This is the best product review I have ever read: Best Gas Mask

Blogging to Baumgartner, 1/25/2026

This is the email I sent to Representative Michael Baumgartner (R, 5th District, Washington State) following the murders in Minneapolis of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

I am angry. Yesterday in Minneapolis armed thugs masquerading as federal law enforcement murdered Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse at a VA hospital. They fired 10 bullets into a disarmed man on the ground. Within minutes, before Alex’s blood could even freeze on the pavement where he had been assassinated, top administration officials were falsely claiming that he was a terrorist who had attacked the ICE thugs. The problem with this is that there are multiple videos from citizen journalists that show he never assaulted the ICE agents; rather he died trying to protect a woman who was being assaulted. The administration is boldly lying and telling us not to believe our eyes.

I want to see the ICE agents who murdered Alex Pretti, and ICE agent Jonathon Ross who murdered Renee Good brought to trial. I want to see the administration officials who have lied and slandered these American martyrs removed from their positions and held accountable for their actions. Until these things happen, I want to see all funding removed from ICE.

Blogging to Baumgartner (revived)

Last year I sent a number of phone messages and emails to my congressional representative, Michael Baumgartner (5th District WA, Repubican). I’ll admit I eventually tired of the exercise, and stopped sending messages. However, it’s a new year and with new resolve I am reviving my efforts. Today’s email to Rep. Baumgartner:

I was disappointed to read of your support of President Trump’s illegal operation to arrest President Maduro and his wife. I don’t argue that Maduro is a dictator, and the people of Venezuela are better off without him. Where was the Congressional authorization and oversight? The US Congress by inaction has enabled Mr. Trump to do what he pleases. If these same actions were taken under a Democratic administration I am sure that you would (rightfully) protest loudly. Mr. Trump is ignoring the Constitution and you are enthusiastically supporting him. It is past time for you to stand up for the Constitution you swore to defend.

A gaze of racoons having a midnight romp in our orchard last month.

Finished reading: The Devil Reached Toward the Sky by Garrett M. Graff 📚This is a terrific oral history of Manhattan project from start to finish. There have been a number of so-called “Manhattan” projects over the years, but none of them come close to the level of the original.

Finished reading: Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove 📚. I was scanning the new book shelves at the library and the title grabbed me. It is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read this year. A funny, exciting story about overcoming differences and friendship.

Finished reading: Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne 📚I enjoyed this “cozy fantasy “, but I don’t think l’ll continue reading the series now. I did appreciate how the author effectively expressed romance and passion without slipping into erotica.

I don’t know why, but autumn is a time for beautiful sunsets (and sunrises) around here.

A vibrant sunset fills the sky with hues of orange and red above a rural landscape featuring a barn and trees.

I picked up our poultry feed for the next year.

A large white bag suspended by chains is being moved near a pickup truck in an open garage.

Fire in the sky late this afternoon.

A vibrant sunset casts orange and pink hues over a rural landscape with bare trees and a few buildings.

I got tired of all the piles of scrap lumber around the shop, and built a storage cart (from some of the same scraps). I based it on the cart described here . 🔨🪚

A wooden storage unit with shelves is positioned on casters in a workshop setting.A wooden cart is filled with various sizes of wooden planks and boards in a workshop setting.

It didn’t last as long as last evening’s aurora, but this sunrise was pretty nice.

Sunrise reflecting off clouds

Finished reading: Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle 📚. Pretty gory, but a good story.

I came across a meme the other day that rings true for us, “If the house is clean the garden must be dead.”

“X” marks the spot over our farm.

A contrail forms an X shape in a clear blue sky over a rural landscape with a house and open field.

Finished reading: So Far Gone by Jess Walter 📚Second chances, dysfunctional families, good humor. It was an enjoyable read. I recommend it.

My granddaughter asked me to show her how to use a slide rule. I still remember 50+ years later. Old guy stuff.

An old slide rule

We got up early this morning and paddled our kayaks across the Snake River to pick blackberries. We picked a couple of gallons, paddled back, and were home by noon.

Two blue kayaks are resting on the shore of a calm body of water, with a dog wearing an orange life vest nearby and a scenic background of trees and hills.

Finished reading: The Notebook by Roland Allen 📚. I very much enjoyed this survey of all kinds of note keeping throughout western history. It is one I will be going back to.

I was digging out an old concrete border around a tree in the yard. The cement was probably poured about a century ago. The farm cat who lived here then left their footprints in the cement.

Cat footprint in old cement sidewalk