Almost Tragedy

As happens every Summer, a boater got in trouble in bad weather. A sail boater in this case. It wasn't just bad weather, it was a severe thunderstorm that swept through the south end of Pend Oreile Lake, late Wednesday Afternoon...

Weather can change in an instant, but in this case, the weather was apparently ignored. For at least one hour, it was obvious that a severe thunderstorm was tracking toward Whiskey Rock, and south.

According to officers on site at the Kootenai County boat ramp, the boaters were rescued by Bonner County Rescue crews.

I question why, with all of the electronic aids we have, such as weather radio, radar, why boaters that have no more qualifications than the money to buy a boat they are not qualified to operate are allowed to go forth upon this lake of ours, with the knowledge that we will rescue them if they get in trouble.

Impropriety in Bayview?

Recently, allegations of egregious flaunting of the County and State building codes have surfaced. According to the parties that have complained, Waterford Park Homes, LLC is the suspected culprit.

A long list of items, such as permanently setting park model mobile homes in a flood plain, illegal filling of portions of the lake, building showers and rest rooms in the Vista Bay Marina, all without permits.

Two of this companies' R.V. Parks are alleged to have sewer and water lines in the same ditch, no backflow prevention installed, all done without licensed plumbers or permits.

The list goes on. If these charges are true, one has to ask, since regulatory agencies have been complained to, where is the enforcement? It seems that the water district, EPA, Building and Zoning all have been informed, yet rumor has it that red tags have been torn up and ignored, and business as usual with arrogant references to the local folks as "local yokels."

Sources

I have a site meter on my blog that tells me what area my hits come from. giving the fact that some are accidents, such as through googling, etc., others are not.

I truly hope that some part of my content pleases, informs, or otherwise entertains you. What drives me nuts, (Not a long trip) is the repeats that occur over and over. What started me up on this, was that I got another hit from Friday Harbor, in the San Juan Islands. I spent many wonderful times on that Island in my youth.

If it pleases you, please, stop to comment on the posts that you read. Tell me what you like, and what you don't like, but TELL ME!

Shasta

There are many out there that have preconceived notions of what is right and what is wrong regarding the public Shasta Groene. I am no Child psychologist, and neither are the others that seem to always know best. My experience is as a Father of four, Grandfather of sixteen, and Great-Grandfather of three.

My memory of both my own childhood, and that of other children, including my own, is that Kids like to fantasize. Carnivals, Circus', parades, make-believe playmates.

While escapism is frowned upon in adults, it is accepted in children, even encouraged. What Shasta dreams about in the middle of the night, we'll never know. Escaping reality is sometimes healthy. The applause of the many parade watchers, waving back at them, I'm sure gives her a feeling of being loved by many.

I don't think anyone can do better than that.

Bayview Survives Again

I am writing this at what I consider my bedtime. Right! It's not even late yet, right? Well, it's 10:40 PM, the fireworks have gone off. (Incidentally, :30 duration for those that have been wondering)

We got slammed. I'm thinking that next year,I will be more careful. No longer will the Herbster invite strangers to our town. I will only invite single older women to town, and then only with references.

Ex's are not necessary for the references. We had a great time, I think. Sam Taylor introduced himself to me, which was a great pleasure for me. I misled him, unintentionaly, about Karaoke, which turns out to be one of his fun things, along with mine. I was misinformed about the date. Turns out that Karaoke will take place Sunday night.

I didn't get a chance to meet Tayrn Brodwater, rumored to be in town, but I suspect that I will have that pleasure tomorrow. In case I don't make it through the weekend...This Is my epitaph. Go, Bayview...

Bayview Craze

Here we are at last. This Saturday will usher in the 4th of July activities in Bayview. Festivities start at 11:00 AM, beginning with the street parade. If you aren't in town before 10:30 AM you will be subjected to a wait, while the parade goes by.

We have stocked up on your favorite beverages, and expect the usual unbelievable crowd. After an afternoon of food and beverages, take in the very good fireworks display that will take place around 10:00 PM.

I'll be at the Captain's Wheel. I hope those of you that attend our celebration, stop by to say hi to me.

Bachelors Rebel

The recent ad for single ladies, seen in the Nickle's Worth has everyone talking here in Bayview, Idaho. Mostly it's the female population that is all agog with curiosity.

The burning question of the day is, "who placed the ad, and who are the Batchelors of Bayview. As to the author, I am sworn to secrecy. I might possibly be a spokesperson for the group, except we never have meetings, don't have a clear idea of who is one, and don't have officers to appoint a spokesperson.

In the eleven years I have lived here, many conversations have hinged on the lack of single adult women here in Bayview. It seems that the choice is, move to Bayview and remain without a partner, or stay in town where they hang out. We like it here in Paradise. We go without. Now, with this grass roots rebellion, it is clear that at least some bachelors are unwilling to have this continue.

The core group seems to hang out at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant, but they can be found all over town, from well off business people, to blue collar workers, and of course we single retirees.

The new motto it seems is, "We are damn mad and we aren't going to take it anymore."

Bachelors of Bayview

Today's issue of the Nickle's Worth, included a rather different plea than the ordinary ad.

In today's issue, a plea for single ladies, rang out over the land. It seems that where we have many very fine ladies that come up to this spa on the lake, most are unfortunately accompanied by a male partner.

The anonymous author of this ad cries out for all of the ladies, that feel left out, neglected, or otherwise ignored. We want you right here in Bayview.

With the upcoming Bayview Daze celebration prior to the fourth happening the weekend of the 1st, it is apparent that the Bayview Batchelors are tired of being ignored. In a recent interview, one such replied, "sure were Rednecks, but were friendly."

My view of this whole affair, is that the adventuresome, fun-loving ladies, just don't know we are here.

Bayview Daze

Most normal communities celebrate the fourth of July on, of course the fourth. Bayview is different. Tradition in Bayview, is to have fireworks and the major celebration on whatever Saturday falls nearest to the fourth. This year, it is Saturday the 1st of July.

This is a great bonus. It allows you to experience two 4th of July celebrations, and two sets of fireworks. Our fireworks here in Bayview rival any other venue, and you don't have to give up the traditional 4th, since Coeur d'Alene has there's on the 4th.

From Saturday morning, the 1st, at around 10:30 am, (watch the clock if you are driving into town...You will be stopped at road blocks on both sides of town. You will sit there until the street parade breaks up, about an hour later. One can either fume at the delay, as some out of towners do, or dismount, and enjoy one of the last traditional small town fourths.

Following the street parade, we have craft booths galore, three restaurant/bars to lubricate the dry throats that always seem to sprout up. I'll be at the Captain's Wheel, ready to welcome you all. If you do stop in, be sure to ask your server to find me. I will stop and greet you.

Toward evening, around 9:00 PM, we will have a lighted boat parade, followed by fireworks at around 10:00. (Subject to the degree of darkness)

By the 4th of July, hopefully, we here in Bayview will return to what passes as normal, whatever that is...

For parade information, call Liz @ 683-4108...

Guantanamo

I recently re-read the constitution of the United States. I paused at length when I read the Thirteenth amendment, section 1, which I will record here.

"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

The last seven words of this article seems to me to be very clear. Guantanamo is subject to our jurisdiction. We are holding prisoners there that are not convicted of a crime, or war crime. We have not given them prisoner of war status.

If one turned the situation around, it turns out that right or wrong, most of these people would tell us that they were defending their country from invasion. From their standpoint, that makes them patriots, not criminals.

I believe that the time is overdue to separate the true criminals from those that were simply captured in combat. Try the guilty in a tribunal such as was conducted at Nurenburg, and send the rest home.

We cannot scrap the constitution just because it is more convenient. It's there in writing for all to see. We must obey.

Verizon Rains..Er, Reigns

You all may wonder where I disappeared to. Well my phone has been out of order. Since I use dial-up, so has my computer. Yesterday, I called from the Captain's Wheel. 1-800-483-1000.

I get this nice lady who starts asking me questions. It soon became apparent that instead of a nice lady, I was having a conversation with a computer. This is not easy. (I wonder if they have an area at Hewlett-Packard that manufactures nice ladies for the phone company?) Well, I digress... This is what took place.

Q: Are you calling from the phone that you are having trouble with?
A: No! If the damned thing worked well enough to call you on it, I wouldn't have bothered you.

Q: I did not understand your answer. Please answer yes or no.
A: No.

Q: Do you have a dial tone?
A: No.

Q: If we have scheduling problems, can we reach you at this number?
A: No, I told you It's broke.

Q: We will have someone out to fix it tomorrow between 8:00 AM and 12:00 NOON. If it is our wiring it will cost you nothing. If it is yours, the first :30 will cost you $91.00.
A: Say What??

Q: I'm sorry, I didn't understand your answer. Please answer yes or no.
A: OK, fine, thank you...

Obvious to me are two things. One, a computer has more patience than I, and is much more polite. It was their wiring, and I was not charged.

The fact that the outage was coincidental to my try-out of the new weed eater I bought was not brought up. Anyway, I'm back...

Weather, Whether Or Not

Is it me or have we had more intense Thunder Storms this Spring than usual. Last week-end, we had a short but intense rain storm that was of tropical dimensions.

Last night we have a fantastic light show. More flashes and booms are forecast for our immediate future. What I'm seeing though, is more intensity. Down blasts and tornados that were very rare, are coming more commonly.

Is it time to build an Ark? Is this going to be the pattern all Summer? If so, our fire season will be interesting.

Free, Free, Free at Last!

It probably isn't a secret that I thoroughly enjoy working at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant, here in Bayview, Idaho. What many don't know, was that I became more and more disenchanted with my new job at Silverwood. Two things happened that changed everything.

One, The management at the Captain's Wheel showed appreciation for the work that I have done with the salad bar, and other duties. Two that appreciation took the form of offering me more shifts, more chances to make even more potato salad.

I grabbed that like a drowning man. I quickly resigned my position at Silverwood, and am now preparing even more gastronomical delights, which will be available on week-ends. No longer will you have to go out for dinner on a week-night to experience these wonders. Herb's salad bar will be available all the time.

Your cup doth runneth over, I know. Hold back, take a deep breath, and come on down...

Blog Power

As this area's bloggers churned the bits & bytes out over the lame duck county commissioners ban of Huckleberries, and we honored our country's fallen, peace fell over the area...Until Tuesday, when the bloggers and blurkers of our area, inundated the County Courthouse with indignation.

By Thursday morning, it was all over. Two of the commissioners saw the light, or perhaps the political darkness that their actions were creating.

On a lighter note, I had a visitor during the week-end. Green Libertarian was in town, and stopped by for conversation and a brew or three. We had a great time, and decided that people of different political persuasions would probably get along with each other better, if they could meet from time to time, face to face. I appreciated the visit. More of you should come up. It's a great place to spend a day or so.

Huckleberries Banned

While it is no longer a secret that Kootenai County computers have locked out the Spokesman-Review blogs, and more specifically, "Huckleberries on line", Bay Views has a solution.

For you frustrated county employees. Just comment on Bay Views. HBO will pick up the comments and anonymously repeat them. If I'm blocked, check the blogroll, and just rotate through them. At some point, they'll get tired of looking ridiculous.

Kootenai County Repels Juvenile Losers

While elections seldom cause the losers to celebrate, there is usually a period where by the losers become adjusted to the fact that they have been fired. Unfortunately,here, in Kootenai County, Idaho, that's not the case.

Two out of the three incumbent County Commissioners that were up for re-election were defeated last Tuesday. Rather than gracefully exit,(they have seven more months to pout), they have shut out all public communications from the County Administration building. Open government has come to a halt, while the exiting Commissioners lick their wounds.

I'm ashamed to admit that I voted for both of them the previous election. Had I only known that they were children, that couldn't accept disappointment, I would have saved us the trouble, by not electing them to start with. Apparently, all contact with the press, or at least the press that isn't in bed with them, has been prohibited.

What we have now, is a county without a government that cares.
Folks, don't expect either of these defeated commissioners to be elected Dog Catcher in the future. They blew it.

This could get interesting, with commissioners that just want to get back at their detractors.

"Voters Won"

"Voters won", is a quote I shamelessly stole from a statement Larry Spencer, of Athol,Idaho made, after receiving election results that brought all his horses in first.

What struck me, was that in that statement, made at the pinnacle of victory, the meaning goes much further. Even the voters, who's candidate lost is still a winner. Why? Because every time we vote, we re-establish democracy.

The only losers yesterday, were the people that were eligible to vote, and didn't. They, of course, will be the ones we will have to listen to for the next two years or so, about how our government has gone straight to hell.

Bayview Survives

As dusk lowers over Bayview, this Sunday night, not a sound is heard. Perhaps the ripple of a fish rising in the bay. A dog barks. Someone kicks the dog. A robin sings it's evening song. All is quiet.

The Annuals have left. Bleary eyed, and shaken, the Annuals, a group of men that have been coming to Bayview for 23 years, or more, showed up with three generations of revelers This week end. It was fun. These guys come from all walks of life. From heavy equipment operators, to doctors, lawyers and such.

They congregated at the Wheel, where the lawn party began, Friday night. By Saturday night, I'm sure some were wishing they were back home, where sleep was normal, and the garden needed weeding. But, no, this group of stalwart fellows, are fearless.

When I left the festivities, I can only say this. Wives and sweethearts can breath freely. These guys were way too plowed to get into trouble. Hopefully, they all got home safely. We look forward to the Annuals invasion next year.

Male Bonding

Much has been said about ladies getting together for quilting bees, and such. Here in Bayview, we have another phenomenon. Actually, we have several, but this week-end, we play host to the "Annuals".

These annuals are not of the flower garden variety. Back about 23 years ago, the Peck brothers, made a trek to Bayview to party one week-end. The next year, they invited friends. From there, it kind of got out of hand.

Twenty -three years later, these 25 or so friends, congregate in Bayview, to sample a few beverages, spend a week-end male bonding, and generally having a great time.

We have no information on what the wives and significant others are doing to mirror this tradition, but then, I'm not their reporter. To this date, we are informed, none of the above mentioned friends have ended up in jail. This is either due to immaculate behavior, or they have paid off the cops.

Let the party begin. Reporting from the Captain's Wheel, this is Bayview Herb

Breaking News

Bill & Lisa McCrory were seen yesterday in Bayview. It seems they were checking out the salad bar at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant. Braving the twists and turns of our famous "Goat Trail", otherwise known as US 95, they risked life and limb to catch a glimpse of Herb's Salad Bar Groupies, but alas, they were missing.

It is not known whether the McCrorys survived this trip. The drive, certainly not the gourmet meal they experienced. Nevertheless, these brave people deserve the admiration of us all, as they took huge chances, hoping that Bayview Herb's salad bar was all it was advertised to be.

That none other of our loyal readers dared to be great, (sorry, borrowed that from some other scam)to be the first to experience the modest greatness of Chef Herb, is to be expected, after all, we all know that Bill was trained to throw his body in front of a bullet, if his president was threatened. This act, coming to Bayview, of course, held similar risks.

We await further developments, breathlessly.

Unintended consequences

Last night, during a comment session in the "Huckleberries" on line Spokesman-Review, the subject of older trailers came up. One anonymous commenter called them "Slum Trailers". While I'm certain that many trailers are of slum quality, we here, in Northern Idaho have thousands of people living in pre-1979 mobile homes.

I chose the year 1979, because that's the year the federal government passed a building code, requiring copper wiring, 40" snow roofs, etc. The reason I titled this post as unintended consequences, is that while the county is merrily taxing us at a ficticious value, the state is refusing permission to move any of these older homes. That essentially, brings the value down to zero.

While many folks think like the commenter last night, that we that live in these homes are, trailer trash, blights on the neighborhood, well, you get the picture.

As property values have increased, more and more trailer parks are throwing these homes out into the streets, of which they are forbidden to use. Without either the right to move them, or compensation from the park owners, we, who live in these homes are living on borrowed time. Soon we will be homeless. Many of us are seniors, living on limited incomes.

We have no protection from eviction, or from the state who tells us we can't relocate them. It's a classic case of condemnation and confiscation. Recently, here in Bayview, Idaho, Waterford Park Homes is and has already evicted home owners that have had homes here for decades. Many are being torn down as I speak...More will follow, since they bought out the main trailer park here in town.

If lawmakers want the respect and support of their citizens, then they had better legislate a solution. Otherwise most of the trailer trash will continue to not believe their government is here to represent and help them, and injustice will continue to triumph.

Currently, the only due process we get is, "don't let the door hit you in the ass."

Mother's Day

My mother is long passed away. However, there are two ladies that were my wives, and bore me children. I would like to honor them today. They, in way different ways, affected my life in a very positive manner, and of course, brought me children.

Dolores, my first wife, and mother of my first three children, and April, the mother of my fourth. Both fine people, and great mom's.

I salute you today, as well as my daughters, which are also moms, and very successful ones. Bless you all on this special day.

Posse Comitatus

In the news, currently, is exploration into the idea of using U.S, troops to guard our international borders. It seems that both the defense department, and governors of the border states are looking for authority and funding for such a venture.

The Posse Comitatus act of 1878 has been mentioned as a possible barrier to such a plan. After reading the act itself, then the mission of our armed forces, it seems obvious to anyone that doesn't have his or her head buried in the sand, that this is constitutionally the primary function of our military.

Our Army, etc. is commissioned for the purpose of protecting us from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Perhaps the most basic of this principle is the protection of our borders from invasion. Invasion doesn't have to be battalions or divisions, it can be 20 or 30 people walking across the border at night. Some to find work, others, I'm sure for more serious purposes.

If an uneducated peasant from Mexico can successfully infiltrate our borders, it should go without saying that terrorists can do even better.

This blogger believes that not only is using the military legal, but vital to our security.

Salad Chef

Just a quick note...I have been hired, along with my other job, as Salad Chef at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant, in Bayview. I only work Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so if you want a salad bar, where everything is made from scratch, mouth watering home made potato salad, and many other favorites, I'm back after several years doing other things.

Stop by in mid-week to a great dinner, topped off with the best salad bar in town. Don't forget to say hello when you come down.

Bayview Herb

Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts

Just when a hint of sanity occurs, something new crops up. It seems that the State of Idaho, which participates in "Lotto", recently put out bids for a new vendor. Apparently, the State doesn't have the knowledge necessary to do this themselves.

Just down the street, we have the "Coeur d' Alene Tribe", clearly experts at gambling enterprises that we could have recruited, but no...

The two bidders, were a company in Rhode Island, and the Greek firm, Intralot. The Greeks won the bidding by allegedly promising better service...From Greece? We can't do powerball by ourselves, but by crossing the Atlantic, and the Aegean Sea, we will get better service...

O.K., now I get it. In a flurry of righteousness, the State of Idaho, rather than banning gambling, has hired the Greeks, in a subtle attempt to hint that gambling is almost the same as bending over and...

Wait a minute! I promised myself I wouldn't get into ethnic stereotypes, and here I go. Anyway, I don't like it, but then I'm a buy local guy, myself.

When I have to fly somewhere, I make sure the plane was built by Boeing.


Why, with all of the expertise we have in this Country, can't we manage our own ports, own our own beer companies, and run our state owned gambling dens. We are selling off our Country like a corporate raider. Let's stop being fair, and start supporting our domestic businesses.

Mexican Take Back

Recently much has been written about Mexicans taking back the Southwest. It ain't gonna happen. First if the Mexicans wanted to be a part of their backward country, they would stay there, not immigrate to the United States, legally or otherwise.

Let's start with Texas. When Santa Ana attacked at the Alamo, 50 or so of the Mexicans fighting that day, were behind the walls, defending the Alamo with their fellow Texans. What is overlooked, is that the vast majority of the Texans fighting for liberty were Mexicans.

The Californians were mostly Mexicans as well. True, the influx of Anglos were apparent, and of course, the gold rush that came later provided more emigrants from the States. The facts, however, were that Mexico ruled California from afar, with appointed Governors that didn't represent the people. Mexico City was a huge distance from the Californios, who suffered under the tyranny of the Mexican dictators.

California was given to the United States by the people that lived there. The streets of Los Angeles are, for the most part, named after influential Mexicans such as Alvarado, and many other wealthy Mexican merchants and landholders.

Communities such as Irvine, and others are still owned by the descendants of the Grandees that held Spanish land grants. Land grants that were honored by our government when California petitioned for entrance to the U.S.

The Gadsden Purchase was worked out amicably between governments, so as to connect the Texans to the Californians, adding southern Arizona and Southern New Mexico, which was under Apache control, not Mexico's. We paid 15 Million for it.

No, we won't loose it back for the same reasons that we got it in the first place. The residents chose to be in this country. Other so called historians have altered the facts for political purposes. Most legal citizens and residents of Mexican descent don't want uncontrolled immigration either.

Screaming Egos vs Civil Discourse

Probably the biggest hit that blogging takes, is over the bad behavior of many bloggers and those who don't blog, but are permitted to comment. "Blurkers." Recently, I dropped out of a local "Chat Room", for those reasons. When the inmates take over the asylum and name calling, sarcasm and vitriol take over, egos win, the well behaved leave.

The reason I am writing about this today, is that I saw a letter to the editor which, on an unrelated subject, said, "Don't patronize me. That proposal is insulting and condescending, and clearly reflects their pompous mentality."

When I saw that, I clearly realized why I became so upset at the blurkers that didn't feel it was necessary to behave, or the moderator that became condescending.

When I criticized the poor behavior, I was attacked as being old, and out of date with reality. I was being patronized. It was the acts of marginalization that was the more upsetting.

That one could be attacked for trying to uphold standards of good behavior and civil discourse, in favor of those that were the worst malefactors, then essentially told, don't let the door hit you in the ass.

The door didn't, and I am Bayview Herb. Old, out-of-date with reality, and firmly satisfied with the position I have taken.

My World Travels

1956...What a year. I graduated from Renton High School, in Washington State. Entered the US Air Force in Mid-June of that year. After basic training at a no longer existing Air Base, Parks AFB in the Bay Area, and completing technical training in Texas, I was transferred to Casablanca, Morocco...

I spent two weeks in New York City. I and a friend, wandered around the city rubbernecking. We happened onto a television network studio. I don't remember which one. In those days, videotape didn't exist. All network programs were live. A rehearsal was in progress for the Andy Williams Show. He had a popular female singer there, I think Patti Page, and the star attraction, Jackie Robinson, retired from the Brooklyn Dodgers. I collected his autograph while we were there.

Casablanca...What a place...What a culture shock for a country boy. Beaches with topless beauties, (the French influence) and an international experience that probably can't be topped anywhere else.

Dating back to the early 1900's, Tangier, was a free port, meaning that you didn't have to have a passport to enter, or to establish residency. Later, Tangier became part of Morocco.

The huge melting pot of Europeans and North Africans was amazing. We had many White Russians, fleeing the Bolsheviks after the revolution in Russia, Italians, Spaniards, a large Hebrew community, perhaps the only friendly place in the Arab world for Jewish people to live. Also, some of the restaurants and bars were owned by expatriate Americans, that had accepted their discharge from the occupying U.S. Army, after WW11.

While stationed there, I had the opportunity to visit Spain several times, including a visit with Tony Culebras, an exchange student at Renton High School. Also Germany, mostly around Frankfurt-an-main, known to us all during the Berlin Airlift as Rhein-Main AFB.

I also got to England, where I visited London, and also a trip to Mildenhall AFB near Cambridge, of great renown as an educational center. A side trip to Lisbon, Portugal was also enjoyed during that time. Ireland, France, and Labrador finished off the places I visited. I just wish now that I had taken more time to see what was really important in these places, but alas, I was only 19 or 20.

I could,however, give you a lecture on German Beer, the Fischerstube, and other great tourist joints in Frankfurt...

My Travels

create your own personalized map of the USA

Recently, I came across an interesting site, "World 66." You can create a map showing the States you have visited. I decided to try that. I was amazed that, over the many years, I had visited so many. Maybe I'll make it a point to visit the rest, after all, I didn't miss many.

I first visited Oregon, then California as a teen, during Summer vacation back in 1953. For a Seattle kid, the constant sun was a glorious experience. Palm trees lined the streets and everyone lived mostly outdoors.

I went back there to live for a while, after I left the Air Force in 1960. During my Air Force days, I visited California, Texas, Oklahoma, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and back to Washington, where I was raised, in the little town of Renton.

More on another occasion.

Boats That Kill

A few years ago, prior to when pleasure boat builders designed for the streamlined look, you could walk completely around your boat, on a flat stable walkway. These boats were designed for safety, not the illusion of speed while stationary.

Now, everywhere you look, boats have curved surfaces. Surfaces that when wet, or waxed, are traps. No longer are boat designers concentrating on the ability to move about your water craft with ease and safely. One only has to look at the picture of the Fox boat briefly, to see the curved side decks. These are not walk-ways, but when putting out fenders, one has to try to navigate them anyway.


Everything about the newer class of cruisers is cabin comfort, and roomy below decks spaces. The open rear cockpit of a fifty footer is about the same size as a 24 footer. The difference? Lots of cabin space, and a deck consisting of curves. Curves that kill.

The next time you walk past a modern cabin cruiser, check it out. Would you want to try walking around the outside perimeter of the deck in slippery, wet, or waxed conditions?

Rufus Mourned

Sadly, newspaper reports have recently reported the sudden and brutal demise of Rufus, the pet turkey in Jacques, Idaho. Incidentally, I live in Idaho, and haven't a clue where or why Jacques is. Wild Turkeys tend to be very opportunistic when it comes to eating, and will gladly line up for donations.

But enough of that. We are here to investigate fowl play! Yes. In this great land of ours, we have at least one harvester, (I won't call him a hunter) who was too lazy to actually go hunting. With the vast surplus of wild turkeys in this part of the nation, he went to a fast food outlet for his bird. Boy, is that ever symbolic.

I recall, many years ago, in an area near St. Maries, Idaho, a man had a pet deer that had been castrated. As a result it didn't grow antlers. This deer resided for many years in this man's front yard. Someone finally shot him too.

Sheesh! If you are to freakin' lazy to hunt properly, go to the store...Buy beef...Buy domestic turkeys...They are better tasting anyway...Sell your guns...Well maybe not sell your guns. You may need them for protection from real hunters.

This morning, in the Spokesman-Review, Steve Banks, a professor of psychology & communications for the University of Idaho, was quoted as saying, "Were talking about cross-species interaction."

Let me explain something to you, Prof. Most wild animals will come to the sound of the dinner bell. Here in Bayview, we have vast flocks of ducks, geese and such. You know, wild birds. Guess what! If I feed them regularly, and that includes wild turkeys, they will open the front door, sit on my couch and attempt to read the paper.

Interaction? There is no interaction here. Do they feed us? Nope! This poor creature thought he had found a free chow line. Well, it was, right up until the last, where he did indeed feed a human. I sincerely hope that when this harvester tries to eat this bird, that he chokes on it.

Incidentally, while most wild animals and birds will adapt to human aids to eating, it is not recommended that you try to hand feed any of our recently re-introduced predators, such as wolves, grizzlies or the occasional cougar.

Runaway Development

The last couple of years have seen unprecedented growth in our region. That's to be expected. We have the climate and the room to grow. What is disturbing, however, is the wealthy developers that have moved in to our area, not to be a part of us, but to build luxury developments for the rich to move in and supplant us.

With Black Rock, Rickel Ranch, and others, the development is for wealthy folks from elsewhere to move in and take our place. No law, of course is against that...Still, a way of life is coming to an end.

Here in Bayview, Bob Holland, of Waterford Park Homes,LLC, has not only moved in with the purpose of developing here, he has what could be construed as a monopoly. Vista Bay Marina, bought by Holland...Being broken up into purchased lots and boat slips.

Bayview Marina, bought by Holland for the purpose of breaking it up for individual condominium and moorage ownership...

Boileau's Marina and restaurant, bought by Holland for the purpose of breaking it up for individual ownership and condominiums...

Scenic Bay Motel, bought by Holland, purportedly with the plan for high rise condos.

Bayview Trailer Park. Long a large part of our town, Holland bought it. Will it stay a trailer park? Or will they, like others Holland bought, be ordered to leave. This more serious than some of the other transactions, because most, if not all of the mobile homes there are older than 1976, when the building codes were changed. The significance of that is that the State won't allow them to be moved, rendering them worthless.

McDonald's Marina, Scenic Bay-J.D.'s, and Bitter end are the only resorts not owned by Holland. It is alledged that Waterford Park Homes has developed retirement communities in Arizona for the wealthy, then pulled up stakes for new adventures.

What will be left behind in Bayview, when he next takes a hike. More importantly, who will be left in Bayview. It appears that what will take place is a gigantic people transplant. Wealthy in...The rest, well, find another place to live. After all, we are just "local yokels."

Judicial Race Heats Up

Most of my life, Attorneys and Judges weren't allowed to even have yellow page ads asking for business. It was considered bad ethics. That policy was changed a few years ago. We have finally arrived, I guess, at the natural end result of that change.

Here in North Idaho, we have a race between an appointed incumbent district Judge, John Mitchell, and his challenger, Rami Amaro. Much has been written about the various qualifications of each, with Amaro's lack of experience being a large issue.

We have what I think is a first in this race, insofar as it has become bitter, with mudslinging , accusations of foul play, and various other high crimes and misdemeanors. It would be entertaining if it weren't so sad. One would think they were running for Congress or something.

Here is a position that requires judicial solemnity, restraint, and unblinking neutrality. The very life and liberty of those facing the courts is at stake.

I don't know, and don't want to know what political party either belongs too, or what political philosophy each believes in. This, I believe gives me an non-prejudiced position to comment from.

It would seem that the candidate challenging, has limited experience as an attorney. It also becomes obvious that Amaro has exhibited what I would consider immature behavior, and has developed a shrill defensive attitude about the various criticisms that she has received. One area pointed to is various bloggers and blurkers, (blurker being the non-blogger commenting from anonymity) on line that have issues with her candidacy.

Ms. Amaro should remember that the public opinion that she is dissing, is the same public that she wants votes from. Shrill, defensive behavior is not the way to convince the voters that you possess judicial qualities.

One should always remember that when digging yourself a hole, the best policy is to drop the shovel before you get deeper.

Predators

Once again I feel the need to rant about both Federal & State Fish & Game MIS-management.

A while back I commented about the regional director of the U.S. Fish & Game Department, when he was Quoted as saying about Wolves, "You can call them anything you want, but don't call them predators."

This week, we find the State of Idaho and Feds negotiating on how many Wolves to kill, so as not to loose the herds of Deer and Elk in the Clearwater basin. An ongoing argument as to the future of Mountain caribou in Idaho blames snowmobilers for their demise, ignoring that hunting laws restrict the killing of Cougars, and prohibit the killing of Grizzlies and Wolves.

It seems that these political knuckleheads didn't know why their numbers were reduced in the first place. Herds of grazing animals, such as Elk, Moose, caribou, deer, cows, horses, sheep, goats, well, you get the picture, are no match for any of these Predators. There! I used the forbidden word.

Our ecological extremists want us to stop cutting trees down. Not slow down, but completely stop all harvest of what is a renewable resource. With little or no thought, we have turned our government over to nut cakes that want to stop civilization, and return it to the pristine shape it was in at the beginning of time...

But what about us? Are we next going to see forcible population control or elimination from these people? How long is it going to take before some extremist nut decides to poison our water supplies, or worse.

We need to take back our government and allow our elected officials and those that are appointed under them, run our country, instead of allowing nuisance law suits to freeze all activity these unelected self appointed jerks have assumed with no authority but court injunctions that are overturned, but too late to help, as is with the harvesting of burned trees while they still have value.

We are in the position of having to cut live trees to replace those that are already dead. If that isn't proof of the total lack of common sense, tell me what is...

Tasers Revisited

The recent death of Otto Zehm, an alledgedly developmentally disabled man points once again, not to the Police Officers, but the methods used.

Many people are screaming, "Police brutality." In most of these cases, I don't believe that the officers set out to do great harm to the people that are being subdued. A few years ago, pepper spray mixed with tear gas was used. Now we have tasers, which have been connected to many such unintended deaths.

Originally, the thought was to not have to use lethal force, such as a gun to apprehend a suspect. A noble thought, but perhaps the used of Tasers needs to be tested out by an agency other than the manufacturer, which continues in denial.

Otto might have been a peace loving young man, but something triggered aggression. The police in Spokane, Washington aren't known for abusive behavior, but when approaching a stranger they know nothing about, caution is the rule.

That a very high voltage shock can cause a heart attack is a no-brainer. Lets investigate the manufacturer, not the user.

The police don't want to hurt the suspect, but they also have to fear harm to other innocents, and themselves. I blame the instrument, not the operators.

Since I originally posted this, I read this morning in the Spokesman-Review, that 150 people have died from taser use. Last week, Police trying to keep an escaped cow off the freeway, tasered this 1200 pound animal to death. If they can kill a cow, people are Duh!! Also in danger.

Friendship

For years, I have tried without success to define the word "Friend." We all know people that we like, and those that we don't. Sometimes it's easier to eliminate those that we don't like.

But what about the ones that we do like. Are the helpful bloggers that we interact with friends? Or just friendly acquaintances. How about those people that you run in to at the local watering hole. You know, the ones that you enjoy, but don't visit in their homes, or hang out with them.

Is a friend only someone you would make a great effort to help if they were in trouble? Is a friend a person that you have known for years and stay in touch with?

What is a friend?

Immigration Revisited

Back in the early years of this Country, we created a motto that went something like this. "Give us your poor, your starving, your huddled masses". In perspective, what we were doing was asking for settlers for the vast Western United States, which had been purchased by Thomas Jefferson, the Louisiana Purchase.

We no longer have those needs, or that much in the way of usable wide open spaces. While I believe that this country, like most, should have modest immigration, control of our borders is paramount. For every hundred poor Mexicans just looking for work, there could very easily be ten terrorists, carrying not clothes and water, but vile weapons of mass destruction. There exists in our own inventory, "backpack nukes." A weapon that is small and light enough to be carried by one man.

Biological weapons are even easier to conceal, and to spread.

The issue of exclusion or not is only one aspect of the problem. We must be able to control our borders. Building a wall is not that bad, as long as we remember to install gates. We do that here all of the time. If we have an installation that is subject to trespass, we build fences with razor wire on top, and that is within the Country. Can we do less at our border?

Many other Counties, such as Great Britain, do not automatically grant citizenship to those born there, if the parents are not legal permanent residents. We should explore that option. Pregnant Mothers that cross our borders an a day visit, just to birth here are a major problem. How do you keep the Mother of a citizen out of the Country?

Mexico has had within it's power, to control migration through universal education, and job training. Eternal poverty is the cause of illegal immigration, and education is the escape. Perhaps building a wall, AND some foreign aid directed specifically toward education is the answer.

Pardoning illegals that sneak across the border is not even close to an answer. That false promise, bandied about in the press has accelerated the masses that want to get here before the amnesty.

As we start to draw down from Iraq, it might be useful to stage training maneuvers along our southern border, rather than having troops go back into garrison, to begin training in the art of painting rocks.

Welcome to the 20th Century

After either mastering several computer challenges recently, or enlisting friends that aren't as dense as me, I paused, looked at my blog and thought, "This is good." I have a picture now, I learned to upload pictures to the blog, and finally have linked to all of those nice folks that had links to mine without reciprocity.

But that wasn't enough. My daughter, Debbie, innocently asked me if I had a webcam/mike. I said yes, but I don't know how to use it. Two days later, I have yahoo instant messenger, voice and picture capable. I gotta tell yah, a lot of cussin' went on throughout the process.

Now I'm set to video talk to anyone with yahoo. Before I'm done I may wish I'd never gone there. It is exciting. It's like Buck Rogers...Oh, you folks are all too young to remember Buck Rogers? Oh well...

What! This isn't the 20th Century anymore? #&*@##%*&. Now what am I going to have to learn...

Illegal Immigration

This really isn't about illegal immigration, it's about the attitude about it. Recent large demonstrations have taken place where apparent Mexicans have massed in protest about restricting others from entering this Country illegally.

Large crowds of people that haven't learned our language, wave the flag of another country, protesting that they as Americans don't like our attitude. Immigrants, legal or not, that don't bother to assimilate, as others have throughout our country's history. They don't want to be a part of us. It's our money only that these people aspire to.

By waving the flag of another country, they loudly proclaim their loyalty to their previous home, not this Country. Why should we coddle them, educate their children,grant citizenship to their offspring?

Back to the attitude thing. Friday in Colorado, students at Skyline High School in Longmont, were banned from waving the American flag because it upset the Hispanic demonstrators that were waving foreign flags. Keeping them separate would have been enough. The ivory tower Wackos that can't let patriotism be demonstrated explain much of the lack thereof by our young people.

I just can't believe that in this country, people are being punished for flag waving. Not the Mexican flag...Just ours.

Never say Never

I have never been lucky at games of chance, raffles, drawings and such. All my life, I have dutifully bought the tickets, after all, they are a donation. Here in Bayview, where I have resided for the past eleven years, we have a Chamber of Commerce. Unlike most Chambers, it's more a combination Community Club/Chamber, where people from all parts of the community get involved.

For all of those eleven years, I have bought the semi-annual raffle tickets. $20.00 per ticket, twice a year. That adds up to over four hundred dollars. My ship never came in. Wednesday night, at the annual Mexican dinner/fund raiser at the Captain's Wheel, which donated the kitchen for the night, a drawing for one of those big gas grills took place.

You know, one of those grills that does everything but call you for dinner? Bells and whistles galore. The drawing took place as I was washing pots and pans back in the kitchen. (Someone found out I knew how to operate the dishwasher)

In the distance I heard the sound of a ships bell. A foghorn sounded. My ship had come in. I won. Now I have to figure out how a hermit uses a gas grill. Could it be that I'll have to rejoin society?

Bacon, Anyone?

They have finally done it. With all of the genetic engineering going on, one would suppose that some of this scientific talent could be put to good use, but no...

Scientists have grafted the DNA of an earthworm to a pig. I bet you all just can't wait to tie into THAT bacon. Picture it, now...Hashbrowns, eggs cooked to order, toast just right, and a rasher of worms.

We have just witnessed the age old competition between marketing and engineering. Apparently, this gene transplant is supposed to turn the pork fat into that resembling fish oils, which are alledged to be good for you.

So now, we will have fishy tasting bacon that is made from worms. I can't wait for the advertising campaign to break out. Sheesh!

Picture this now. Big Daddy Boar sidles up to Momma pig with romance on his mind. "Hey, baby, how about a little lovin'." Momma pig looks up, sneers, and says, "get away from me, you Worm."

Spring Fever

I haven't been able to post for the last several days. No disability, just out of ideas, energy and motivation, all at the same time. Writer's block.

As I looked out over Scenic Bay, I suddenly realized that what I have is Spring Fever. The Sun is out today, my Maple Tree is budding. I have planted my seedlings in the window in anticipation of Spring Weather.

I went out to get my Spokesman-Review without a coat on. Yesterday was Winter...Today is Spring. McDonald's Marina is busy towing boats into the marina to be de-winterized. Sailboats are sailing. The Robins that frequent the aforementioned Maple tree are back. All is well.

I'm about to start back to work at my usual Summer job, at a nearby Theme Park. I may even get up the energy to rake the leaves I was too lazy to take care of last fall...Nah, I'll wait for at least one more wind storm. With any luck at all, they will blow into my neighbors yard.

The lake is blue, fish are swimming by waving their fins at me, urging me to venture out so that they might outsmart me once again. I can't call down they wrath of God without being upset at something or someone. I'm not angry about anything today.

Take my temperature, Doctor, I have it bad...

Growing Old

As tomorrow is my 68th birthday, I have been reflecting a bit on aging. When I was Thirty, I thought life as we knew it would be over by forty. By forty, I was in my prime, but was somewhat worried about fifty.

Now, as I sit back, in good health, I read the obituaries. After noting that my name isn't present, a do kind of a quiet celebration. Hey, you outlasted them folks. I have become more of a philosopher as I've grown older. I realize, for instance, that growing old is much better than the alternative.

When I graduated from High School, I didn't want to do more school, so I joined the Air Force. Serving in the military is a good transition into adult status. When I got out, I didn't really know what I wanted to do when I grew up...

The body isn't quite what it used to be, and I'm a bit forgetful. But I'm in good health, I live in a wonderful place, Spring is coming, fishing season is upon us.

I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up...

Feedback

If a blogger is writing a personal diary, then feedback doesn't matter. On the other hand, If, like me, you write for others, with News, Opinions and Humor, it is important.

The sound of silence is deafening. One of the ways a blogger can tell what reactions there are, is by readers leaving comments. Many visitors, however, read and leave, to browse through other blogs. I recently installed a *Site counter.

Now I can see how many and where, my readers are. In the last two weeks, I've had visits from 17 States, 3 Canadian Provinces, and 8 other Countries, ranging from Europe, to South America, and even Australia.

It is pleasing to me that people from these diverse locations are interested enough in what we have to say, to explore us. The "Huckleberry blog" from the Spokesman-Review link provides many visitors, but some are referrals, and others "Googled."

I invite these visitors to leave comments, or greetings, so that I can get to know them...

Conflicts

The news that our local Idaho State legislator, and his opponent have been separated by the issue that, one, if you are a teacher, and a union activist, you shouldn't dare attack the person that controls your budget, just doesn't sit right with me.

First, I despise intimidation in any form. If all Goedde has going for him is "if you lose, your children will suffer", then I despise him, and the horse he rode in on. I don't know who Goedde is running against in the final analysis, but trust me, I'm now looking.

I am a Republican, and moderately right of center. I don't much like the sound of this, the first campaign blast. I am not an admirer of the teacher's union.

When I went to school the profession, and yes it was a profession, was pretty much a place where caring adults educated for that purpose,could go to teach the philosophy of learning, to somewhat eager minds.

It would seem that as union activity has worked it's way into education, the caring for students has been eclipsed by the self serving unionism of the teachers. First, these teachers have never experienced life outside of academia. Graduate High School, College, then back to the class room, from whence they have never left.

While I truly believe, that we should respect our teachers, as least as much as our welders, I have a problem with the ardent unionism that they portray. This, I feel is a position that has conflict of interest written all over it.

Recently, we have seen examples of this attitude, where teachers face students that they have fought for mutual trust facing the same students in picket lines.

It would seem to me that if an occupation wishes to be known as a profession, they should act like professionals.

Having said this. I will be delighted if a candidate other than a union activist, runs against Goedde. I might even vote Democrat on this issue. I don't like arrogant people. I especially don't like arrogant people that we have hired to do the work of legislating for us.

I don't think a teacher that is active in his or her position as an educator/union activist is an appropriate representative of the people. Neither do I think that the self-important oaf that currently holds office, should be retained.

Perhaps we, the people, should re-examine where we are as political people. Idaho is becoming a one party state, as is our neighbor, Washington, albeit with different parties in control. Balance is very necessary to maintain the middle ground, where most of us reside.

This is my opinion...

I am Herb Huseland...

Senior Poetry

This is a poem that I am reasonably certain will not make the Spokesman-Review hit parade, but I just had to do it...Author unknown

THE GOLDEN YEARS

I cannot see

I cannot Pee

I cannot chew

I cannot screw

My hearing stinks

My memory shrinks

No sense of smell

I look like hell

The Golden Years

Have come at last

The Golden Years

Can kiss my ass...

Pappy Boyington

The issue of whether or not to honor Pappy Boyington by naming the Coeur d'Alene Airport after him has a great deal of merit.

As a pilot myself, and having traveled all over the Country into airports named after people, I can attest to one thing. Renaming an airport after a departed hero in no way alters the three letter FAA designation.

It would not confuse pilots. One, we are special people, and do not confuse easily. Two, we have aeronautical charts that show the location, as well as the name. The only confusion regarding location comes from an airport called "Coeur d'Alene" that is located in Hayden.

An example would be the Orange County Airport in California. It was renamed "John Wayne" Airport after his death. The airfield still has the same letter designator that it always did.

Perhaps we should start a petition to have it renamed. Popular support would not go un-noticed by the County commissioners.

Although I admired the "Duke" for his acting, I can't compare a war hero like Boyington to a person that merely played parts in movies. I support the Spokesman-Review in urging the County to rename the Airport.

Confusion & Consternation

"I don't belong to an organized religion...I'm a Christian..."

Herb (1938-whoknows)

More Philosophy

"An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."

Will Rogers (1879-1935)

Philosophy 101

"God is a comedian playing to an audience that's afraid to laugh."

Voltaire 1694-1778

Ports of Entry

Now that the UAE is out of the game, we must push Congress to pass a law restricting to domestic companies, all control of seaports and air terminals.

One way to tell the Arabs that it's not just them, is to break the lease on the former Long Beach Naval Base, in Long Beach, California. This lease was done during the Clinton Administration, which kind of coincided with the flap over foreign campaign donations...Specifically, the Peoples Republic of China.

How many people are aware that the company controlling Long Beach is owned by the Chinese Red Army/Navy?

Break this lease and prohibit future security breaches of this nature. One, we will reclaim our ports and the better security that brings. Two, we can show that this is a security issue, not aimed exclusively at Arab countries.

Pickin' on Athol

In a recent column, Doug Clark, of the Spokesman-Review, was expounding on yet another sex scandal in Spokane, Washington. It seems that a Spokane Fire Fighter attempted to put out the fire of a 16 year-old young lady, IN the fire station. Not only did the offending Fireman put out the fire, he took pictures of the (ahem) conflagration in progress.

Upon investigation, two of Spokane's finest detectives discovered the pictures, which apparently was the gentleman's proof that the act was consentual. Finding that the age of consent in Washington is 16, they also discovered that taking porn pictures of youngsters under 18 is a crime. Upon realizing that his souvenir was illegal, he immediately claimed he didn't know she was under 18.

The obliging officers expressing sympathy, deleted the pics from the offending camera, destroying the evidence. Now Mr. Clark is suggesting that they be sent to Athol, Idaho.

I live near Athol, and have several problems with that. One, if we had two more Cops in Athol, nobody would ever make it home from the neighborhood pubs. On the other hand, an Officer that was understanding enough to let the offenders go if they "didn't intend to get plastered" could be a good thing.

Last summer, we lost the Fire Chief in our Timberlake Fire District. We maybe could find room for the playful fireman. As far as the 16 year old goes, we already have enough playful teens, and the ones already here would object to the competition.

Hit Parade Hall of Fame

Last week, we here in the Inland Northwest had a lively debate over the "Rock 'n Roll" Hall of fame, who belonged, who didn't. The discussion was started by John Rook, long time professional in radio, both locally, and nationally.

John claimed that his friend, Pat Boone, belonged in the R & R hall of fame. I contended that he didn't, based on the fact that he didn't do rock. He was a crooner, a singer of ballads. Others that were greats in that time, ('50's) Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka, same-same. John contended that all the trade magazines used the common denominator R & R for all these singers.

Well, I didn't subscribe to the insider pubs, but, you see, I was a '50's teen. I observed from the consumer side, and trust me, none of us thought that Boone or the others, (Maguire Sisters, Crew Cuts, Four Aces) were Rock and Roll. What we had back then was the greatest cross-roads of music probably every seen or ever will be seen.

In one period of three years, 53-56, we had 40's holdovers, big bands, female trios, male quartets, rhythm & blues, hard rock, country cross-overs, such as Hank Sr., Roy Orbison, Faron Young, Lefty Frizell, and who could forget Teresa Brewer. Bill Haley was Rock & Roll.

All of these were great hit parade artists, none mentioned however did Rock & Roll. Our criteria then was, "If you can't Bop to it, it ain't rock & roll. Doug Clark, Spokesman-Review, chimed in today on the same subject.

I support a "Hit parade Hall of Fame" that recognizes all of the fine music produced over the years, whether or not it rocked.

Travels 'N Such

I decided, after posting my profile picture, (Me and banjo in South Carolina) to share some of the others taken on my road trip last fall. I am also trying to learn to upload and move pictures around. This is challenging for an old coot.






You are looking at the portal to the Cumberland Gap tunnel. Above the tunnel entrance is, of course the summit to Cumberland Gap, of Daniel Boone fame.



This is what Bayview looks like in the Fall, after the tourists leave. (Taken from my front porch) The leaves haven't fallen yet, it is still warm, and you can hear a pin drop, as the saying goes.





This is a picture of my Cousin in South Carolina, taken on my road trip of last fall. The Motorhome is in the background. Scottsville, S.C. is the farthest East I traveled. From there it was head West.

Where have all the good old days gone

This picture of yours truly, was taken a fur piece back. Note the handsome, intelligent expectant look on my face. Many years have gone by since this picture was taken. I was the star on the paper drive team.

Fifty years ago, at Renton High School in Western Washington, I graduated. We will be having our 50th reunion in September. We are not as many as we once were. The first of our classmates died in a car wreck before he graduated. Others have passed on since.

Obviously, I'm a survivor, so far, and doing good. I know that when I go to the reunion, everyone but me will have aged a lot. You see, I don't even know what I want to be when I grow up, yet. I've many memories, both good and bad, as we all do.

My marriage, followed by the unbelievable experience of holding my first born...Then my second born...Then my third born. Later, another arrived. Two boys and two girls. Just like the family I grew up in.

Now I have 16 Grandchildren and 3 great-Grandchildren...I still don't know what I am going to do when I grow up...

Freedom Of speech

Recently we have witnessed several different interpretations of freedom of speech . While it is a given that dictatorships to varying degrees prohibit this, it is amazing that we have extremes even in democracies.

The Moslem reaction to "the Danish cartoons," is an example of the type of freedom we here in the United States experience. Here, we have the freedom to make an ass out of ourselves, by inflammatory remarks or cartoons. While not necessarily in good taste, the Danish newspaper was within it's right to publish.

In another democracy, Austria, we have a horse of a different color. Frankly, I was shocked that a British Anti-Semite author, got a prison sentence of three years, for stating an opinion. That the opinion was grossly un-popular, untrue, and insulting to the victims of the holocaust, is not the point.

This may be the only country in the civilized group of nations that criminalize opinion and speech, however unpopular. Austria can, I'm sure find better ways to apologize for it's own Anti-semitism.

We here in Idaho have had our bad experiences with Nazis, but we defeated them with ridicule and derision, something that they couldn't tolerate.

Austria has taken a step backward that equals some of the historical sins of the past. Shame! Another freedom goes down. With the advent of "political correctness" invading our own country, will we all end up homogenized, with lesser freedoms? It would seem that many are chipping away...

With Some Help From Your Friends

Waiting for another sunny day
Posted by Picasa

After a year of blogging without a picture, I finally have one. My friends Cis & Toni inserted it for me. It was just too much for my poor ancient brain to deal with.

Thank you both...

Site Meter and Friends

The one thing that has bothered me since I began this blog" was the question, "If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody is there, does it make a sound?" I have known of site counters, but could never get them to down load to my blog.

Along come fellow bloggers, Mari Meehan and Cis Gors. Between the two more knowledgeable friends I was able to download it. What a wondrous change. Suddenly, I don't have to wonder, "did I write this to myself, or are others sharing it?"

After two days, I have over 60 site visits, and that's a week-end. They come from the Spokane, Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho area, but I also have visits from five different areas of California, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, plus Kennewick, Wallula, Wenatchee, Washington.

Foreign visitors appear from Zaragosa, Spain, England, and Toronto, Canada.

I am taking the time to acknowledge these folks, as without the feedback of knowing others are reading my stuff, it would just be a diary. Thank you very much, one and all, for your interest.

Bayview Herb

Trojan Horse

The news, if indeed it is news,is that we are about to turn over control of many key ports to a Country that is potentially an adversary is somewhere between dumb and insane.

Many centuries ago a great lesson was taught to the Trojans by the Greek invaders. The legend of the Trojan Horse apparently wasn't part of the education that "W" received from the Ivy League.

Let's see now. If I were heading up an Islamic Terrorist group that wanted to infiltrate a nuclear weapon into the United States, where would I go for access?

The U.S. Navy Base in Norfolk? The Port of Seattle? Wait! How about our buddies over at the UAE. "Hey, they have helped before, why don't we try them?"

This isn't the first occasion that we have catered to other Countries at the expense of security.

President Carter signed over control of the Panama Canal, which was promptly subleased to the Peoples Republic of China.

President Clinton signed over a lease of the now closed Long Beach Naval Base in California to...Guess who. The Peoples Republic of China.

Not to be outdone, President Bush is in the process of signing over control of the ports of New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Miami, Philadelphia, and what's left of the Port of New Orleans.

Let's just take two examples. New York and Miami have been losing the drug war for years, as drugs are infiltrated through the ports. Take this one step further, and find the control and operations of these facilities in the hands of potential terrorists. One can only imagine the fun they will have.

The only ray of hope here, is that now we can return the nations airports to normal operations. Having opened most key ports to the enemy, we can concentrate on them.

It is time, not only to reject this crazy attempt at conciliation with our enemies, but to pass legislation banning the sale or lease of strategic facilities to any foreign interest. The Eisenhower Freeway system was created by legislation authorizing the facilitation of military movements within the country.

We are now faced with a situation where great convoys of war material headed for our key ports on the way to the Middle East, will arrive at our ports to discover that a sudden labor dispute has erupted and shipping is halted.

No Opinions Today

I have decided to proclaim today as "no opinion day." That doesn't mean that I don't have any, I'm just not going to be in everyone's face with them. This gives the unwashed, the ugly and the totally misinformed a day off without me bugging them.

Today only, I refuse to knuckle under to my base desire, which of course, is to set the World straight on as many issues as I have time for. You will not hear me say, "And when did you get you're lobotomy..." No...Today, I'm strictly a nice guy.

Most days, after reading the "Good Paper," I grind my teeth at our politicians for their incredible stupidity, curse at the slanted coverage of the reporters. Not today...I am the champion of love and understanding. I reek goodwill.

I better stay home today...Something is terribly wrong!

Blogfest II

When I was an insecure teen trying to organize a party, the fear that nobody would show up always reared it's head.

For the last two weeks or so, I attempted to put together a group of bloggers meeting socially, here in Bayview. After just getting 6 for sure we'll be there RSVP's, and talking to DFO, we decided to cancel. I sent an e-mail to all concerned, also saying that I would be there just in case someone didn't get the word. One by one, they all e-mailed me back, saying small is good, we'll be there.

Nine folks showed up, including our blogmeister, and we had a great time. We even started to call it the un-blogfest, since we were there in spite of ourselves. A great bunch of folks, that I'm proud to be associated with.

You may view pictures of this event at Gollygals.blogspot.com.

Terminal Gridlock

I drove over to Seattle for the week-end. It was a nice drive in beautiful weather. I got to I-405 at Factoria in about four hours, averaging 75mph.

That's when it got interesting. Now keep in mind, I was born and raised there, and know my way around. As I turned South on I-405, everything changed. First, stop and go traffic an hour before rush hour. Second, nothing looked familiar. It has built up so much that hovels are going for $200,000 plus, just because there aren't any building lots left within commuting distance.

Sunday, I drove to University Place, near Tacoma, to visit my Sister. Now I've made that trip many times. Down I-5 to Hwy 16, toward the Narrows Bridge, past Cheney Stadium, turn left at the next light then turn left again at the next major intersection, right? No way. They realigned hwy 16, changed the accesses and hid Cheney Stadium, somehow.

I ended up lost near the waterfront. I finally spotted something familiar and located my Sister, right where she had always been. It rained overnight, but cleared by morning and it was a great drive back, except I've noticed that as I grow older, the drive seems longer.

The last mile to Bayview caught me up to the storm that had passed in Seattle. I found snow near home. Great to be back where our daily life is not constant turmoil.

Moslem Radicals

Most people that try to be reasonable, will say that "we are not at war with the religion, just the radicals that don't represent the Moslems."

My perception is, that after seeing the totally irrational uproar over the Danish cartoon, if you still believe that, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

I have felt for some time, that the radicals of the Moslem world have captured and now control all the major Moslem counties, including those most closely allied with our Country. Our government is in denial, and will remain firmly in that position.

Oil, and other strategic necessities preclude our official response to this situation. I reluctantly have concluded that we are, or will be at war with the entire Moslem World before long. I don't like coming to that conclusion, but after spending 18 Months in Morocco, in my youthful days, These folks take Jihad seriously.

We haven't experienced blind patriotism in this country like this. The closest I can come to relating this to the past, would be Japan in the forties. Most people form impressions by putting themselves in the other's position, then tell themselves, "I wouldn't act like that." That won't fly in this case. None of you could possibly think that way, or identify with that kind of religious fervor.

It's not going to go away, and It's going to get a lot worse. If history is any guide, this won't happen until we retire the rest of our strategic air fleet. I can see it now. Battle tank..."Target...Camel...1800 yards...Fire!"

Vagina Monologues

Alright, already. What's up with the Spokesman-Review editorial staff now! First they become horrified at the Huckleberries Blog discussing the various gray areas of alledged rape. They didn't stop there. No! Today they announced a live showing of the Vagina Monologues in Coeur d' Alene. In that article, it was solemnly stated that they were offering discounted admission for single Mom's. This was justified by a pronouncement that the "vast majority" of divorced women were victims of spousal abuse.

I can certainly understand that many single Mothers have been abused, but what about women that are single because they were bitchy, or nags, or didn't keep up the home, or didn't buy beer on the way home. The vast majority were beaten? I don't think so.

But I digress. It appears to me that the Spokesman-Review editorial staff has a crotch obsession. I, for one, have never seen one that could talk. I have, however met a few that made me sit up and beg.

If we could just lift these p.c. wackos just a little above the waist. Perhaps they could obsess about navels. Now there is a thought. Why just the other day...

My Anniversary

Today marks the last day of my first year blogging. Since January 31, 2005 I have posted 105 times.

Sometimes I have been opinionated, sometimes playful and always lurking in the background is that sense of "Hey, lets not take ourselves too seriously".

I have made, I think some new friends through the blog, and correspond regularly with columnists from various newspapers around the country. You would be surprised at the number that take the time to respond back.

Starting into the second year, I ponder what I am going to do when I grow up. The answer to that of course is that I probably won't.

Early this year, we spoke about my discovery of Prostate Cancer, and about the treatment options I had. I chose Brachytherapy, which is the implantation of small radioactive pellets into the prostate. That happened in October. My PSA went from 6.0 to 2.2 and is still falling. I anticipate no serious problems and see a full recovery in sight.

My newest business venture is off to a slow start. It seems that doing nothing is more comfortable than working. That will come to a halt when I finally get in gear.

Some of us bloggers have tossed around the idea of a get together. I propose that since I'm about half-way between Coeur d'Alene, and Sandpoint, Idaho. That we do that here in Bayview. I would like to hear from those of you that are interested in getting together face to face for a visit. I'm sure that Dave Oliveria and others will attend. Give me feedback on this and I will go forward with the project.

Seahawks Future Looks Bright

I have been pondering the future of the Seahawks. Certainly one of the major reasons why teams rise and fall is that when players over achieve, more money is required to keep them. That is only fair, as it is always important to be able to earn a raise for outstanding performance, regardless of what you do for a living.

The salary cap enters the picture at this point. Teams that are at or near the cap, are unable to sign players they would like to keep. Every season we read where star players are released for salary cap reasons.

The old system was broke, where players were indentured to a team with no other choices other than to quit. This one is broke too, from the opposite direction.

Paying athletes to perform for three hours once a week several millions per year is probably skewed the other way. I don't have the answer to this dilemma, other than to notice that teams do not pay players. Fans that buy tickets and/or watch television with the commercial messages do.

I can no longer afford to buy tickets to these events, as much as I would like to.

In another sport, baseball, I remember the Los Angeles Dodgers, back in 1963 were backed into a corner by Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Two of the all time best. They were demanding $50,000 per year each. My box seat tickets were $4.50.

The Seahawks, however have been judicious with the cap. I am told by Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times, that the team has enough room under the salary cap to sign both Steve Hutchinson and Shaun Alexander, both whom are free agents at the end of the year. Maybe even football teams can budget. Long live the Seahawks!

We Blog

I have noticed recently that journalists and cartoonists throughout the country are dissing bloggers. I'm not sure whether this is because we write bad stuff, or because they feel threatened.

The first example isn't valid, simply because bad stuff won't be read widely. That brings us to professional jealousy. As we enter an electronic age, newsprint is becoming less popular to many. Personally though, my morning reading of the Spokesman-Review is a ritual. Disposal of tons of unwanted ad copy is not my choice. Tons of paper clog dumps when a click of a key can bring you the same story. The irritation of reading a few lines of a story on the front page, then having to fold back the paper to page 13 or whatever is continuous.

One would think that if newspapers and magazines want to survive they would become more reader friendly. Anyone besides me object to the extra half page attached to the comics? How do you get that out of the way so you can read in comfort? The advertising people don't care. Stick it in your face is the rule.

Even here in the Spokane, Washington/North Idaho area where the Spokesman-review encourages bloggers, we are disrespected. I remember a meeting just about a year ago, where the S/R online Guru explained how our contributions would be like many neighborhood correspondents.

In that year, after 102 blogs of my own, and reading many thoughtful opinion pieces by others, not one was picked up as a guest editorial. Not one. Even here, in our enlightened community, the print guys would like us to quietly go away and stop bothering the real people.

I personally believe that this will change at some point, but only after being dragged kicking and screaming into the future that appears to already be here.

New Internet Law

Today's Spokesman-Review editorial suggests that the new internet law will chill free speech. I must respectfully disagree.

Speech is never really free. There is a standard of behavior that is firmly entrenched in the law. That standard is that you may not slander another without legal consequences. To be guilty of these violations, the law requires very stiff criteria. You must have the intent to harm the libeled person, and be telling a harmful untruth.

To be in a position to be judged fairly on this issue, one must be identifiable. To attack another person, or their ideas, without identifying yourself, is plainly cowardly and despicable.

The internet is reasonably new, and many adjustments are being and will be made to coincide with existing social custom. The fact that anonymous communications are common, does not make them right. The new law, does NOT prohibit the annoyance of another. It merely states that if you wish to do so, that you identify yourself.

As a practical matter, attacking another in the dark can be very self-serving...Such as a political candidate attacking another under the guise of a false name. Or better, you don't like someone, so why not get them run out of town by spreading malicious gossip about them... Under another name.

Many terrorists use pen names too. Should we encourage them that? I think not.

The S/R makes reference to letter to the editor. Those writers have to identify themselves up to and including name, address and telephone number. If the new law stops abusive behavior by unidentified cowards, I'm all for it. It seems that the only weak point is the term "annoy", which is obviously too broad. With a little tweaking, I believe this is the right direction. I have always signed my opinions and always will.

Samuel Clemens didn't harm anyone by using the pen name, "Mark Twain", ergo he was legitimate.

Those "blurkers", that's a term adopted by Dave Oliveria of the Spokesman-Review, for non-blogging commenters, that choose to attack under fake names,can and will disappear. Those that do not, will have to watch what they say.

Herb Huseland
Bayview

Careers N' Stuff

Recently, I posted "re-unretirement". In the many posts since I started back in January of last year, I hadn't received more than 6 or 7 comments.

When I published my intent to go forth and be broke no more, I got 17. This can probably be interpreted many different ways, but it does confirm that you folks feel I have way too much time on my hands, and that it would certainly benefit the general welfare, if I were to do something useful for a change.

I have, at the local watering hole, been told that I have way more opinions than is entirely necessary. I looked back, and sure enough, I posted over 100 times in the last year. That doesn't even count those opinions wasted at said watering hole over the same time period.

I'm already kind of in the swing of things. I got up this morning with the aid of an alarm clock. One that's function is dubious, since I have my hearing aids out at night, and can't hear that frequency when it goes off. I may have to find one of those ancient mechanical clocks that when ringing, annoy one to the waking state.

Anyway, enough digression. I dusted off one of my white shirts, and put it on. It still kinda fits. Bounced...No that's not true, I drug myself into the shower, dressed in unfamiliar clothes, (It took me awhile to find them) and drove to Coeur d' Alene for the first appointment in my renewed career.

Wait...I think I showered first, THEN put on the white shirt...Oh well, you get the idea.

Hell Freezes Over

I read Michael Kinsley's op/ed in Tuesdays Spokesman-review. I swore that I would never find anything about Kinsley to agree with. I not only swore that, but swore on many other occasions that his radical tongue waved.

This time he stayed off politics. A good thing, too, since he has very little knowledge of how they work. He writes that newspapers as we know them, are on their way out. Well they probably are, but to hear it from these lips that are constantly curled in a sarcastic smirk, was remarkable, to say the least. Perhaps, knowing this, he will take up blogging.

In other news:

Washington State, (bless their liberal little hearts) has discovered an oversight in the new "Indoor clean air act". It turns out that by banning all smoking everywhere, they forgot religion. For instance:

If in Washington State, the Pope were elected, burning the ballots would result in the College of Cardinals being arrested and hauled off to the hoosegow.

Forget making nice with the Indian Tribes. Smoke the peace pipe? You are under arrest. (Again, the Indians might exclaim?)

Ah, how about funerals that make use of burning sweet grass, or of a priest waving that smoke pot thing they use? (Sorry, no disrespect intended, just can't remember the name)

I just knew that when the government got away with saving us from ourselves with the seatbelt laws, Pandora's box would be open for ever.

Welcome to Idaho!

Re-Unretirement

Loafing is good, but it doesn't pay very well. I have become restless in retirement and have decided that although my body is old, my brain probably hasn't atrophied much.

Some of you know that prior to retirement, I had a career in Mortgage Banking. I have been cajoled out of retirement and will re-enter the lending field. I will specialize in SBA business loan packaging and placement.

I'm looking forward to working with some of you as the need arises.

Conversation with Kathleen Parker, Columnist

This is an exchange I had with Kathleen Parker, columnist with the Orlando Sentinel in reference to her put down column of bloggers. HDH
----------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Re: Blogs
Date: 12/30/2005 5:08:01 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
From: kparker1@mindspring.com
Reply-to: kparker@kparker.com
To: Hhuseland@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



Don't feel betrayed. I spotted you for a philosopher. (That's why I used that word - to give enough space to include all of those smart bloggers out there who don't fall into a particular category) And, of course, not all bloggers are alike, just as not all of us journalists are part of the smear known as the MSM. Some bloggers, in fact, are fabulous and I've written extensively about them. But the mob mentality of the blogosphere is troubling and good bloggers ought to recognize that. I suspect many do. Among the many differences, which I should have mentioned, is that bloggers (so far) don't get sued for defamation, libel and slander and are not held to the standards professional journalists are. When we mess up, we are unemployed and unemployable. Perhaps, too, you have to have seen your own head on that stick a few times to know of what I have written.

All best,
Kathleen
----- Original Message -----
From: Hhuseland@aol.com
To: kparker@orlandosentinel.com
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 1:28 AM
Subject: Blogs


Ah, Kathleen, I feel betrayed. I am a blogger, with a three year high school journalism education. I don't rightly know whether I'm into narcissism or just a bore. What I think I am, is a senior citizen that has seen much, lived much, and possibly has something to share.

I read your columns in the Spokesman-Review, which is located in Spokane, Washington. I live in a little town called Bayview, in Idaho, about 70 miles from Spokane.

My blog covers everything from what I call humor,world events, and local stuff. Just two hours ago, the night reporter for the Spokesman-Review called me to check out a breaking story here in Bayview.

I recognize that there are many infantile bloggers that just want to see their four letter words in print. I'm not one of them.

We have a guy, Dave Oliveria, Associate Editor for the Spokesman-Review, that has an on-line column called "Huckleberries". (A local thing) He links to other blogs, (mine included)

The best away to check me out is to log on to my blog, either independently, or through the spokesmanreview.com/blogs/hbo.

Mine is Bayviews.blogspot.com.

I am, if you bother to check further, a moderately conservative guy, and think a lot along the lines that you write. Please don't lump us serious amateurs with the screwballs.

Herb Huseland
Bayview, Idaho

Senseless Vandalism

I have seen, in my 67 years, many senseless acts. I don't think that I can remember anything like hit Bayview last night.

Posters were ripped down from the local businesses. Two marinas were attacked viciously. Locked marina doors were kicked down, and many boats vandalized.

From the sparse information that we have, while a few things were stolen, mostly it was just senseless destruction.

In talking to Jeff Barden, General Manager of the Waterford Park Marinas, He indicated that the criminals got around the newly installed security gates on the docks, probably due to the low water level. They then forced open the doors to the secure covered docks. They proceeded to demolish many privately owned boats, for no apparent reason. While a few things were stolen, most damage was simple destruction.

Most of the affected boat owners are either in Arizona for the Winter, or living in Spokane, Washington, a major city nearby. Contacted by the night desk at the Spokesman-Review, I was able to come up with this information to add to what the paper already had.

Unfortunately for the deadbeats that did this, there were security cameras present that recorded all of the participants faces. As of this posting,and to my knowledge none of the participants have been arrested, but I wouldn't bet on them seeing the New Year in, Saturday Night.

My very First Poem

Dedicated to my Grandchildren...

'Twas the day after Christmas
when all through the land,

A gigantic sound, seemed to abound...

The rustling became a roar,
it wouldn't fit through the door...

Wrapping paper in a dash, heading for the trash...
Dumpster guards all plead, don't let this last...

Reds, greens, tinsel galore,
look out the closet, shut the door...

Children play joyfully, unwrapping the gift,
after all is done, the box heads the list...

The credit card statements bang at the door,
hoping until next year, please, no more...

Grandpa Herb

Merry Christmas, Etc.

Much has recently been written pro and con regarding the appropriate season's greeting. Sunday, Paul Turner, of the Slice, a feature writer for the Spokesman-Review, devoted almost his entire column to an anti-Christmas message, ending by calling the arguement political.

For many reasons this year, this discussion has raged. I personally think it is not just Christmas, and definitely not political, at least not for most of us. Whether it's Christmas or Hanukkah, or just Boxing Day, the Winter holidays mean something to most of us. I believe that what is really being fought in the trenches, is the loss of tradition, whether religious or other.

First, we eliminated Lincoln's Birthday. (It irritated some Southerners) Then the father of our Country, George Washington was judged not to be worthy. We invented President's Day...A poor way to celebrate nothing, but hey, we saved a vacation day, didn't we. Martin Luther King, Jr. Was elevated past these two fine presidents, in what appears, his greatness aside, a political act in it's entirety.

Patriotism? Long gone. We don't even do the pledge of allegiance in school anymore.
Veteran's Day? "Hey, Dad,what are all them old men in their funny hats doing walking down the street? Can I have another hotdog"?

I firmly believe two things. One, please, Paul, go back to collecting cute, trite, little experiences for your column and stay out of issues that are too deep for you. Second, in just one generation we have lost these and many more traditions. Traditions that are the glue that holds us together as a nation and as a a society.

I believe that we need to fight for the return of sanity and allow the multitude of ideas and religions to flourish without the naysayers.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, good night...

Herb Huseland

Christmas

We have read many things this Christmas Season. Some have been very critical, like Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus will somehow injure them. I haven't read anything critical about the Jewish holidays, or for that matter, about Ramadan.

The reason for these attitudes? I think that some civil libertarians have gone way too extreme in the "separation of church and state". First, that isn't what the constitution says. The U.S. constitution merely states that our government cannot establish a state religion.

This should not be construed, as I fear it has, as license for atheists to firmly establish THEIR religion, or lack thereof. Some arguments are that Sunday and Christmas are pagan holidays. Well, it is true of course that the early Roman Church established Sunday instead of Saturday as the new Sabbath. By the same method, Christmas day was arbitrarily set up on December 25.

There isn't much doubt that pagan "Sun" worship in pre-Christian Rome had some of these holidays. I submit that the tradition is what is real, not the argument as to date placement. That the Roman Empire felt it necessary to blend Christianity in with what then was familiar is arguable. However, my blog wasn't up and running back then, and my opinion wasn't asked.

To summarize, I am one of those hateful Christians who doesn't believe that because Rome diddled with some of the facts and traditions, that the birth of Christ is any less valid, or important. I will wake up Christmas Morning with two thoughts. The first, my thanks for the job Jesus did, and secondly, how about those Seahawks...

Merry Christmas to all that believe, and Happy Holidays to the rest of you.

Herb

Bayview Fundraiser

Jerry and Carly Berry asked me to thank the many people that made the fundraiser for Jerry a great success. The Captain's Wheel was jammed with well wishers that put the Christmas Spirit to work as the night was a great outpouring of friendship.

We are all hoping for the best, as Jerry proceeds with treatment for Pancreatic Cancer. I would like to remind all that there is an account set up at Wells Fargo Bank in Hayden for donations for Jerry's very expensive treatment.

A Town Called Waterford Park

Bayview is a small unincorporated spot of unusual beauty. Nestled in one of the few protected bays on Lake Pend Orielle, it lay undiscovered, eight miles off the highway until recently.

Big money hit town with a vengeance. With Three underachieving resorts for sale, a development firm called Waterford Park Homes entered the picture. First Vista Bay Marina was purchased. Then followed closely by Boileau's Resort including the Button Hook Restaurant, and Bayview Marina.

Following the purchase of three of the six existing resorts in town, they went on to purchase the town trailer park and the Scenic Motel. Bayview is fast becoming a company town. The goal of the company is presumably to become a Summer version of Sun Valley. A destination resort playground for the very wealthy.

While I personally applaud the investment in tired ownership situations, one wonders when it's too much. I don't believe one company should dominate any town or village. One starts to feel like it's the middle ages again with the royalty vs. Peasants.

This Summer season, the Buttonhook Restaurant was leased and operated by Dan and Wendy Talerico. After closing seasonally, they were informed that some of Waterford's management wanted to play with it next year. Renewal of the lease was refused. This after a large investment in the business by the lessees.

I don't know at what point an illegal monopoly occurs. Perhaps there are readers out there that could offer opinions. This town of Bayview is becoming a town named Waterford Park...

Winter Weather

I have come forth to anoint the unwashed and the unanimity, of course. This is about living in North Idaho.

Should you have moved to our fair area in the last 13 or 14 years, you will have experienced maybe one snowy winter, and maybe one ice storm.

BUT, you will have not experienced our equalizer. Equalizer, you ask? Well let me tell you about our equalizers.

They happen about fifteen to twenty years apart. They are all different. They all spell cold, snow, and ice.

Why are they called equalizers? Because that's where we shed unneeded, unwanted and unwelcome relocaters from Southern California.

It would appear that true to form, we get a whole bunch of folks from more temperate climates, that home in on our somewhat dreary landscape. They seem to think that this is paradise. Wrongo, Baby! We are a back woods, gap-teeth, undereducated bunch of Red-Necks that you NEVER want as your neighbor.

This year we are going to meet you out there on the (Highways). (We always put that word in parentheses so real highway folks don't get confused).

Please, even if you are personally willing to die, don't invite us to join you, like speeding with 4-wheel drive. You ever seen 4-wheel drive stop anyone faster?

I write this, actually, snowed in here in Bayview, in the secure knowledge that until some nice young person digs my car out, I'm not your target.