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Upper Peninsula Michigan and Auction Win Outcomes

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I was up in Wisconsin and the UP (upper peninsula) in Michigan. It was a lot of driving after launching/landing in Appleton WI. I got an item off the bucket list by driving across the "Mighty Mac". Altough it was built in the late '50s. It is still the longest suspension span in the Northern hemisphere. It is a crazy long bridge with a crazy long suspension span. It was good to see the bridge in context of the seemingly endless forests of Northern Wisconsin and Michigan. The culture in the two haves of Michigan are noticibly different as you might expect. Great time meeting with folks both in WI and MI. The tractor I won in auction, seems to have paid off. This time I beat the odds. It was a really good deal. I have the "no-key, non-running, may have hydraulic problems, unknown hours" -auction win, running well with minimal cost and time. I have some more tweaks, maintenance and minor fixes but the major risks are gone.
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After 3 years we finally have the boat in the water. Very relaxing. Electric leaf blower, electric car, electric boat. Ecological you might say. I am actually just frugal.
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Angie and I went out to the hipster Korean BBQ last night. I has been a few years since last there with my global colleagues. It is a different kind of place.
Ms. Hochul, I see in the news you were in my home country (Tioga). And that you were there to investigate improvements in the economy. Your time in my county, is one of the most inflammatory political visits in Upstate in modern time. Currently, I reside in Duluth GA and enjoy my life here, but almost every week I meet someone who has moved from Upstate New York State to Atlanta. These are hardworking folks who know how to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. Like me, they are well traveled, educated, and entrepreneurial. Like many of these former Upper New Yorkers, I continue to be disgusted about having to leave my property, my ancestors’ and their graves (I am a Mayflower descendant). I miss New York although I have no family there any longer. They have all moved. The Marcellus Shale Gas available in Tioga county NY State is a God sent recipe for the economic development in Upstate NY. I find it unfathomable that drilling permits are continued to be disal...
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Angie and I went to semi-insider venue regarding Cuba opportunities last night. It was interesting and informative.
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We are planning my Mom's memorial service for Sept 12 in Rochester. Angie and I did some flying, tested out the new alternator and com 2 radio. I didn't realize until I looked at the pic turning final that the gyro had precessed that bad. It has been a problem. (Look at compass in the inst panel and look at the mag compass on top of the inst panel.) We also went for a drive in the Honda and got a bit sunburned. I have been organizing my shop in the basement. I way underestimated how much time and effort that takes. I have bought a number of new tools recently. The tree is MY orange tree that I started from an Orange seed from an Orange in my lunch in 1997. I have almost killed that tree many times. It loves to be outside in the summer here. I have trimmed and trimmed that tree over the years. The tree has been through a lot. I guess I have too. The bowl of figs is from our fig tree in the front yard. They are ripe now. Perfect.
We are planning a memorial service and internment for my Mom in Rochester on Sept 12th. Otherwise it is Friday again and we are doing our normal food truck Friday dinner in Duluth, "Cuchina Machina" or "кухонная машина" in Russian. We plan on flying this weekend, working on projects. I am planning a "round the world trip" for work.

Helen Elizabeth Raymond Dowdell

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My Mom died today. It happens. It is the way it is supposed to happen. I am her son, always. Our human lives are physical/emotional, everything else is an abstraction (unless you are from some sort of lizard species). Looking through some photos today, I decided I liked this one for my blog (originally posted in Sept 28, 2009). The subtlety in this pic (looking very closely) is that in my Mom's gaze is an aviation NAVAID "the white thing" usually invisible when flying. I have faith. The same faith you feel when your foot hits the floor getting out of bed or when you make a turn in traffic. I will grow my faith. I will drive and pull as I did as they all did as they prayed for my survival when I was born. God bless us all. Throughout my life I was reminded from strangers that MY Mom was a genuine caring healthcare provider. She sincerely touched thousands of lives in Western, NY. They may not remember her name. They will somehow remember her care. Today, it seems these day...