September 30. 2011. Artemas, PA. Early Adapter.

It makes dense.  In the natural world, some animals are quick to find new sources of food while the more timid ones hang back, waiting for the all clear to be signaled.  You can see it in the deer at the farm.  First into the field comes the brave active deer, usually smaller, then soon the larger deer appear.  Finally, the largest deer walk cautiously onto the field.  It is perfectly reasonable to wait until the younger ones clear out the danger.

People are the same.  The early adapters jump on every new toy while others wait to see if the object will be useful before the purchase of the object.   Ken is one of those earlier birds.  He wants the new toy immediately and he wants it in use.   I want a new piece of equipment if it will help me with business or if it makes my life easier but I am not quick to use a new piece of equipment if I have another way to do the same thing.   For instance, we bought a new IPad for me in March.  I don't use it much because I read on my Kindle and I use my computer for e mails and the blog.   It is merely laziness on my part.  I have not taken the time to get used to the systems.  We are thinking of leaving the computer at home and taking only our IPads.  Today, I forced myself to use my IPad.   I have become a late early adapter!!

September 29, 2011. Artemas, PA. Cab Calloway.

I enjoy rags to riches stories, especially with a musical theme.  Cab Calloway fits that bill.  I have just finished reading a new biography,  one in a line of swing era people.  It has been interesting to  note that many of the musicians appear in the biographies of Louis Armstrong, George Gerschwin and Moss Hart.

Cab Calloway died in his mid 80s and worked right until he died.    I remembered him as the Hi De Ho man, in fact that is the name of the book.  He certainly did that, but in addition he was a band leader and singer and entertainer, then an actor and singer in Porgy and Bess and Hello Dolly, also The Pajama Game.  Finally, he worked as a sole entertainer, never losing his voice until over 80, al least according to the writer.

It is a great story, although not particularly well written,  but I enjoyed the book.  I am sorry but I don't recall the author as I can't find it in the archives of my Kindle.  I am always astonished at what went on right in front of my eyes and I did not even know about it.  But I was working or at school or raising the children with no time for the Broadway scene.  But I love reading all about it.

September 28, 2011. Artemas, PA. The Rains.

The ranch in Texas has finally had some rain, but not much.   Texas is still very dry so the danger from wild fires is still high.    It is a different story, here at the farm in Pennsylvania.  All of yesterday and today we have had intervals of heavy rain and thunder storms.  Then the sun comes out but very soon we are back to heavy rain.    It is difficult for the farmers to get their work done.

An added difficulty is our Internet signal coming via satellite, also the TV.   The heavy drops of rain interferes with the signal and we lose our service.  Our first satellite service was installed at the ranch in Texas.  I asked the young man installing the system if the high wind at the Top House would interfere with the signal.   He set me straight.  "High wind does not interfere with the satellite but heavy rain will cut the signal right off," said he.  And so it does.

I'm enjoying the rains.  I turned on the air conditioners to get rid of the humidity so it is very pleasant inside the house looking out.  But I'm glad not to be a farmer.

September 27, 2011. Artemas, PA. The Drive.

For 38 years Ken and I have been driving the backroads of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  If you had asked us, we would have told you that we had been on every road in Bedford County.  But today, we found out that we would have been wrong.

I needed a skirt shortened and as I can't thread a needle I found a cleaners in Bedford who had a lady who would take down the hem, cut eight inches from the bottom, then fix the bottom.   I put the address in the GPS and low and behold, it directed us onto a road we had never been on before today.    Ken and I have driven to Bedford hundreds of times.  Now we have found a better way.  Who said that we are too old to learn anything new!!

September26, 2011. Artemas, PA. Planning A Trip.

This afternoon, sitting in the screen room of our hill house,  we talked about our train trip.  We have been discussing the trip for almost two years but there are so many variables that spinning down time and place has been difficult.    We want to take a train trip across Canada and the US, and never use a rental car.  One problem is where to start and stop and where to leave the truck.  We would prefer to not repeat any leg of the journey but that leaves the truck in a place other than us.   Our discussion was productive with Ken on the IPad and me with the map.

This is what we decided.  We will take the trip either in late spring of 2012 or Autumn 2012.  We will begin the trip in Jackson, taking the train to Chicago.  From Chicago we go to Los Angeles, via Denver.  Next north to Seattle, followed by the train through the Rockies.  Lastly, depending when we go, we will take the train to Chicago and on to San Antonio or we will go right across Canada to Halifax.  It should be four or five weeks, all on the trains.

I am excited.  Now we just fill in the details.

September 25, 2011. Artemas, PA. Agriculture.

We get over 250 TV channels.  They  include several specifically for farmers, so we watch the farmer's report.   At least, I listen to the farmer's report while I stay at the computer.   Ken is giving himself a short course in the latest seeds and fertilizers so we can have a sensible conversation with the farmers Brian and Alan.

It is astonishing what you find on TV these days.  Next up is Alaska.  We could be farmers in Alaska!!   On the same channel are ranchers teaching the raising and training of cutting horses.  No telling what you can find on these rural channels.  We might even become farmers, we will know so much!!

September24, 2011. Artemas, PA. College Football.

It is always the same.  Every article critical of university education ends up recommending the elimination or reduction of athletics.   No one suggests that college ball is perfect but why throw out the baby with the bath water?  I want the articles to stick with the education of students and deal with athletics as a separate issue, not lump them together.

I know several things about higher education.   Standards have decreased.  My Mother knew more than I did even though she had a high school education.  She studied Latin and Greek and was widely read in English.  My Grandmother spoke French and could read Latin but she had no college degree.  Clearly, standards have dropped.

But leave college football alone or better still, fix it.  The NCAA should allow players to receive a stipend.   I know the student athletes have a free education but the Universities earn millions of dollars when these kids play these games.  It makes no sense they have no money.  But I love watching college football.  You never know what will happen.  Today is a bonanza for fans.  Six games on TV at the same time and more tonight.  I am in football heaven.