Brisk Morning Outside...Monday "News on the Run"

Thought I would get a early start on my day here, keep to my New Year's resolution, so bundle myself up and walked down to the post office...which is closed for the New Year's holiday...should have figured that since the Rose Bowl Parade is being held this morning, rather than on the 1st day of the year as is normal...looking forward to seeing the Occupy Movement float that will appear at the very end of said parade. Let me tell you, it is almost bone chilling nippy outside. The frigid temperatures of winter are here, my fingers numb from my walk....good news is I walked about two miles, and took a couple of good pictures.

News on the Run

Inflation to hit Powerball in a big way...the one dollar chance at wealth and fame is about to cost you twice as much. Powerball has announced plans to DOUBLE the price of a ticket to $2 beginning on January 15. Bad enough that the lottery preys on the hopes and dreams of our poorest citizens hoping to get lucky, but now the government wants to steal twice as much from them.

In good news for Equal Rights, same sex marriages/unions are slowly making inroads to becoming the norm in America. The GLBT community only needs one more state to recognize same sex marriages/unions to see twenty five percent of states joining the 21st Century, and granting all couples equal rights under the law. Marriage licenses are given to same-sex couples in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and the District of Columbia.

Like father, like son...Mitt Romney is refusing to release his tax returns, and one does have to wonder, "What does he have to hide?" Oddly, when his father unsuccessfully sought the Republican Presidential nod in 1968, he too refused to release his tax returns. Guess history really does repeat itself.

In STUPID NEWS, a man tried to buy a microwave and vacuum with a One Million Dollar bill. I mean seriously folks...he has been charged with two felonies, but think anyone trying to pass off a non-existent bill that large, and expect change back has some serious mental issues...he needs counseling, not prison.

Rose Bowl Parade prepares for Occupy Movement Protest...personally, would love to see the Occupy Movement hold a major protest today on National Television in front of a viewing audience numbering into the millions. Maybe such a action would wake up a few more people.

There is today's "News on the Run"...going to get myself showered here, and head out to run some errands. Think I will take my camera with me and hope for a few more good shoots.

My Own New Year's Resolutions

Each year as the old year comes to an end, and the birth of a new year occurs at the stroke of Midnight all around the world, there is a hope that the year on the horizon will be a better one than the one just passed. A part of this passage is the making of New Year's resolutions, most of which we break within days, even hours. Yet, each year on December 31st we get out our pens...or keyboards and put great thought into what we what to change and/or make better in year to come, hoping for some great personal Epiphany that will see us succeed in our quest to be better people, better citizens of the world. To that end, am sitting here with my second cup of coffee of the day (I drink way to much of it) thinking the same thoughts as millions of others as I put to paper (blog) my own 2012 New Year's Resolutions.

I want to be healthier in 2012. Fact is, I need to lose at least 25 pounds, and should start getting far more exercise than I got in 2011. To this end, I want to start eating much healthier foods in the new year, get more living matter (vegetables) into my body. In conjunction with this, want to get more exercise by going for a walk, or riding on my exercise cycle at least four days out of each seven. My goal here would be to work up to one hour four days a week getting some exercise of one type or another.

Better personal organization in my own life...which for me means taking the time to make a list of what I want to get accomplished for any given day, then clicking off those tasks as they get accomplished. To often important things get done at the last minute (like paying my bills) because I am just not organized.

Set aside time each day for endeavors of a creative nature...writing, taking far more photographs (and organizing/cataloging them) and painting...do not really know how to paint, but would like to work toward mastering this craft. Also should set aside half an hour daily to work on learning the guitar, as I have always wanted to be able to play a musical instrument.

A tall order for 2012, but perhaps with some serious commitment on my end, these worthy aspirations, my own list of resolutions shared here for all to read will meet with some level of success in 2012. To all my readers, to the citizens of Mountaindale, I wish each of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

MCDP Raffle Tickets Available...Win Some Beautiful Framed Art Work From Bird Photographer Ed Frampton

Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP) are pleased to announce that Raffle Tickets are now available, the three winners receiving signed and framed photographs from birding enthusiast and photographer Ed Frampton. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for MCDP's ongoing efforts here in the hamlet of Mountaindale. Tickets are $2 (two dollars) each, or six tickets for $10 (ten dollars) and your donation is tax deductible.

Tickets are available and for sale through August 5th, 2011 and the drawing will be held on Saturday August 6th, 2011 at 12 PM...winners will be notified by phone or email, and you can pick your prize up at 51 Main Street in Mountaindale. Items can be shipped at winners expense.

First Place Prize (click each to enlarge images)








Second Place Prize









Third Place Prize












If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Barb Schmitt at (845) 434-4747 or Sherwood at (845) 693-4513. You can also order tickets by mail:

Mountaindale Community Development Project
P.O.Box 333
Mountaindale, NY 12763

*Please make checks out to Mountaindale Community Development Project