Sports Betting

I am old enough to remember when sports betting was relegated to bookies and casinos.  Now, thanks to an ever increasing number of online betting companies, it is an intrinsic part of most sporting events.

Bringing in revenue for governments, broadcasting companies, investors and sports leagues, it is widely available and actively encouraged.  More than betting on the outcome of a game or match, one can bet on what will happen on the next play or on the game stats for any given player; in other words, fans can bet on every aspect of their favorite sports.  Furthermore, newcomers are enticed with betting funds in their account to get them started (i.e. hooked).

While many fans might be able to participate without consequence, I suspect a significant percentage become addicted to the thrill of an occasional win and end up losing money that should go to more important obligations in their life; of course, betting company ads always include a number to call for those who succumb to such unfortunate tendencies.  Meanwhile, those who invest in the gambling services profit handsomely.

First Autumn Plunge

The first frost and freeze warnings of the season stretch across the Northern Plains this morning.  Though not especially early in that region, the autumn chill is getting plenty of attention after our long, hot summer.  Here along the Front Range, we awoke to an overnight low of 47 degrees F.

Some might suggest that this early September plunge offers more evidence that global warming is but a liberal obsession.  But a warming climate will not eliminate the seasons and, in fact, might make such "unseasonable" incursions more likely due to an energized jet stream.

Our recovery in Metro Denver will be rapid and we expect afternoon highs in the low 80s F for the next week.  Of course, the longer nights, dry air and high elevation will allow overnight lows to dip into the 50s F but our brief, more intense chill is already ending. 

Trump's Facade Cracks

Just a few weeks ago, King Trump was confidently on his way to dictatorship.  Now, following a series of judicial decisions, especially related to unlawful tariffs, the misuse of National Guard troops and his cruel approach to deportations, he appears far from omnipotent.

His promise to end the Russia-Ukranian War in 24 hours has blown up in his face, his choice for Secretary of HHS is under bipartisan fire for his total lack of competence, he has angered his base by calling the Epstein saga a Democratic hoax and his overall approval rating has fallen below 40%.  Worried about a "Blue Wave" in next year's midterms, Republican Senators and Congressmen are finally beginning to demonstrate an inkling of courage.

Of course, Trump is putting his faith in the Supreme Court which has previously declared that Presidents are immune from prosecution for official duties.  But they have yet to rule that Presidents may ignore the Constitution or the Rule of Law and we will soon learn whether they are truly independent or openly aligned with Trump's personal agenda. 

Calliope Hummingbirds visit the Farm

Broad-tailed hummingbirds are common summer residents on our Littleton farm.  Males generally arrive by mid April and begin their noisy, vertical breeding displays.  Females, which build the nest and care for the young usually turn up in May.  By August, the males and their buzzy trills head south, followed by the less conspicuous females and offspring somewhat later.

On this sunny, hot September afternoon, I encountered two tiny hummingbirds flitting about one of our large elms.  Based on their size and drab coloration, they were calliope hummingbirds, the smallest migratory bird in the U.S.  Having nested and summered on mountain meadows, they are on their way to Mexico for the winter; since they lacked the magenta throat of adult males, they were either females or this summer's offspring.

The sighting was the first for me on our farm.  It only took them 35 years to show up or, more likely, to be discovered by this intrepid birder. 

Florida ends School Vaccine Mandate

Today, Florida's lunatic Surgeon General announced that vaccine mandates will be eliminated in the State's public schools.  In his words, parents and their God will make that decision.

Once again, mysticism Trumps science (pun intended).  Following the histrionics of RFK Jr., Governor Ron DeSantis has unleashed the risk of deadly, preventable disease on the children of his realm, no doubt looking to please his Dear Leader in Washington (as he did with the fiasco of Alligator Alcatraz).

A slew of lawsuits from professional medical organizations is certain to follow but the word is out for those who favor religion over science:  "Send your kids to school; no vaccination records necessary." Will responsible Republican lawmakers come to the rescue?  Don't hold your breath. 

Conservation & Extinction

Ignoring the central message of the Jurassic Park films, some "enterprising" scientists are focusing on efforts to bring back extinct species.  In my opinion, this is an unwise and inappropriate endeavor, whether the extinction occurred at the hands of humans or not.

Once we gave up our nomadic lifestyle and turned to cultivation and domestication (both about 10,000 years ago), humans have had a significant effect on the health of other animal populations.  Of course, this negative impact greatly increased during the Industrial and Technologic Revolutions as pollution and widespread development destroyed ecosystems.  Rather than reversing extinction, a natural component of evolution, we should concentrate on protecting those species that still exist; reducing our population, cutting back on personal consumption, greatly limiting pollution and protecting natural habitat are the primary tools.  Nature will heal herself if we get out of her way.

Then again, we have an American President and Administration who are anti-science; they deny climate change, are cutting back (if not eliminating) federal support for green energy industries and even talk of renewing the use of coal in power plants.  Unless we reverse the political climate, the extinction of our own species will be greatly accelerated.

Spectacle over Hays

Heading back to Colorado today, I set out for Hays, Kansas, my regular, half-way, overnight stop.  I drove beneath cloudy skies for most of the 6-hour trip, encountering intermittent showers along the way.  When I reached central Kansas, sunshine prevailed and the temperature had risen into the low eighties F.

Stopping to pick up a sandwich, I was waiting for the order when I spotted a pair of Mississippi kites circling overhead.  Closer observation revealed twenty of the raptors above the city, perhaps the largest flock I have ever encountered.  Indeed, though most of these kites summer across the Southern Plains, I have never observed them this far north or west.  On the other hand, large flocks are common during migrations and this group was likely beginning their journey to southern South America, where they will spend the winter.

Having seen nothing of significant interest on the half-day drive (turkey vultures were, by far, the most common species) the kites were a special and unexpected treat.  Such is the nature of birding; some of our most memorable sightings are those we least expected. 

Fueling Obesity

As the scourge of obesity continues to grip America and while many seek access to modern weight loss drugs, the fast food industry appears to be undermining efforts to address the problem.  TV ads depict giant, multilayered sandwiches, usually served with an equal amount of calories in the form of French fries, onion rings or other side courses.  Similar ads entice customers to fried chicken outlets, all-you-can-eat-buffets and "fast casual restaurants."

Unfortunately, fast food is utilized most heavily by low income citizens, the same group that is most prone to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

While there is little chance that such advertising will be outlawed someday, one would hope that the fast food industry might shift their emphasis toward more appropriate portions of reasonably healthy food.  But the fact that they are currently proclaiming "More calories per dollar!" seems to suggest that such a change is not likely to occur. 

Non-Scientific Healthcare

The recommendations of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the CDC, the FDA and other federal healthcare agencies have always been based on scientific evidence, whether related to lifestyle choices or the latest cancer therapies.  Now, thanks to King Trump and RFK Jr., they are the product of personal beliefs, politics and cost-saving efforts.

The current crisis at the CDC is just the latest threat to the health of Americans, altering science-based recommendations regarding the availability and prescription of vaccines, an area in which RFK Jr. has long spread false information.  Of course, poor and uneducated citizens are most vulnerable to rumors and conspiracy theories; meanwhile, Kennedy has pocketed millions based on his anti-vaccine campaign.

The Republicans who confirmed RFK Jr. as the Secretary of HHS, despite that campaign and his complete lack of qualifications, are responsible for the current crisis.  Senator Cassidy of Louisiana, the chair of that committee and himself a pediatrician, is primarily accountable for this crime against America.  Kennedy must be removed from his post before many unnecessary deaths occur and trust in the recommendations of our healthcare agencies further erodes. 

Losing Touch

Throughout our lives, we make hundreds of friends: neighbors, classmates, teammates, colleagues, trainees and those individuals who we meet serendipitously at social events.  Unfortunately, over the years, we lose touch with most of them.

Except for those who use the "shotgun approach" via social media (which results in ongoing superficial relationships) most of us end up staying in touch with only a handful of close, long-term friends.  Even these individuals may only be contacted a few times each year, primarily on birthdays and holidays.

Of course, our modern, mobile society is at least partly responsible for this phenomenon as home town relationships fall victim to economic opportunities elsewhere.  But I suspect it reflects the evolution of human culture in general, especially the loss of interdependence among family and community members.  Nevertheless, I believe it is important to regularly connect with old friends; after all, we have, at least in part, been shaped by those relationships.

See also:  Old Friends 

Feeding the Narcissist

Two days ago, King Trump arranged for a Cabinet meeting at which the members praised him effusively for his superb leadership.  As they demeaned themselves on camera, one mentioned his beautiful face on banners across Washington, D.C., while another proclaimed that Our Dear Leader has done more to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize than any President in U.S. history.  Meanwhile, Trump looked on passively, soaking in the praise like a bloated sponge.

Of course, no one mentioned the failed peace talks with Putin, Trump's fondness for dictators, his fickle and destructive tariffs, his cruel treatment of immigrants, his overt racism, his ongoing revenge tour, his plan to send National Guard troops into large, Democratic cities or his constant grifting.  They know that any criticism or well-intended suggestions might put them on his hit list.

Praise is the life blood of our Narcissist-in-Chief.  Nothing else truly matters. 

A Fellow Listener

When I have some free time (which is most of the time), I often sit on the front porch and listen to music.  Of course, like other old men on porches, I greet neighbors as they wander by.

Over the past week, I have attracted a fellow listener.  She doesn't have anything to say but seems to enjoy the tunes as much as I do.  Before rumors of a scandalous romance develop, I should report that she is a mourning dove.

Landing on a post of our lattice work, she tilts her head to locate the source and settles in for at least twenty minutes.  No doubt, birds are highly attuned to sounds and I'm glad this dove appreciates my selection.  Her company is more than welcome. 

Rosinweed

Thanks to my wife's work with a conservation-minded gardening group, dozens of wildflower species adorn our Columbia, Missouri, yard; of these, rosinweed is certainly the tallest, topping out at almost seven feet.  A native of prairies east of the Rockies, this wildflower may look like a sunflower species but is actually a member of the aster family.

 

Since rosinweed spreads by both seed and root systems, it may form extensive stands under favorable conditions.  And while it attracts a wide variety of pollinating insects, it is also a host plant for gall wasps, the larvae of which attack its tall, sturdy stem.  In some regions of the country, this wildflower has been domesticated for seed oil and livestock forage.

Of course, at our place, rosinweed is purely decorative though we welcome all pollinators that visit these towering plants. 

The Nature of Penance

Raised in the Catholic Church, I learned that penance was a litany of prayers assigned by a priest to atone for "sins" that were confessed, whether you were age 6 or 60.  But I later discovered that engaging in penance is a rather common human behavior, triggered by guilt.

Indeed, penance is an act of self-punishment for real or perceived wrongdoing.  This may be due to failed relationships (usually with a family member, lover or close friend), hidden affairs, mistreatment of colleagues or other similar behavior.  Penance may come in the form of excessive exercise, compulsive good deeds, a decision to forego rewarding and pleasurable activities or the choice to withdrawal from established social circles.

Unfortunately, the self-imposed penance rarely erases the underlying guilt and counseling is likely to be far more effective for penitents.  Convincing oneself of that fact, however, is difficult at best.

See also:  Guilt 

Their Time in the Sun

Over the past week, annual cicadas have been emerging in our neighborhood, their loud, ringing calls but a minor disturbance.  Indeed, compared with their periodic cousins, which emerge in massive swarms, the annual cicadas vary in their number and impact each year.

Having spent a few years gathering nourishment from tree roots beneath the soil, they emerge in late summer to molt, mate, lay their eggs on terminal tree branches and then die; they will not eat during their brief period above ground.  On the other hand, they themselves may be consumed by Mississippi kites, blue jays, raccoons, feral cats and other wildlife. 

Once the larvae hatch from the eggs, they drop to the ground, burrow into the soil and attach themself to a rootlet; thus the cycle continues.  How can we complain about their noisy mating calls knowing that they enjoy such a brief time in the sun? 

Beautiful Morning, Few Birds

As experienced birders know, "birding success" often has no relationship to the weather; exceptions include heavy rain or strong winds which tend to keep the birds in sheltered areas.  My visit to Phillips Lake on this beautiful morning offered an excellent example of that point. 

Despite the sunny, pleasantly warm, windless conditions, the birds were few and far between; indeed, on my 1.4 mile circuit of the lake, I encountered only 11 species and most of those were represented by 1-3 individuals.  The highlight of my visit proved to be a blue grosbeak, singing from the top of a small tree.

Of course, one's enthusiasm for birding (and for the exploration of nature in general) stems from the fact that we cannot predict what we might encounter; numbers, in the end, matter only to competitive-minded individuals.  A glorious morning in the great outdoors is enough.

Heading Backwards at Eagle Bluffs

Arriving early this morning at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, I was greeted by dense fog and the stench of stagnant pools.  On the other hand, it was pleasantly cool.

While this wetland refuge recovered significantly after heavy rains back in July, it has taken a giant step backward following the recent hot, dry weather.  Available open water is limited to shallow pools and a couple of sluggish channels.  As a result, waders were limited to 7 great blue herons, a single great egret and a lone green heron.  No ducks or geese were observed but there was one pied-billed grebe that managed to find a pool deep enough to dive in.  Songbirds were also rather sparse and raptors were limited to a handful of turkey vultures and a lone red-shouldered hawk.

Once the fog cleared, it was a comfortable morning, with bright sunshine, relatively cool air and natural beauty provided by swaths of sunflowers and rose mallow.  I'll likely be back in a few days. 

Driving toward Jupiter

Since running into a deer and smashing up our vehicle two years ago, my wife and I avoid driving after sunset or before sunrise.  Nevertheless, facing a 6-hour drive in the hot sun, I decided to set our early from Hays, Kansas.  That proved to be a rewarding decision.

A thumb-nail moon and bright Jupiter gleamed in the eastern sky and, twenty minutes later, a spectacular red dawn stretched across the horizon.  As the sun began to rise, the celestial bodies disappeared and the temperature increased.

No doubt, ancient man paid more attention to the night sky than most modern humans.  After all, we have our atomic clocks and digital calendars to keep track of the seasons.  Then there are those who lean toward religious mysticism; in their case, the spectacle above invites unwelcome questions.

See also:  Night Vision