Alligator Gar -- Everything's Bigger In Texas; The Texas Two-Step; California Gasoline Prices Surge — September 17, 2023

Locator: 45676GASOLINE.

Something's going on and no can explain it. People working from; increasing EV penetration; population falling (ever so slightly); tourists' driving season is over and yet ... yeah, I know ... the OPEC+ crude oil production cuts ....

EIA: link here.

California gasoline is refined in-state. The crude oil comes mostly from Alaska and Saudi Arabia. That may need to be fact-checked.

Also, from this article:

Compounding higher gasoline prices is a simultaneous spike in diesel costs. Diesel prices often climb in the fall due to seasonal consumption from farmers, who use the fuel for harvesting, and as demand for heating climbs. But this year, the prices are still much higher than usual.

US refiners have raised operations to near pre-pandemic levels and gasoline stockpiles, though still below normal, rose by the most in more than a year last week. The supply boost will likely fade in the coming weeks as refiners enter fall maintenance — typically scheduled after the peak summer gasoline season to avoid a price squeeze.

Much could be said.

By the way, speaking of California.

I posted the original note below but then took it down overnight as I often do to keep the focus on the Bakken, but now, overnight, there's yet another story breaking in right-wing news channels suggesting US House democrats admit Biden has a "business dealings" problem. It will be interesting to see if the WP or TNYT reports the story.

Original Post

Rumors have it there will be a Texas two-step [announcement]  in the Biden administration. The first step: Newsom to replace Kamala.

Second step: POTUS agrees to step aside to spend more time with his family. 

 

With Hunter's indictment, this becomes more palatable. The problem: as president, Joe Biden can protect Hunter a whole lot better than he could as a private citizen.

Source for the Texas two-step: not credible. 

However, for those who like to connect dots: there is a family connection between Nancy and the California governor.

The most powerful woman in politics allegedly stated last week that neither Joe nor Kamala will run in 2024.

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Paddle Boarding

Our daughter took first place in the 20-km paddle-boarding race on the Trinity River, Dallas, TX, yesterday, Saturday, September 17, 2023.

 

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Alligator Gar -- Trinity River, Dallas, TX

This is the biggest risk paddle-boarding on the Trinity River, TX: getting tipped over by an alligator gar.

Seriously. It happens.

But, in truth, the bigger danger may be: dengue- and malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

 

From wiki: