits After Planned Parenthood Quits Federal Program".... "Russia Test Fires Missiles From Submarines".... "Russian Spacecraft Being Flown by Humanoid Robot Fails to Dock With International Space Station".... "Russia's First Float Nuclear Power Plant Sets Sails in the Arctic, Amid Environmental Fears".... "North Korea Test Fires Two Missiles into The Sea"....
"Kashmir Protesters Clash With India's Military".... "Report: Arctic Wildfires Spew Soot and Smoke Cloud Bigger Than European Union".... "Report: After Claim Comes Out About Amazon Fire Threatening World's Oxygen Supply, NASA Says Amazon Puts Out Less Than 20% of the World's Oxygen and Whole Amazon Not on Fire".... "Philippines Advises Google to Remove Fake YouTube Videos"....
""Report: Countries Failing to Honor Funding Pledges is Causing Chaos in Yemen"...."Court Jury Awards Former Planned Parenthood Employee $3 Million for 'Wrongful Termination' "..... "1.7 Million Protesters Attend Hong Kong Anti-Government Rally"...." "San Francisco Changes 'Convicted Felon' to 'Justice Involved Person' "...." Indonesia Sends 1,000 Police Officers Against Protesters".... "52,000 Gun Parts From China Seized by U.S. Customs".... "Cherokee Nation Names Delegate to Congress".... "Russia's Putin Tried to Smash Rivals, But Protests Have Spiraled".... "Iran Issues Sanctions on Trump Admin Officials".... "Australia to Block Internet Domains Hosting Extreme Content".... "Japan 'Slams' South Korean Military Drills Around Disputed Island, Further Stoking Tensions Between These Asian Neighbors".... " Pope Asks For Global Effort to Fight Amazon Fires".... " Report: Violence Has Forced 1.9 Million Children Out of Classes in West and Central Africa".... "Report: Migrants From Countries Racked by Ebola Virus, Tuberculosis and Measles Crossing Over Southern US Border".... "Democrats Sponsor Contest to Redesign 'Old Glory' Flag Without Stars and Stripes. Saying Our Flag is Racist". (BELONEY!).... "G-7 Countries Commit $20 Million to Protect Amazon Rain Forest".... "Israeli Court Bans 'Racist' Candidates From Upcoming General Election".... "Russia Admits Radioactive Isotopes Were Released in Incident At Arctic Missile Test Site".... "German Theme Park Forced to Close Ride That was Built in the Shape of Giant Nazi Swastikas"....
I've noticed that the lack of volcano eruptions and earthquakes continues. I also couldn't help but notice the rise in tension between so many parts of the world. From Moscow, Russia to Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, India and Kashmir, Africa, China and the US, Russia and the US, Iran and so many others- to include US. UK, Australia, Israel... the list is long. Jordan and Israel, Palestine and Israel, Pakistan and India. Makes me wonder where the "Doomsday Clock" is showing right now. Then we have the religious factions as Christians and Muslims, Buddhists and Muslims and so many Terrorists Organizations.it hard to remember them all. So, things are tense and hopefully the people in charge can keep their fingers off the buttons. Maybe we could get all the terrorist groups to go fight the fires in the Amazon....Ya, I doubt it too. That would involve actual work.
Mona and I fought forest fires while in the Air Force. Her group got surrounded by walls of flames and a helicopter pulled them out, but she was a bit singed and just happened to be wearing my jacket. I fought one fire out behind Eielson AFB, near Fairbanks, using a 5 gallon water tank on my back, when I was tackled from behind and rolled about 10-feet. Just as a burning spruce tree fell exactly where I was seconds earlier standing. But the closest person to me was well over 50-feet away and busy cutting a tree down. No one else, left me asking a lot of questions. Later, I became a Christian and I've had my life saved 5 times where only angels could've done it. So, yes I am a believer!!!! Mona watched it happen once, left her speechless.
After reading the Old Testament and how often the Lord grew angry with the Israelites and their stubborn behavior and turning away from Him to worship other Gods, just after having their lives saved over and over again, it makes me wonder how the Lord can tolerate us? Big question. Is He behind the climate change? Who knows? Its not like we could stop Him. But we can pray and ask for miracles. They still happen.
Okay, all for now. Hope you have a wonderful week and may eh Good Lord answer your prayers. BILL
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