Old Sol’s going through some unusual upheavals today. I don’t recall ever seeing such an array of sunspots reported:
“GIANT SINE WAVE: Imagine a sine wave 400,000 km long. Today, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory is monitoring just such a structure. It’s an enormous filament of magnetism slithering over the sun’s northeastern limb:”
Meanwhile it’s a red morning out there, so all you salesmen probably need to take warning.
Last night I was planning to haul water but I was interrupted by a wild hog meandering out from behind the truck as I came around the corner of Gale’s house. We stood and looked at one another from about 20 feet, him undecided about whether he wanted some of me, while though I’d decided I couldn’t think of anything to do about it if he did. When he wandered off behind a hedge I ducked inside to seal an agreement with him that we’d postpone any drama until we could each feel better about invading the personal spaces of the other.
Gale had told me he was having a lot of hogs troubling him but he didn’t mention I needed to pack a .45 walking around the place.
Maybe more later. I’ve got to go let his chickens out.
07:45 AM – Snagged enough water to hold things together a couple of days down here without seeing any porkers. Kay’s duck, which was missing last night when I locked down the chickens and caused me concern, flew in while I was filling the water jugs. Eased my conscience considerable. I hate having one of their critters come up KIA or MIA while I’m the one taking care of things.
While I was driving back down here I got to thinking about that tusker last night and the fact something’s been tearing up the pen where I keep the roosters every night. Went out looking for hints of what might be doing it and found pig scat all around out there. If it was there before I hadn’t noticed it and it appeared fresh.
I’m guessing whatever water source the wild hogs were using somewhere else must have dried up and motivated them with ambition to do some exploring. It’s been a year since pigs were a problem here except for brief spatterings, a herd passing through. I’m hoping these will follow the pattern, what’s left of them.
Tidbits you’ll be glad to know:
On this day in 1948 the Chinese formed the Peoples Republic of China, intended to create a nation of manufacturers to create all the stuff Western Europeans and US workers were having to make for themselves previously, getting their hands dirty.
On this day in 1926 Turkey began allowing civil marriage, the results of which subsequently became obvious.
On this day in 1918 the first US troops landed in Vladivostok, Russia, to help settle things down and restore the aristocrats overthrown by wossname, revolutionaries. For those guys WWI didn’t end until 1920.
On this day in 1866, Navajo Chief Manuelito turned himself in at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, thus putting the final touches on getting all those Navajo over into the temporary [15 years] rez at Bosque Redondo, Fort Sumner bunched up with the Mescalero so’s to get the numbers down to something more tidy and manageable, which they did. [The Long Walk of the Navajo http://www.logoi.com/notes/long_walk.html ]
Old Jules
“The Java Jive” (Ink Spots, 1940)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP6IUqrFHjw&feature=related
So Far From Heaven 
There’s a belief, I’m not sure I subscribe to it, that our biggest problem could well be EMP, and all these sun spots and action on the sun make me wonder…. The universe fascinates me, especially Old Sol.
I talked with my sister from over by Boerne this morning and the drought is causing all sort of wild critters to make some changes in their territory, going where the water is would be a priority. Are you near the Guadalupe at all?
I’ve had some experience with javelina down in the southernmost tip of Big Bend, while camping. They were well-fed so not as much of a danger, I suppose, but I didn’t turn my back on them, either.
Thanks for the interesting news of yesteryear. I’m curious, though, what happened in Turkey that made civil marriage a not so good idea? I’m missing some historical tidbit and perhaps you would be so good as to fill me in.
I’m glad Kay’s duck returned. Nothing worse than a missing duck when we’re responsible for it.
Hi Teresa Evangeline: The Guadalupe runs through Kerrville, which is 35-40 miles south of here. I just got a call from Gale, seems he ran off to the Hatch Chili Festival with a great part of his doings up there at his house instead of with him. Asked me to run it into Kerrville and FEDEX it to him so’s to arrive tomorrow. Sheeze. Anyway, I’ve never come across any javelina here, but I see them as an entirely different sort of critter from feral domestic hogs. I’m fond of javelina.
As for civil marriages in Turkey, it was just one of my attempts at humor. Nobody much ever understands my humor, but I get a lot of laughs out of it, telling the cats and chickens about it. They don’t get it, either.
Thanks for coming by and commenting. I got to get trucking. Gracias, J
Yeah, you do sort of need to shoot those tusked rats, er, feral hogs on sight.
Hi Misfit. Thanks for stopping in. I suppose the person with feral hogs coming around has a choice to make. Likely as not some would choose one approach while others would choose something different. I’m not evangelical about it where others are concerned. Gracias, J