Happy Halloween!

Life and Death

"Without Life, there would be no Death. Without Death, Life would have no meaning."

-Kevin J. Curtis 1982

98 Years Later, What Have We Learned?

The Middle. The Center.

When Liberals call you a Conservative, and Conservatives call you a Liberal, what do you suppose that means?

Why Do Some Lives Matter More?

As we move toward another weekend, I've been reflecting on the shooting deaths of two black men in St. Paul last weekend. Why didn't these murders spark the outrage and protests that occur when a black man is shot by police?

http://www.startribune.com/17-people-shot-two-fatally-in-minneapolis-and-st-paul-since-last-week/452630183/

The answer appears to be political. There is nothing to be gained by protesting black against black violence; or is there? Why should only a few shootings be politicized? Why do some lives seem to matter more?

What needs to be asked, is why people are out in the world shooting guns at one another? What is the root cause? Blaming the issues on police is, pardon the pun, a "cop out."

If need be, compare successful individuals within any demographic with those who are caught shooting guns, committing crime and murdering people. What is the difference between the two groups? Is it influenced by economics? Is it absentee fathers? Is it a glorification of street culture? Is it a lack of commitment to education? Is it a broken family structure? I'm just brainstorming here.

But it seems that if "we" as a society decide to blame the police for these social issues when we employee the police to "keep the peace," we are really far off the mark to ever finding a solution to the truth of the problem.

-KJC

http://kstp.com/news/st-paul-police-identify-weekend-shooting-victims/4644139/?cat=12196

Trump Schism Destroying Republican party

The Republican Party has a serious problem. It is called, Donald Trump. Many people, including some leading Republicans, are simply unable to pretend that Trump is an effective leader; as opposed to a spoiled, immature, rich brat like his Tweets have so effectively demonstrated. Yet the party faithful have given the ultimatum that if you are a Republican, you must support Trump or "get out." Some are choosing to leave as the only alternative that is logical and intelligent. Others will "follow the emperor; even though he has no clothes."

Carrots

The carrot crop was good. It was possibly the only thing that the deer didn't eat on. It's good that deer don't have shovels...

Kinstone

Kinstone is amazing!

http://www.kinstonecircle.com/

Coopers Cottage

We stayed all the way up at the top in the Coopers Hawk Cottage.

https://www.hawksview.net/

Easy Way to Cook Beets

If you like beets like I do, but your family doesn't like them, like mine doesn't, you can still enjoy this wonderfully healthy food. The absolute easiest way to make them that I have found, is to bake them in foil like a baked potato. I also like to double wrap them in foil and bake them on hot coals. Nothing more is needed. Simply unwrap, peel and eat!

Kids & Germs

When I see my otherwise intelligent and happy child touch every surface around him as he navigates a public area; and then touch his face or eat with his hands, it is no mystery why children come down with colds and transmittable illness so easily. And while he will whine about his nose or his throat and act miserable, and while I can so easily teach him almost everything else, including hand washing, it is virtually impossible to make him understand that touching everything and then touching his face or eating with his hands is going to significantly increase the likelihood of his getting sick. I think that touching things is hardwired as a part of learning—but it really is hard for a parent to helplessly see his kid "playing Russian roulette" with germs and viruses.

View from Mill City Museum

Everyone Needs 10 to 46 Assault Rifles

Everyone Needs 10 to 46 Assault Rifles
UnAssociated Press
October 4, 2017

If the tragic shooting deaths of 59 Americans (and hundreds more wounded) in Las Vegas shows us anything, it is that more guns, and particularly more assault rifles are desperately needed in the United States of America. No one can be truly safe, until everyone in America is heavily armed and toting an assault rife. Every American home should have 10 to 46 assault rifles loaded, and at the ready.

While democrats are calling for stricter gun laws, Republicans are saying that reducing the number of guns will not stop anyone from being shot as long as there are people running around with guns.
"The answer is more guns," said an NRA spokesman. "Until we can get at least one assault rifle into the hands of every man, woman and child in the United States, no one will be safe! Only a madman would be unable to see the logic in (everyone) walking around with numerous high capacity weapons!
Indeed, it seems that the entire answer to freedom and safety lies with everyone in the USA being heavily armed at all times.

Tom Petty has Left the Building...

Oliver Kelley Farm

http://www.mnhs.org/kelleyfarm

NFL Protest: Locked Arms

OK I have to admit that I don't find the "locking arms" thing during the national anthem to be particularly disrespectful. I still don't like the "taking a knee" or holding up a fist. It seems the locking arms players were still being respectful. Of course, one could argue that to take a knee, a person may be showing subordination--such as how one might greet royalty. I guess holding up a fist could somehow show support for a strong nation as well. Maybe the players should wear tutus and dance if they want to make their point.