Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines are not the final answer to our long-term fossil energy problems, but they do offer an encouraging alternative that can lessen dependence on non-renewable resources and offer a cleaner, healthier environment.

The initial cost of the mechanisms and its installation is high, but that cost is balanced by low priced maintenance.

The negative environmental impact has to do with issues like visual appearance, noise, and bat and bird mortality. Each of these issues has been dealt with, resulting in less noise and fewer birds and bats dieing by running into the blades. Visually, the appearance of wind turbines depends on the eye of the beholder. If you like windmills, they don’t bother you; if you don’t like them, they do. They are certainly no more of an eye sore than the giant electrical power poles we now have.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services has developed guidelines minimizing the impact on wildlife, and the service usually gets involved with the intention of following environmental guidelines when wind turbines are being installed on public lands. Once installed, there is little impact on fish or wildlife at all.

According to the Wind Energy Environmental Impact Statement, “in 1990, California's wind power plants offset the emission of more than 2.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and 15 million pounds of other pollutants that would have otherwise been produced. It would take a forest of 90 million to 175 million trees to provide the same air quality.”

The good far outweighs the bad environmental impact. The cost is at worse equivalent. If the windmills are situated at a reasonable distance, noise is minimal, or no worse than what already exists in most communities. Farms are a good location for windmills, because they don’t disturb sheep or cattle and can provide some income for the farmer. While windmills won’t become the answer to urban electrical problems, small cities and towns can benefit from their use, and feel secure in the knowledge that they’re getting electricity from a renewable source while improving the environment.

Heart Attack

Pappy recent suffered a heart attack, and is now home recovering.
He feels fortunate to have had excellent care from the moment the medics arrived at his front porch to his exit from the hospital.

A five frame visual story of Pappy's heart attack is on a flickr group he administrates.

The Beer Can Muskie Lure

One evening, Pappy was sittin’ around with some of his fishin’ buddies and began to explain his idea of the beer-can muskie lure. The idea came to him while observing muskies exploding out of the water to hit floating beer cans.

“The first problem one faces with the beer can muskie lure,” says Pappy, “is to make sure the beer can is empty.”

All nod knowingly in agreement.

“Once this is achieved, attach the hooks with small metal screws, then glue to seal the can and further secure the hooks. A similar procedure is used to cover the tab hole with a small aluminum disk with an eyehook for attaching line. The beer cans that I saw muskie hit appeared to be Budweiser, so that would be a reliable place to start. I think the LaBlatt Blue is fine color worth experimentation. Rolling Rock green is another possibility. After working with the primary colors further experimentation will be forthcoming.”

Fishin’ Magic laughingly says, “I’ve got a suggestion! Use the Bud cans for the "everyday" muskie; Maybe some trendy import brands for the "upper crust" muskies, and of coarse you'll need some Old Milwaukee cans for the "low rent" muskies. Oh, and you’d better call the patent office before some one steals your idea!”

Pappy replies, “Good idea, Magic. Now here’s the way to fish this lure: Wait until dark and then take the beer can with attached green meanie line out in a boat and throw it overboard with a casualness that would make the WCO want to arrest you for littering. Then row to shore while spooling out your line and set your pole high so as to keep as much line off the water as possible. Go home and get a good night's sleep. In the morning creep down to the lake's edge, hide in the bushes and watch your empty beer can float and bob. By now a few muskie have been attracted to the beer can's colors and have picked up the scent. The next think you know, a muskie strikes! Carefully pickup your pole, allowing the muskie to run with the line while savoring the lingering scent of beer. Then, when he’s goood and satisfied, set the hook! Now, the fight is on.

Everyone, chuckles in satisfaction, then they head off to start in making beer can muskie lures

7/07/07

Will this be your lucky day?

The Fourth of July!

Americas Greatest Celebration of Freedom and Independence!