RA1

lookin- You are incorrigible. Best regards, RA1

Is that because we eat insects? Of course, the species called humans is self destructive but I have to wonder if all humans disappeared if the remaining species would indeed flourish. Mama Nature has not rescinded any of her laws that I have noticed and therefore the survival of the fittest will continue to be the case. I have to agree that life in a general sense will continue without humans but I am not sure how well various will flourish. Perhaps. Best regards, RA1

Thanks for that research and post. After previous out of sync comments, we are now coming together. A desirable result. If not Boeing, then Saturn is the way to go. Best regards, RA1

A classic case of tankering fuel which causes more fuel to be carried, etc., in order to have enough to get where you are going. I wonder just how much fuel was burned just to go the first 5 feet. A lot. This is something the airlines and military do when required and when able to do so. Among the reasons for doing so are the price of fuel at various stops, the availability of fuel at various stops and the convenience of not needing very much fuel (and therefore the turnaround time is quick) before proceeding. Thanks for these links and comments regardless of my sass. Best regards, RA1

I would say don't say freeze frame but that smacks of a sick remark in view of the Morton-Thiokol / Challenger problem. Best regards, RA1

Charlie PSP- Am I reading you correctly when I think you could have gone to all of these events because you either were nearby or otherwise had the wherewithal to attend but did not because you were unaware of them or their significance? I think a lot, if not most, events of historical import are not judged to be so until after or even well after the fact. Paul Revere rode alone. Best regards, RA1

Truly. Best regards, RA1

Now, many will want to sign up for the surgery and instrumentation course. Best regards, RA1

That is correct but I find the climates (other than short winter days) to be very different. Almost none of Iceland is north of the arctic circle where most of Greenland is. That probably adds a few minutes to the winter day. But, more importantly, the average temperatures and snowfall are very different. The Gulf Stream flows by Iceland which provides average temperatures above freezing in the southern part of Iceland (which includes the capital and largest city, Reykjavik and Keflavik). Greenland is cold, north to south, all winter long. My conclusion is that the long dark days of winter is the chief climate "problem" for Iceland. I know I was always glad to get there in the winter from cold places like northern Germany, Scotland, etc. for a brief respite from winter in a nice, volcanic heated water hotel with nice folks and good food. Going on to Greenland and Maritime Canada was a return to (usually) brutal winter time. Where does such as Russia rank on the alcoholic scale? Best regards, RA1

I do believe that various dungs are used as fuel for cooking, heat and no doubt adult beverages throughout the world. From my personal experience with Icelandic treatment of adult beverages, they are taxed to the moon. Therefore, home brews and various non-commercial distillation products seem fairly common on the island. I know the pilots that transited the area used to bring alcoholic gifts to those who helped us during our journey there. The Icelandic government seems to think that the long winter nights are conducive to overindulgence of alcoholic beverages, hence the very high tax tariff on them. Personally, I never saw an employee on duty inebriated. I cannot make that same statement about employees I observed in Greenland. Almost everything seems overtaxed today, doesn't it? Best regards, RA1

At least you have the wherewithal to pay attention. All of the Apollos were memorable in one way or another even though the viewing public at some point began to take them as commonplace. I know I never did and I doubt that you did either. We have spent so much money and national treasure (lives) on foolish foreign adventures. It is too bad those efforts were not spent on space exploration. It seems that many don't know or refuse to know the enormous benefits to mankind developed during such. Best regards, RA1

More so than 13? I would say the assassination of JFK but you may have only been 3 or 4 then. Personally, 17 was my most memorable because I had taken some folks who had tickets to this launch from Baltimore and left them, then proceeded to visit my sister in Leesburg. My sister and a friend and I decided to fly around Florida to see the launch. It was fascinating to be flying that night. Lots of other traffic airborne so we gradually moved further west to avoid them. We knew we could see the launch well from our perch at 8,000 feet. The launch was delayed and delayed and delayed. Finally my sister who had to work the next day suggested we head back to Leesburg. As we approached Leesburg, I clearly had the airport runway in sight and was on a very short approach for landing when it totally disappeared. The temperature-dew point spread went to zero and the airport instantly fogged over. As I was on very short final, I continued straight ahead for a few seconds but never saw the runway again. I went around and diverted to Orlando Executive and landed without further problem. We borrowed a car from a friend of my sister's and drove back to Leesburg. The launch went off while we were driving back but we missed it partly because we were facing the wrong direction when it departed. I drove back the next day to Executive and went to Memphis. Best regards, RA1

What about the far left conspiracy theory that the government can fix any and everything? One problem seems to be we have far too many people and not nearly enough work so they can get an honest wage for an honest day's work. The concentration camp slogan that work brings freedom is correct, just not the way the Nazi's meant. Busy earning a living generally means not getting into mischief. Sometimes, sitting around drinking beer and watching TV while not working leads to mischief. Bah, humbug. My theory is that the whole world has gone mad and few seem to care. Best regards, RA1

We have so many problems that seem out of control and not capable of being fixed that it seems a feature of human nature to discover some mystical force or law responsible. OTOH, you are not paranoid if someone really is trying to get you. Best regards, RA1

I thoroughly enjoyed this actor and certainly remember the above TV series fondly. RIP. Best regards, RA1

I certainly found this interesting. At the moment I do not need such services but I have passed them along to friends who I think might. Thanks again. Best regards, RA1

No one. They are just pooped out, literally. Best regards, RA1

I love my KitchenAid products. They are heavy duty and, as you suggest, likely will last a lifetime. When making a high labor item like a lemon pie as per the Abigail Adams recipe, one needs all the patience and electric aid one can muster. It still takes hours to make and those who love lemon pie will fawn and more when eating it. Good stuff lasts. My testimony to this effect is the friends we have. Best regards, RA1

Why was your grandmother the one cranking the car? Now that you remind me, I also remember my cousin's relatives in ruralville having a water pump inside the kitchen. It was a revelation for me to watch them use it and even more so, "prime the pump". I was fascinated. Also, maybe 10 years old. I certainly agree that there are many technological advances at various prices but, are we happier? Do we have more free time to enjoy our family, friends and acquaintances? Or, are we slaves to the dollar and to technology? Likely, if we are lucky, some of both. In addition, I abhor our throw away society. Few things are repaired and few folks can repair them, so we just discard some perfectly good items willy nilly. Most of this done in the name of economics. I can buy new cheaper than I can repair this item. There is something definitely wrong with this statement and philosophy. I did not grow up this way and it is difficult for me to adjust now to it. However, when faced in business with the reality of the dollars, I easily succumb. Best regards, RA1

Watched my grandmother's sister (great aunt) use one. Although she lived in mid-town Memphis, she had a party line and when you picked up the receiver, an operator would answer with, "number please". She also added food coloring to margarine which was lily white when bought. Most things aren't really better than those days, only more expensive. Best regards, RA1

Most of the time when I go through an international border I am working. I am either delivering an airplane or picking up one. The last several years, I have been flying a corporate aircraft when going international. So far, I have never been asked what I am doing. Once or twice I was asked if I had any cargo on board. Most of the time the aircraft was empty, after all, the aircraft itself was the point of the transaction. Once, in Greenland, the officials asked if they could look around inside the aircraft. They quickly just looked inside and, of course, found nothing. These days, before going to Canada or the Caribbean, one fills out the US forms listing pax, etc. The same for entering Canada. It is more paperwork than before but properly used, there is very little extra "grief". Who actually pays me is a point of negotiation and perhaps interpretation. The cost of delivery is part of the cost of the transaction and I might be paid by either the buyer or the seller. Best regards, RA1

Unfortunately the Onions rendition of how police departments use evidence is sometimes too close to the truth for comfort. Of course, often, comedy is very much based upon the "truth". Best regards, RA1

I did not realize that they had grass in Nova Scotia, much less lawn mowers. Tractors with snow blades, yes. Best regards, RA1

OK, let's you and me and everyone else meet at the bar and discuss this. Best regards, RA1

I would have to agree that in many of the worst and best states to live in the external factors are important, BUT, several of the factors in evaluating various states are the result of individual performance. If no one exercises, if no one eats properly, if many drink to excess or do drugs, is it the state's fault? Some look to various government resources for solutions such as these but I look to the individual. Neither I, nor the local, state or federal government can MAKE you behave. Try though they might. Most anyone can enjoy life and make one's way where ever they may live with individual activities and expectations that are realistic. Best regards, RA1