Note: this post is being written in installments throughout the day, which may explain verb tenses that don't seem to fit. It's now 4:30 a.m., I've been awake for two hours, and my brain is already on hyperdrive. The wood stove is finally beginning to move the thermometer which is currently reading 57 degrees, up two from where it was when I came out to my chair. One cup of coffee is down and another is soon to follow.
Here's a screen shot from the USAToday online front page that I saw an hour or so ago. Notice anything odd? Or am I the only one who was struck by the contrast between the headline and all the people in the photo?
Our PBS affiliate has a program on Oregon places and events we rarely watch but caught last night because of our interest in a segment on an abandoned lighthouse off of Tillamook. Later they did a segment on a daily radio show out of Portland done by an older woman who gives a report on all the shipping in that area. The NW coast of Oregon, including the mouth of the Columbia River, is a major shipping channel for freighters from all over the world and she gives a list of all the ships in the area, including their place of origin, their destination, and their cargo. Then she does a brief story about something related to the maritime industry. It was such an interesting segment that I googled the show while watching the TV and found the radio program's website. Fascinating. A ship full of Subarus; no wonder they're everywhere we go.
I'm generally a less is more guy when it comes to the federal government and take a skeptical view of solving problems with regulations. However, I also recognize that businesses are run by humans, all of whom are infected with sin and some of whom place profits way above principles. In this case govt. can have a limited role in protecting citizens against predatory practices, especially in areas where people can't be expected to have the knowledge base to do their own due diligence. Think of pharmaceuticals as an example.
Another area where federal oversight seems warranted IMO is the financial industry. Almost everyone has some stake in Wall Street through an employer funded 401k and/or their own investments. But the vast majority of us can't wrap our heads around the intricacies of stocks, bonds, futures, mutual funds and a whole host of other things.
That's why I'm bothered that lobbyists from Wall Street have worked very hard to get the Trump admin. to throw out laws that govern the financial services industry. One of those regulations, scheduled to take effect in April, requires financial advisors to act in the best interests of their clients. Seems pretty basic, huh? Alas, too many make decisions on behalf of their clients based on the commission they will earn on the action. You can read about it here, including the likelihood that Trump will please Wall Street by cancelling that regulation.
Better, read this short article. (You'll have to click through an ad to get to it.) I'll spare you the story, but this article led us to Chad, our financial guy. You'll be able to guess which category he goes in. We're able to live in OR with goats and fruit trees because of his work on our behalf, not his own benefit.
Speaking of life on Baker Rd. (so, SACD fans, no funky hats or late night visitors) the goat kids continue to put out marbles not mush, Stella is proving to be very determined to get where she doesn't belong if grain is involved, and it's now (2 p.m.) raining way too hard and it's too cold (34 degrees) to do anything with that remaining tree and its wire enclosure. The good news: I think even the deer are huddled down trying to stay warm and dry.
We got a letter from our Medicare supplemental company Aetna saying that if we used one of their affiliated hospitals part or all of our deductible would be waived. I called their 800 number to find out which hospital(s) in our area are affiliated and learned that it's Sacred Heart Medical Center. I then learned Sacred Heart happens to be the only hospital in Eugene, the third largest city in Oregon, so that makes things easier.
It's now 4 p.m., time to go give the goats their afternoon ration of grain and alfalfa. My brain is starting to fade, the effects of 14 hours awake, and I just nearly tossed my book across the room in one of those herky-jerky spasms that happen when you drift off. (I'm still working on Swiss Family Robinson.) Maybe a jaunt out to the barn in the cold rain will help.
After dinner and the news we'll watch the two episodes of Midsomer Murders we recorded last night. Another good British period detective show, each a 2-parter shown back to back, at least on our affiliate. Accompanied with a good fire in the wood stove, some freshly brewed coffee, and an undetermined number of cookies will make for a good Friday night.
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