Love Abounds, This Valentine's Season

I put out the call for love stories that are printable in my last post. I have received some dandies. One or two of them will find themselves as feature stories. All are appreciated. We will print many, if not all of them, space being a problem, always. Those that don't make the paper will appear in this blog, after Valentine's Day.

I want to thank those that have responded. Many, if not most, opened up their hearts and told some real good stories. We'll most likely print the first next Thursday and the rest February 12.

Bayview was pretty much shut down today with dense fog. That has cleared away, and we're supposed to get a little snow. Personally, I'd rather see a few inches of snow, (notice I said a FEW)than freezing fog and icy roads.

My brother, Stan and his wife, Marilyn are sitting in Tampa Bay, Florida, with strawberry juice dripping off their chins, somewhat embarrassed to not be sharing what we have to offer, weather wise. That probably applies to our friends in the Yuma area, who are professional loafers. (Mondays excepted, Jim)For the rest of you, Jim Campbell, former owner of the Captain's Wheel Restaurant here in Bayview, couldn't stay out of the kitchen.

He's flipping anywhere from 300 to 450 burgers during Monday burger night which draws retirees from far and wide to the VFW in Wellton, Arizona. Right down the road are Liz & Larry Justus, owners of Lakeland RV Park in Bayview. Others within shouting distance are: Dick & Annie Gaspar, and a bunch of others, like Dave & Annie Morrow, who split there time between Mexico and Yuma. You folks be careful traveling north this spring. Many disgruntled northern residents may be out throwing rocks at northbound vehicles.

Watch the Spokesman-Review Prairie voice for your love story, coming soon.

Lovers? Are there any Lovers Left?

I have received the grand total of one love story for my Spokesman-Review Valentines column. This is the one chance this year to score points with your special person. I cannot believe that out of all of my readers. there are no romanticists left. I'm appalled. It appears that I feel more romance for my ex-wives, than you married couples that don't.

With all that is happening in the economy, world affairs, and such, why wouldn't affairs closer to home be more important. A few short words, telling our readers why your relationship is superior to those other, just get by folks, will hopefully inspire those less fortunate's to try harder. I know, because I have read constantly, the words of happily married couples here on line and through Huckleberrries.

Here's the deal. My column in the Spokesman-Review that will publish sometime before my death, but hopefully before February 14, will through you, show that romance is not dead and that male/female relationships are still successful. without your stories, most failures will assume that everyone else screwed up too. Let's help these wounded relationships by showing them the true path to happiness.

Leave a 100 to 200 word essay on this blog, or e-mail it to me direct at Bayviewherb@gmail.com. If your story is chosen, you will win ... nothing, except the knowledge that your true love knows that you love him/her as well. All totaled, that ain't bad.

I Want Love Stories

We are approaching that time of year where Valentines Day is near. Many times, all that means is, ohmygod, don't forget the candy. For the more advanced male, it's flowers. Aside from that, it seems that most of what we hear about couples, married or not, is gloom, doom and how the hell do we survive this Guy/Gal.I'm not quite modernized yet for me to think same sex, but why not, Lets hear from those couples too.

What we don't hear is from those people that are so comfortable in their relationships it doesn't occur to them that they are unusual, and maybe they aren't. As we fight to get out of the gloom and doom of winter, and approach spring, I want to hear stories from people that are still in love, lo those many years. Or even from those that haven't been together that long.

I want to publish in the Spokesman-Review, stories about yourselves and the love that still endures, and why it does. I want a road map to successful relationships that I can publish in the good paper. This is an attempt to bypass all of the b/s at greeting card stores and get down to the nitty gritty. Just remember that the terminology must fit a family newspaper. My editors are innocents and we can't risk shocking them.

Please click on the comments, leave your name by selecting that option and we'll show those non-believers that love is still the way to go. You may also send me your comments at: bayviewherb@gmail.com. If you insist on staying private, I will respect that too. I especially want to encourage those that are area bloggers, as I have become familiar with them and their attitudes. Dave Oliveria,or for that matter, Mrs. O, Jen, Family Phil, Pecky, Brand X, Mari, Cis, Inland Empire girl, MamaJD, Marmite (sometimes toasty), Katrina, (my favorite hugger)Trish, Sam, Truly, Marianne, sparky, Jbelle, and yes, even the Bard.

There are so many more of you out there that should share your romantic success with us that I don't know of, but please feel free to express yourselves also. Oh, and this column cannot be complete without input from Cindy Hval, the woman every man loves.

Lot's Happnin' In The Bay

Topping the news in Bayview today, is the ruling from Idaho Department of Lands, denying the privatization of Boileau's Marina. The ruling itself is long and complicated, but as I understand it, most of the problems stem from the Littoral rights being transferred to another corporation, lack of parking for the announced number of customers, and the inconsistency of information found in the various documents submitted by Waterford Park, LLC. There also seems to be a cross pollination of Boileau's and Harborview. With Boileau's appearing to be sold piecemeal, The association with Harborview is somewhat clouded. Any corrections as to the accuracy of my conclusions are welcome in the comments section.

In other news, it appears that the sewer project in Farragut State Park is going on hold due to budget cutbacks across the board by the state. Not all of the project, however is affected. much of the system is already on the ground, as phase one as will be completed as scheduled. Phase one includes the Sewer lagoon itself, the new dump station adjacent to Gilmore campground, Gilmore campground, Waldron campground, The brig and Beaver Bay. All of these projects are under way and will be completed as scheduled.

Phase two would include the East Dump Station and Boat Launch area.
The brief announcement in this morning's paper was a little misleading.

Are We A Little Shy?

A recent comment which probably was deliberately obtuse, suggested that while he/she gloried in attacking me in the comments section, (not published) it wasn't his/her fault, since her/his system wouldn't let them publish their names.

Again, I salute the new board, which has come on board with a mission to united the community. If anyone wishes to consider this as a criticism, go for it.

So that everyone understands, there are three ways one can comment. By open, (name to be inserted)by url, those with blogs and anonymous, as shown below:
A recent comment which probably was deliberately obtuse, suggested that while he/she gloried in attacking me in the comments section, (not published) it wasn't his/her fault, since her/his system wouldn't let them publish their names.

This person was taking exception to my remarks in "New broom Sweeps clean." In that post, I railed against those that hate their neighbor, or acts churlish about marina owners that contribute to the community then are not even thanked. I was raised in a way and in an era, that even if you don't agree with someone, you still recognize a friendly gesture. Somehow, this was translated into "everything was the outgoing Chamber board's fault. I did not say those things. These were jumps that probably revealed guilty feelings. The noise that resonates throughout this community has wider ownership than that. I have exposed some horrible mistakes made by some, but only after they refused to remedy the problems themselves. No, last year's board had it's problems, especially with getting along with people. Still, they did some good as well.

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It must be pointed out that this person's excuse for not identifying themselves was due to the inability of his company computer to do so is trash and doesn't deserve any more than trashy response. Once into the comment section of a blog, only the blog's rules apply. No operating system can interfere with this once in.

This was of course a knuckle dragging excuse not to reveal themselves. I have said this before, and I will repeat it once more. This is my forum.

Since it is mine, I get to make the rules. First and foremost, is the no attack rule. You do not use my blog to flog me. You want to do that? start your own.

I do, however, allow people to disagree with me. To do so, however, you must sign your own name to the comment, just as I do when I write the blog. I have never hid any opinion behind an anonymous name, and never will. If you hate enough to chastise me and my principles, please have the basic courage to name yourself. Most cowards cannot force themselves to this point, but I thought it bore mentioning.

In the old code of the west, at least until the internet was born, it was customary for people wish serious disagreements to step out into the street, sometimes with fatal results. Well, times have changed, and much for the better, still, to hide behind a fake name, or none at all is blatant cowardice of a moral kind.

Weather Guessers

I guess I just picked a weatherman without a sense of humor. Recently, I e-mailed a local weather guesser about a pet peeve of mine, and I'm reasonably sure of many others of you. My problem was the code words that are used to forecast nasty weather such as snow and other forms of pestilence.

Here's the deal. Accu-weather (this is not limited to them, I only used them as an example) posted the following snow forecasts for the coming two weeks or so.

January 23&29th, occasional snow. 1/27, snow of varying rates: (I ain't lyin') January 26th and 28th? periods of snow. January 27, 30th & 31st snow and for the grand prize,"snow much of the time (2/1)

Now I, much like other reasonable people, do understand that weather forecasting is not an exact science. ... Still, I would like to have answers to the burning (perhaps not the right word) question, which is: Am I to worry when snow is predicted? periods of snow? occasional snow, snow much of the time, or snow of varying rates. Please, can someone with foreign language skills help me out here?

I'm pretty much at home with snow flurries, that being light snow not amounting to much, or snow showers, that like rain showers, are intermittent, But HEY! Whats up with the gobbledygook? Can't they at least list in what order snow of varying rates ranks with occasional snow? Or for that matter, none of the above give us the slightest inkling, other than perhaps journalistic regard to repetition, to what order of importance, or order of seriousness they are. A few years ago, the forecast of: Occasional snow meant it was going to snow all day and it was serious. Now, due to the new code words, nobody has a clue. Why have weather forecasts if nobody understands what you are forecasting?

At this point, some of you are saying, "there goes Herb, in the juice again," but these terms are real. Unless they have changed since this morning, go to: www.accuweather.com and see for yourself. An English translation should be the minimum requirement.

A New World, Jumping Through The Looking Glass

Tuesday will usher in a new era. New in many ways. Like the proverbial 800 pound Gorilla in the room, certainly race is an issue. But it isn't, except for historical purposes, the key issue. Our world is Topsy-turvy right now. We teeter on the edge of a second Great Depression. One which if it happens will cause our country more trouble than ever happened in the early 30's.

In today's European press, there is a sudden silence, after punishing Bush with every emotion they have. It has suddenly occurred to them that when Obama ascends to the presidency, he will be faced with problems that they do not have answers to either.

The expectations that we have put on this man, a politician that for the most part hasn't been tested, nor does he even have a background that would have tutored him in international relations, are huge. This isn't about criticizing Barack Obama. We elected him, we have him, now we need to support him.

Now we have handed him a recession bordering on depression. Let me just review a view of the problems he and the new congress faces:

First, the economic collapse. The scary thing about this is that no one single cause provoked it. Certainly, high oil prices for two years started it. I said back then that with the world economy counting in dollars, the oil barons were shooting themselves in the foot. I spent 20 years in the mortgage business ending in the mid- nineties. Never would I have guessed at the hallucinating marketplace would self destruct. Sure there were well meaning congressmen that wanted everyone to own their own home. Unfortunately, these head in the clouds people should be put out to pasture. The conservative lending practices that I lived by were totally abandoned and the people that created them should be sent to prison.

First and obvious in foreign affairs is Iraq and Afghanistan. If we can stabilize Iraq just a little more, then the problem shifts to Afghanistan. But Afghanistan isn't the only problem. Just across a mountain range, is Pakistan, which with the border tribes allied with terrorists, is a throwback to Cambodia during the Vietnam dust-up. A sacred hideout that the outlaws of Afghanistan can retreat toward. Obviously, a lesson we didn't learn very well in Nam.

Israel/West Bank/Gaza is probably a problem without a solution. West bank separated by Israel then again in Gaza, without common borders is a dream without a wake up call. There is no way that a country can exist with split borders. Unless Jerusalem is internationalized, no peace will ever happen there. The key word in all of this is "tribe."Most of these areas have been controlled by tribes, both in the Middle east and in Africa. They don't know how, nor do they have the education or desire to change. People like that can't govern Countries. They for the most part are still living in the stone age.

But wait, there is more! North Korea just announced the possession of several nuclear weapons and is waving swords at south Korea. Perhaps they have glad eyes for Hyundai.

Religious warfare has been fought for centuries with no winners and all losers. Even today we haven't learned. It would appear that a world wide Jihad called by radical Muslims is going to play out, not withstanding the situation in Israel.

These and more situations face Obama as he reaches the goal he sought. One wonders why he even wanted to. At this point it is important for me to say where I'm coming from. I am a conservative, albeit not severely right wing. As a matter of fact, I detest extremism from either side. Me? I'm going to support the President of the United States while I can. If he screws up, I'll comment on it. Having said that, I probably couldn't do better, and I won't second guess him as he travels this mine field. We need to lose the cheap shots, such as that aimed at George Bush. All that does is point out the pointy heads of those that sink into that sort of thing. Get back to debating issues, rather than below the belt shots.

God Bless You, Obama and I hope you know what the hell you're doing!

New Broom Sweeps Clean

L-R Donald "Bear" Rose, Cindy Post-Grandy, Bob Prince, Linda Williams, Jeanne Bjergo

A mulligan in golf is a do-over, for those of you that think smacking a helpless small round ball around a cow pasture is recreation. After a two month delay, a brand new slate of officers and board members have been elected to the Bayview chamber of Commerce.Tuesday night was the first meeting chaired by the new slate of officers. President is the long time Mayor and Council member from Hayden Lake, Bob Prince. Prince moved to Bayview a couple of years ago and has been a calming influence between those that like controversy and turmoil. For the last two years, Bayview has been split into several special interest groups that have collectively torn apart the former cooperative fabric that used to be Bayview.

Prince, not tarred with the identity that each of these groups represented, became an almost required choice for president. Asked, earlier about his vision for the community, he replied, "I want to work toward unifying the various factions. It's time to work for the betterment of the village we live in, not personal squabbles."

Others that have been chosen to lead this year, are: Cindy Post Grandy, Vice-President. Cindy has worked tirelessly in and for the community for several years, constantly volunteering for what ever is needed.

Secretary was also a slam dunk. Linda Williams who has toiled as administrator for several years at the Bayview Water & Sewer Department, will enlarge her duties to include the business of the chamber.

Jeanne Bjergo, co-owner with her husband Scott, of the Bayview Mercantile, since the Spring of 2007, was selected to be treasurer. Her qualifications as a lottery winner made her a shoo-in as well.

Board member at large, Donald "Bear" Rose, was the obvious choice for member-at-large, since he is probably the largest member of the chamber. Rose, until they sold the resort, was co-owner with his wife Sandy, of Boileau's Resort and the Buttonhook Restaurant. Now retired, also from survey engineering from Meckel Engineering, lives with his wife in a new home overlooking Scenic Bay, with a God's eye view of the lake.

Skip Wilcox stepped up as the chairman of the nominating committee that chose these fine people to run. The membership wholeheartedly agreed with him. He deserves recognition as the person that may have changed the course of this community.

With this new group, all dedicated toward Bayview, rather than limited interests, it should be a fine crew. We offer our congratulations and hopes for the future. It should be noted, that not all of these people chosen for the above responsibilities have lived here for 20 years, nor are any of them progeny of pioneer families. The old way of greeting newcomers to Bayview, was,"How long have you lived here," the implication being, the longer one had lived here, the more important or valuable or something, those that thought that way, were.

In the last few years, many that formerly recreated here from Spokane and other areas near by, moved to Bayview permanently. Others, lured by friends or relatives,or managed to find us on their own. Gradually, the old "how long have you lived here," has been replaced by individual evaluations as who and what the newcomers are. Some come here with delusions that they will change this backwoods place populated by characters from deliverance, to one of class and importance, not realizing that which they left behind should have stayed there. Those folks usually get spit out like a used up wad of chew.

One last thought. Business in Bayview have come to a screeching halt. While the Mercantile struggles on, helped by the price of going to town for everything, places like the Captain's Wheel, Terry's Cafe and Ralph's Internet Cafe are in trouble. Customer patronage has fallen way off. Partly, this is due to more of our seniors going south for the winter. Partly it is from many that have lost their construction jobs and aren't working. I urge each of you, if you are still in this area, to make a point of patronizing these local businesses, so that when spring comes and the tourists arrive, these places won't sit boarded up. Go out to dinner once a week if you can afford to. Stop by JD's or the Wheel for a toddy when the mood strikes you. Stop by Ralph's for breakfast or those great tacos he makes. Check out the lunches and breakfasts that Terry's has, and don't forget, Terry has just opened up a second terry's on Main Street in Spirit Lake. Get out and support your local businesses. They really need you.

Cranes, Cranes, Cranes, Everywhere

There are many varieties of cranes in this part of the country. We have Sandhill cranes, Whooping Cranes, Blue and Siberian cranes. Recently a new one has been discovered, called the Kramer crane. While the typical long legged crane hangs out near shallow water, using their long legs to get around, the Kramer crane dives hundreds of feet in search of whatever it is hunting.

The Kramer crane started of by being mounted on tracks so that it can climb onto or off of land or barges. Recently, one such bird was perched, actually I guess you could say it was roosting, on a barge hooked to a tugboat. Moored out on Cape Horn, near Bayview, the wind came up and set the whole rig adrift. The crew, showing up first thing in the morning for work, noticed the crane was no longer where they had left it.

Finally, it was spotted onshore at Lakeview, some five miles across Lake Pend Oreille. Nestled nearby was the tug that had become unattached during the stormy crossing. Still something just didn't seem right. Looking up, one crewman was heard to ask, *"Alright, whut did you do with the machine thingee." Denying culpability, they all shook their heads. It seems that during the wild ride across the storm tossed waves, the crane, like all others decided it was hungry and dove off.

Somewhere out there, is a tracked crane rated at forty tons, waving it's one arm to and fro hoping to snag something to eat. Perhaps a navy sonar towed array, maybe your fishing line with, or course your favorite can't miss lure attached. Such is the fate of an over ambitious bird. Another possibility is that overcome with grief after unintentionally being involved with injuring it's friends in the fish world, it committed suicide in remorse.

* (Quotes were made up by me. Sort of filling in the blanks, you see.)

Many Are Wondering ...

Since the Spokesman-Review made the severe cutbacks a while back, those of you that are used to seeing a column about Bayview or Athol or both, every week, are not. This doesn't mean I was replaced by another writer, but that in some cases to stay under budget, they are reprinting those articles from Spokane or other areas adjacent to Idaho. By reprinting them, they only have to buy the story once. I have been approached by numerous people asking why.

Editors are like anyone else, except for one thing. They choose what news to disseminate, but don't get much feedback, if any. I am not soliciting cheerleaders for my column. that would be unprofessional. There is, however,a list of editors and writers in every issue of the Prairie voice, along with ways to contact all of them by either E-Mail or phone. They do respond to reader input, but seldom get any. Usually, the only time they get a call is when someone doesn't like the story they just read.

So then, the bottom line is it is useless for you to approach me with things like,"I wish your column was still published all the time." If you feel strongly about it, call or write an e-mail expressing yourself to the editors. They are the ones that make these decisions.

Many of my friends that were staff reporters are now out of work. It isn't a pretty picture, and with advertising revenues certain to go down further, the future isn't bright. Whether neighborhood news survives depends on whether readers support the effort. If they don't, it's gone.

The Last Straw

Many tragic things have happened in the last month. Boats have sank, deaths have occurred, buildings have collapsed and I spent most of the last three weeks confined to my home. No, I wasn't under house arrest, but I might as well have been. either the road wasn't plowed, or when it was, the berm blew up the possibility of crossing it, then the marina plowed and the way was free. Except that when my car was in it's customary spot, the marina plow buried it.

I finally figured out how to beat the system. Hans Neubauer, Manager of Scenic Bay Marina would take pity on me when I removed my car, and re plow to allow my parallel spot to stay open.That was way appreciated, and a hearty thank you, Hans. The only problem with this whole thing, is that like the stars aligning, everything had to happen in sequence.

It doesn't do any good to have a parking place plowed out if the highway department comes after Hans does. My little Japanese excuse for a car doesn't jump two foot packed berms. ergo, stay at home. For the most part, I enjoyed the undemanding chore of looking out to see whether I could reach the paper box or not, because that was the only real important job I had. Feed the cat (cats) my neighbor has about six cats that are not apparently well fed and they camp out on or under my deck waiting for me to feed my one cat. On my way out for the feeding ritual, go get the paper. (spokesman-Review, of course) One day I pushed snow almost up to my waist. That was the day, the only day, that I wondered whether reading the paper from cover to cover was worth the effort. But hey, I went anyway. Having been the owner of "Herb's Paperback exchange in Dalton Gardens for a couple of years, I have lots of reading material.

But I digress. Of all the catastrophes that descended upon us this winter, none was worse than the one that transpired last night. To catch you up, my sister-in-law, Marilyn Huseland, sends me cookies at Christmas time every year. Chocolate chips, Peanut butter and the cream de la cream, date-nut cookies. The peanut butter cookies arrive at about half strength, being brittle, about half of them turn into powder. Still they are enormously tasty. The best? Date nut cookies. Alas, though, I finished the last of them yesterday. I languish in despair. Fortunately, when I get real frustrated, I make my own, since Marilyn coughed up the recipes for me. Still, it isn't the same. somehow going to the post office, carrying out a huge box of goodies is way better than doing it myself. Somehow, I'll survive.

It's Over (For Now)

Gone are the gigantic heaps of snow, the roofs moaning under stress. Gone is the snow piled higher that the tops of my sorrels.Tree limbs have regained their former appearance, stark and bold without the softening, decorative effect of snow. Much of the snow is gone, replaced by water with no place to go. Snow berms have dammed, and perhaps damned the water from seeking it's normal path, puddling gently between you, and where you are trying to reach.

Appearing again, is junk that didn't make it to the dump, vacant boat slips with just the fly bridge showing, as some boats, overloaded with snow and ice, tried their best to imitate the Titanic. Now instead of ice with packed snow covering our streets, we have ice with water covering them. Tree limbs litter the ground, ripped from the parent tree either from the earlier weight of snow, or the violent winds that kicked up when the warm front appeared.

This respite was needed, overdue and critical for us to have the ability to move around, and will last until the week-end, when winter is scheduled to return. Those that have boats stored in covered slips have all been spared, but some, even larger boats weighed down from the snow, siphoned full of water and sank in place. One pontoon boat loaded up with snow, flipped completely over, and is floating upside down.

Appreciation

This is about Bob and Debra Deimler, my back yard neighbors. They moved in here about a year ago and adopted me, as I did them. They live year around in a motor home that looks to be planted firmly in the ground, along with three Dachshunds, all of which also adopted me.Before they arrived, I had been mostly a hermit They wouldn't accept that and still don't. We have dinner together, sometimes at their place, sometimes at mine. We do this at least once a week. This of course, requires me to strive to greater culinary triumphs than when I eat alone. These people are my heroes. Doing things for people just because they want to, not because they think it makes them look good.


I didn’t get you a Christmas card, nor a New Years greeting either. What I did do, was coming home from my road trip, I managed to gripe and grumble about everything you did, even though you overhauled my home while I was gone. That, I guess is why they call us old people Curmudgeons.That you seem to understand that old people don’t like change of any kind, and get frustrated as hell over minor bullshit, you both seem to love me anyhow.

Ever time I turn around, when I am looking for ways out of a problem, you both without hesitation, jump up and solve my problems. Today, I worried about how I was going to dig out to get to my Doctors appointment, twice canceled for weather. Here I am, buried again. Suddenly, comes Bob. Can I do laundry? Absolutely, anytime. Then I mentioned that I was going to have to dig myself out after the coming storm. “Not to worry, Herb, we did it this morning.”

There are so many others that have risen above the required. Hans at Scenic Bay Marina for taking time out from rescuing the Sagging Boat sheds and float homes, to plow us out in our little mobile home court. Phil Stephan, noticing that my car had been parked at the Wheel for days, cranked his Bobcat up and scooped me out. Reid, Mark and so many others, working 12 to 15 hour days to help those that couldn't help themselves.Truly, I love you guys. "When the things get tough, then the tough get going," is an old expression. It couldn't be more appropriate than now.

This old man, has tears in his eyes.

Right vs Left! Where's the humor

For the last two weeks or so, Huckleberries on line has been without it's mentor, Dave Oliveria, while he lounges on vacation. As we approach the last day or so of life without DFO, many opinions have surfaced as to how we, the commentators did. I, too, have some opinions on that. First, most people that comment on line are opinionated. You may not have noticed.

For the most part, nay, always, the discourse has been very courteous. Sure, feathers get a little ruffled, but only a little and things calm right down. While I'm not a liberal, nor am I terribly right wing, I have for a while recognized that sometimes we conservatives lack a well nurtured sense of humor. Without trying to be unctuous, I congratulate all of you for being nice.

For a time, I resided in Orange County California, the heartland of the John Birch Society. I was a Reagan/Goldwater Republican and was many times labeled a "pinko," just because anything not right of Genghis Khan was considered liberal.

Here in north Idaho, I do find the same in some respects. Many republicans here are far to the right of my positions, as most Dems are far to the left, also. The most amusing thing about politics here, is that neither side recognizes where they are at in that equation. It appears that most humor from both sides is about the failings of the other.

Party leaders, which should be sales agents for their positions, are often given the honor, by being the most cranky, fractious of them all. It is no wonder that the various parties struggle for converts. They just don't try to convert anyone. It's all about anger, frustration and the belittling of the opposition. If that is salesmanship then I misspent my entire career.

Self depreciation, the ability to laugh at yourself, is most probably the most valuable principle you can possess. Get over your holier than thou attitude and laugh at your absurdities. It's fun. Let others decide what and who you are, while you bask in the knowledge that you love yourself.

In The Spokesman-Review January 31, 2005

Monday, January 31, 2005
In The Spokesman-Review today
U.S. Fish & Wildlife coordinator, Ed Bangs in an interview. "You can classify Wolves as anything you want but predators"...Duh? How about wildlife disposal units?...

An excited Iraqi after voting yesterday...Hamid Azazi, 57 said, "Even if I was dead, I would still participate!"...Hamid, are you sure you don't live in Seattle?

These were the first posts of my blog in 2005. Since then, I have posted 562 times, not counting today with a visit total so far of 43,414 curious folks.That's a lot of words, but then nobody has ever accused me of being speechless. As I gaze out my window, I am astonished at the beauty of the snowy trees backed by the gray waters of Scenic Bay. I am also damn tired of walking. My one day of freedom was spoiled by the rain turning back to snow. My car is buried again.

Wow! Three years of blogging, blurking and generally making a nuisance out of myself. Out of that, came the opportunity to write for the Spokesman-Review, which has substantially diminished with budget cuts, and the River Journal, out of Clark Fork. I sometimes wonder what is next on this roller coaster ride. speaking of roller coasters, there is a good chance that I will return to Silverwood this spring. When I'd, since employees cannot associate with the press, either have to stop associating with myself, or simply not write about the park at all, which is probably what I'll end up doing.

As far as the weather goes, I think I'll just stay in bed until spring. Well ... I am within walking distance of the Captain's Wheel, so I won't entirely go without sustenance.

PS: Bob & Debra from next door, took pity on me and shoveled out my car. This time I/m leaving it at the wheel until the weather or I, break, which ever happens first.

Reachin' Out

Today is the day. I finally get to use my car, after 10 days or so of being a pedestrian. You see, there are several things that have to come together for my way to be clear. First, The road district has to clear the road. Then the trailer park has to clear the internal road and the berm left by the road district. Then I wait for Phil Stephan with his bobcat. He sees my car, sitting lonely, covered with Idaho sunshine, parked at the 'Wheel.

He comes up and removes the berm left by the trailer park. Now I should be OK to motor on out of here. At least I will if the Road dept. hasn't bermed me in at the Wheel. There are just too many damn things that have to line up when the mother of all winters comes to town. Well, It's time. I'm walking down to the car, confident that I will either move it out, or declare myself sir crazy.

Shazam! I got out of town thanks to the help on several people and even got back OK. I'd hate to be above 300 feet with the wind blowing like it is, though. Got the groceries. spent too much. Business as usual, however there is one difference. I now have a supply of wine that, barring Armageddon, will last me through the next cold spell. New Years Eve. Will I or won't I. Chances are, now that I made it back to the nest, I won't be moving around tonite.

I do wish every one of my friends, both acquainted and through the blog as anonymous followers, the best of New Years. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those folks that don't know me and are still interested in what I have to say about Bayview, the economy and life in general. Comments are appreciated, as long as they are respectful and to the point. We that blog for the public are like newspaper reporters, insofar as we send information out but don't get any back. That is what the comment section is for. You can leave a remark as anonymous, or check the box that allows you to insert your own name or e-name. Anyone, of course, can use the e-mail address in my profile to communicate directly with me. Have a good one, and watch that economy. It's going to bite us in the ass.

When will Recession/Depression End?

Now that the federal government is finally admitting to a recession around one and one-half years after it started, people are asking how long will they have to endure. It's a difficult question to answer because there are so many things that got us here.

Certainly not until 2011 and perhaps even longer. Many things got us here and the Federal Government sending us money will not pull us out. Not until our leaders realize that global free trade isn't free, unless your trading partners are buying from you in equal amounts.

We have been running trade deficits that are abhorrent for many years. We have shipped our heavy industry off shore, so as to not have to face high wages and the Sierra Club. We have even shipped our light industry off shore, all in the name of cheaper prices. Well, it doesn't help much to have cheaper prices, if the purchasing public are home out of work and can't buy anything, cheap or not. We used to get along without Chinese or Japanese cheap stuff just fine. We charged tariffs against the poorly paid labor of third world countries. This is how you level the playing field amongst dissimilar economies. When and if those other economies lift themselves up to our standard of living then and only then would we have reciprocal trade.

We started by giving up the gold standard, then the silver standard, believing that the US dollar was a world standard and didn't need to be backed by anything other than confidence, and that is where it begins and ends. Confidence, is deduced by those that totally believe in a currency. But currencies are backed by productivity. We no longer produce much of anything. The service industry, that of each career field supporting any other, as in a circle jerk is a false sense of security. I don't recommend that we return to the gold standard, or even the silver standard. But we must produce enough gross national product to offset our imports.

I see a possibility of an actual depression coming unless our government starts thinking of us rather than the entire globe. There are areas of this world we live in that have never transcended from tribal life that can't even form a workable government outside their own tribal sphere, let along how to produce farm stuffs food and more importantly, develop a manufacturing economy.

Our schools are taught by either people with an agenda or those without a clue as to how business, industry and labor co-exist and why. Prejudices are fed from one generation to another, reflecting not what is happening now, but the grudges from yesterday.

The United States of America once had an attitude. It was one of we can do anything we think we can do. Somewhere along the line, we have forgotten or don't care about the sacrifices that our parents and grandparents suffered to give us. We are now a nation of spoiled brats that feel the world owes us a living, without the intellect to figure out how we got it to begin with. I am totally disgusted with how this generation is turning out, and the waste of our forefathers and mothers efforts.

I'm An Addict, And My Name Is Herb

I'm an addict. Not to drugs or alcohol, but to writing. Like all addictions, it started innocently. I just started opining on my blog. Soon, I had delusions that I could make a difference. Be a communicator. While I still maintain my blog, I mostly do it because of the cutbacks at the Spokesman-review. Also I do it because so many snow birds tell me it's their link to the community during the winter.

I believe it was the spring of 2007 when I heard the clarion call of "journalism." The first issue of the Prairie Voice had hit the stands with neighborhood news.A bunch of amateurs and a few professionals were putting out a section dealing with everyone. I called the editor in charge, Tad Books. I sez, where is the news of Bayview and of Athol? He sez, I don't think we even circulate this edition to those places. I sez, yes you do, I got one in my paper this morning. Then he sez, we don't have anyone up there to write for us. Hah! fightin' words if I ever heard them.

I politely explained that perhaps I could fill that role. He sez, send me a sample column. Well, I sat there, staring out over Scenic Bay, when my fingers started walking.I told of the green kicker boat waddling across the bay, towing a behemoth behind, as MacDonald's Resort went through the seasonal dance of winterizing/un-winterizing the power boats that line the bay, or at least used to.

Armed with my three years of high school journalism, I boldly struck out to finally, after 48 years write for pay. It has been a blast. More recently though, I've been cut back to two columns per month when in the summer of 2007 I wrote an average of six and sometimes more columns/stories. In all of that time, I never had a story turned away. The more the merrier, Tad Sez.

Tad is gone now ... to where I don't know. I just know that he was a great guy to work with, always criticized with learning as the goal and made me a better writer, as well as a better person. I'm not particularly enthused as I once was, since I can write three stories and maybe, just maybe get one printed, but usually without pictures. You see, pictures they have to pay for as well as the stories themselves. Many stories that now appear in the Voices, are not even of Idaho. It is cheaper to reprint a story from Spokane valley or any other human interest story than to pay me and those like me for original stuff.

My Mom has been gone for many years. She was my inspiration in many ways. She also wrote a neighborhood column for the weekly, Renton News Record. I guess like buggy whip manufacturers, I'll fade back into the woodwork. It was a short, but great run.

I am teetering on the edge of quitting this relationship. I cannot any longer write with the enthusiasm I once did. I suppose that those who are college educated and hold degrees in journalism can do it. I can't. I still have the relationship with the river Journal, but that is just once a month. Who knows, maybe next season you'll see me at Silverwood again.

SNOW! Day 10 and Counting

Will this crap never stop? Ten days straight now with snow. The storm that we are currently in is predicted to last through the rest of today, Saturday and into most of Sunday. More is on the way for New Years Eve and further. We are seeing signs of people being housebound. We are at about three feet of snow with it falling at the rate of an inch per hour.If you know of anyone that can't get in or out of their house or driveway, please call me or e-mail me with the information. I will find someone that will help. 683-9107

Oh, and if I hear Bing Crosby singing, "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas," one more time, they are going to have to lock me up. My car is semi-permanently parked at the Captain's Wheel for the duration of this freakin mess. My house is like the hotel California. I can get in, but I can never leave.

Slippin' & Slidin' into the Christmas Holiday.

The utter stupidity of those big SUV's speeding along the highways at posted speed limits and above,during icy, snowy weather is amazing. It would even be entertaining if it weren't for the fact that in an accident caused by the aforementioned ignorance might cause death or serious injury to others that are behaving.

I would like to see the ISP ticket each and every one of these knuckleheads with reckless driving, not speeding.

Noted are the smug grins of our friends in Arizona.

On a more enjoyable note, people like Mark Streater, Dave Vig, Phil Stephan, Bob Prince and many others I don't know about have spent the majority of their last week rescuing people with snow removal, both driveways and roofs. These are the real community leaders. The ones that lead with action, not words. Three cheers for the good guys. (and gals) Thanks to Phil, I can end my weather imposed 3 day long housebound existence. Well, I could have walked, but (reference the last post regarding laziness)

As I ponder the mysteries of the period, the biting question occurs to me: Just what is a "Sugar Plum fairy?" Also, how much does one have to drink before they dance in your head? Merry Christmas to all!