View From the Porch 1-25-2014

Via Instapundit...

Listen to the dummy...



One final word, please do listen...

Out on the Mudflats

My wife and daughter went on a walk out on the mudflats. My daughter took this image with the new point & shoot she got for Christmas. I did minimal post-production on it.

Here  is something you should look at, via Instapundit. It's worth a few minutes of your time.

UFO's Over Anchorage??

    Photos of the Mayan apocalypse?
    More like the reflections of the lights from inside the room where I took this photo.
    Along the apocalyptic line here's a link to a thought provoking article from Ace, (via Instapundit).
   

Remember this saying? Living well is the best revenge.
Well, it’s got nothing to do with accumulating a bunch of wealth so you can show it off to your enemies and make them jealous.
Quite the opposite. Living well means living a happy, contented life filled with love, laughter and meaning.
Look at these clowns on the other side. They won. Conservatives are demoralized. The GOP is splintering. Socialized health care is now the law of the land.
They’re getting almost everything they’ve ever wanted, yet they’re as angry, dishonest and hateful as ever.
Did they really beat us?
No.
Not where it counts.
They’re empty inside.
They’re not winners. Winners learn, love and grow. Winners have strong work ethics, faithful marriages and unshakeable values. Winners don’t blame others for their failings, they work to overcome them. Winners believe in something greater than a man in the Oval Office.
Remember this: No matter what happens in D.C., no one can make you stop loving your kids. No one can prevent you from being a great mom, a wonderful spouse, or a loyal friend. These things are yours. You own your life. They do not. No matter what lies they tell about you, they can’t diminish who you are.


   I have to agree with most of what he says, with one glaring exception. Ace goes on to say, "We   may not be able to beat the left at the polls, but we can beat ‘em all day long at life."
While I agree with the part about life. I honestly think that though times are bleak now, there will be a resurgence. Otherwise, this is a great post and I urge you to read the whole thing.

 AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

  OVERVIEW from Planetary Collective on Vimeo.

Mood: Resigned

From this past January. This old fellow displayed how winter wears on everyone.

Merry Christmas!

Here's hoping that everyone has a Merry Christmas.

We end the year with 'Big Sis' punishing a citizen speaking the truth and the FCC trying to reign in free speech by attempting to seize control of the internet.

To compound that, yesterday, I learned some very sad news indeed. Dennis the Peasant (see links below) will be signing off. His was a clear and bright voice in the political blogosphere. His writing was clear, crisp and on point. Never one to mince words, he called them like he saw them and did it with his unique and razor sharp wit. I wish him well. I for one will miss his voice and his music posts. He turned me on to several artists who I now like very much. I plan to leave his link up and I hope he leaves his blog up. They are worth reading.

Below, it's time to present, "separated at birth",

Some music to listen to on Friday night. Some of my favorites who still sound as good (to me) now, as they did back in the day. First up is Return to Forever. A band that should have been far better known.



Next up, Pat Metheny. Probably one of my all time favorites. Doing 'Third Wind' from the Still Life Talking album. Enjoy.

The Solstice Approaches

Into the darkest time if the year....