We are still a couple weeks away from Memorial Day weekend and the price of gas continues to increase.
May 12, 2022
May 03, 2022
Gas Prices - Another Record
Congratulations to the Biden Administration for another record set for gas prices.
Can't wait to see what the Memorial Day Holiday increase will be like!
Still thinking here at Doe Valley, only with less discretionary funds.
Stuck VM with XenServer 6.5
Stuck VM with XenServer 6.5
From the Xenserver console command line:
xe task-list
xe task-cancel force=true uuid=
<UUID from list above>
If that fails, restart the toolstack. (Highlight the Server then Server – Restart Toolstack)
The sever will disappear from Xencenter temporarily and will refresh automatically within 5 minutes. This can be done while other VM’s are running, no need to shut them down. (You can also use the command xe-toolstack-restart from the Xenserver console command line.)
As a last resort, shut down all VM’s and reboot the physical server. This may take hours as the server will probably enter a maintenance mode and scan the storage devices.
April 25, 2022
The Quest for the Perfect Shave Continues
Ten years after I started the quest for the perfect shave, it continues. Over the past few years I have focused on mainly using the Gillette Fusion 5 or ProGlide razors. They seemed to work the best and I get them on sale for about $2.00 a cartridge.
I did try out the Personna EasyFit 5 blade that is supposed to be comparable to the Gillette Fusion 5. It is not. The head is larger and does not give as close of a shave as the Gillette, nor does it last as long. The Fusion 5 is much better than the Personna EasyFit 5.
I also took a year to test out a variety of Double Edge Razor blades. Most of them were good and gave a close shave. A few blades really stood out like the Wilkinson Sword and the Astra Superior Platinum.
While the Double Edge razor blades gave a close, cheap shave, they don't give you a quick shave. You need to take your time while shaving with a double edge blade. I realize many people will disagree with this statement and say that the double edge is actually faster than other razors. I guess that is a matter of opinion, but I found it took longer with a double edge razor.
I have decided to move, at least temporarily, to the "darkside" and try out an electric shaver. Look for a review of the Braun Series 7 shaver soon.
Still shaving here at Doe Valley
April 21, 2022
Gas Prices
May 4th, 2011 was the day that I paid $3.99 a gallon for 87 octane gasoline. This was the most I had ever paid for a gallon of gasoline. The president of the United States was Barack Obama and the Vice-President was Joe Biden.
After this the price of gas declined a little, but then about 10 months later in March of 2012, the price increased to $3.99 a gallon again, but didn't break the $4.00 mark (at least in my area).
For those of you who don't pay attention to the news, the current president is none other than Joe Biden who basically campaigned on no more drilling on federal lands, including offshore drilling. So there you have it, in the words of the Vice-President Kamala Harris the voters "got what they asked for."
November 15, 2021
Media Bias
We have heard a lot about media bias over the years. The media, of course, claims it doesn't exist and they are reporting the facts.
Here's an article for you to read:
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/11/pas-school-mask-mandate-voided-by-divided-commonwealth-court.html
Below is the first paragraph of the article from Matt Miller:
"Pennsylvania’s requirement that teachers and school students and staff must wear masks to guard against COVID-19 is invalid because the official who issued it lacked authority to do so, a sharply divided Commonwealth Court ruled Wednesday."
A "sharply divided" court? As the article continues, nowhere does it mention that the court ruled 4-1 to invalidate the mandate. That doesn't sound like being a "sharply divided" court to me. Where are the rest of the facts?
I emailed the author to get his opinion on what sharply divided means. Needless to say, I have not received a response as of yet. Below is the email I sent.
I just finished reading your article titled, "Pa.’s school mask mandate voided by divided Commonwealth Court"
The first paragraph ends with "a sharply divided Commonwealth Court ruled Wednesday."
Wasn't the vote 4 to 1? How is a 4 to 1 vote sharply divided?
Sharply Divided at Doe Valley
February 01, 2021
Basic Bible Commentary: Genesis
I started to read the Basic Bible Commentary series published by Abingdon Press. This is an older series from the late 1980’s that I have been wanting to read for a while. I started with Genesis which was wrote by Linda B. Hinton. She has a Masters of Theological Studies from Emory University. She wrote a few other commentary books in this series as well.
The first thing that caught me off guard was her explanation of Genesis 1, verses 26-27. (26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.)
On page 18 the author states, “The plural our may refer to God alone as an indication of divine majesty. Our may also refer to a heavenly council or court with which God talks over this significant part of the creation process."
Interesting. I am not sure where she is going with the heavenly council or court discussion, but all of the commentaries I have read refer to "our" as the trinity. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I understood this to be the case even before reading any commentaries.
The next thing that really stopped me in my tracks was on page 24. This is in reference to Genesis 3:1-13. (1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”).
The author states, "The serpent is not Satan or a symbol of evil or of death." Really? Let's jump ahead to Revelation 12:9, "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him."
So the author claims the serpent is not Satan, but in God's own word it refers to the serpent as the devil or Satan.
Again in Revelation 20:2, "He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." Once again, God's word refers to the serpent as the devil or Satan.
I am not sure how valuable a commentary series will be if they can't even get the facts correct directly from the Bible. The author was clearly not comparing Scripture with Scripture in this instance.
Still reading here at Doe Valley.
January 10, 2020
Letter to Rep Struzzi
Below is an email that I sent to Representative Struzzi regarding the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement law that will be implemented.
Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement
I can't imagine that this program will be upheld in the court system. There is no way to prove who was driving, so why should the owner of the car be penalized? Other states have done similar programs like this and the courts do not uphold the tickets.
Let's make no mistake about this program, it is not about saving lives, it is about making money.
Part of the reason why people speed through work zones is because they have traffic blocked off for months at a time when there is absolutely no work being done on the road.
A good example of this was 119 through Indiana (286 to 422) last summer. It was coned off for about 4 months and they only worked on it for maybe 2 weeks.
Make a law that says once they start a road project they need to work on it 24 hours a day until it is completed.
Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement
I can't imagine that this program will be upheld in the court system. There is no way to prove who was driving, so why should the owner of the car be penalized? Other states have done similar programs like this and the courts do not uphold the tickets.
Let's make no mistake about this program, it is not about saving lives, it is about making money.
Part of the reason why people speed through work zones is because they have traffic blocked off for months at a time when there is absolutely no work being done on the road.
A good example of this was 119 through Indiana (286 to 422) last summer. It was coned off for about 4 months and they only worked on it for maybe 2 weeks.
Make a law that says once they start a road project they need to work on it 24 hours a day until it is completed.
January 02, 2020
Book Review: Figure Drawing for kids
Figure Drawing for kids by Angela Rizza
This book provides a nice overview for drawing figures. It starts with the basic shapes and then gets into some more detail of the figure. I would probably put the age range at 12+, but I'm sure there are talented younger kids that would appreciate and learn from this book as well.
Overall, this is a nice guide to help kids draw figures.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
This book provides a nice overview for drawing figures. It starts with the basic shapes and then gets into some more detail of the figure. I would probably put the age range at 12+, but I'm sure there are talented younger kids that would appreciate and learn from this book as well.
Overall, this is a nice guide to help kids draw figures.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
January 01, 2020
Book Review: Pocket Prayers
Pocket Prayers by Max Lucado with Andrea Lucado
This is a brief book by Max Lucado with prayers in it to help you grow closer to God. The subtitle to the book is: 40 Simple Prayers that Bring Peace and Rest. The book starts with a brief chapter about prayer and then has a prayer for the next 40 days. Each day there is also a Scripture that goes along with the prayer.
This is a quick book that will help you pray better. Ultimately, a prayer should be about praise, thanksgiving, and asking God for help for yourself and others. Following the examples in this book can lead you to a deeper, stronger relationship with God.
This is a brief book by Max Lucado with prayers in it to help you grow closer to God. The subtitle to the book is: 40 Simple Prayers that Bring Peace and Rest. The book starts with a brief chapter about prayer and then has a prayer for the next 40 days. Each day there is also a Scripture that goes along with the prayer.
This is a quick book that will help you pray better. Ultimately, a prayer should be about praise, thanksgiving, and asking God for help for yourself and others. Following the examples in this book can lead you to a deeper, stronger relationship with God.
December 31, 2019
Book Review: The One Year Book of Christian History
The One Year Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten
This is a one year daily devotional book that is focused on people or events that God has used throughout history to spread the gospel and advance His Kingdom.
Each day the devotion describes someone or something God used for His purposes. There is a brief reflection and scripture passage that ties into the person or event of the day. The time frame of the events is a solar eclipse on June 15, 763 B.C. to James Montgomery Boyce announcing his cancer diagnosis on May 7, 2000 A.D.
There are the usual figures you would expect to find in a book such as this: Billy Graham, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A.W. Tozer, D. L. Moody, etc. However, there are also other people that you may not expect like: Susan Atkins (a member of the Manson family), Kurt Warner (Super Bowl MVP), Muhammad (founder of Islam).
Overall, this was an interesting daily reading about people and events that God has used over the years. I recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Christian history.
This is a one year daily devotional book that is focused on people or events that God has used throughout history to spread the gospel and advance His Kingdom.
Each day the devotion describes someone or something God used for His purposes. There is a brief reflection and scripture passage that ties into the person or event of the day. The time frame of the events is a solar eclipse on June 15, 763 B.C. to James Montgomery Boyce announcing his cancer diagnosis on May 7, 2000 A.D.
There are the usual figures you would expect to find in a book such as this: Billy Graham, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A.W. Tozer, D. L. Moody, etc. However, there are also other people that you may not expect like: Susan Atkins (a member of the Manson family), Kurt Warner (Super Bowl MVP), Muhammad (founder of Islam).
Overall, this was an interesting daily reading about people and events that God has used over the years. I recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Christian history.
November 26, 2019
Book Review: He Fights for You by Max and Andrea Lucado
He Fights for You by Max and Andrea Lucado
The premise of this “booklet” is to provide the reader with
encouragement to face life’s challenges. The book starts with a rather
confusing story about the walls of Jericho and then launches into 40 meditations.
Each meditation consists of words of worship, scripture, and a prayer.
Overall, I didn’t get much from this booklet. The words of
worship, scripture, and prayer didn’t always seem to match up with each other.
I usually enjoy reading Max Lucado’s works and recommend
them to others. This booklet, however, can be skipped.
November 14, 2019
Comment Regarding Article in Dec 19 Kiplinger Magazine
There is an article in the December 2019 issue of Kiplinger's magazine that describes the small cost of living increase that Social Security recipients will receive in 2020. Below is my comment to the editor of the magazine.
As I read “A Stingy Raise For Social Security Recipients” by Sandra Block in the December 2019 issue, I thought of my own raises for the past few years. They have been 1.42% for 2018, 1.21% for 2019, and will be 1.2% for 2020. Social Security for the same time frame has been 2%, 2.8%, and 1.6% respectively. I guess stinginess is everywhere these days.
Always thinking at Doe Valley.
Wes
As I read “A Stingy Raise For Social Security Recipients” by Sandra Block in the December 2019 issue, I thought of my own raises for the past few years. They have been 1.42% for 2018, 1.21% for 2019, and will be 1.2% for 2020. Social Security for the same time frame has been 2%, 2.8%, and 1.6% respectively. I guess stinginess is everywhere these days.
Always thinking at Doe Valley.
Wes
November 11, 2019
Book Review: My PreSchool WorkBook
My Preschool Workbook
This book contains 101 pages of activities to prepare your child for school. The topics covered include:
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
This book contains 101 pages of activities to prepare your child for school. The topics covered include:
- Colors
- Letters
- Shapes and Patterns
- Numbers
- Words
Each page challenges the child to help them develop the skills and knowledge they will need in school.
Overall, I recommend this book to help your child learn and practice their skills.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
November 04, 2019
Book Review: Super Cool Space Facts
Super Cool Space Facts by Bruce Betts
This is a book about space for kids. It is separated into five chapters:
The author writes about space in a way that is easy for children to understand and keep them engaged in the topic. The book is good for learning more about space and a great resource for a project, paper, poster that a child may have to complete for school.
The author also provides a resources section to learn more about space. There is also an index in the back to make it easier to find the information you are looking for in the book.
Overall, I recommend this book to be added to the kids collection / library for a pre-k to maybe 3rd grade student.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
This is a book about space for kids. It is separated into five chapters:
- The Universe
- Stars and Constellations
- The Solar System
- Comets, Meteors, and the Sky Shows
- Rockets, Satellites, Astronauts, and more
The author writes about space in a way that is easy for children to understand and keep them engaged in the topic. The book is good for learning more about space and a great resource for a project, paper, poster that a child may have to complete for school.
The author also provides a resources section to learn more about space. There is also an index in the back to make it easier to find the information you are looking for in the book.
Overall, I recommend this book to be added to the kids collection / library for a pre-k to maybe 3rd grade student.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
October 20, 2019
Book Review: None Other by John MacArthur
None Other: Discovering the God of the Bible by John MacArthur
This book briefly explores six of God’s attributes:
Most of MacArthur’s works go into great detail about the particular subject of the book or message. This time, however, MacArthur attempts to briefly cover several of God’s attributes to help the reader understand more about God. True to MacArthur’s style he takes Scripture and explains it without twisting it to fit our society today.
Personally, I found that this book did not hold my interest. To me, it was too much, too fast. I know MacArthur has written books about all of these attributes of God and I would rather read an entire book that thoroughly explains that attribute rather than just touching the surface.
I also think that a new believer might lose interest in this book as well. Again, to me, MacArthur moves too fast in this book without giving the reader enough time to really understand that characteristic of God. This book is only 123 pages and MacArthur could easily write that much about a small portion of Scripture.
Overall, this is certainly not MacArthur’s best work and I think most people can safely skip it and instead read some of his other books.
This book briefly explores six of God’s attributes:
- God’s Graciousness
- God’s Sovereignty
- God’s Goodness and Power
- God’s Holiness
- God’s Love
- God’s Salvation
Most of MacArthur’s works go into great detail about the particular subject of the book or message. This time, however, MacArthur attempts to briefly cover several of God’s attributes to help the reader understand more about God. True to MacArthur’s style he takes Scripture and explains it without twisting it to fit our society today.
Personally, I found that this book did not hold my interest. To me, it was too much, too fast. I know MacArthur has written books about all of these attributes of God and I would rather read an entire book that thoroughly explains that attribute rather than just touching the surface.
I also think that a new believer might lose interest in this book as well. Again, to me, MacArthur moves too fast in this book without giving the reader enough time to really understand that characteristic of God. This book is only 123 pages and MacArthur could easily write that much about a small portion of Scripture.
Overall, this is certainly not MacArthur’s best work and I think most people can safely skip it and instead read some of his other books.
September 06, 2019
Puzzle Solved
b.dazzle, inc Scramble Squares: Planets
A few weeks ago we got a a Planets Scramble Squares puzzle by b.dazzle, inc. The goal is to arrange the 9 squares into a 12" x 12" puzzle. There is some combination of four possible planets on each card: Earth, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. They are arranged differently on each card. The object is to position each card to match the cards next to it to solve the puzzle.
After about 15 to 20 minutes of trying different combinations, I solved the puzzle. Below is a picture of the completed puzzle.
A few weeks ago we got a a Planets Scramble Squares puzzle by b.dazzle, inc. The goal is to arrange the 9 squares into a 12" x 12" puzzle. There is some combination of four possible planets on each card: Earth, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. They are arranged differently on each card. The object is to position each card to match the cards next to it to solve the puzzle.
After about 15 to 20 minutes of trying different combinations, I solved the puzzle. Below is a picture of the completed puzzle.
September 01, 2019
Book Review: The Master's Plan for the Church
The Master's Plan for the Church by John F. MacArthur, Jr.
The premise of the book is to describe how God wants His Church to function and its role in the world. Ultimately, the church must follow God's biblical principles. MacArthur goes into detail explaining what those principles are as recorded in Scripture.
The first four chapters delve into the anatomy of the church. MacArthur relates this to the human body: the skeleton, internal systems, muscles, and the head. The next six chapters look at the dynamics of the church including: the early church, the members, the qualities of effectiveness, the calling of the church, and doing the Lord's work in the Lord's way. The final three chapters of the book review the qualities of the excellent servant. Finally, there are 7 appendixes that expound even more detail regarding the function of the church and its members.
This book is derived from MacArthur's sermons at Grace Community Church.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn about God's design for His Church and help their local church grow.
The premise of the book is to describe how God wants His Church to function and its role in the world. Ultimately, the church must follow God's biblical principles. MacArthur goes into detail explaining what those principles are as recorded in Scripture.
The first four chapters delve into the anatomy of the church. MacArthur relates this to the human body: the skeleton, internal systems, muscles, and the head. The next six chapters look at the dynamics of the church including: the early church, the members, the qualities of effectiveness, the calling of the church, and doing the Lord's work in the Lord's way. The final three chapters of the book review the qualities of the excellent servant. Finally, there are 7 appendixes that expound even more detail regarding the function of the church and its members.
This book is derived from MacArthur's sermons at Grace Community Church.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn about God's design for His Church and help their local church grow.
August 31, 2019
Book Review: A Is For Animals!
A Is for Animals! Preschool Coloring Book by Rachael Smith
This is a nice preschool coloring book. There is a page to color for every capital letter of the alphabet with an animal name that starts with that particular letter. On the next page is a picture of the animal to color along with a fact about that animal.
The pages are high quality and should help your child learn while practicing coloring. Overall, I would recommend this book to entertain and educate your preschooler.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
This is a nice preschool coloring book. There is a page to color for every capital letter of the alphabet with an animal name that starts with that particular letter. On the next page is a picture of the animal to color along with a fact about that animal.
The pages are high quality and should help your child learn while practicing coloring. Overall, I would recommend this book to entertain and educate your preschooler.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
June 18, 2019
Book Review: Real Simplicity by Rozanne & Randy Frazee
Book Review: Real Simplicity by Rozanne & Randy Frazee
The ideal behind this book is to present a way to simplify your life. The main theme is to follow the Hebrew day of 6 to 6, meaning from 6AM to 6PM you get all of your work done (6 days a week) and then from 6PM to 6AM is your relational and rest time. In order to do this, the authors present a way to restructure your life so it revolves around your home/neighborhood and minimize commuting time and activities thereby maximizing time spent with family and friends in a relaxed environment.
I was looking forward to reading this book and getting some ideas to simplify things, however, I was disappointed. In theory, this sounds like an interesting concept, but I don’t believe I can implement much of what they write about simply because it doesn’t apply to me. I live in a rural northern part of the United States. I believe this type of schedule could work in a southern city in the United States. Not surprisingly, the authors live in Texas.
Overall, if you are interested in a radical change in your life, then read this book and implement the topics discussed. Otherwise, you can safely skip it.
Just my thoughts.
The ideal behind this book is to present a way to simplify your life. The main theme is to follow the Hebrew day of 6 to 6, meaning from 6AM to 6PM you get all of your work done (6 days a week) and then from 6PM to 6AM is your relational and rest time. In order to do this, the authors present a way to restructure your life so it revolves around your home/neighborhood and minimize commuting time and activities thereby maximizing time spent with family and friends in a relaxed environment.
I was looking forward to reading this book and getting some ideas to simplify things, however, I was disappointed. In theory, this sounds like an interesting concept, but I don’t believe I can implement much of what they write about simply because it doesn’t apply to me. I live in a rural northern part of the United States. I believe this type of schedule could work in a southern city in the United States. Not surprisingly, the authors live in Texas.
Overall, if you are interested in a radical change in your life, then read this book and implement the topics discussed. Otherwise, you can safely skip it.
Just my thoughts.
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