January 17, 2026

Yesteryear
One year ago today: January 17, 2025, nineteen dollars thirty four cents.
Five years ago today: January 17, 2021, it’s raspberry jam.
Nine years ago today: January 17, 2017, any other way.
Random years ago today: January 17, 2001, the old Churchill’s.

           Here is the big bag of doggie food for the pound, it was just warn enough this morning that I ran over there and I also have something of a treat for you. A mini-adventure. On the way, for many years, we pass that sign that say Circle B Ranch, but it’s neither well-marked nor advertised. You see these signs elsewhere in Florida and many are private property. But I see this family car full of family members exiting, so let’s go take a peek.

           It’s a cattle ranch on the big lake (Hancock) taken over by the county and it is beautiful. First, there is the doggie grub in the van next to Agt. R’s custom tool tray. I’ll be there soon, could even be tomorrow. Back to the ranch. It is typical Florida scrub bush, but once the thorns are cleared away, it is ideal pasture. Lots of water and shade.

           Around a half mile in, through some old growth Florida swamp scenery, there is a small nature park. Sob, it is mostly hiking paths and that is something I do not do so well any more. But it is a big deal, I would estimate I saw 160 vehicles parked. Plus another 5 or 6 riding my bumper, like they were big shots with somewhere to be. There are boardwalks the map suggests are up to a mile long. There is a mini-museum worth your while, just remember once you’ve seen your arrowheads and old canoes, you won’t linger. A with most American museums, it is geared less toward research than Disney.

           I stopped for a very short chat at the pound, they sort of know who I am. Apparently I donate just enough to feed all the doggies one meal. That short walk around the museum cut my morning short. Think of it as when you hit 55, you get an internal sense of how rapidly your frame is aging. It fools you by staying rather constant over a decade. Then it accelerates. I would love to be as spry as I was just three years ago.

           It says here the FBI arrested some guy off the Most Wanted list. After ten years, he was arrested by “a sting operation” in Mexico City. It is nice to know our authorities have their priorities straight. I’ve prepped the van for the next drive to Miami. I’ll check in on JZ, maybe crash a few days and get his chasing around done. Getting the van ready used to take an hour, you know. Now, just load up a couple boxes, and they are nice boxes, too. Great for stuff you want to keep handy when the passenger seat is empty. And easy to move when it’s not. The wood has a rustic finish, so it stays put when you brake.

Picture of the day.
Duct tape dress winner.
Remember to use BACK ARROW to return to blog.

           This model house at the museum is what is known as a cracker. It comes from the sound of the whips used to herd cattle, but has taken on a racist tone for Whites. The design is all practical, to allow any wind at all to get inside for the cooling effect. Without A/C I would imagine a lot of the living takes place outside on that porch. I’d like to revisit that park if I can ever walk right again. Lake Hancock is big enough to block most east-west traffic through the county but almost none of it is visible from the shores.

           That concludes today’s adventuring, I again required a big nap. That is one thing I am totally equipped for. I made sure of that so long ago it’s certain I’d make so certain of it. Hey, it’s my cabin and if you crawl onto that cot and the ceiling fan set low, you are going to flake and there is nothing in the world to interrupt. No corners cut on that issue. Take my advice and prepare well for the same. The wonderful part is waking up naturally. After years, the past month I have woken to an alarm clock three times and hated it.
           These are some arrowheads from the great local civilizations destroyed by Columbus. They were plainly well on their way to developing intergalactic time travel before he stepped in and messed them up. Are these Florida or Greenland artifacts? It takes a rich-kid expert to tell.

           Let’s check the news, do we own Alberta or Greenland yet? Economically, yes, always have in my lifetime. It’s not like the Danes have a merchant marine to keep the place stocked. And California is about to lose Target, one of the mainstays of their economy. Often Target is the only anchor in so many malls. Losing it puts the entire local framework into a panic. You’ve heard how 66% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck? In California, it’s more like 96%.
           Remember years ago when I refused to have an eye exam just to get a new pair of glasses? They said the prescription had “expired”, something that is totally contrived when it comes to lenses. It took years, but the big five operators in Florida just got fined—but not very much. It takes industry-wide price fixing to operate an eyeglass “prescription renewal” scam. Few people’s vision changes in even ten years, but the eyeglass stores would not honor a 1-year old Rx and the eye doc would demand a whole new $400 “exam”.
           That USAID cut-off is slowing down the paid protests. The rioting is now confined to one or two cities at a time, and camera crews are working overtime to make the tiny crowds seem larger. And remember old Kamela? She’s again under fire to repay the $20 million lost on her campaign.

Last Laugh