The Labor Day weekend played out long as usual. The bar-b-que was well received by one and all. I think we ended up with a bakers dozen here at one point or another during the afternoon. We pigged out, literally…Ribs and sausage (though there was some fresh chicken sausage on the grill). Cole slaw, potato salad, roasted corn on the cob, baked beans…a little vino…the day was good. Now it’s back to the grind…

I see from the weather station on the wall that the seasons, they are a turning. For the first time in way too long the outside temperature this morning is cooler than the inside temperature. Now if the humidity wasn’t 99% out we could start contemplating turning off the AC and opening some windows. But, that’s still a ways in the future yet. But the signs of fall are starting to tease the edges of my vision…

++++++++++

Breaking news this morning…

Felix makes landfall as Category 5 storm | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle

LA CEIBA, Honduras — Hurricane Felix roared ashore early today as a fearsome Category 5 storm — the first time in recorded history that two top-scale storms have come ashore in the same season. The storm hit near the swampy Nicaragua-Honduras border, home to thousands of stranded Miskito Indians dependent on canoes to make their way to safety.

++++++++++

Pablo was questioning the bluejay situation over at RoundRock Journal this week. I must admit it was probably his observation that made me aware of the calls I heard yesterday. At least around here the bluejays are still in evidence. Though, to be honest, our bluejay time of year is winter when they share our yard with the robins. We almost always have bluejays in residence…They just travel singly or in pairs during the spring and summer. While our winter jays come in flocks of twenty to sometimes a hundred. Makes for rather loud chatting amongst themselves.

++++++++++

I spend most of my time these days trying to ignore the insane direction that George W Bush and his enablers have taken this country for the past six years. Then the White House comes up with a strategy to push one of their failed agendas that screams out for the white coats. Eugene Robinson says it better than most…

The most fascinating aspect of George W. Bush’s no-holds-barred campaign to keep Congress from meddling in his foolish and tragic war is the way he has begun invoking the Vietnam War — not as a cautionary lesson about hubris and futility but as a reason to push ahead (whatever “ahead” might mean) in Iraq.

But the photo ops of this weekend don’t prove much of anything. Dropping unanounced into a safe zone doesn’t a proof make.

But seeking support for the war in Iraq by reminding the nation about Vietnam? I’d feel better if I thought this was just some exquisitely subtle, deeply cynical gambit, yet I have the sinking feeling that Bush actually believes the nonsensical version of history he’s peddling. I fear the man is on a mission to rewrite the past.

Actually, it’s more of the old saw about those who “don’t remember history being destined to repeat it.” Everyone knows that George W doesn’t remember much of the late 60’s and the early 70’s. That was prime party time for the President in training.

I heard a soldier in Iraq quoted over the weekend. His comment was that if the President wants him to serve another 15 months, the President should bring it on. Bring his own ass over and put it on the line for the 15 months. This brave American soldier, said if the President would serve right beside him, he’d do another 15 months for no pay. Otherwise, Mr President, get out of the way and bring the boys home.

Source: Eugene Robinson – Good Morning, Vietnam! – washingtonpost.com