Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist. 

To begin the week, we have Toto with their 1982 hit, "Africa" from their album, Toto IV.

From Wikipedia:

Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1977. Toto combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, hard rock, R&B, blues, and jazz. Having released 14 studio albums and sold over 50 million records worldwide, the group has received several Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.

Fatal Collision On I-40 Down The Hill

 

The above accident happened last night just down the hill from our community.

Apparently, a wrong-way drunk driver collided with a semi-truck on the eastbound Interstate 40 lanes. Another semi-truck was also involved. It was hit by the first semi. One lane in each direction were closed for several hours. 

I was able to see a long line of stopped vehicles in the eastbound lanes from my kitchen window.

For details, go here.

Buying Alaska

Above, Skagway, Alaska in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A couple of days ago, I found a channel that caught my attention through the Roku channel.

It is called Buying Alaska. In each episode, couples and families leave the lower 48 states and go to Alaska to buy a home. Also, some episodes have Alaskan residents looking to buy a cabin for getaways for recreation (hunting and fishing). 

Besides the natural beauty of the state, they show three properties shown by a realtor and leave it to the viewer to guess which one was the final selection before it is revealed. 

It is interesting to see homes with unique decor with some described as "definitely Alaskan" or similar descriptions. 

I have been to Alaska through a cruise with my mom and daughter in 2001. The natural beauty of the state is really something to behold. 

If your television is Roku-equipped, be sure to check out Buying Alaska.

Pumping Ground Water Affecting Earth's Tilt and Rotation

Above, the upper water storage tanks in our subdivision. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We in Jamestown, New Mexico rely upon ground water from the aquafer under our community. 

Apparently, according to an AOL article, pumping ground water is having an affect upon the Earth's rotation and tilt. The planet has tilted 31.5 inches over the past two decades.

They wrote: 

Water has power. So much power, in fact, that pumping Earth’s groundwater can change the planet’s tilt and rotation. It can also impact sea-level rise and other consequences of climate change.

Pumping groundwater appears to have a greater consequence than ever previously thought. But now—thanks to a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters—we can see that, in less than two decades, Earth has tilted 31.5 inches as a result of pumping groundwater. This equates to.24 inches of sea level rise.

“Earth’s rotational pole actually changes a lot,” Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University and study lead, says in a statement. “Our study shows that among climate-related causes, the redistribution of groundwater actually has the largest impact on the drift of the rotational pole.”

 To read more, go here.

Drive To McGaffey

Above, McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A storm is supposed to hit the area starting tomorrow with rain or snow (or both). I just fired up the house heater (propane). This was the first time I've done so during the evening this season. The clouds are already gathering in the area.

With that in mind, I decided to take a Jeep drive up to McGaffey and the area near it. It has been a while since I last did so. Six Mile Canyon Road traverses through Six Mile Canyon in the Cibola National Forest and ends at McGaffey, a little west of McGaffey Lake. The road will be closed December 15 to vehicle traffic for the winter.

The lake itself had water in it but it was lower than the last time I was there. 

From McGaffey Lake, I drove to some ranch area nearby to the east. One ranch was occupied, whereas it was vacant and up for sale the last time I saw it, about two or three years ago. 

I drove a little further east to where another ranch is located and turned around there. I headed back through Six Mile Canyon. There were some other drivers in the canyon as I was driving through it. Some were hauling out firewood. Hope they had permits as it is national forest land. 

It was an enjoyable ride and the Jeep ran flawlessly.

Some photos:

Above, Six Mile Canyon Road about two miles from McGaffey. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the ranch that was for sale now occupied. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly at McGaffey Lake. 

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I Thought You Were Dead

 

Salvatore "Sammy" Chioda, R.I.P.

Above, Salvatore Chioda at Sammy C's.

The following news certainly came as a shock yesterday.

Salvatore "Sammy" Chioda, known to Gallup and western New Mexico residents as "Sammy C", has passed away.

He was the owner of Sammy C's, a restaurant and sports bar in Gallup, and an announcer of KYAT-FM (broadcasting out of Gallup and Window Rock, Arizona). 

His wife Marie posted the following on Facebook:

It is with my deepest sadness that I have to post the passing of my amazing husband, Salvatore “Sammy C” Chioda. He was the most outstanding husband, father, friend, and pillar of our community. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers at this time. At this time, we ask that all please respect the privacy of our family while we mourn this tremendous loss. Thank you.

I met him several years ago and last chatted with him at Sammy C's just before it closed. He was a nice guy and had a great voice that will be missed on KYAT-FM. 

My condolences to Sammy's family and friends. 

UPDATE: 

A friend of Chioda's said that he died of pancreatic cancer.

Penny Production Ends

 

Above, a collection of "wheat" Lincoln cents. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Goodbye, penny.

The last pennies (Lincoln cents) had been producted on November 12 and no more will be made. 

Pennies actually cost more to produce than their face value. It will be interesting to see how this will affect purchases.

According to The Tennessean:

The last penny has been struck and change is coming to how we make change. But what happens next?

After 232 years of production, the U.S. Treasury Department ended production of the penny Nov. 12 with the final five pennies stamped with a special omega mark. They will not go into circulation and instead will be auctioned off in the future. The only pennies left will be those already in circulation, and some stores are already running short.

As pennies are phased out, prices will start to change, with items being rounded up to a nickel.

The currency that is only worth 1 cent costs about 3.7 cents to produce in fiscal year 2024, according to the U.S. Mint's annual report. A nickel costs about 13.8 cents to make. The price to make both coins has been on the rise for almost the last decade.

To read more, go here. 

Military Vehicles The Public Can Buy

Above, the Willys Jeep M38A1 I bought six years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It would be a real eye-opener to drive down a residential street and seeing a Sherman tank parked in someone's driveway.

But, unusual it may be, according to a website on military vehicles the public can buy, Sherman tanks can be bought. Beware! They are pricey!

CarBuzz posted a list of military vehicles the public can buy. Included in the list (number 5) are Willys M38A1 Jeeps. I bought a Willys Jeep M38A1 six years ago and have had lots of fun with it.

Their posting starts with:

Here at CarBuzz we usually like to talk about, well, cars, but we also know that sometimes your choice of vehicle may go slightly off the beaten track (literally and figuratively). And by that we don't mean the kind of off-road prowess provided by a Jeep Wrangler, or a Hummer EV SUV that can crab-walk itself across rough terrain.

Several vehicles formerly employed for military use, from snowmobiles to off-roaders and even tanks, are available on the market to be purchased by civilians, and could make a great addition to the garage of a history enthusiast. Some, like the Humvee and the original Willys Jeep, had civilian counterparts that became icons over the course of automotive history. In this list we have selected ten military vehicles available for purchase by the public, in case you want to park something on your drive that’s a bit more unusual than a Toyota Corolla.

To read more, go here. 

Curious Relics #122: Winchester Model 1894 – Part IV

Above, the Winchester 94. Photo by author.

"Curious Relics #122: Winchester Model 1894 – Part IV" is the latest installment of a series of articles in AllOutdoor.

In this installment, the author takes a look at shooting his grandfather's Winchester 94. 

It begins with:

Range Time: Winchester Model 1894

I have shot my grandfather’s Winchester 94 in 32-40 on three separate occasions. The first time was years back with my grandfather himself using factory 32-40 ammunition. My experience at the time was surprise at how a gun that was so legendary in my family kicked very little. It felt like shooting a pistol cartridge in a lever action. Pretty wimpy, honestly. We shot at a bowling ball, and it barely did anything to it.

Recently, I shot it again, two separate times with both factory reloaded 32-40 brass that I reloaded myself, as well as reformed 30-30 brass that I had formed into 32-40. I have an article on TFB chronicling how to do that reformation process. I do not recommend that anybody do it, but that is what I did. For me, it is a sustainable thing, so my cousin can use it and keep the rifle alive.

To read the full article, go here. 

When Your Favorite Gun Shoots Better In Your Imagination

Above, yours truly with my Winchester 94 November 3. Photo by Larry Lucier.

Here's an interesting post from MSN.

It is on favorite guns that shoot better in your imagination. It is a slideshow article with many guns spotlighted.

It starts off with:

Every shooter’s got one—that rifle or pistol you swear by, even though deep down you know it’s never lived up to the stories you tell about it. You convince yourself it shoots better than it does, or that it “used to” before some imaginary variable went wrong. But the truth always shows up at the range, in the form of fliers, misfires, or groups that look like buckshot patterns. Sometimes nostalgia clouds judgment, and sometimes ego refuses to admit a gun’s flaws. These are the ones you keep defending long after they’ve proven they don’t deserve it—the guns that feel right in your hands but fall apart on the paper.

To see more, go here. 

Silver Sets New Record At $53/toz.

Above, a 1923 Peace Silver Dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver and gold hit new highs in trading on Wednesday.

According to BullionVault:

GOLD JUMPED and silver prices leapt on Wednesday, slashing the 'safe haven' precious metal's value relative to its more industrially-useful cousin to the lowest in a month as the Federal Reserve signalled it's about to re-start buying bonds to ensure "ample" liquidity while global stock markets rose ahead of US politicians voting to end the record-long shutdown of US government services.

US stock markets opened higher and European bourses hit new all-time records as gold priced in Dollars rallied from $4100 per Troy ounce to hit a new 3-week high at $4180 − a fresh record gold high only a month ago − after New York Fed chief John Williams said it will soon be time "to begin the process of gradual purchases of assets [to] maintain an ample level of reserves" to meet commercial bank demand for liquidity.

With Trump appointee (and White House economist) Stephen Miran also due to speak Wednesday, 'neutral' Fed member Raphael Bostic meantime announced that he will stand down from the Atlanta Federal Reserve at the end of his current term in February, opening another monetary policy spot to nominations from the Trump White House.

Silver had already shot higher, rising above $52 per Troy ounce − also a new all-time high when first reached this time last month − before breaking $53 to trade 9.8% above last weekend's level.

To read more, go here. 

Fire Rock Navajo Casino Celebrating 17 Years

Above, Fire Rock Navajo Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The nearest Navajo casino to me is Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup, New Mexico. 

I have been there several times, not to gamble (I've done some at their roulette table) but to have dinner at their restaurant, Cheii's.

The casino is celebrated its 17th anniversary this month.

According to Yogonet Casino News:

The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) will be holding 17th anniversary events for the first Navajo gaming property, Fire Rock Navajo Casino, throughout the month of November. 

Seventeen years after opening its doors, the property continues to serve not only as a gaming venue but also as a key source of employment and training for members of the Navajo Nation, providing experience in hospitality, management, and gaming operations since its launch in 2008.

Operated by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, Fire Rock Navajo Casino was the first gaming property established by the Navajo Nation.

Located in the Church Rock Chapter near Gallup, N.M., the casino opened on November 19, 2008, setting the foundation for NNGE’s subsequent casino and travel plaza operations across New Mexico and Arizona.

To read more, go here. 

Last Night

Last night, I stayed up to watch the signing of the bill ending the Democrats' government shutdown by President Trump.

While up, I also went outside to see if there's any visible aurora. 

Well, the bill signing went off without a hitch, putting an end to the shutdown.

Unfortunately, there was no aurora that I could see. I walked to a part of my front yard where no lights could wash out any views. There was no aurora that I could see.

I took the photo below from my porch. 

On Facebook, I posted it with this caption: The aurora is really impressive!

Winchester Model 12 Shotgun

Last year, I bought a Winchester Model 12 shotgun in 12 gauge. It was made in 1919. 

I tried it out a couple of times at our shooting area and it worked just fine. Next month, I will be heading to my friend's in Lake Havasu for the Christmas holiday. While there, if past times are an indication, we'll be heading out to the skeet range for some skeet shooting. I am anxious to try out the Model 12 on the skeet range. It should be interesting to see how a 106-year-old shotgun does.

Above, the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The longer barrel of the Model 12 should work out better than the Remington 870 Express. I bought the shotgun through Guns.com.

It is interesting to note that Americans used the Model 12 in the Pacific War against the Japanese. It was highly effective in jungle conditions and the Japanese forces were fearful of them.

Six Mile Canyon

Since Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest will be closed to vehicles starting December 15 for the winter, I took another drive into the canyon for fun yesterday. I might as well ger as much driving as I can while I can.

I didn't see anyone else in the canyon during the drive. I stopped at an empty campsite and took the photo below. 

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, were visible last evening from Jamestown, New Mexico. I knew ahead of time they might be, but completely forgot. Tonight, maybe?

7 MILLION SOLD: INSIDE THE RISE OF THE WINCHESTER ’94

7,000,000 SOLD: INSIDE THE RISE OF THE WINCHESTER ’94 by Legacy of Gunpowder

Summary:

Discover the incredible story behind the Winchester Model 1894 — one of the most iconic rifles in American history. From its creation by John Browning to its role in shaping the frontier, this lever-action rifle became a symbol of the Old West and a favorite among hunters and collectors. Learn why the Winchester 1894 remains a legend over 100 years later.

Bela Lugosi's Greatest Role...Wasn't Dracula!

Bela Lugosi's Greatest Role...Wasn't Dracula! by Antonia Carlotta.

Summary:

Son of Frankenstein could have just been another sequel, but instead, thanks to Lugosi, it became a showcase for one of horror’s most underrated performances, and it helped create a film that almost holds up next to the first two Frankensteins. Ygor is cunning, terrifying, tragic, and not-so-secretly hilarious. And Bela Lugosi brought him to life with a ferocity that still jumps off the screen more than 85 years later. 

First Chance of Snow Showers

Above, looks like I'll have to get out the snow shovel from the garage.

It looks like autumn rain is coming later this week and, along with that, the first chance of snow showers.

A few weeks have passed since our last rain, so any precipitation is most welcome.

According to the National Weather Service:

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Friday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Saturday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

Saturday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Looks like the snow shovel will be brought out of the garage soon.

Graffiti Found At Arches National Park

Above, rock formations at Arches National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in July, I took a driving tour of Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. This was my first visit to this national park.

It was interesting to see the different red rock formations throughout the park.

It has been reported that bad behavior has struck the park. Too bad there are people who are compelled to do stupid things.

Deseret News reported:

Visitors to Arches National Park found the popular Devils Garden Trail vandalized with white spray-painted images of smiley faces, doodles and several iterations of what appears to be the word “GRUG” on the red rock.

Allyson Mathis, a retired National Park Service employee, found the defaced landscape while hiking with a friend last week. And that’s not all she encountered.

Speaking with a reporter from Outside, she described seeing a dog walking with other visitors — pets are not permitted on trails in Arches — and toilet paper strewn about the desert. That was in addition to the scale of the spray-paint defacement.

“It was everywhere,” Mathis said. “It was heartbreaking and upsetting, but unfortunately not surprising.”

To read more, go here. 

When Good Guns Go Bad: Handling Malfunctions Safely

When the Good Guns Go Bad: Handling Malfunctions Safely in Cowboy Action Shooting: Dead Gun Rule, video by Dry Socket’s Cowboy Action Theater .

Summary:

What happens when your firearm malfunctions in the middle of a Cowboy Action Shooting stage? In this detailed instructional episode of Dry Sockets Cowboy Action Theater, we take a close look at what to do when your gun goes dead — how to declare it, how to handle it, and how to keep your stage (and posse) running safely and smoothly.

We’ll walk through:

 • How to recognize when a firearm is officially “dead” under SASS rules

 • Properly declaring and staging a dead gun without sweeping anyone or breaking the 170

 • How the Timer Operator and Spotters respond when a shooter calls a malfunction

 • What NOT to do (to avoid those dreaded stage or match DQs)

 • Tips for staying calm, communicating clearly, and getting safely back into the stage flow

Happy Veterans Day!

 

5 Ammo Types You Should Stockpile Before Global Chaos Hits

 5 Ammo Types You Should Stockpile Before Global Chaos Hits by Gear Zone.

 Summary:

There’s powerful—and then there’s this. In this video, we dive into the most dangerous revolver round ever widely available in America. Banned in several states, this beast delivers extreme penetration, bone-breaking force, and terminal damage few other handgun cartridges can match. It's a favorite among big-game hunters and feared by regulators alike. Find out why this round has earned a fearsome reputation, what makes it so lethal, and whether it deserves its place in your loadout.

Medicare Coverage Tips For RVers

Above, the air ambulance helicopter that flew me to Twin
Falls, Idaho from Wells, Nevada. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

When I had my heart/artery episode back in 2018 at Wells, Nevada, I was covered by MediCal at the time. So all of my medical costs were covered by it. This also included the air ambulance helicopter flight to Twin Falls, Idaho.

Currently, I am on Medicare and, so far (thankfully), I have not had any medical emergencies either at home or on the road.

RV Travel has posted an article with Medicate coverage tips for RVers in case a medical emergency occurs while traveling in the RV.

It starts with:

As an RVer who is retired, one of the most critical decisions you’ll face is choosing the right healthcare coverage—specifically Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage). If you plan to travel out of your home state in the coming year, it’s essential to carefully review and consider your many options. Here are some Medicare Part C tips for RVers like you and me. 

To read more, go here. 

The Reason Why Karloff Stopped Playing The Monster

Son of Frankenstein (1939) was Boris Karloff's swan song as the Frankenstein monster. 

Antonia Carlotta of the Laemmle family posted a video the reasons why.

Summary: 

Boris Karloff played Frankenstein's Monster in three Universal films: Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Son of Frankenstein, becoming one of cinema's most iconic figures. His performance gave the creature soul - part horror, part heartbreak. But after Son of Frankenstein, Karloff never played the Monster again. Why?

Let's go behind the scenes with Karloff, producers Carl Laemmle and Junior Laemmle, make up artist Jack Pierce, directors James Whale and Rowland Lee, and all the other major players that contributed to Karloff's decision to walk away.

I'm Antonia Carlotta and this is Universally Me, the channel for all things Universal and classic horror. My family started Universal Studios, and they made the Universal Monsters, including Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein.

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

To start off the week, instead of one artist, we have two. But both bands are playing the same song. The song is "More Than This". I couldn't decide which group's version would be spotlighted, since I like both. So, I decided to spotlight both.

The first one is by Roxy Music from 1982 in their final studio album, Avalon.

The next band is 10,000 Maniacs who, after the departure of singer Natalie Merchant, covered the song with new lead singer Mary Ramsey in 1997. It was featured in their album, Love Among The Ruins.

Sunset Drive

This evening, following dinner, I decided to take a little sunset drive in the area near the shooting area of the Cibola National Forest. At the shooting area, there were two parties of shooters.

It was clear out and the cars on Interstate 40 had their lights on as did the Flying J Travel Center.

I stopped and took a few photos.

Here's some:

Gun Industry Holding The Line As Raw Material Prices Skyrocket

Firearms and ammunition have risen in price along with other things. That's no surprise.

However, firearm and ammo manufacturers have been striving to hold the line as the raw materials needed have gotten more expensive.

That is the subject of an article in the NRA's American Rifleman web page.  

They begin with:

The raw material required to manufacture ammunition and firearms has gotten more expensive each year. That isn’t breaking news, but the gun industry’s ability to fight the headwind—avoiding or delaying passing production cost increases along to enthusiasts—says a lot about its increased efficiency and dedication to customers.   

Brass, for example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) index—which was assigned a figure of 100 to its price in 1986 to serve as a baseline for comparison in subsequent years—increased from 553 in July 2022 to 676 in August 2025. Admittedly both numbers are down from the painful 786 it reached during the pandemic. To put that figure into perspective, the material now costs 6.76 times more than it did in 1986.

To read more, go here.