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...