Let it Snow, Let it Snow ...

I would give a running commentary on road conditions in Bayview, except I can't get there. Currently, I have 17 " of new snow with it still falling. We are now told that after a 2 hour or so pause, we're going to get another 6 ". Just what we need.

My car is where I left it, (I think) though I can't see it anymore. Snow is coming down in Bayview reminiscent of 1991-92, when records were set. I recall we set a new four day record of continuous snowfall of 44" Thursday through Sunday. A snow plow finally appeared just now, which would be real good if, one, I could get out of my access road, and two, if I wanted badly enough to go somewhere.

If anyone wants to visit me they are going to have to shovel their way in. My snow shovel fell over yesterday and is buried somewhere. So then,the rules are these. If you are coming over, bring shovel, beer, more beer.

This week-end is reputed to bring us another storm. Global warming is beginning to be a pain in the ass. Anyone want to talk to me? I'll be right here.

Brutal Weather Affects Holliday Traffic

This Christmas season for most of us residing in the Panhandle of Idaho, is going to be one without a lot of travel and visiting involved. Single digit and less, temperatures in the last week are threatening to extend on into next week. Low temps, snow, blowing snow and dangerously untrained winter drivers are all contributing to a stay at home attitude this year.

I have a trip planned for Saturday, December 20 to my Son's home in north Spokane, but am thinking very seriously of canceling it. As long as we have SUV drivers with all wheel drive thinking they are 10 feet tall and bullet-proof, it's life threatening out there. Several lives have already been lost in the last few days in traffic accidents.

A coat of ice underlies the snow that is currently coming down, as one more storm hits us. The unfortunate use by road department officials of chemicals to melt the ice made it worse. I read the other day that these chemicals don't work below about 10 degrees. they just start to melt the surface, then refreeze making it much worse. It's too bad they can't think before acting, but there it is. Procedures are written in stone.

For this Christmas I'm going to stay near home. I'm hosting a small dinner for myself and neighbors Christmas Eve, then I'll go to the community dinner Christmas day at Terry's Cafe. Oh, and I'll be thinking about all of my friends and relatives that will be celebrating elsewhere. Fred Gindreaux, a quasi Brother-In-Law, just diagnosed with terminal brain cancer will be in my thoughts and prayers as well.

It's Kinda Chilly Out!

I can't remember a severe arctic outbreak like this one for many years. Back in the 1969-70's era it wasn't too uncommon for an arctic outbreak to give us a week to ten days and sometimes a little longer of highs in the single digits and lows fifteen below zero. That hasn't happened for a long time. With many southerners moving into our area within the last ten to fifteen years, some surprises are in store for many.

Bitter cold is not the same as being uncomfortable and having to wear heavier clothing. It is life threatening. Frost bite and deaths from exposure await those that don't respect these conditions, along with ruined plumbing systems for many. Some hints to those that are not old timers with this sort of cold are: Drip all of your faucets and open all under sink cabinet doors for heat circulation. A little increase in your heat bill from dripping the hot water is nothing compared to replacing all of the plumbing in the house. If you live in a mobile home with central heating, use it. Those ducts follow the same path as your water pipes. Using your wood stove will not protect them.

For the enjoyment of our friends in Wellton and other Southern Arizona spas, the following is our weather forecast for Athol, Idaho. It may be slightly colder or warmer in some other close by areas.Today has an expected high of 13 with a low tonight of minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Temps through the 19th will range from 14 daytime and 5 to 6 at night. Temps will rise into the 20's starting Saturday, December 20, but with a price. With the rising temperatures comes snow which is predicted to fall each day through the 28th of December, that being the latest date on the long range forecast provided by Accuweather.

It's hunker down time here while we attempt to get used to weather more common in the Dakotas that Idaho. The predicted 12 to 15 inches of snow did not occur, as the cold ridge of high pressure beat the moist air from the pacific, forcing the storm to change tracks. Had they arrived at the same time, which was predicted, it would have went off like a "weather bomb," the term the weather guessers used.

Yes, global warming has kicked off with a bang. Hard to tell how cold it will get next year, what with global warming getting even worse. Hopefully, most of our neighbors here in the Bayview-Athol-Careywood area are safe and tucked in. Most around here are old veterans at this type of weather. For those that are not, it would be wise to consult a friend that is.

Messages In The Dark

If you ain't tellin', RPB, then I ain't listenin'. Howsomever, you have tickled my curiosity. Just remember, good communications are what make the world go 'round. ...

White Christmas, and then some ...

It would appear that my smug notion that give the need for wearing a heavier coat here in North Idaho during the winter was all of the difference between here and Arizona was in error.This week-end is going to usher in the holiday season by bringing us 10 to 15 inches of snow, beginning Friday, today and continuing through Sunday. This, sez the weather bureau, will be followed by high winds, drifting snow and oh, did I forget? below zero temperatures. Not just wind chill, but actual temps as low in some areas as minus 15-17 degrees by Wednesday.

As I take a longing look back at Wellton, Arizona and Los Cajones, Mexico, and the accompanying 80 plus degree weather, I feel badly that my friends down there may have to don a sweater during the chill of an evening. Here, we are going to hunker down, get those last minute essentials. Beer, Wine and possibly some food.

Then we will gather around the scanner and play North Idaho's favorite winter sport....Actually, second favorite winter sport, both of course played indoors. This number two sport is listening during a blizzard, while rescues are taking place on Rathdrum Prairie during the occasional whiteout and roads drifted shut. The sound of a dispatcher saying... "when you get through with that slide off, we have 73 more waiting. Call when you are clear."

Merry Christmas to all. I'll post another as soon as I can find the street out front again.

An Historic Epiphany

Sometimes, people just do things right. What is amazing, in the case of the beleaguered Bayview Chamber of Commerce, it was unexpected. Suffering through at least six years of dysfunctional management, somehow this group found it's feet again. A nominating committee headed by Skip Wilcox, realized that the community had been torn apart by various events and cliques were sadly mishandled. We are not going to belabor these points. What is done, is done.

What we would like to do, however, is congratulate the new officers and board members that were carefully chosen by this committee with the apparent goal of finding people that wanted to serve,not rule. That hadn't fouled their collective nest by joining into damaging clique activities. This little village has produced an amazing amount of vitriol in the last two years.

Much of that has been the rapid change in the community structure. Money moved in, citizens moved out. We are a village in transition without a goal, just resentment. The first to move in was Bob Holland, of Waterford Park Homes, LLC. A developer with no boundaries, he gobbled up three tired businesses, all marinas that wanted out. In some cases he bought them at way below market value, but then he was making the market, wasn't he?

The community, long settled into a sleepy fun resort for the lower and middle income groups, had been discovered. Eight miles off the main road, you can't reach Bayview without intending to go there. Many of our neighbors from Spokane that were our summer people, were our friends as well. Suddenly, everything changed. Mobile homes were kicked out of Vista Bay, a spot that summer people had used for decades. Then the Bayview Mobile Home Park, centered in the downtown area was evicted for future sale.

When the real estate bust started, all of these grandiose plans were at full speed ahead. They are now at full stop. Lots aren't selling, spec building loans are laughed at. The problem facing Bayview,though, isn't really any of these previous events, except indirectly. You see, with the motel shutting down, the trailer park vacated, Vista Bay mobile homes gone, we are bordering on becoming a ghost town. Our restaurants may not be here to greet you this spring, because of the lack of customers during the winter.

The new administration of the Bayview Chamber is facing a daunting task. Not only are they facing a huge recession bordering on depression, but there aren't many permanent residents left. When the real estate market picks up again, which I predict not to happen for about three or more years, will there be any businesses left here.

Some of the problem lies with the Chamber itself. Faced with the loss of the way of life they had always known, residents rose up in protest to this violating of their lifestyle. Unfortunately the lifestyle that most had enjoyed for decades was over. It is time for the Chamber of commerce to recognize that commerce includes the developers, the marinas and all the other businesses that have been considered intruders. They are here, they have most of our waterfront and we need to engage them in dialog, not anger.

When they give money to the community for the enjoyment of all, we need to stop vilifying them for doing so. The Chamber of commerce is no longer the Chamber of Business. Hopefully this will change with the new group taking over. Otherwise, it's just another bunch of blowhards listening to each other. We can not any longer entertain a bunch of destroyers. To quote a famous street person, Rodney King, "Can't we just get along?"

Giving When It Hurts

Gift Tree - Bayview Mercantile

Every year around this time the drumbeat for donations is heard. This year is terribly different. It is different because of the increase in unemployment and a recessive economy. While many give when times are good, it is much harder when times are bad.

I remember a Christmas back many years ago where things were tough. We decided that all Christmas gifts would be used items. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding Christmases I've experienced. Everyone tried to use their imagination, instead of just swooshing down an aisle at Walmart.

For many, this will be the first time that hunger has become an issue in their entire lives. Perhaps for most. Please, give to your local food bank. I bet that there are thousands out there that leave this chore to others and have never helped out. You are the ones I'm talking to. If you have never faced meal time without anything to eat, nor a prospect that there will be anything, it's hard to imagine, but the pressure on food banks is going to be immense this year and I expect each and every one of you that can, to help out.

Here in Bayview, we have the ABC food bank, located at the Athol Community Center, which stands for Athol, Bayview and Careywood. Many of you will recall when druggies burglarized this food bank, carting off all of the gift cards and many gifts that were sitting out waiting to be distributed. What happened after that was a miracle, was people and companies lined up patiently to give and then give more.

Today we have a different challenge. One that involves hunger, instead of treachery. We need those that stepped up before, to do so again. Gift wise, the Bayview Mercantile has a small Christmas tree that is decorated with gift wishes. You are invited to take one of these wishes home with you, and return it with the gift meant for this child. We ask that you do so. Athol City Hall is accepting gifts as well as food donations for the food bank which is located in the community Center. Please help. Please don't let there be children waking up Christmas morning, crying from hunger and cold.

Dignified Behavior At All Times

While I do attempt to act my age, I seldom reach that goal. I am one of those that after reviewing the options, find no value in acting grown up. The above picture will prove that point. I'm not sure if I was doing an off Broadway rendition of La Cucuracha, or what, but I had a good time. But I still wonder about a culture that worships cockroaches.

The Goat Trail

U.S. Highway 95 starts in the south at I-8 just east of Yuma, Arizona. It meanders roughly north with some notable zigs and zags to finally conclude at the Canadian border. I drove that highway for most of it's length during my recent road trip.

This time around I took U.S. 93 south from Twin Falls, Idaho into Nevada and south through Ely to Las Vegas, thence joining up with Hwy 95 again into Yuma. For the most part, the goat trail is a well kept up highway that is a favorite of truckers and those that enjoy great scenery. That applies to Nevada and Arizona, not Idaho.

My destination was Wellton, just 30 miles east of Yuma, Arizona where I spent five nights with the Campbells, late of Bayview, and visited with several other snowbirds from here as well. When I left Wellton it was to detour west to Manteca, California where two of my children and a horde of grandchildren reside. Oh, and I have been informed that my great-grandchild count is passing 7 to soon be 9, as two of my grand-daughters are expecting.

When I left Manteca I drove north on I-5 to Sacramento and up over Donner pass, elevation 7227 feet. Starting in Sacramento which is about 200 feet above sea level, that is quite a climb. I was on I-80 which starts in San Francisco and goes to Salt Lake city and beyond, clear to New York City. I got off at Winnemucca, Nevada and headed north on ... you guessed it, "The Goat Trail."

On the map, it appears that 95 intersects I-84 flawlessly. No way. This is where the goat trail starts to live up to it's name. Actually that started back when for some reason the U.S. Government decided to use part of eastern Oregon called the Jordan Valley between Nevada and Idaho. The road twisted and turned much like up here, except worse when finally you break out of the mountains into the Treasure Valley. Ha, were almost home, right? Huh-uh. The Caldwell, Nampa, Payette corridor sends you through every little burgh that comes along, and they all seem to think it would broaden your experience by touring their downtowns while passing by.

Finally, the last little town in the valley is past and I start up into the hills. Fog. Lots of fog. For those of you that think fog is found only in valleys, wrong. the higher I got the more fog I encountered. Finally, as I started down the long grade that would terminate in Lewiston, the fog disappeared, only to return in it's usual location at Lewiston. Not to worry. Everyone knows that about two-thirds of the way up the Lewiston Grade you leave the fog behind. Not this time. I drove through dense fog all the way back to Bayview, where I am now recovering from dead butt syndrome. There's more. Much more, but I'll leave that for a forthcoming column.

Heading Home

Tonight will be my last night visiting. Tomorrow morning, I head for home. Living in other's households is awkward at best regardless of the degree of hospitality and I look forward to returning to my familiar surroundings. Still, sleeping in one's own bed is always the best.

Judging from the recent news out of Bayview, with the boat fire and ensuing death of an Athol man, and the rare appearance of a mountain goat tangling with it's own image in a sliding glass door up[ on Howard Street, it is obvious that the sleepy late fall/early winter Bayview that I left, woke up with a bang.

It seems like most every year we have deaths by drowning in the lake and this year is no exception. Some of you remember up close and personal, the effects of gas fumes igniting from a foreign source, this time, a propane portable heater. I don't have the information on whether this happened But they probably just gassed up, since that is generally when fuel fires start when blowers aren't used liberally.

The goat was probably an outcast Buck that wandered down from Bernard Peak and saw his reflection as another buck. This being the rutting season, he undoubtedly left the battlefield still horny. (Pun intended)

The hospitality of my hosts, Jim & Jean Campbell, and the visits coordinated with Larry & Liz Justus were great. Also, the folks at the Wellton VFW, which made me welcome on our visits, as well. Others we ran into were Jerry Mutton and his friend A.J. Hare and Dale and Vicki Parowitz, former owners of Gibbs Tavern and subsequent Bayview residents. They purchased a home in the Foothills area near Yuma. I missed several others some by just a few days. Dave and Annie Morrow got there about three days after I left. Dick & Annie Gasper and former Bayview residents Lou & Peggy Wilson also were yet to arrive.

This is undoubtedly influenced by my wish to get back home, so since I'm in Manteca, near Sacramento, I'll take I-80 through Reno to Winnemucca thence straight up 95 to home, weather permitting. If I get up at a decent hour in the morning, I should make Bayview by Monday Night football time. If anyone needs to reach me, I'm on a cell phone 208-623-8589. See you all soon.

Postscript:

I got up Sunday morning too early. I laid back down but sleep wouldn't come. Suddenly, an epiphany occurred. What if I just got up, packed my stuff and lit out?
I did so. Cranking away from the curb at 5:45 am in dense fog, I found my way to California 120, a shortcut to I-5. I buzzed up to Sacramento, where I shwooshed into I-80 headed for Reno, Nevada. I reached Reno at around 9:00 am at which rime I called my son, the host to point out that I had left suddenly. He pointed out to me that he, in fact had noticed, also. I got to the Treasure Valley around dusk, but it was way too early to check into a motel, so I trekked on down the road. I ended up just driving straight on through and arived at 12:30 am, eighteen hours later, Monday am. The new River Journal is out, so I'm headed to Athol for a copy.

Heading north and east, I caught Winnemucca about lunch time. I scarfed down a value meal at KFC and headed north for parts not explored for many years. More of my adventures when I get more sleep.

Interesting Times

I met a real friendly dog in my travels from Wellton, Arizona to Manteca, California. Normally that isn't news, except this dog worked for the government. Shortly after turning north on Highway 95 from I-8, I encountered a customs stop. These stations are placed strategically several miles within our country. Their purpose is to interdict illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

I was duly stopped while a dog handler snooped my car. Suddenly the dog became excited and came up to my window and jumped up. Thinking he was just being friendly, I started visiting with him. At that point the officer directed me to pull over into an inspection place. Just before complying, the dog handler, who appeared to be the senior officer, asked me if I had any prescription drugs on board. I replied that yes, I had several. Asked if I was carrying hydrocodone, I told him I wasn't, but I did have some codeine. He then released me to continue my trip. I believe that if I were a younger person, possibly of Mexican descent, I'd still be there with my car in pieces.

The amazing thing about this dog is that his sense of smell was so keen that he could detect capsules at several feet while still in the bottle. I'd hate to be a smuggler with these folks guarding the portals. They are really good at what they do.

Following this adventure, I spent the next eleven hours travelling to Manteca, California, where my son lives. One problem I noted about the long stretches of I-5 was that four lanes of traffic were insufficient due to a huge volume of truck traffic. I would come up on a convoy of five or so semis, just when the rear trucker would decide to pass the others. Sometimes this happened on an upgrade, causing this action to happen in slow motion while this one truck would overtake the other four or five trucks before moving over. With car traffic averaging 75 to 80 MPH, needless to say this bunched up traffic terribly. This example was repeated every few miles or so. Perhaps these truckers watched too many movies like,"convoy" and were playing games. At any rate, it lengthened the trip considerably.

Well, vacationing is fun, but I'm looking forward to getting home right after thanksgiving. Hopefully, the weather will behave, and I can take I-80 from Sacramento to Reno thence Winnemucka and right up 95 through the Salmon River country. If not, I'll swing west through the Blue Mtns to Tri-cities and up to Ritzville.

Country is Too Dang Big

Well, here I am in beautiful downtown Manteca, California, home of Dave Oliveria of Huckleberries on line fame. After contacting Dave's brother, Edward, I learned of DFO's birthday which is today. I quickly blew the whistle on him in his mega-blog.

I departed Wellton, Arizona, after a whirlwind tour of the area, the VFW, in which it appears there is a different party every night. We went to Lost Cojones, Mexico, er ... Los Algodones, Mexico, which in Spanish is "Cotton." I didn't see much cotton, but jewelry was everywhere, plus Nick-knacks of every kind. I bought a plaster of paris hand painted turtle with baby turtles crawling on it's back for Debra, the wonderful lady that lives next door. Debra is picking up my S/R's in the morning as well as feeding my cat.

Some things you can buy cheaply in Lost Cojones are: Booze. A one liter bottle of Kahlua like coffee liqour is $6 as well as a bottle of one hundred 300 Mil. Amoxicillin for the same price. One can get just about any prescription drug down here without one. A bought a very nice full size sombrero with red velvet and a lot of gold braid for $22. Leather goods are dirt cheap as well as silver jewelry. Those in the know take refrigerator magnets with them so they can tell Steel from the real thing.

Burger night at the VFW, which happens on Mondays, is unreal. Last Monday I attended with Liz & Larry Justus along with Jim & Jean Campbell. Jim can't stay away from a kitchen and yes, you guessed it, it was he that was flipping the burgers. 278 of them. In the depth of Winter, they have served as many as 425 in one night. November is still lightly attended, because many don't migrate south until after the holidays.

I made Manteca in one hop, taking around 12 hours for the trip. I left at 8:30 am Mtn. time and arrived at 7:30 Pacific time in Manteca. I'll be here through Thanksgiving, then back north where I will spend the rest of the winter contemplating those expats sipping a cool one on the patio in 85% weather, which it was while I was there.

I filed a story that should have published in the S/R Thursday, (today) from Wellton and my other story in the River Journal that will come out 12/1 before I left. See you all around the first give or take a day.

I'm Tired!

Since visiting with you last,I hit the road. My last road trip was prior to my establishing a blog, back some four years ago. Since then I have posted on this blog 537 times. During my original coast to coast road trip, I e-mailed DFO at Huckleberries on line, the spokesman-Review, who then published my adventures on what then was, I believe, Hot Potatoes.

This week I took off for southern Arizona in my car, not the motor home. My destination ... Wellton, Arizona, winter home to many Bayview area snowbirds including Jim & Jean Campbell, my hosts,and former owners of the Capain's Wheel in Bayview,and Liz & Larry Justus of the Lakeland RV Park.1512 miles and a sore butt later, I arrived in Wellton, Arizona, about 30 miles east of Yuma.

Today, we visited Lost Cojones, Mexico, where I spent money I couldn't afford on many items I didn't need. I have just been informed that the correct spelling of the town in Mexico is Los Algodones. During the visit in this colorful place, we found many advisors that were aparently placed strategically, so that we could be guided to the can't miss sales of almost everything. These wonderful people were very effective at their jobs and I left empty pocketed.

Driving back from the California side toward Yuma, we spotted a Wal-Mart which of course we stopped at. As we exited the store, waiting for the rest of our party, lo and behold, Dale and Vickie Parowitz, former owners of the Gibbs Tavern on Northwest Blvd in Coeur d'alene appeared. Then Jerry Mutton and A.J. Hare, all either residing in Bayview or recently departed. All totalled, nine meeting in southern Arizona at the same time and the same place. It is indeed a small world.

I'll be heading out to Central California, where I will meet up with most of my children and some of my grandchildren. What I really need to do is go home where I can rest up. More later.

Whether to, Or not?

I haven't ever written about my personal life. One, I consider that rather private, and two, almost always when you attain my age, you tend to drag emotional baggage with you. Today, I'm going to do just that. I am, other than when I attend the local watering hole, or visit other establishments, a Hermit. I am capable of holing up at home and speeding through several novels. Reading has always been my escape/entertainment.

Niggling at the edges of what passes for my mind though, is the realization that I am missing a part of life that is shared by the vast majority of my peers. That would be companionship by a member of the opposite sex. I haven't even dated for the last ten or so years, choosing the coward's way out, that of evasion and non-involvement. After a few years, I became comfortable in that role.

Still, when I get ready to go on a trip as I am going to do in the morning, I wonder what it would be like to share it with another person, sleep with another person and share the discoveries that occur on such trips. Catching a big fish is great, but it's even better when a significant other oohs and awes over the great feat just experienced.

On the down side, and there is a huge down side, most of the good ones at my age are happily married, leaving me to pick through the rejects, bitter divorcees and other malcontents with the accompanying emotional baggage. So, the question begs. Do I step up to the plate, take a few swings, or creep back into my comfortable womb of solitude. As I get older, the realization that it's almost over and a little late prompts me to ask myself these questions. The fact that Bayview is a graveyard for single guys is another factor.

I will head out tomorrow, headed for Arizona, thence to central California to visit my grown children and their children and in a couple of cases, their children.Still, I wonder what it would be like to share all of these things. ...

Time Out

It's about this time of year that we look around and realize that many of our friends aren't around any more. These people disappear in the fall and miraculously reappear in the late spring. They come back with tans and an attitude. I decided since I haven't taken a vacation in four years and some of my grandchildren that were in elementary school are now in High School and soon will be out on their own, that it was time to visit both.

I will depart Wednesday for southern Arizona, where I will visit with our expats down there. After a few days, days that I will be spending primarily with Jim & Jean Campbell, former owners of the Captain's Wheel in Bayview, I'll trek on to Central California, where I will stay in Manteca, through Thanksgiving.

During my trip, I will attempt to borrow a computer from time to time and will pass on any interesting experiences. I will also attempt to write my twice-monthly column in the spokesman-Review from there. Hopefully, Management will have got their act together and we will know whether neighborhood news is still going to be part of the mix. If not, well, there are other venues and I will seek out some of them. Although I've got a late start, becoming a part-time journalist at age 69, I am enjoying the experience not to mention the extra retirement income that it produces.

I should be back by December 1st. I hope you all enjoy your thanksgiving dinners.

An Historic Moment

There are certainly many emotions out there about tonite's election results.Some think this is the coming of the new order, and others sink down in gloom & doom. Actually, neither side should be complacent, for even though change is in the works, nobody really knows where it will go. Many of us saw devastation in the results of the presidential election. Others saw glory.

I looked upon the face of what appeared to be a young black girl during the victory celebration in Chicago. Her countenance was of sheer wonder. As her eyes glistened, I saw something I had never seen before. It was a look of hope, a look of absolute confidence. Until that moment in time, I never realized that it may be that a black person has never in our history had the opportunity to have that look.

I an proud to live in a country that can overturn a government peacefully, as we are about to do.Regardless of what others around the globe think of us, we represent hope. The hope that no matter how bad things are, they can get better if we get involved. In Equitorial Africa, people don't get involved, they simply follow their leaders. For that matter, so do those that live in the north of the African continent.

The future of this country, and for that matter, the world, rests in the next few years. Energy, food production, heavy industry, and many other areas of production will probably haunt us for many years. If we escape the deceleration of our economy and avoid a depression, it will still take many years for this country to recover from our foolish mistakes. Having been in the lending business, I can attest to the fact that only government interference caused the reckless lending practices in real estate. We now have to pick up the pieces. Whether we can will rely on the new president, Barack Obama. If he fails, this country is in for horrendous times. If he succeeds, he will be a hero.

Finally!

Two or more years is just too much to put the American Public through. I am so sick of the campaign I could puke. Friends don't speak to each other, those with differing views aren't even cordial any more and many avoid contact with anyone that is the slightest, politically inclined. Name calling is even with adults at an all time high, which is generally when frustration overcomes intellect. Added to that is the tendency of both left and right to move even further, if one thinks that's possible, to their respective left/right positions.

Today it will be over. When the dust settles we will have a new president, a new Senator and possibly other new faces as well. Some are so disgusted with the present government, that instead of voting straight ticket, they are just voting for whomever is in opposition to the incumbent. Perhaps, after the crowing slows down, things will calm down.

One thing is for sure. Who ever loses the presidential election may, after all, be the winner. When one looks at all of the problems we are entangled with around the world, and domestically, it is scary. Economically, we are treading where we have never gone before in an attempt to stave off severe deflation. The new president, as well as the congress is going to have to stop pontificating and do something even if it requires them to cooperate with each other. One serious misstep and we my start having bread lines again after all these years of prosperity. I have in past posts gone into what I think brought us here, and they don't need to be repeated again ... at least yet.

Get out there and vote, even if your choice is the lesser evil, it's better than dropping out. If you don't vote, you have no moral right to bitch about the outcome. Well, I'm out of here to do just that.

Change (Real Change)

We have had several very progressive events happen under our last two Democrat presidents. First Carter, who gave away the Panama Canal to Panama, then allowed a bunch of outlaw Shiites capture our diplomats and incarcerate them right up to the inauguration of President Reagan, whom they knew had the balls to take them out if they didn't release our people.

Shifting to President Clinton, most remember him for the affairs he had. What was much worse, were the bribes writ large that he took from the Chinese which resulted in two major events. One, was when he closed down the Long Beach Naval Station and leased it to a Chinese corporation that was solely owned by the Chinese Army/Navy. The second was when he stood still and allowed Panama to sub-lease the operation of the Panama Canal to yet another corporation owned by the Chinese Army/Navy. For those of you that are going to the knee jerk and say, "but it's their country," go back to your history books. We created Panama out of a part of what was Columbia. We built the canal and operated it for the benefit of all nations, at tremendous expense in both money and lives.

One can only wonder what damage another Democrat will do to our country, if elected. The electorate itself, you and I are to blame really, by not paying attention to the important issues. That Clinton was impeached for lying under oath was peanuts compared to the campaign contributions that poured into his coffers with a quid pro quo being control of the canal and a base on our own soil.Selling out our country is commonly called Treason.

As far as local political office is concerned, we do need balance between the two parties,a balance that we do not presently enjoy. When I lived over on the coast, in Washington State, I witnessed a solidly Democrat county government in both Pierce and King Counties. That corruption occurred is of record. The same happens anywhere that one party, whether the Democrats or Republicans hold absolute power, or as Lord Acton, echoed by Ronald Reagan said, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Such would be the case with an extreme liberal in the White House and control of both houses of congress. Turning a 180 degree course the other way is no way to run our country. If anyone is curious as to some of my votes this time around, here are the following:

President, McCain
Senator, Risch
Congress, Minnick
Kootenai Cty Commissioners, Curry and Tondee
Timberlake Fire District, Debbie Schissler

Time Flies

Anyone who has lived for 70 or more years can remember much that the current crop takes for granted. When I was born in 1938, we were still flying bi-planes, Ford Tri-motors and the like. At ten years old, I was experiencing "Give 'en hell, Harry Truman." Harry was a guy I really admired, mostly for his forthrightness. He had a temper too, as has been described of John McCain.Sometimes getting "mad as hell," isn't a bad thing, as long as in the process you don't lose control.

Since I started flying in 1959, most planes haven't any propellers anymore and jets are being replaced with rockets. My first several aircraft were tail draggers.The cell phones most people have nowadays were a Buck Rogers thing. Sci-fi. When growing up, we didn't sit in front of the black and white TV except for special programs. We never missed the Milton Beryl hour. There were no electronic toys, new math, wi-fi. We entertained our selves outside for the most part, or at card games, such as pinochle. Unlike the current crop of people, I read books as my principle entertainment. I have so many books in my house that I don't remember how most of them came out, and as a result can enjoy re-reading many of them.

I thought I'd seen everything there was to see, until Barack Obama. Now without playing the race card, and isn't it disappointing to have to disclaim so that you can even discuss race? I never thought I'd ever see a black man run for president, especially with a Muslim name. Times have indeed changed, and in a hurry. More young people that haven't the anchor of maturity are flocking to this man's banner, as if he were the new messiah. The most severe change in politics happened with the advent of television. Now suddenly, instead of following voting records, or staring the candidate in the face, like news programing, politics has become a form of show business.Here we have a charismatic young man in his first term as a senator. An empty vessel with nothing but platitudes and generalities to offer. Whether he would make a good president is like throwing dice.

In this world we find our selves in, we have perhaps more challenges than even the forties with WW11 in progress. Back then, heavy industry bailed us out of the depression as well as World War 11. We no longer have heavy industry. Our economy in in the tank and for many reasons. Free trade that isn't free, and isn't trade, unless countries like China also buy in large quantity from us. We have one war and another occupation that we are fighting, with uneasy situations in many parts of the globe. We may have been safer when our only enemy was the Soviet Union.

While I won't vote straight ticket, I can't see Obama as president. Not because he's black or young or even because he has a Muslim name. No, I will not vote for him because notwithstanding the fact that McCain isn't charismatic and isn't a great speaker, he has dedicated his life to this country from birth. First in the Navy, then after reaching the grade of Captain, retiring and entering politics. He doesn't bow down to the Bush doctrine, whatever that is, nor does he fight with the left just because he is a Republican. He is a unifier and a man that can stand with members of both parties to find common ground solutions to horribly complex problems. He has the benefit of living a long life, gathering experience and knowledge from many places and people. We KNOW who John McCain is. I can't say the same about Obama. He is an unknown with questionable friends and from the Daley controlled Chicago area, where politicians are taught to campaign in graveyards. Hiring Kids to run the country should only be in a classroom mock election, not the real thing.

I recently posted a picture of a cat perched on top of a fish tank there not for the fish, but simply for a drink. Some of the other animals on the place were also interesting, as well as the story that will go with them in the December issue of the River Journal.

Pictured above are Maggie Mae, the Zebra and Bear,the Pomeranian,sharing a meal.

Other interesting animals in the area are three camels a couple of miles away, some Yaks, dwarf goats and some Llamas. Oh, and the occasional horse as well.