Traveling Home from Mexico

12/2/09
Waiting in the Puerto Vallarta airport. The flight will be about 1 1/2 hours late, so far. Spent the last 150 pesos on 2 bits of hand embroidery of a rooster and a wild red bunny. Bought here in the airport at a pretty art shop near where we are sitting. I think I will sew them on 2 small pillows for 2 grandchildren.
Going home with the hair braids. Wm thought I should wear them home. They are growing out a bit. I will have to make a hairdresser appointment to have them taken out as I sure can't.
Sounded like Jasmine was glad to get home. I think she missed her friends a lot. Even with the 2 hours of conversation on the international Skype Richard bought for her phone.
Overall I think the trip was a success. Parties were good and children played nice together. But I agree with Frank that the 10th anniversary should be closer. I am sure he would be agreeable to have it in Redding or Nevada City. That would be 2014. Just before our 50th in 2015. Hopefully a Caribbean cruise with family and friends.
Wondering if Ben is missing me. He was getting into a habit of wanting to see me as soon as he got up. I did enjoy playing with him. He is so eager to learn everything. I hope it will work out for us to show up at Palo Duro in April with the RV to join the children's campout.
Part of my carry on is a painting I bought today. I will group this chicken painting with the 2 prints I already planned to put on the east kitchen wall.
We did get to Vitae for lunch. It was excellent. They even make whatever flavor of agua fresca you want. So since I liked the agua fresca at Maria Gallo's so well I had carrot orange. William had the special grilled tuna sandwich. Thankfully he shared a bit with me. I had the spinach quiche that was also very good. I agree with Robbin about the bread spread. We also had lovely salmon rolls for an appetizer. The people at the next table said they had already been there 4 times this week. They were asking for recipes also.
An airplane has arrived at gate B6. Now for unloading and plane cleaning. Boarding now in 10 minutes. So I will sign off.
Pretty uneventful flight except for the plethora of crying babies. Thanks to Jon for the music and William for the ear buds. Since the plane was late the meal was late. I touched William to ask him when he thought they would serve dinner. He startled and hastily pulled out his earbud and it came detached and the earbud stuck in his ear. He was mad at me and considered it my fault that the earbud got stuck and it took him about 20 minutes he says to get it out and made his ear hurt. I think most of the 20 minutes was spent glaring at me. The real problem was that he had chosen window seats for both of us and I was seated at his request behind him. I told him I was sorry about his ear later, but I did not try to talk to him again on the plane as it was noisy.
Then at immigration we were shuttled to a special area in immigration and waited for about 1/2 hour to be told that there is a William Allen Baker on the watch list--just with a different birthday. When we went in the special room they said “what have we here? Two Americans?” William was very mad about the delay and told the security people off.
Then at CitiGarden they tried to stiff us on the parking. We had stayed one night on the 12th for 14 days of parking and then tonight for 7 days of parking and have only used 19 of the 21 days.
So maybe there were some problems getting home and we are not home yet.
12/4/09 Arrived home and I want these braids out. Took me two days to get them all out and it looks like there is a small gray animal in my bathroom trash can with all the hair I shed.

Health Care for Illegals

1. There are ~12 million illegal immigrants in the US.
2. They do require health care at times, so they go to the ER.
3. They can't pay, so hospitals eat the cost, but must treat them anyway.
4. Hospitals pass the costs on to paying customers.
5. Even with a mandate for all to buy insurance, illegals are generally too poor to buy regular insurance.
6. You can't enforce a mandate with illegals as even though they may pay taxes through an employer they could not file a tax form with a bad SS #. So no chance for a penalty.
7. Could a cheap enough insurance be offered so that illegals could buy it without a subsidy?
8. But the cheapest insurance would be a public option and they apparently will not be able to buy this even if a subsidy is not offered. Even though it is supposed to be pay as you go.
What is the answer?

Final touches are starting

The cabinets are in. They soon will have lovely euro bar handles. The tile and granite is going in along with the sinks. The mirrors are ordered. I wanted to take more pictures but William said to wait until the end of next week. By then all will be done on the granite and floors and tile. Sounds like there is little left to do.

New British Film

"Creation"--too controversial to show in the US where less than 50% believe that evolution is scientific fact. The UK movie fails to find even an independent distributor.

We're # 37

Buzz around new cyclocross team

http://www.hudzsubarucycling.com/elite.html lots of good stuff here about Jon's new cyclocross tram.

The Real Death Panels

Grand Junction Town Hall

A friend who lives in Hotchkiss Colorado was able to get tickets for the President's town hall in Grand Junction. This was his report.

From: imaginerivendell tds.net
Subject: Report of the Pres. Visit
To: "imaginerivendell tds.net"
Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 12:46 PM

We wrote most of you earlier about our good fortune to get tickets for the Grand Junction Town Hall meeting with Obama (completely random selection). You all had great ideas for questions. Unfortunately, with almost 2000 people there and him only taking less than a dozen questions, we had no chance to ask any. We thought we were getting there at a reasonable time, but the gym was already packed by the time we got there. However, we ended up with some of the best seats in the house: slightly behind the podium, but above it and about 75 feet from Obama. We were right above the dignitary section which included the Governor, both Senators, etc.

I wanted to give a feeling of what it was like. And will try and avoid personal opinions or partisan comments, but you know me....

The most unpleasant part was driving through the protestors to get to the parking area. I favor discussion and debate about differing opinions, but seeing signs depicting Obama dressed like Hitler is way beyond anything resembling good taste and civilized behavior. There were lots of pro Reform pickets as well, but maybe I am getting at that age where all this to me is a waste of time. These people and these signs dont persuade anyone but if it makes them feel good....

The gym was packed and the behavior was very civil. We spoke politely with our seat neighbors, with only some indication they were strongly anti Obama. Stay away from politics and you can get along with most people.

We were at the very end of the bleachers (K was thankful for the pillow that security let her bring in!) and we spent much of the two hour wait watching the Secret Service milling around behind the curtains. Not hard to tell who SS is: black suits, grim demeanor, no smiles, no joking around or chit chat. You could tell when Obama entered the building. Two black suits calmly walked to the sides of the stage and took their statue positions, not moving, staring ahead. Then the dignitaries came in, walking in just ten feet below us. When the crowd realized it, the gym erupted in applause. This was the first indication that probably 80-90% was either pro Obama or at least genuinely polite and non partisan. Nice to know there may still be respect for elected officials.

Obama was introduced by a citizen picked to speak first because he had a compelling story: driven nearly to bankruptcy to due health insurance costs and hassles. What an honor this person had to introduce the President.

This was my first exposure to a sitting president and I was very impressed by his presence. He was confident but not at all arrogant or condescending. The thing that impressed me was his self assured dignity. I felt honestly I was in the presence of a great man, but a common man. He seemed just like the guy next door whom you would really like to know. His in- depth grasp of the issue and the details was amazing. He responded immediately to every question and was able to go into details in a way I certainly could understand. I felt like he avoided the talking point style of one liners and party line. He seemed open and honest and frank. Something I dont feel from most politicians whom you hear talking about issues. I came away feeling that if everyone could sit down with him and talk, we could avoid all the harshness, the divisiveness and rancor now going on. Listening to his reasons for the need for health reform, I could not see how anyone could disagree with him. He admitted there could legitimately be disagreement over details and stated he felt his solutions were the best answer, but that there could be other answers as well.

One person asked a question I wanted to ask and that dealt with the hatred and misinformation being thrown about. His answer was very good and did not throw blame (as I would have done). He said it came down to hope versus fear. He said people were simply being dishonest (Republicans who supported the idea of end of life counseling two years ago but are now using the pull the plug on Granny and death panel hyperbole). When asked about the issue of government taking over health care and making personal decisions, he drew big applause when he briskly replied that big insurance companies are making those decisions now-- do you trust them?

The tone from the audience was very civil, thankfully. I was very interested in watching the Secret service during his talk. One agent just below us was fixed on the audience in front of him. No facial expressions, almost no movement at all, just a stare that made me think he was counting every molecule on every person. The stare I see in my dog when she spots a chipmunk. Kinda spooky, but these guys are very very professional. I guess that is what I want. Strange to think how dozens if not hundreds of people are like a protective shell around this one person, allowing him to do anything in the world he wants.

When he left the stage, no one was allowed to move until he left the building. It's like our lives were put on hold for about 15 minutes until he was out of the way. I guess that is standard, but strange to me.

Overall, my impression was one of power, yet a benevolent, intelligent and calming power. He exuded a sense of hope and reassuring. This was at odds with what I see surrounding me in everyday life. I watched Meet the Press this morning since it was on health care. Listening to the business as usual rancor and name calling and 'talking without listening' type debate, I couldnt stand it and turned off the TV. Back to the real world. My thoughts once again----if only people, pro and con in this issue, could sit down and actually discuss issues and listen to each other and get past this hate and fear. I do believe the Fourth Turning will be about civil war----I dont know how we can get past the hate that exists between the two sides of this or any debate.

I do feel there is hope, but its going to take a lot of patience from all of us. And a very good Secret Service.
j

P.S. from K: As Sharyl said---It was all "Way cool!"
P.P.S. from K: Obama really does have a nice butt!

--
Joe and Katherine Colwell
Rivendell Retreat, LLC
30048 North Road, Hotchkiss CO 81419
970-872-4505
www.ImagineRivendell.com

What do I believe?

I believe that those people who are being manipulated by corporate interests to protest as tea-baggers and as disruptors of town hall meetings had their origins in the nasty lovers of Palin--the ones who reveled in the calling of Obama a lover of terrorists--the ones who liked Obama monkey dolls. These people are being manipulated to be the brown shirts of our time. We are headed toward a combo theocracy/corporatocracy. Lip service will be given to religious interests. Abortion will be banned. Gays will be outlaws. Women will have few rights. Blacks and browns will have fewer. Poor people will have none. In the interest of saving money, Social Security and Medicare will be done away with as will all services for the less fortunate. The only rights will be what is in the interests of corporations and the rich who will control the police state that was formerly called the United States of America. Of course if you cannot pay for health services, you will have the right to die. The new name of this country will be the Sovereign States of America. But the central government police state will rule with an iron hand. Democracy will be in name only and we will effectively devolve into a fascist state with privileges for a few and equality for none.

Amazing daredevil cycling

Born in Kenya

Ha Ha Make your own fake Kenyan Birth Certificate.
http://kenyanbirthcertificategenerator.com/

Out of House Forever

Seems like forever that we have been out of the house. William has set up a full house out here in the back yard. We have a kitchen sink, choice of cooking areas (camp stove and grill), laundry area (washing machine and clothes line), bedroom (RV), dining table and living room. The refrigerator and food prep area is up in the garage along with the 2 old recliners, coffee table and large TV. Right now the dry wall crew is here and the regular crew is working on William's special side patio and arbor.
Me relaxing in the living room on a hot evening.

Almost out

The rest of the kitchen is in boxes. Eating up what remains around so that there will be little to get out of the frig before it is moved into the garage. It's nice out here at the end of the yard. Cool in the shade and if it does get too hot I can just get in the pool. William is in the only cool room in the house--Jon's old room--the computer room in it's most recent incarnation. He is throwing out most of the stuff he had brought home from work. Realizing if he had not looked at it in years it was not worth keeping. People ask if we are having a garage sale with all the furniture in the driveway. But until Bill is done with the clear coat over the color epoxy coat on the floor we can't move anything in. We have ordered the tub and kitchen sink and many faucets so the plumber will have all the rough in stuff. Also ordering ceiling fans. Have to get busy on a few light fixtures. Things are probably going to move fast now. The roof is fully done. But the gutters were trash and will need all new. We'll pay for this somehow.

Out Tonight

Went out to the Nevada Theatre to watch "Sin Nombre." Gritty movie about the stream of migrants who come from Central America.

Home Alone-Just the Two of us

The Boulder Baker's took off this afternoon. That is I hope Cyndi has flown off. Her flight was long delayed. Dad and I have started really moving stuff out. Our driveway looks like a yard sale/bedroom. The contractors will be back in the AM and the helper will be available to us to help with move out chores. One is that Bill will be painting an epoxy type surface onto the garage floor before we move things into it. Dale will help with that.
One of the last things I was doing today was putting together banker's boxes and lids. I remember when Robert was a baby and he was just amazed that I was making boxes out of flat cardboard. Magic.

Jon and Gerlach in Truckee

Jonathan Baker Second in Truckee

Jon and Chad Gerlach were in the process of lapping the field at the end of the race in Truckee. In the pack Gerlach took the win and Jon got second. Jon got all the points during the race so he leads in the Omnium. He is spending the night in Reno to race the Reno Crit Saturday evening.
It is just the start of a big bike racing weekend as he will do the road race in Northstar on Saturday and then the Nevada City Classic on Sunday.

Back to Work (Volunteer work)

I will be filling in about once a month at Preschool Story time at the library. Since I actually have not done this in 30 years, I hope Axel will help whip me into shape. I have picked out these 8 books and 2 sing along songs.
Also I just got an email about working as a coach for a computer class at the Senior Center. I will have to study for that also as the class is on Vista and I will be filling in on session #3.

Craigslist

The 1907 Singer Treadle is out the door.
Just sold my biggest item and because this is such a small town, I sold it to someone I know.
Between Craigslist and the Hospice Gift and Thrift store around the corner, I am clearing out this house of extra items prior to our remodel move out date after Father's Day.

Private Insurance vs Private Insurance

Mich McConnell states that the reason that we should not have a public option in health care reform is that "The private insurance people would not be able to compete with a government option."
Twist your head around that one. On one hand the right tells us that "government" involvement in health insurance would be bad because it would be badly run and cost us too much. No one would want that. But on the other hand they are saying that we can't have a public option because that would put private insurers out of business. Because everyone would want it. WTF?????
Here is a classic cartoon to remind us of the health care industry. You see, the Private Insurance companies just can't be satisfied with profit. They've got to have more and more and more and MORE, they've got to have it all, all of our money, all of our health, all of it. Not just the meat, they've got to have The Gravy. All of it: