How to exercise your eyes - Lifehacker

How to exercise your eyes - Lifehacker … reduce eyestrain whilst working at your computer all day long!  This one's for me!!!

Our Lot is Cleared!

Note the neighbor's shadow at the bottom of the photo.  The shot was taken very late in the afternoon and the shadows are quite long.  Looks to me like most of our home will be shaded from the west … until someone decides to build on that lot!!!

It’s All About Oil - New West Network

It's All About Oil | New West Network | Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming … New West chimes in on the oil energy crisis.

Soaring gas prices continue to fuel panicky manuevers in Washington today, as lawmakers feel the election-year pressure to Do Something About It. Republican senators have proposed sending $100 rebate checks to taxpayers to ease their gas pains. While Democrats have proposed a two month suspension of the fed gas tax. Meanwhile, Exxon has announced that its first-quarter profits are up 7 percent over last year, more fuel to fire those calling for a reduction in the $2 billion in tax breaks for oil companies passed in an energy bill last August.

Interesting use of words … Same story …

Congress on Oil Tax Breaks - NY Times

Second Thoughts in Congress on Oil Tax Breaks - New York Times … I don't delve into politics much.  Don't know a thing about it and don't want to!  I am an old, sleeping dog!!!

However, I need to keep abreast of developments in the energy industry as they should dramatically influence our lives in the future.  This NY Times article discusses the fact that many in Congress are rethinking the tax breaks they gave the oil companies a few months ago.  And why not when one considers the following tidbit.

The senators pointedly noted an "extremely lucrative retirement plan by one oil and gas industry executive" — an allusion to Lee R. Raymond, former chairman of Exxon Mobil, who received $398 million in compensation on retiring last year.

You can bet we aren't going to be retiring in such grand style!  How do these executives justify their exhorbitant compensation packages?  And just how much could be done to rectify many of our nation's problems with even a portion of those monies?   How can anybody spend THAT much money in their lifetime?!?  Can you say … inheritance!?!

First will be the Last …

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:11-12

Crunching The Numbers On Alternative Fuels

Popular Mechanics - Crunching The Numbers On Alternative Fuels … hubbie has often questioned the economics of alternative fuels.  Let's see what Popular Mechanics has to say …

So before we see our national fleet running on hydrogen, we believe that many households might have an electric or plug-in hybrid for short trips, an E85/electric hybrid sedan, SUV or minivan to squire the whole team, and a diesel pickup fueled by B30 or B50 to haul most anything else. All will reduce greenhouse gases and use renewable resources that come from inside our borders. By pursuing these multiple pathways, we can reduce our dependence on any single energy source–something we haven't achieved with petroleum.

And also …

David E. Cole, chairman of the Center for Auto Research, says, "If gasoline prices get too high and we look to other fuels–like hydrogen–you can expect that oil-producing nations will reduce our fuel costs. They want to continue to pump oil out, pump dollars in, and they could see the hydrogen economy as a threat."

Sounds like a plan!

Lot is Cleared …

… and ready for the construction to begin!  Jake spoke with our construction foreman today who confirmed that the lot had been cleared and the septic system would be going in next.  I had actually communicated with neighbors of ours in Bella Vista yesterday who said that they had noticed that the lot had been cleared on a stroll of theirs.  WOW … a dream of more than 3 years has just begun in earnest!!!

A True Test on Energy - NY Times

A True Test on Energy - New York Times …

Congress will soon face a test of its professed new interest in energy independence and legislative transparency. It comes in the form of a flawed amendment, hatched in secret, that would prevent the construction of a wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts.

VERY interesting article indeed …

ABC News: Sleep Positions

ABC News' GMA team discusses personality traits which may be revealed by sleeping positions. This interesting little tidbit can be found by going to the ABC News website and scrolling down their page until one finds the Video - Full Menu link. Check the GMA Videos and their many other offerings!

Don’t I know it …

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

Proverbs 15:1-2