http://john-leonard.com Uber Pappy Sun, 26 Jul 2009 04:16:44 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We went shopping on the 21st for some new hiking boots for my nephew. He's in Cub Scouts and is a Webelos II and should have a need for some good boots and socks. I'm used to being able to pick between REI, Adventure 16, Sport Chalet, and others for selection ... http://john-leonard.com/20090721/shopping-for-new-hiking-boots/ On day 7/20 (day 6) we hit Baxter State Park - home of Mount Katahdin - for an easy (if a little long) hike for the kids.  Both Shannon and Sean went as well as our nephew.  [caption id="attachment_191" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="John & Tiffany at the trail head"][/caption] Some of the hike ... http://john-leonard.com/20090720/hiking-the-moose-walk/ At the end of the fourth day we made the trek from the coast to Lincoln, ME.  We got in, got our room and journeyed out to my mother-in-law's camp on Combolasse Pond.  It may be a pond by Maine standards, but definitely a lake by California standards. I say this ... http://john-leonard.com/20090719/vacationing-in-lincoln-maine/ Hey Everyone! I continue to be remiss in my blogging. We're now a week into the trip and enjoying life. Day 1 was an adventure in itself. We were in line so long at LAX that the cut-off for checked luggage happened in between my golf clubs and the clothing which ... http://john-leonard.com/20090718/its-time-to-trip-in-maine/ Here we are at that time of year again - planning our annual trip to Maine! Actually, I'm REALLY late on this considering the stuff I want to do.  We're going earlier this year - July instead of August. On the agenda is a motorcycle ride from Augusta, to Quebec, across Maine ... http://john-leonard.com/20090426/maine-trip-planning/ Well... My crystal ball has been right and wrong in following the ongoing soap opera that is the American Economy. With talk of (at least partial) nationalization of BofA and Citi, I think I was misguided in my assesment of their strength. My logic was that financially strapped organizations wouldn't be ... http://john-leonard.com/20090303/where-is-the-economy-headed/ Well... Let's see.... Fiscal incompetence?  Yes, that's it.  Post over...  You still reading?  I said it was over.... Oh, OK! Is it the fault of the Governator?  Is it the fault of those evil, right-wing Republicans who want to give tax breaks to the rich?  Is it because of the idiotic, ... http://john-leonard.com/20090222/what-is-wrong-with-the-economy/ I don't think a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me where I think the economy is going - today I think I got a half dozen. What has changed since my "Economy" post?  A bit.  The guys that I thought were playing it smart have started to look like ... http://john-leonard.com/20090121/updated-economic-forecast/ Where are we?   Well, here we are a couple months down the road from my last article on the subject and the big three automakers are in Washington because they’re running out of cash.  The economic community is finally in agreement that we’re in a recession and have been for about ... http://john-leonard.com/20081218/the-economy/ When Did the Credit Crunch Begin? There are a million theories as to where this mess all began. I believe it began during the 90's economic expansion, the dot-com bubble, and subsequent bust, continuing to about 2005/2006 when the real estate market topped-out and interest rates began to rise. In the ... http://john-leonard.com/20080927/the-credit-crunch/