Apropos of Nothing v.7

I was relieved to find that the new owners are not Burpee.
True words, Soferdig. True words. I have recently dropped three managed care companies from my business. I'm just through with them.

Some us of might be working on a Web site just as a backup to what's going on.

Corporate crap was the biggest reason I decided to retire.

Sofer - my vet is a large clinic with lots of diagnostic and surgical capability, but the practice is owned by the veterinarians who work there. They have control over how they practice and I like that. Even human physicians who have independent practices are under the control and influence of insurance companies. Corporate corporate corporate.

I am in the process of switching from one of those large banks (too big to fail) to a credit union. I think if lots and lots of us did this it would make an impact.

Our local Shelton Credit Union is building us a branch in our tiny burg. Opening in April. We use another bank also but will be switching all over to the local. My first CD was purchased at Peoples in Burien. It ended up twelve years later in WM where we did bank at that time.

We've been with a very small (one branch) credit union for about 20 years. It's very nice to deal with, and the inconvenience factor sometimes actually works in your favor (if you can't get to the bank, you don't spend money...). This may also explain why I've never used an ATM machine, although I do have a debit card. Our CU is now working cooperatively with several other small CUs as satellites to each other, which will make them all a bit more accessible.

This is my first experience with credit unions so I chose a rather large one - OnPoint. They have several locations with ATMs around Portland that are convenient for me. I will keep a small balance with my BofA for travel purposes in case of emergency, like running out of $$$ in a foreign country.

THE SUN IS OUT!!! At least for a little while.......

I miss the "small shop" vet practice we used in NC. Our small animal vets were a husband & wife team, great folks with wonderful tableside manners; our horse Drs were a father/daughter team. Being profitable was challenging for both teams and they worked far more than they should have had too. No time left over for a life. We've had a hard time replacing that luxury here. Our horse vet is a group practice - 23 strong, it's the only way they can be profitable. Sad new for my daughter who wants to be a small animal vet, independent and have a life....

I am glad to hear I am not the only person who rarely if ever uses ATM's, though I really should memorize my PIN so I can access cash in case of emergency. I do have a savings account at a Credit Union in Seattle, and I have been seriously thinking about switching my checking to there as well, but I really like having a local bank on Island where I can personally go and take care of business if I need to.

I had no idea it was so difficult for veterinarians to make a living. There is certainly plenty of demand for services. This makes me appreciate even more the vets here who I know help people who can't afford the fees care for their pets when they are ill.

The difficulty for a self employed vet is to be able to set up a practice. The start up costs are astronomical. Just the drugs and equiptment would start over 300,000 bucks. Now leasehold improvements just for a rental are over 150,000 - 500,000. Then you have to build a practice. That is why corps own the world.

okay - you guys get annoyed at Corporate America - how about having your country bought up by Corporate America - we just lost a very old family firm - Cadbury's chocolate - now owned by Kraft There are a lot of people who are not happy about it (and I know the Cadbury's group made a lot of money out of it, but it was a hostile take-over). It was a very profitable company - afterall, they invented the Cadbury's Creme Egg (gawd it is disgusting, but sells quadmillions!) We also have that ghastly man, Tr*&p, trying to buy up some of the best, untouched scenic country side in Scotland to build a mega golf course complex - complete with helipads (multiple) and landing strips. Isn't it enough that he squirrels up his own country, please call him to heel! I think I would prefer roaming dogs and coyotes to that whirligig.

But then, we have sent Simon Cowell over to you, and installed him on the west coast. Wayhay!

Laurie, so sorry about Mr Tru*!#p - he is indeed a ghastly man. He has his own version of reality. Simon Cowell is easier to deal with. You can just turn the channel!

That's funny. I eat one Cadbury egg every easter. I like the carmel ones best, but there is too much chocolate shell. And Kraft of all things. It make disgusting stuff.
Trump is disgusting in so many ways. Cowell is quitting after this year. At least he's funny. He's going to another show.
I just finished a two book series on the history of Scotland (fictionalized). "The Celtic Stone" and "An Ancient Strife" by Michael Phillips. Very good.

Meanwhile, the Saudis and Japanese are buying up American companies. It's happening everywhere!

"And the beat goes on"

Some pictures to think good thoughts. This from Petersburg Airport.

Happy to be one who has never had to deal with corporate S&%t in my workplace. It's bad enough that we rely on insurance companies for most of our revenues, and the politics of that makes me sick. It is a sad day for the small family business.... Sometimes I truely wish that I lived in the old west, where life may have been harder, but much simpler as well.

A walk on the beach with the smell of spring!

This was my prize. I took about 20 photos of this one. Miss the eagle flying off. Lots of bergs floating in this area. Fredrick Sound. They come off LeCompte Glacier. About 30 miles away. Quite a productive tidal glacier.

The beach was alive with the sounds of joyous ocean. Ravens, Eagles, Shore birds, and if I had my hearing aids in I'm sure the blow of a pilot whale.

Fisherman here gather and tell stories of the big one that got away.

'Devils Thumb' gives you a big thumbs up when the skies clear. Kind of motivational when going back to the office for the pleasure of working in such a God inspired area.

Headed back to the office for a nice day at work.

Thanks for the pictures, Steve. I must say, they don't look very spring-like from here. Wish you could add the audio. Be sure to save the one with the single eagle for this year's photo contest. It is spectacular.

glorious pictures, sofer!

(I too am very worried about the future of Cadbury. Although I really dislike the original eggs, I very much like the caramel ones.)

The pictures are out of this world, Sofer. Thanks for sharing them.
Here's my friend, Koda.

It's nap time in front of the fireplace.

Beautiful AK pics. Makes me want to take another trip up there and do more exploring.

Ginger, the cat, can't wait for him to go home.

He's such a good boy, and so is Koda.

Alaska is deceptive in views. It was 45 F that morning and fog forms when dewpoint is at the temp. We make most of the clouds that give rain to the Pac NW.
Composition is off a bit but I wanted the tree in the foreground.

Wouldn't you like to wake up in this house and see all the shore birds flying on the surface of the water and all of the Eagles scooping salmon out of the water. This sits at the entrance to Wrangell Narrows.

I hate this day so much. It is dark, rainy & chilly & I've pinched a nerve in my back & can barely move. The highlight of my day will be a new episode of "World's Worst Cooks."

But here, in keeping with Sofer's (*)#$@@ cheerfulness. A photo from happier times. I know my yard will look like this again someday.

I am motivated Sommer! Just watching football and loving it! We people who have to wrestle brown bears keep our back healthy. LOL

I overdid the bear-wrestling, looks like. And the pushups (up to 20 at a time until yesterday), situps (over 200), hill-running, weightlifting and woodchopping.

So now I am reduced to watching football myself. Grrrrrrrrrrr .... (and that's me, not a bear).

I worked out night before last for 2 hours on a rowing Mach and I find that the best bear wrestling workout I can do.

Loved all the pictures... very uplifting on a cold and gloomy day!

Sofer, your pics make me long to head up to that area again. When we fish in the summer, we are on Langara Island which is fairly close to Ketchikan, and I have never been more awed with the beauty of nature and her creatures than I am when I am there. The eagles and the whales and the sealions and the rocky beauty of the land..... if I didn't know what the winters were like, I could easily see myself happily living in a little island cottage there.

Lynn, do you still have Koda? He is such a wonderful dog, and looks awesome in his "duds"! Maybe if he stays long enough Joey will realize that he really wants a dog around the house!

Summer, hope your back feels better soon. No fun when your body forces you to slow down!

Spent the day in the greenhouse cleaning stuff up and starting the first of my seeds. Wasn't really what was on my list, but was way too yucky to motivate myself to go outside and play! Now I am off to my niece's birthday dinner at Mom's. Gotta help cook dinner and frost the traditional angel food cake (cream and sugar frosting.....num!!!). Mom's gma made it for her, as did her mom, and she has always made it for me... we were thrilled when Alyssa wanted the tradition to continue for her birthday!

Awesome pictures Sofer. Love the little town. Looks something like Poulsbo where I grew up.

Koda is so cute. What breed (s) is he?

Thanks, Julie. About an hour ago I reached the limit of my patience & went out to chop wood. The first few swings were agony but now I have 2 days' worth stacked by the fireplace & I feel much better.

Sometimes you just have to tell your body what's what.

Yes today was gloomy and cold but it's been a good day to catch up on things around the house.

Sofer your pics of Alaska are so beautiful. I loved it there and really want to go back. It really is the most beautiful place.

I suppose a rowing machine is great exercise, but you have to do it inside, right?

Nothing beats running when it comes to bang for your buck. If I couldn't run, swimming would be my next choice. That's why I can't resist push-ups -- they're so effective. Except that it seems they consistently aggravate something in my right shoulder.