FOUR days of rain!

Never have I experienced so much rain. We didn't get cloudy skies and a few shattered showers .. we got intermittent downpours, thunder and lightning, and wind for [4] consecutive days. I now can relate to Noah and his family, although their rainy days lasted 40 days and 40 nights .. there were times after a long downpour that we might could actually row ourselves in a small paddle boat across the yard. Our community is surrounded by wetlands and that doesn't always mean, "swamp area" in the sense of mosquitos, snakes, and slime, actually, wetlands are very beautiful and enchanting. But, flooding is a concern for us human land dwellers, so .. consideration takes that into account. This land is very close to my home and I think it displays the reality of wetland beauty.
By Aaron Sudholt
Suburban Journal
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 8:40 AM
A deal to keep a portion of swampland along Horseshoe Lake Road near Collinsville and Pontoon Beach could help protect the area from flooding, officials said this week.

Mascoutah-based Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation and Development on Tuesday purchased about 86 acres of land near the northwestern corner of Horseshoe Lake and Arlington roads in Pontoon Beach.

The deal gives the nonprofit, which handles environmental and planning issues for the region, control of the land from the trust of Charles F. Stone, who owned the property.

Officials aren't releasing the value of the land, a grassy parcel that includes patches of bogs and brooks. Dave Eustis, the group's executive director, said the arrangement is a win for the area. "Few opportunities exist like this anymore," he said. Eustis said the deal helps preserve the land from development and create an effective buffer from flooding. Because wetlands consist of high amounts water-absorbent plants and soil, any set aside for protection can help alleviate flooding. That's especially important in the flood-prone American Bottoms area, which includes Granite City, Pontoon Beach, western Collinsville and other low-lying communities near the Mississippi River.

The wetlands are near the eastern intersection of the curving Arlington Road at Horseshoe Lake, Road which cross twice in Pontoon Beach. Plans call for the agency to manage the land, with the Collinsville Area Recreation District and the Madison County Stormwater Office expected to purchase portions.

The county last year bought about 70 acres near Interstate 255 in Pontoon to help control flooding. The effort is part of a regional push to bring flood control devices up to new federal standards put into place following Hurricane Katrina.

Eustis said the region needs the attention."(It's) in an area that is urbanizing," Eustis said. "We're just trying to find locations that would be suitable to store storm water in the future."Eustis said that the land was a part of a "remnant meander" of the Mississippi River, meaning the river had actually run through that area about 5,000 years ago. Once the river diverted away to its present course, it created Horseshoe Lake and some of the wetlands that are included in the plan.

"Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation and Development looks to conserve open space within the region," Eustis said. "We also work to provide more sustainable communities."CARD spokeswoman Elizabeth Lehnerer said that the agency is prepared to manage their portion of the property but wouldn't elaborate. Officials have previously announced plans to possibly develop a wetland interpretive center. CARD also already owns the Arlington Greens Golf Course nearby. "We don't want to put the cart in front of the horse," Lehnerer said.

The Resource Conservation and Development group previously worked on an open space plan for Edwardsville and trails around Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. It also bought about 32 acres near Interstate 55/70 and Illinois Route 111 for flood control.

March 25th Test and Tune

The scheduled event was canceled because of rain, so Gateway's test and tune took place the following Wednesday .. it went really smooth, I think.

The weather was great. Don got in three runs easily and could have made more. His friend, Mr. Horsepower didn't bring his truck, instead he tinkered with Big Iron after each run. Don trusts his judgement on many things, he has been in the business for years .. taught Donnie how to actually set timing correctly, unlike what he had picked up observing Powder over the years. Ha!

1200C

This is my oldest son Matt and my youngest son Daniel admiring Matt's new ride .. a beautiful Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster.

ET Street Tires

We spent hours on-line and calling various dealers trying to find a pair of these tires .. Mickey Thompson 32 x 17.5 x 15. The cheapest we found was $265.00 and I don't call that cheap especially for a hobby .. that's not all, these things are not complete without the tubes .. those babies are $85.00/ea. Only because Slick tire racing occurred on Wednesday nights out at Gateway and it was a madhouse with murderous wait time in staging. Anyway, Gateway combined its schedule for this racing year .. hopefully, it goes well .. my fingers are crossed.

Bebe and Karat

Cats love my redhead, Karat .. especially Bebe who will follow her around the house until she flops somewhere, anywhere. Then Bebe will rub and circle, do a few headbutts, and then gently curl and cuddle next to her. Karat usually permits the feline affections for awhile before growing annoyed .. she then sounds off with a low throaty growl. Bebe generally ignores the first warning and many times the second and third. Finally, when Karat has tolerated all that she can of the purring and kneading, she gets up and moves to another spot .. of course, Bebe follows and the event repeats itself, outcome and all.

Gateway International Raceway

New management has turned Gateway on its heels for the local drag strip crowd. GIR announced the hiring of Rich Schaefer as the drag strip manager toward the end of drag season last year. He came highly recommended according to GIR's press release at that time. Mr. Schaefer has 20 years experience in the sports industry and maintains the position as Director of Communications for MTRA (Monster Truck Racing Association). He certainly appears young to have been in the business for so long. The first changes recognized by local drag racers was a change in venue .. previous years, street tires raced on Tuesday nights and the Slicks raced on Wednesday nights. Mr. Schaefer has combined Tuesday Street Tires Test-and-Tune and Wednesday Slick Tires and Motorcycles Test-and-Tune program into one weekly event to take place every Tuesday night .. if rain out occurs, the event will take place the following evening. The press release seems to hint at a guaranteed three runs, "to ensure an equal number of run attempts for all competitors", by using a 'punch card'. There is still concern being voiced that many drivers will be bumped once the time runs out for that particular program .. 300 cars with slicks staged to make a pass in a 30 minute window seems daunting for a success, but it will be interesting to see how it goes.

Tattoos

I hope this guy never goes to prison .. eek!

I've never been a big fan of tattoos. I have seen a few that did look good .. small and colorful. I want to be able to remove it and tattoos are permanent. I think they all must fade in time loosing the sharpness and then with normal aging .. 30 years later and what about life changes? Something you are so in to at 21 could be embarrassing at 40.

I hate duck hunters.

Correct translation of the Biblical text below does not imply domination of animals, subjecting them to abuse, cruelty, and torture.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

It was God's intention for human beings to be stewards and guardians, protecting and "respecting" animals with whom we share the gift of creation. I hate stories of animal cruelty, it makes me sick to my stomach and so angry I stomp around all day with a huge chip on my shoulder. It's hard to even gain awareness of how widespread "cruelty for profit" is in the United States alone, the stories are heart wrenching .. I salute the animal rights activist .. may their empathy prevail and flourish.

I've done my radical actions through the years, blazed many duck blinds in the water with a lit match book .. Noble duck hunting? No such thing, ducks are the most humble creatures in the world .. being lured to their deaths with calls is disgusting. Yae .. yae, I know all about controlling populations .. it still sickens me. I think all 'wanna be hunters' should first pass a test of hunthood .. perhaps going to bear country, "Ride due west as the sun sets; turn left at the Rocky Mountains ..." much like the saga of Jeremiah Johnson, hunt a grizzly with a Bowie knife, live a year in the wilderness, confront nature .. then return or hopefully better .. become a legend.

Why God Created Animals

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to "Where do pets come from?"

Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me everyday. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here & it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me."

And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever & who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are & will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam & he wagged his tail. And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom & I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam & was a companion to him & loved him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content & wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord & said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts & preens like a peacock & he believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well."

And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever & who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration."

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Adam learned humility.

And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved. And Dog was happy.
And the Cat didn't give a hoot one way or the other.

I-57 Dragstrip

It was the first time I had ever been to this track .. as if I've been to other tracks.

We went in late October and it was a beautiful day. We had been so home bound for months, taking that long drive was recharging. The scenery, along the drive was simple pastoral farmland dotted with two story farm houses hidden among a few trees and then surrounded by huge agricultural fields of corn .. The Midwest splendor. Autumn in the Midwest is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen .. some years are better than others. Last year the summer dry spell caused the leaves to quickly turn brown instead of the vivid bright colors associated with that time of year. I remember taking boat runs up the Missouri river the same time of year and the treeline of each side of the river was just hypnotizing in its charming solemnity.

Back to drag racing and the smell of burning tires .. this dragstrip is in a small town called Benton where you enter a town square and drive in a circle until the road you want comes around. It reminded me of a small town back home called Athens, where years ago, the main businesses were established around the square, its no longer that way .. Walmart moved in.

As we passed the town's drug store, the sign out front was advertising 'vomit bags' .. I wanted to stop and take a picture of it, but being in the square and all, we were caught up in the traffic flow and didn't want to slow the pace. I can't believe they were advertizing puke bags, and "why" for goodness sakes .. ???

I-57 is the place to hook up and hang out, as they say .. its a short track (1/8 mile) for OUTLAWS and grudge matches, test & tune allowed.

This is what I loved about it .. the track on each side is lined with big trees. This is where the racers park. It reminds you of camp grounds. On the other side they have small open air bleachers, and again, protected by tall trees. Summertime is drag racing season, it gets HOT! If we return and I think we are, I'm packing a lounge chair, goodies to eat and drink and will park my butt on top of the trailer, sit back and enjoy.

The second trip we took was a little different, this time our travel took place in November and that day was colder than a well digger's butt. I stayed inside the truck the entire time except for the few trips I made to the track to shoot some pictures of the guys.