Sunshine In Montana- In the Rest of the World Not So Much

Hot digity dog! It was sunny yesterday. Amazing how a little sunshine can lift the spirits. Koty and I took a long hike in the woods. Snow is still pretty deep up higher on the mountain but gads it was good to bask in the sun! We saw two sets of mountain lion tracks in the fresh snow, lots of bunny and bobcat tracks too. The birds were tweeting and all was well with the world. Well, my world anyway.

Snow-capped Mt. Henry in the distance and Lake Koocanusa below. Mt. Henry is actually in British Columbia.

Unfortunately, things in "the other world" aren't all that great. The middle east is in a mess and oil is over $106 this morning. I also just learned that Irish bonds are yielding 10%, a very bad sign. Many people actually think that the Fed can control interest rates. Well, short rates they can but not long bonds. Those rates are set by the marketplace. When faith in the US economy and the once mighty dollar really goes to hell in a hand basket long bond rates will rocket. Anyone with credit card debt or an adjustable mortgage will get slaughtered. When people start having to make higher payments on a house that is losing value I'd imagine there will be a whole new wave of people just walking away. It is going to happen, the only unknowable is the precise when.

I just love reading all the BS about the economic recovery. It is such blatant BS. It shows just how dumb the government thinks the public is. For the most part I think they're right. Or maybe people just believe in the power of positive thinking. Actually, I believe in it myself but positive thinking cannot overcome stupid, irresponsible living and people have been living so far beyond their means it's almost laughable. Only it's really not funny and it hasn't happened by accident. This used to be a country built on self-reliance and hard work. Today it sits in the quicksand of debt and dependence.

Funny and not so funny statistics about our so-called economic recovery.

Precious metals have been on the move again, silver in particular. I believe JP Morgan has a very large short position in silver and it looks like a short squeeze on. Since I believe JPM is amongst the biggest crooks on the planet I'd love to see them get crushed. Problem with that is; the government would mostly likely bail them out with taxpayer money. What a racket these bankster gangsters have. They cannot lose. They make a fortune screwing the public when things go their way and if things should turn against them, no problemo, the government just bails them out and the public gets screwed again. If memory serves the averge walls street bonus is around $128,000. And they say crime doesn't pay?!


©Kinsey Barnard

2-15-2011

Another muddy gray morning but the temp was at 38 so we continue to thaw. Weather can't seem to figure out if it wants to rain or snow so there were showers of both.

I read an interview this morning with Charlie Maxwell, a respected energy analyst. What he has to say certainly got my attention. Bottom line: He is projecting $300 oil by 2020. 2020 is not that far off. I'm thinking I'd best saddle up Clementine as soon as the snow clears. So much to see so little time left to do it! If you'd like to read the article ...... Charlie Maxwell Interview.

Koty's nose is bent out of shape because I went into the woods alone today. I seldom leave him behind but sometimes I just like to be by myself. I wandered over to the little creek that runs through my property. The water cascades down the mountain and makes the most wonderful sound. I thought about what my life would be like if gasoline really did go to $300. Not much different I concluded. I would just be spending more time at my creek instead of gallivanting around to other creeks.

Rushing Water - Music to My Ears

 Just another day in my version of paradise.

©Kinsey Barnard

CHRISTMAS EVE

Tucson, Arizona 12-24-08

Drat! Maybe the POO hasn't bottomed. It's hard to imagine inventories are up with gasoline prices so low. Here in Tucson you can barely move around on the streets they are so crowded. Add to that the extreme low temperatures across the country and one would think prices would be on the rise. It must surely be some kind of reverse conspiracy. ;) I'll wager Russia hopes we find a bottom soon.

I'm dabbling with the idea of buying some Vanguard High Yield. "High Yield" is synonymous with junk bonds. It's a risky business. I think a lot of big names are going to go belly up in the coming year. Who will survive? Government can't bail them all out. Although, I suspect they will try. Need to look over Vanguard's portfolio and see what's in there.

Wow! This article sure makes the future clear to me. Deflation vs. Hyperinflation. Certainly glad I loaded my boat with the barbaric relic. I once thought gold might go to $1,500 an ounce. But, I never in my wildest dreams envisioned the magnitude of the printathon at the Fed. Now, I believe it will go much higher.

Sunsrise was pretty darned nice this morning. Not good enough to photograph but certainly wonderful to watch.

Last night it was a war zone again but not just with police sirens this time. In addition to the sirens there was a helicopter that circled the wash for about 20 minutes. That wash is a dangerous place after dark IMO. Tucson doesn't feel like a safe place to me. I never worry about hiking alone in Montana. I certainly do here.

Koty was a real pain in the neck this morning. Had to walk him four times before he was satisfied. I'm very happy, so far, with how the Natural Balance is working out. See Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. My hunch that Koty would be able to stomach a total switch right off the bat was correct. He had no problem adjusting and he is eating with relative gusto. One of the things that attracted me to this product was the fact that it is for adults and puppies. That told me this is a gentle product and well thought out product. And so it has been.

This afternoon was beautiful. Mostly sunny with puffy white clouds. Koty and I took a walk on the Bajada Loop at Saguaro National Park. It was a great way to end the day.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!