Pumping Ground Water Affecting Earth's Tilt and Rotation

Above, the upper water storage tanks in our subdivision. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We in Jamestown, New Mexico rely upon ground water from the aquafer under our community. 

Apparently, according to an AOL article, pumping ground water is having an affect upon the Earth's rotation and tilt. The planet has tilted 31.5 inches over the past two decades.

They wrote: 

Water has power. So much power, in fact, that pumping Earth’s groundwater can change the planet’s tilt and rotation. It can also impact sea-level rise and other consequences of climate change.

Pumping groundwater appears to have a greater consequence than ever previously thought. But now—thanks to a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters—we can see that, in less than two decades, Earth has tilted 31.5 inches as a result of pumping groundwater. This equates to.24 inches of sea level rise.

“Earth’s rotational pole actually changes a lot,” Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University and study lead, says in a statement. “Our study shows that among climate-related causes, the redistribution of groundwater actually has the largest impact on the drift of the rotational pole.”

 To read more, go here.

Guns Every Smart Investor Should Know

Above, a Winchester 1873 rifle once owned by Billy the Kid on display at the
 Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People collect just about anything. 

Whether it is coins, tapestries, toys, furniture, political memorabilia or other items, collectors will seek out items that may be worth investing in.

This also goes for guns.

Collectors look for rare and vintage firearms at estates sales, auctions, classified ads and even pawn shops.

AOL has posted an article on guns that every smart investor should know.

They begin it with:

Your grandfather’s old service pistol from the war, carefully wrapped in cloth and stored with reverence, might have seemed like mere family memorabilia. More central to this article, that piece could be worth far more than anyone realized at the time.

The most expensive vintage gun ever auctioned, a single-action army Colt revolver owned by Pat Garrett, which was used to kill the outlaw Billy the Kid, sold for $6.03 million in 2021. While not every historical firearm will reach such astronomical heights, the vintage gun market has quietly become one of the most intriguing alternative investment sectors for those who appreciate both history and financial growth.

Historical firearms collecting isn’t just about nostalgia, though there’s plenty of that for those who grew up watching Westerns and war movies. It’s about recognizing that these pieces of American and world history can serve as tangible assets that often outperform traditional investments. The value of a historical firearm depends on several key factors: rarity, condition, provenance, and historical significance. When these elements align, the appreciation potential can be remarkable.

Disclaimer: Before considering any firearm investment, thorough research into local and federal regulations is essential. Market fluctuations can affect values, and proper legal compliance is non-negotiable.

To read more, go here. 

What Is The Cheapest Month To Go On A Cruise?

Above, Alaska cruises in late April/early May and September/beginning of October can save money. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like many things in life, timing is key. That also goes for taking a cruise vacation.

Everyone likes to save money by finding bargains. Some times of the year cruise line operators offer bargains too good to pass up. 

AOL has posted an article on what are the cheapest month(s) to go on a cruise.

They begin it with:

If you’re looking for cruise deals, it pays to pick your sailing dates carefully. Prices can vary based on your cruise line, destination and more – but certain times of year tend to be cheaper than others.

Joanna Kuther, a travel agent and owner of Port Side Travel Consultants, said it’s “all based on the demand.”

“And when you're talking about holidays and when schools are out, when families want to travel together, it's always going to be more expensive,” she told USA TODAY.

However, there are bargains out there if you know when to look for them. Here’s what to know. 

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Ships: 15 Nightmarish Facts

Above, the ill-fated Costa Concordia.

To date, I have been on three cruises. One to Alaska in 2001, one to Havana in 2019 and one to the Bahamas last year.

Each one was enjoyable, but I have found on two of them that having so many people in a small space does spread germs. I have come down with an illness twice during cruises.

That's not all people have to contend with while on a cruise. Other things can and do happen aboard cruise ships.

AOL posted an article with 15 "nightmarish facts" that may make one not want to take a cruise.

They begin it with:

Cruise ships market the illusion of a floating escape with unlimited buffets, sunsets on demand, and zero dishes to wash. But behind the floating resort vibe is where things get weird, really fast.

These facts about how cruise ships operate—and what can go wrong—might make you think twice about setting sail.

Here's a snippet:

No, cruise ships don’t sink every week—but when they do, they make headlines and documentaries. Remember the Costa Concordia in 2012? The ship ran aground, tipped over, and tragically took over 30 lives. From 1980 to 2012, 16 cruise ships sank, and many more got stuck. On average, 2.5 ships run aground every year.

To read more, go here. 

11 Best Things To Do In The Bahamas

Above, yours truly during a boat tour in Nassau. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

For years, I have always wanted to visit the Bahamas. 

Last summer, I did so when friend Mitch Geriminsky and I took a cruise there from Miami, Florida. During the cruise, we visited Freeport, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay (a private island owned by the cruise company, Norwegian Cruise Line). I have a cousin vacationing there as I write this.

Above, a view of Nassau just before our ship docked. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Our visit was limited, but enjoyable. I can easily see why the late Sean Connery chose to live there.

AOL has posted an article of the 11 best things to do in the Bahamas. 

It begins with:

The Bahamas, as a surprise to many, isn’t just one island. It’s an archipelago comprised of over 700 islands (although only 30 are inhabited) and nearly 2,400 cays spread over miles of pristine turquoise and deep cobalt waters. Although they’re most famous for their white (and sometimes pink) sandy beaches and the island’s capital hub of Nassau, the Bahamas offers an incredibly diverse variety of things to do and see.

“There's so much more to The Bahamas than what you would find as a cruise ship passenger in Nassau for the day. You truly haven't experienced the real, authentic, wild Bahamas until you've been to Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, or any one of the others,” Angie Orth told us. Orth is an award-winning travel writer, blogger and novelist, author of the acclaimed novel Flirting with Disaster, who spent over 5 years as an integral member of the public relations firm representing the Bahamas.

From the iconic pink sand beach to secluded coves, caves and underwater grottos, here are the 11 best things to do in the Bahamas—no matter who you’re traveling with.

To read more, go here. 

Stay In A Navajo 'Hogan' Home In Monument Valley

Above, a traditional Navajo hogan in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that straddles Utah and Arizona is a part of the Navajo Nation.

A Navajo woman in Monument Valley is opening her hogan to visitors for overnight stays.

AOL reported:

The Diné, or Navajo, are indigenous to the Southwestern United States, where they have lived for over a thousand years. Travelers seeking to explore Navajo traditions and culture can now stay in a hogan, a traditional dwelling, within the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, or Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii. A Navajo hogan is usually dome-shaped or multi-sided and built entirely out of natural elements like logs, bark, and mud.

The MonetValley Eco Hogan sits within the tribal park north of Kayenta, Arizona, and is owned by Verna Yazzie, a Navajo woman who was born and raised in Monument Valley. Her hogan, completed in 2020, is built out of juniper wood, bark, and sand. It is an off-grid structure with no electricity or running water, offering guests an extra dose of dark night skies (the area is renowned for its stargazing) and the chance to connect with the natural world.

By opening her hogan to visitors, Yazzie hopes to introduce people to the Navajo lifestyle, which traditionally involves herding sheep, weaving rugs, growing crops, and silversmithing. The name of her hogan, MonetValley, is an ode to her grandmother, who also lived in Monument Valley.

 To read more, go here.

State Dept. Updates Bahamas Travel Advisory

Above, a shopping area in Freeport, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When a friend and I went to the Bahamas on a cruise last summer, the country was under a Level 2 State Department Advisory at the time. 

While there, we saw no problems or potential dangers. 

The State Department has revised its advisory for the Bahamas. 

According to AOL:

The U.S. government wants you to be extra careful if you're visiting the Bahamas. So much so that it updated its travel advisory for the popular destination on March 31, alerting travelers to the dangers of violent crime, beach safety, and ammunition laws across the Bahama Islands.

The Bahamas has been at a level 2 advisory warning since January 2024, and the new update does not change the level.

"What do the advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State mean?

Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions)

Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution)

Level 3 (Reconsider Travel)

Level 4 (Do Not Travel)"

“Violent crime—like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults—can occur anywhere in The Bahamas. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands,” the travel alert states. “Stay alert in the 'Over the Hill' area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents.”

We visited both Freeport and Nassau during the cruise.

To read more, go here. 

50 American Tourist Traps

Above, oddly, Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion is on the tourist trap list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Traveling the U.S. is a popular pastime for many Americans. Visiting tourist attractions are part of allure.

However, some can be considered "tourist traps" that will make visitors feel like they've been ripped off. At least in the opinions travel bloggers and travel industry professionals.

AOL has posted a list of what are considered to be tourist traps.

They begin it with:

For better or worse, tourist traps are part of the American landscape. Countless overhyped, colorful, quirky, and sometimes downright mystifying spots draw sightseers nationwide — at least, when a pandemic isn't making travel too dangerous and complicated for such silliness.

Whether an attraction qualifies as a tourist trap is often in the eye of the beholder, and some are still beloved by locals. Travel blogger David James of The GypsyNesters has his own test: whether visitors leave feeling a little swindled. "But we love tourist traps," says his wife and fellow blogger, Veronica James. "David cannot pass them by. Boomers are really into this stuff because, when we were kids, that's where we went. We would pack up our station wagon and go to these places."

Some are iconic locales now overrun or overrated. Others lure road trippers out of the way of their intended destinations. They might be cheesy, inauthentic, overpriced, crowded, boring, ugly, or just plain not worth the time. We talked to travel bloggers and industry professionals and read online reviews to identify tourist traps in every state.

To see what they are, go here. 

Dan Bongino Picked As FBI Deputy Director

Above, Dan Bongino. Photo by Gage Skidmore.

This is great news as far as I am concerned!

From AOL/Associated Press:

FILE - Conservative commentator Dan Bongino speaks at the Conservative Political Action Committee annual conference in National Harbor, Md., March 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dan Bongino, a former U.S. Secret Service agent who has penned best-selling books, ran unsuccessfully for office and gained fame as a conservative pundit with TV shows and a popular podcast, has been chosen to serve as FBI deputy director.

President Donald Trump announced the appointment Sunday night in a post on his Truth Social platform, praising Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.” He called the announcement “great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice.” 

I am a follower of Bongino for several years on Twitter (now X) and Facebook.

To read more, go here. 

7 Big Island Stays That Fit Every Style and Budget

Above, the Waikoloa Beach Hotel and Spa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nine years ago (has it already been that long ago?), I visited the Big Island of Hawaii. I stayed at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa in Kona. 

While on the Big Island, I took a tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by helicopter with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. We had to drive about 60 miles from Kona to Hilo to get to the Hilo airport to catch our helicopter flight. 

The Hawaii travel arrangements were provided by the Automobile Club of Southern California. 

AOL has posted an article on "7 Big Island Stays That Fit Every Style and Budget".

They begin it with:

The Big Island of Hawaii, officially named Hawaiʻi Island, is the largest and youngest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Famous for its volcanoes, landscapes, black sand beaches, and its diverse range of accommodations, it’s no surprise many tourists travel here year-round for the experience. Being twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, covering 4,028 square miles (10,432 km²), there are quite a few places to stay. Kona or Hilo? Or is Waikoloa a better option? Are you interested in lava fields or waterfalls? This guide breaks down the 7 top places to stay on the Big Island to help you find the best location for your trip., 

To read more, go here.

Deer Hunting Lever Actions To Try

Above, Winchester lever-action rifles displayed at the Billy the Kid Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lever-action rifles and deer hunting go hand-in-hand. If one is looking for a new deer rifle, there are many brands to choose from. 

That is the subject of an article posted by AOL titled, "Looking For A New Deer Rifle? Try These New Lever Actions".  Several of them have been around for decades.

They begin with:

The lever-action rifle is something of an anomaly when looking back through history. The American Civil War showed its efficacy as a fighting weapon, but it never truly saw widespread military use. Still, they persist as a fun way of shooting or hunting. Today, we’re looking at the best lever-action rifles around.

To read more, go here. 

Rifles of World War II

Above, the Winchester 94 made its way into Allied soldiers
hands. Mine, above, is a 1962 vintage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Rifles used by the Allied forces and the Axis during World War II were many and of different makes. 

Some of them are collectors items today.

AOL (of all places) has posted the different rifles used during World War II. Included is the Winchester Model 94 lever-action. It is number 57 on the list of 69.

They begin with:

As horrible as the Second World War may have been, there can be no question that one of the defining aspects of the war was the weapons put into the hands of troops around the world. With every rifle earmarked for a soldier, there was a likelihood this soldier would be placed on a battlefield and told to capture an essential objective for both the Allied and Axis powers to win the war.

To see them all, go here. 

"Buffy" Goes After Mayor Karen Bass

Above, Sarah Michelle Gellar at San Diego Comic-Con 2011 promoting Ringer. Photo by Rach.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and other celebrities who have lost homes in the fires this past week have turned against Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass over their incompetent handling of the disaster.

AOL posted (sourced from the U.K. Independent):

Sarah Michelle Gellar has expressed frustration with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over the city’s response to this week’s devastating wildfires.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, 47, tagged the official social media accounts of Bass and the City of Los Angeles as she complained in a post on her Instagram Stories: “City of LA you want everyone to evacuate yet you have complete gridlock and not one traffic cop on the roads helping.”

Gellar is just one of many celebrities to have been forced to evacuate by a wave of catastrophic fires sweeping across southern California.

Several have blamed local government for a lack of preparedness. Salvador actor James Woods, who lost his home in the Palisades, wrote on X that the devastation caused by the fire wasn’t due to “climate change” but because of “liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass.”

“One doesn’t understand the first thing about fire management and the other can’t fill the water reservoirs,” wrote Woods.

To read more, go here. 

Tips For Booking The Best Cruise Excursions

Above, yours truly on the Nassau tour boat. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

While booking our August cruise to the Bahamas earlier this year, Mitch Geriminsky and I also looked into what was being offered in shore excursions at the different ports-of-call. 

We chose two. One was boat and bus tours of Nassau. The other was for jet skiing at Great Stirrup Cay, a private island owned by our cruise line, Norwegian Cruse Line. Other shore excursions were offered such as swimming with pigs, dolphin swim or sitting on the beach, all of which weren't appealing to either of us. We enjoyed the excursions that we picked.

AOL has posted an article with 5 tips for booking the best cruise excursions. 

It begins with: 

You’ve booked your cruise, selecting the perfect destination, dates, cruise line and cabin. Now the fun begins – deciding how you’ll spend your time in each port of call. Shore excursions can range from walking tours to cultural activities to exhilarating adventures to relaxing beach days, and so much more, depending on where you’re cruising. With all of the options, it can be a bit overwhelming, to say the least. We checked with Gary Bembridge for advice on booking the best cruise shore excursions, regardless of where you’re sailing.

To read more, go here. 

California May Make Illegals Eligible For $150,000 Home Loans

This blog post was removed by Facebook claiming that it violated their community standards on spam. Which is totally ridiculous. They are still censoring posts.

The Looney Left Report

Whenever I see a story such as the one below, the more glad I am that I moved out of the People's Republic of Commiefornia. 

The state's taxpayers may be footing the bill that would make illegal aliens eligible for state-supported home loans up to $150,000 if the pending legislation passes the legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.  

According to Fox News (via AOL):

Lawmakers in California could soon make the Golden State the first in the country to make undocumented immigrants eligible for up to $150,000 in state-supported home loans.

The Democratic supermajority in the California state legislature is likely to pass a measure this week that would make undocumented immigrants eligible for the "California Dream for All" loan program, a state-funded program that provides 20% in down payment assistance up to $150,000, according to a report for Politico.

Participants in the program must be first-time homebuyers, and at least one must be a first-generation homebuyer, while income levels must be below certain limits depending on the county where the recipient lives.

This is what you get when you have a one-party state government comprised of leftists.

To read more, go here. 

This blog post was removed by Facebook claiming that it violated their community standards on spam. 

Trump Recruits Tulsi Gabbard For Debate Prep

Former President Donald Trump has made a smart move in recruiting former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for prepping for his upcoming debates with Kamala Harris.

According to Fox News (via AOL):

She memorably took down Kamala Harris in a viral debate exchange in 2019 and now former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been enlisted by former president Trump to give him some valuable insights ahead of his upcoming debates against the 2024 Democratic nominee.

Gabbard, who ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primary, has been recruited by Trump to help him sharpen his preparation ahead of the debates, Fox News Digital has learned.

The former congresswoman memorably scorched Harris in a 2019 primary debate where she hammered Harris for jailing hundreds of Californians for marijuana violations while she was attorney general, yet bragged about her own use of the drug.

Here's that memorable exchange: 

To read more, go here.

Cindy Morgan, R.I.P.

Above, Cindy Morgan by Harry Langdon. Photo from her 'X' page.

On Twitter, or 'X' as it is now called, I had been a follower of Caddyshack actress Cindy Morgan for quite some time. She posted some interesting and funny stories there.

At around the same time of Caddyshack, she made a commercial for Continental Airlines titled, "Suave Pilot". That's where I first noticed her.

Stunning news was posted at AOL today:

Cindy Morgan, best known for her role in “Caddyshack,” has died.

In a statement provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to an investigation in Lake Worth Beach, Florida and met with a woman who said she lived at the residence with Morgan.

After returning from a holiday trip, she did not see her roommate and said that she knocked on Morgan's door but received no response, noting there was a “strong odor” coming from the room. Morgan was last seen alive by her roommate on Dec. 19, 2023.

The actor was found deceased in her bedroom in the evening of Dec. 30, 2023. Police suspect no foul play. 

This was her last post at 'X":

 R.I.P. Cindy!

To read more, go here.

Government Shutdown Averted Until Nov. 17

Above, Mesa Verde National Park will be open for eclipse watchers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The impending government shutdown has been averted, at least for 45 days.

According to the Associated Press (via AOL):

WASHINGTON (AP) — The threat of a federal government shutdown suddenly lifted late Saturday as President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open with little time to spare after Congress rushed to approve the bipartisan deal.

The package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP lawmakers, but increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, meeting Biden’s full request. The bill funds government until Nov. 17.

The national parks will remain open. Some, like Mesa Verde National Park, will be open for eclipse viewers on October 14.

To read more, go here. 

Social Security and A Government Shut-Down

This coming Sunday, if the congress (House and Senate) and the White House don't come to an agreement on a spending bill, the government will shut down.

What does that mean for those of us geezers who are collecting Social Security? Nothing.

According to NBC News (via AOL):

If the federal government shuts down on Sunday, numerous publicly funded agencies will stop work and their employees won't be paid, but Social Security checks will still go out.

Social Security is considered a mandatory program and it isn't funded by the shorter-term appropriations bills passed by Congress and signed by the president. That means its operations and funding don't stop when the government shuts down.

That's important for a large portion of Americans, as about 67 million people are currently receiving monthly Social Security benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. Those benefits primarily go to retirees, but also to people with disabilities as well as dependents of deceased beneficiaries.

Medicare and Veterans Affairs benefits also continue being distributed during a shutdown.

To read more, go here. 

Banning Gun Sales To American Adults Aged 18-20 Is Unconstitutional

Some good news has come from the state of Virginia.

A federal judge ruled that limiting gun sales to citizens 21 years and up is unconstitutional. If it is not overturned, that settles that matter.

AOL News posted:

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge in Virginia has ruled that a law banning licensed federal firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults under 21 violates the Second Amendment and is unconstitutional.

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Payne in Richmond, if not overturned, would allow dealers to sell handguns to 18- to 20-year-olds.

In his 71-page ruling, Payne wrote that many of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship are granted at the age of 18, including the right to vote, enlist in the military without parental permission and serve on a federal jury.

“If the Court were to exclude 18-to-20-year-olds from the Second Amendment's protection, it would impose limitations on the Second Amendment that do not exist with other constitutional guarantees,” Payne wrote. 

“Because the statutes and regulations in question are not consistent with our Nation’s history and tradition, they, therefore, cannot stand," he wrote. 

To read more, go here.