JohnF13

But Bonnie, stop signs are just “advisory”.  Everyone here knows that!

Agree with all of that Doug.  Here in Porterillos some concerned folks gather up the garbage and put it in garbage bags.  But, the town won't collect the bags.  Result?  Obvious.  Bags get broken and the trash is scattered until someone picks it up again.  Depressing really, as the administration here wants to promote the area as a scenic place.  How much would it cost to pick this stuff up?  Much less than the cost of a stadium, a new park and all the fancy new bus stops they have here.

It seems to me that the greatest asset of Panama is the canal.  Unfortunately, it is also it's greatest detriment.  As long as the canal brings in boatloads of cash ( pun intended) then no real effort will be expended on diversification.  

Never seen anything like it.  It "looks" to be a semi auto bodge-up possibly based on a pistol frame.  It's a mess, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous.  Even a Kalishnikov is prettier than that thing.  I'd like to have a closer look at it to make sure, but that's not likely to happen!  Have to wonder if it has been modified into a full auto, that would explain the stock and front end as more fire control would be needed.

BD, trying to stay away from controversy here, but there is a mathmatical pattern to sun spot activity (Dr Google will help here).  Over the centuries it has been noted that more activity equals warmer temps and less cooler temps.  There is now an argument gaining strength amost some climatologists that we could be entering a mild cooling phase.  If you can, compare sunspot activity/temperature corelation over the last 1000 years and compare that accuracy with the predictions of the global warming folks.  It is instructive to say the least.

Jim, gasp, you don't mean to imply that the SUN has any bearing whatsoever on climate change?  Quel horreur.....

6 hours ago, Jim Bondoux said:

The current sun cycle is extremely weak, and is predicted to weaken further, i.e. with a much reduced number of sunspots. The graph issued by NOAA measures the sun's energy output, and I note the much lower recent peak in 2014 compared to the peak back in 2002-3. The last cycle low occurred in the 2008-2010 time frame, which happens to be the time when the Panamonte bridge was taken out and other flood events occurred.

The way to bet is for very tough winters in the next few years in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

6 hours ago, Jim Bondoux said:

The current sun cycle is extremely weak, and is predicted to weaken further, i.e. with a much reduced number of sunspots. The graph issued by NOAA measures the sun's energy output, and I note the much lower recent peak in 2014 compared to the peak back in 2002-3. The last cycle low occurred in the 2008-2010 time frame, which happens to be the time when the Panamonte bridge was taken out and other flood events occurred.

The way to bet is for very tough winters in the next few years in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

Jocie was in  see Dr Almandral this morning.  He has no visible burns, but does have a persistent cough.  Apparently he  burned his lungs but should  recover completely.  He gave permission for me to post this so his many patients will be reassured.

I think the problem lies in the belief that if EVERYONE is corrupt, who can the people elect to fix the problem?  When we first got here my very well connected lawyer told me that politicians get elected, get fat, then retire.  After 5 years, now I know what he meant by that.

Jocie has had recent contact with Dr Almendral.  He is a gentleman and a superb surgeon.  Our best wishes on his recovery.

Just seems to me the word was appropriate for the circumstances.  This constant nuancing and parsing of the language needs to stop.  

Darned auto correct.....I can repair my own still, but my Stihl needs the Dolega guy.

Bit more detail, you go into Dolega by turning left immediately before to pedestrian crosswalk.  I have had a Still repaired there, good work.

I once went to a doctor at the Alpha Clinic.  I was informed that if my blood pressure, even once, ever exceeded 120/80 then I was hypertensive and needed medication.  No consideration of age, just a blunt statement. Funny, my cardiologist in David didn't agree.  Some doctors are more driven by drug company support than they should be, just sayin'.......

Why would anyone be surprised by this?  While our politicians talk a good talk, it is not in their own interests to fix the problems effectively.

Come on guys, O neg is universal donor blood and very common.  Get down there and donate - please.

There was a stop on the Potrerillos road a couple of days ago - just up from the Terpel station at Dolega.  Six or seven ATTT guys checking licences, plates and insurance.  Several cars on tow trucks.  Friendly enough, but these guys are not messing around, so be prepared.  

Wilson, if you are getting no streams available, on the first entry list to exodus (or whichever you are using), scroll down to tools, then to clear providers, clear cache and possibly clear search history, clear them all then back out.  Works for me, sometimes you need to do it a couple of times

Keith, are they pushing through from the Palmira side as well?

Yeah, we watched him for a while.  Hope he was just guarding and not stuck, although there was another dog just above him.

This is on the Potrerillos Arriba side...

Doesn't look like a whole lot of progress since the last photos, but there are lots of trucks and heavy equipment working away.  Couldn't go too far down the road, the voice of reason, A.K.A. my wife Jocie said no.....

Here on the Potrerillos side at 2400 feet we have snakes, about 10 in the last three years, fer de lance, corals and boas. Ants by the million, likely because I have a 3/4 acre bush just behind the house.  Cane toads, one in my pond right now.  Many scorpions but no problem, my cats dispose of them quickly.  Few mosquitos but some “noseeums” , little biting buggers. On the good side, lots of mot mots, raptors and other assorted birds.  I think they all, good and bad, live in my little jungle.  Wouldn’t change it for anything!

This is nothing more than a ploy to support domestic car salesmen.  As Bonnie says, a minimal emission standards check on vehicles here would drastically cut down on the smokers we see on the roads every day.

Boy, you folks have a huge Embassy down there in the City. Guess they are too busy with important stuff to deal with everyday citizen matters!