Aloha Austin, Minnesota home of Spam

Long time favorite in Hawaii and Maine
Photo: Geo A Hormel & Co.

  The venerable product packed in Austin Minnesota has been a favorite food for many years.  That's especially true in Hawaii.  In Hawaii Spam became a favorite during World War Two and has kept that place in their hearts and taste buds even since.  It is so popular that you can get Spam and egg sandwiches at McDonalds!
  By far the favorite Spam dish isn't baked or fried or even straight out of the can; it's Spam Musubi that is kind of like Sushi.  Soak a slice of Spam in soy sauce, place that between two blocks of sticky rice and wrap with nori (seaweed).  It's said it's the perfect meal.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/spam-spam-spam-spam-lovely-spam-spam/

More things to do or see

Launching a new tug - click to enlarge
Photo: John Patriquin Portland Press Herald

  Actor Tate Donovan speaks at the ceremony to launch the tug Tate McAllister.  Mr. Donovan is a fifth generation of the McAllister family who will own and operate the vessel.  McAllister Towing and Transportation Company had the tug built at Washburn & Doughty Shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine.

Early morning - click to enlarge
Photo: Carl D Walsh Portland Press Herald

  This photo of the Saco River was taken from lower Main Street in Biddeford.  The River separates the Cities of Saco and Biddeford and enters Casco Bay at Biddeford Pool.

A long start for Atlantic Salmon

Bringing fish to the hatchery in the 1890s the village of Orland in the background - click to enlarge
Photo: Gabor Degre Bangor Daily News

  The federal government is celebration 125 years at the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery in Orland, Maine.  The facility is devoted to breeding and preserving the Atlantic Salmon, young fish are released in eastern Maine rivers each season.  The State of Maine opened the facility in 1871, and the federal government took over in 1880.
  Located at Alamoosook Lake in Orland workers work continually to produce the fine quality fish that has teased anglers for two centuries.  For more photos, a video and information please go to:
http://bangordailynews.com/slideshow/federal-officials-mark-125-years-of-breeding-salmon-in-orland/

A tray of eggs.  These are kept in an incubator.
Photo: Gabor Degre, Bangor Daily News

The Hatchery with a bronze of a full size Salmon - click to enlarge
Photo: Gabor Degre, Bangor Daily News

Dream machine; 49 Woody

1949 Ford Woody - click to enlarge
Photo: Mike Berry, The Wichita Eagle

The Hurley's of Kansas were looking for a "shoebox" Ford.  They wanted a convertible but found this Woody in Maine.  It was love a first sight.
A truly wonderful 8 passenger wagon, now fully restored by the Hurley's is a shining example of 1949.  Of course those of us who were alive when it was new have loved them a long, long time.
Read more, see more: http://www.kansas.com/cars/article4037101.html

Lot's of wood inside too! - click to enlarge
Photo: Mike Berry, The Wichita Eagle

He could have left well enough alone, I think.

Illustration: oms.nysed.gov

  We might have had a more "peaceful" two years starting in January.  We might have, maybe.  But all that is behind us now as the President seems to have set off a new round of intolerable polarization of political parties.
  Going on nationwide television and radio and daring Congress to act is stupid.  STUPID!  All that will happen now is that Congressional Leadership will begin trying to chip away, word by word, at what the President said, or didn't say.  None of this was done in concert with the Constitution of the United States.  It was done with rancor and with the intent of spreading ill will in the Capitol.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Not again!

I did it again this morning,
it happens to me without warning;
sleeping along then a need to arise,
no going back.  It's not a surprise.

Too early in the middle of the night,
and I have nothing to offer in that fight;
just staying awake to do what I do.
Puts a little too much in the old awake stew.

We'll see where this brings us, in our daily plan,
and I hope there's not much because I'm not a fan..
..of being awake at midnight or before one;
but I did it again.  Sun of a gun!

It's all in the timing.

This is for Wilbur

  You've probably read about people who have great timing.  They're able to complete some difficult thing or another, or tell a good joke.  I should have listened more closely or watched the thing a little better.  I could use good timing today.
  Peggy has an early appointment at 8, Linda needs to be at an appointment at 10 and me at 10:45.  The timing has to do with driving 15 miles sometime in between the first and second of those.  The reason is that Peggy wouldn't have eaten.
  I'm packing a breakfast for Peggy so I can leave her at the doctors and drive home to pick up Linda and drop her off at one place and go retrieve Peggy.  The rest is just like clockwork.  And people worry that retired people don't have enough to do.