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A couple of days ago, I decided to go for a walk. I realize the benefit of the exercise because I feel better if I walk every day. Yet, it seems like such a task. But, the other day when I went I really enjoyed it. I thought, wouldn’t it be great If I could have this much fun every time. So, I decided to try a different approach; walk a different route every day and make it less of a routine.

Yesterday, I had some business in Branson. On my way back up highway 65 I stopped at Busiek State Park. I have seen this road sign probably a thousand times and never checked it out before.

There is a hiking trail right off of the parking area. I walked leisurely down the trail for about twenty minutes, turned around, and went about my day. It was very refreshing. The trail winds through a wooded valley with steep hills and small, limestone bluffs.

Sometimes we aren’t aware of what surrounds us.

I found Al Gore’s response to the publication of his energy use interesting.

Gore’s people say that…

1) Gore’s family has taken numerous steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their private residence, including signing up for 100 percent green power through Green Power Switch, installing solar panels, and using compact fluorescent bulbs and other energy saving technology.

2) Gore has had a consistent position of purchasing carbon offsets to offset the family’s carbon footprint — a concept the right-wing fails to understand.

I have nothing against anyone using renewable energy, fluorescent bulbs, hybrid cars, solar panels, bio-diesel, any of that. As for the “carbon offsets”; I don’t consider myself part of the “right wing” and I did some earnest research on this last night. I’m no genius but if you really dig in to this “concept”, it is not the easiest thing to understand.

Some of it makes sense, some doesn’t. The “offset” part is a little troubling in that I don’t see a way that it can be truly measured.
Also, I can see this as prime territory for a scam artist. What would stop me from throwing a windmill out in the yard and selling offsets over the internet?

I have observed this; all of this “carbon neutral” jazz serves one purpose as clear as day. It justifies an extravagant lifestyle.

I am not against anyone living an extravagant life. I object to people that can, making people that cannot feel guilty.

Woods Fork Creek, Busiek State Park

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What is your thermostat set at? Mine is at 64 degrees. I keep it there all winter unless, I am out of town for a couple of days, then I put it at 55. In the summer, it’s usually between 78-80. I drive a small car; I’ve been getting about 28 m.p.g. in the Ozark hills. I flew once last year on a business trip. I have a gas stove/oven that I use a couple of times a week. Right this minute, I have two lights on, the computer and the radio. If I do leave, I shut everything off. I don’t leave a light on to discourage potential burglars.

Do you drive less with gas at two dollars plus a gallon? If you don’t it’s probably because the only place you go is to work.

I do try to conserve energy. I always have because it’s money out of my pocket.

My gas and electric bill, combined, is right around $100 a month, winter or summer. Al Gore’s gas and electric for his Nashville estate is over $2,500 a month. I’m sure he flies (coach?) a lot and that he has a cooler car than I do.

Most people I know use energy about the same way I do and yet, none of them try to make me feel guilty about it.

I am using Al Gore as a symbol for every movie star/pop singer/elected official that is trying to make me feel guilty because I don’t want to use excess electricity typing out such a long list.

So, Al (Hollywood, Washington, U.N…..) give us a break and kick back the thermostat a couple of notches.

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Windy in the Ozarks. They are predicting 50 m.p.h. winds and possible tornados over the weekend.

This afternoon my nice neighbor, Ruth, came by. She was concerned that since this house is at the peak of a hill that I might be in danger if the wind kicks up, and offered her berm house as refuge. She was going around to all the neighbors, some she had not even met before, and offering the same. It is a genuinely nice gesture.

Ruth was wearing a Cardinals jersey and we talked baseball for a little bit. No talk of steroids or salary disputes, just spring training, pitching rotations optimism for the coming season. That’s what I love about the game. If I run into another fan, all the potential barriers fall by the wayside. It brings instant common ground.

The great trouble with baseball today is that most of the players are in the game for the money and that’s it, not for the love of it, the excitement of it, the thrill of it.
Ty Cobb

“He (Ty Cobb) threw more curves in money negotiations than a whole tribe of Arabs. He would hold out until hell froze over or until he got what he demanded.” - Frank Navin

Yeah, it’s all about the money but, I guess that’s nothing new.

“(Ty) Cobb is a prick. But he sure can hit. God Almighty, that man can hit.” - Babe Ruth

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