First? heeheehee

First !

Campfires were themselves a great advance. They beat the heck out of being cold and provided heat to cook whatever the carnivorous male found to eat. Roasted meat is much easier to chew than raw. That it's better is simply incidental.

Funny you should mention fire. Dooce did today, also.

I love the *idea* of camping, but the reality is I'm more comfortable at a nice B&B. Two summers ago I'd made reservations for a tent by the river at border collie camp, sounded so idyllic.

They called the day before my reservation to say that storms had flooded the river, those tents were history, and would I be interested in B&B reservations instead. So the dogz and I went to a newly-opened, lovely, lovely place--which we enjoyed even more when confronted with the stark envy of those whose tents were not flooded.

The owner of the B&B understood that civilization meant dog toys for the woofing guests and endless hot water for the ppls.

Collie Camp!! dbG I think there are some Neanderthals spinning in their graves at the thought. What do the dogs toast at the campfire? so they get in a circle and howl at the moon?

Watching a fire is cool until the smoke blows at you regardless of your position with respect to the fire pit. How would the sports section fire be different than , say the fashion section fire?

Back in the "cream rinse" era, my brothers and I would spend many hours sitting transfixed around the campfire contemplating the intrinsic beauty of the amorphous ever-changing flames. Plus, we played a fun game called "watch stuff burn." (Amazing what you can get away with around a smoky campfire.)

My older brother was a master of this activity, pushing the envelope of combustibility far beyond the traditional foam cups and grease-encrusted paper plates to such avant garde materials as random socks.
My mother always wondered why he never had a matching pair.

SCC: misplace,d, co,mm,a

Campfires are the best thing about camping. Nothing like getting the first sparks going, then slowly adding larger and larger pieces of wood until you've got such a hot fire that pieces the size of telephone poles ignite easily. But that's my technique. Raysdad prefers the "build the whole thing on top of a pile of newspaper, and torch 'er all at once!" method.

I see I need to qualify my first sentence a bit. Make that the *only* good thing about camping. After camping for years, I finally had the epiphany that, if the only way I could sleep comfortably was with a big honkin' air mattress, perhaps I was better off at the Mariott. That, and having a distinct fondness for hot showers.

Make that hot showers whose drains are not clogged with pine needles and sand.

My father used to start campfires with a styrofoam cup full of gasoline. I think he found the resulting fireball cathartic.

Knowing this is incredibly geeky, here it is anyway:
http://www.glenhighlandfarm.com/caninecamp.htm

No pictures of us on the site.

Have to say, it was the *most* relaxing vacation I ever had. The location was gorgeous. We swam at the lake, showed up for the catered meals, made friends with people from all over the US and Canada. The dogz made doggy friends too and you could just see them learning new things and being on vacation too.

Of course, it was probably also relaxing because to get cellphone reception you have to drive 20 miles.

The boodle is one-part campfire, especially the stories part, but also the occasional kumbaya moments that for us seem to be multi-colored and shape-shifing:

recipe-bursts
hobby chat
culture-references
gardening whys and hows
sport moments
blessings and benedictions, apply g*d, however you may be comfortable as needed
quiz o-the day
books to put on the list

etc.

Something tells me JA will take a break from galavanting around the NH countryside gathering up Ron Paul swag (watch for the fruits of his labor on eBay, kids) to watch the TV show "Cavemen."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302459.html

Interestingly, the main Caveman is named "Joel."

A comment related to previous Boodling: surveillance insects are good, but if they developed surveillence dirt, that'd really be something.

The government already has programs to sample waste water from sewers. It seems to me that if you had surveillence dust or dirt that would record information prelocated in areas (such as where organized demonstrations were to take place, or, say, campgrounds), or delivered by any other means (drones/robots, human agents, etc.), then the recording devices could be recovered and analyzed from sewers later as those under surveillence bathed.

Talk about digging up the dirt on someone...

Should make it interesting when those fearing that they are under surveillence stop bathing. It's too bad that Phillip K Dick is dead, I bet he would have tons of fun writing about *that*...

bc

best camp fire ever. Logs that were as thick as telephone poles arranged like a seven foot tall teepee held together with wire and doused with gasoline. A wire from the lashing to a tree thirty feet away. I climb said tree to twenty feet, lit a sparkler and sent it down the wire. FWOOOOSSH. Thing was still burning the next morning. I only remember two things about that party. Lighting the fire and waking up the next morning.

When I was a kid, the local volunteer fire department held a Christmas tree burning right after New Year's. Everyone brought their old dry tree to the big vacant lot behind the firehouse, the firemen piled them all up and lit the whole thing. People stood around watching the bonfire, drinking hot chocolate, and visiting. Firemen were present, hoses in hand, to supervise the blaze. Spectacular fire and good, good times.

During my Wyoming period, when returning from Monday-Thursday range surveys, I'd usually go straight to the supermarket for goodies. It was also socially not a bad thing to be seen dirty, unshaved, etc.

Never bothered with campfires unless we had a group of summer-temp college students. In that case, things could get elaborate.

In summer, it was nice to spend the night at an elevation of seven to ten thousand feet, rather than down in town. Full size pickup seats were vastly preferable to the little Ranger truck, but the Ranger, a four wheel drive, was otherwise a very nice vehicle by the standards of the day and inordinately good at navigating un-maintained roadways.

I had a new four-door Chevy pickup for the weekend recently. What an incredible cabin! Warren Brown would be impressed.

Why, what a coincidence. Just this morning I dropped the Boy off at school for a four-day Outdoor School adventure at a camp in the Arbuckles (very very old mountains). The whole sixth grade goes. They'll stay in cabins and have access to showers, but it is camp. They also take long hikes and learn about geology, meteorology, and lotsa other sciencey-type ologies. I'm going to hang out tomorrow as a Day Parent. They conveniently neglect to tell Day Parents what we'll be doing, no doubt aware that if we knew we'd probably stay at work.

Campfires are actually starting to become somewhat rare. I have never seen an open fire at any of the backcountry (ie not reachable by vehicle) sites I've been at. The recent Waterton trip from which I put up some photos, however, involved a "frontcountry" campsite (ie car camping). I think there might have been a fire ban, but the issue was moot anyway. Showers, breakfast and dinner in the townsite, luuuxury.

With respect to dirt, I confess to be in possession of that predominantly male gene that blocks visual perception of dirt following camping. What? Where? Oh, look at that. Obvious once pointed out, of course. The low budget Where's Waldo -Home Edition.

News Flash -- I'm an auntie again. My Zambian friend became a father this morning -- it's official. Don't know how much the boy weighed (rumored to be a big boy, and a future soccer player according to how much he was kicking inside his mother), because the phone kept going out. I'm ecstatic and will now finish up my "welcome to the world" letter to the tyke and order the appropriate onesies to send over.

As for camping, I did a lot when I was much younger. The last time I wend was in Isle Royale Nat'l Park for maybe 1-2 weeks. It was just beautiful up there, although once I got back to the summer campgrounds I promptly got sick as a dog (sorry, Wilbrodog). But the camping was great.

SCC -- "went"

First, a shout out to Martooni: Hang in there!
.
Second, Joel, you should consider that having a camp fire in your office, while good for morale, may violate the company's no smoking policy.
.
Just a thought.

Yes, martooni, please keep checking in. Also, Cassandra, rest when you can. Keeping your granddaugher is a joy, I know, but I bet it is tiring too.

I like to hike and have campfires and things like that, but afterwards I like to sleep in something resembling a house, on something like a bed, with a hot shower and flush toilet in the same structure.

Ivansmom;

Sometimes I really have to suppress my habit of reading things literally.

*big wide dun-mean-nuthin' grin*

Indeed, Scottynuke. That would be a technological feat, but possibly not one I'd really wish to use.

Just another thought here, but to jack's point, ESPN's 'Sportscenter' is essentially an electric campfire.

bc

Yeah, bc, but a campfire worthy of countless millions of dollars. The ones that I was party to were weekend affairs where you know, by Sunday, what men really smelled like. I returned from the USGP at the Glen and my Dad told me to incinerate my clothers and bathe immediately. I didn't even get to walk to the fridge.

The new Password is...intraspecific competition...*bing*

bc;

I assume you saw footage of that rather nimble kangaroo, yes?

:-)

When boating, campfires are universally frowned upon, for a number of reasons:

A nice, blazing campfire up on the foredeck of one's modern-day cruiser tends to ignite the fiberglass and quickly produces a roaring inferno that leaves said vessel lying on the bottom. And very often there is no room to build a circle of stones to contain said conflagration. I might add that fiberglass is generally made of refined petrochemical resins of an exotic nature. The polyester resin used to make fiberglass boats, when mixed with too much MEK hardner (catalyst), has been known to burst into flame due to the exothermic (this has amused countless young boatbuilders, of which I was one). When sitting in a fiberglass boat, one would do well to consider oneself as sitting inside a giant bowl of solidified napalm. Hence the well-known boating maxims, "Leave your S'More ashore" and "Thank you for not toasting marshmellows in the engineering spaces."

A nice, blazing campfire in the stern cockpit of a modern cruiser tends to be located directly over the engine compartment, and quite often the fuekl tanks as well, so whereas keeping the fire going isn't a problem, surviving the resulting fireball is problematic.

A nice, blazing campfire in the cockpit of a modern sailboat generally sets the sails on fire virtually immediately. This produces a rather short-lived but quite spectacular light display, as a dacron 150-percent genoa has the flame-retardant properties of, say, guncotton. The sound of wind in the rigging becomes something like...WHOOOOSH!

I happen to be a fan of older antique boats made of wood, a material about which some of you have already boodled regarding its wonderful ignition properties. Although old wooden vessels are correctly perceived to be leaky and often wet, this concentration of liquid tends to collect mainly in the bilge, and the phrase, "Burnt to the waterline" is a common nautical expression. Except for rendering whale blubber, sailors do not like fire aboard ship. This accounts for why they never sing "Kumbaya," but rather prefer to croon "The Handsome Young Cabin Boy's Lament" around the capstan (though cabin boys are understandably not too fond of this chantey).

Front page alert

I had to laugh when I read this kit, Mr. Achenbach, and not because I think the Post is a bad newspaper or anything of that nature, but I was thinking a camp fire just might be the ticket at your office, and you certainly may have more takers than you think. When that piece you need to write just won't come through, you can always throw that stuff in the fire, and the fact that it is right there, just makes everything so convenient, don't you think? And pray tell, would it be one massive camp fire?

Martooni, glad to hear from you, but not the news. Hope you can work everything out. Just guessing here, but it sounds like you need to make a choice.

Ivansmom, I am so tired and beat down, I could scream, and my daughter acts like its nothing. I think she thinks I am younger than I really am. This morning, the g-girl and I butted heads with the tooth brushing. She is so slow. And smears toothpaste every where because "I can do it myself". When we finally got outside to wait for the bus, she informs me she doesn't want to go to school. Sorry, but you are definitely going.

It will work itself out, hopefully.

My theory about dirt and camping is this: for the first few days you do indeed get dirtier and dirtier. But at some point you reach an equilibrium with your environment (said environment being constructed chiefly of dirt). After that, various factors interact--you become more tolerant of the filth, and some of it may even rub off. You also find methods of washing. Said methods don't resemble hot showers in any way but can be quite effective nevertheless. So I say, if dirt bothers you on your camping trip, you just didn't stay out there long enough.

Cassandra, remember that to your daughter, you are still the loving, stern, energetic person who raised her. She may not think of you as young (the Boy certainly doesn't think I'm young!) but when it comes to child raising she probably figures you can still keep up with the granddaughter just like you kept up with her. Also, until your body hits middle age and starts to fall apart it is really hard to understand what tired can mean. You're right, it will work out.

Boy, that toothpaste mess and "I don't want to go" sure do ring true. I still get the "I don't want to go" to various things, and the answer is always sorry, you're going.

I miss camping, until I remember that most of my life is like camping. Hauling wood, bailing the fishing boat, skunk proofing the screen porch, keeping raccoons out of the garbage... we have a real spiffy stainless steel fire ring with palm tree cut outs (just had to buck the moose/bear/duck trend) and loads of thoroughly cured oak to burn in it but I don't mind sleeping in a nice bed each night or having regular showers.

We were expecting snow today but it looks like the rain will just continue. I am wearing a sweater inside and just might use the fireplace (gas so we can qualify for off peak metering on our in-floor heat) but I kind of enjoy watching the frostcats wrestle for turns to sleep atop the toasty warm wireless router. #3 has used his youth and tonnage to reign supreme, for the moment.

Tnird daughter's husband's birthday was Friday. To celebrate his impending fatherhood, I bought him Parenting for Dummies. (It seemed to have decent advice.) However, that got elder daughter and third daughter chatting about lines from their parents. Elder daughter said she heard "Because I said so!" on many occasions. Yes indeed, that's how life is.

What I really meant to get him, and didn't remember to order from Amazon, was Bill Cosby's Fatherhood. Now there's the real story of what family life is.

Slyness, your reference to Parenting for Dummies sent me on a tangent. I found an entire boodle-full of "For Dummies" books: Knitting, Physics, Dog Training, Sailing, Jane Austen, Philosophy, Singing, and, best of all--Blogging.

martooni: keep plugging along, lots of folks care about you and are praying/visualizing/sending good vibes--or whatever we believe-or don't believe in. i have had moments in my life--my mid-life crisis was especially long and vexing and almost led me to complete despair--when i thought both my children would be better off if I was dead. It was something akin to George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life" but I was not quite that heroic a character as portrayed in thatstory. But i was and am a good person and I just gritted my teeth and got on with it.

cassandra s: Ivansmom is probably correct in what she said. I'd tell g-girl that when she's staying with you she has to go by your rules. But I'd also maybe have her in bed even earlier so that if she is slow and messy in the a.m. she has enough time to clean up her own mess and still get to head start on time. Since I was essentially for most of my "bringing up kids years" divorced I instilled the independence idea--you are responsible for yourself and will only embarrass yourself if you screw up--idea very, very early. I gave them a lot more trust in suburbia circles than most of the well-off parents did with their kids, and both of mine are grown up and have turned out splendidly.

By the was SCC in advance--they have installed a new keyboard (that i didn't ask for at work) and the touch and all the rest are totally different and I'm too lazy to go back and fix each line. Hope I got some of them. aroc

Over the weekend, I purchased, "Marathon Training for Dummies". Not sure I'm going to all-in on this, yet. I'll give it a try, see how I'm progressing, before I committ to doing one. My younger daughter, 27, is thrilled with the idea, with caveats. My wife, eh .....

Building up to running 40 miles a week sounds just impossible at this point in time.

Jane Austen for Dummies? That one I gotta have! Thanks, Raysmom...

Don;
Just don't train for the Chicago Marathon, OK?

martooni;
Adapt, adopt and improve.
Improvise, adapt and overcome.
And other applicable three-word phrases for my favorite fairy door dude.

:-)

Speaking of front pages, anybody notice the use of "laconic" re: Thompson. Another WaPo writer cribbing from Joel w/o proper credit

Hi boodlers--Flying here and there and thought I'd swoop in and mention I like kbertocci's answer that one hasn't camped long enough if still bothered by dirt. Plus, the sound of a crackling fire in the still night air with stars twinkling and marshmallows roasting...blissful. But agree an air mattress is a must.

I was on top of Pikes Peak yesterday with my brother and sister-in-law who were vsiting from the hot and dry D.C. area. It was a perfect day. But the day before when we first tried to drive to the top it was too windy and the rangers would only allow driving up 13 of the 19 miles. The wind was so strong it gave me an ear ache.

But perseverance paid off the next day. The aspen groves scattered among the deep green pines were filled with gold coins. An electric blue cloudless day and at 14,110 feet high one could see the slight curve of the earth and snow-topped mountain peaks in the distance. Pink rocks everywhere. You must all come out here in the early fall and make this drive. It is better than any amusement park ride.

Also, towards the end of the drive, back down in tree-land, we came upon a family of mule deer up on the side of the small rise by the road. They just stood there looking back at us with their big brown eyes and long upright pointed ears until I realized one of them (the dad) was not just standing there but relieving himself and thus not in the best position to run off. He must have had a whole lot to drink at some point. Never really witnessed that before. Not sure why it was so funny. But it was.

Frostbitten, sounds like you need to enter the Mountain Mother Contest at the Moose Dropping Festival in Talkeetna, Alaska. Here's the description- "The Mountain Mother Contest in Talkeetna glorifies the spirit and strength of the Alaskan Woman. About 10 years ago, the women of Talkeetna rebelled against the Wilderness Woman Contest. The contestants in that contest came to Talkeetna in the dead of winter, donned borrowed winter survival gear and competed for the title. The only requirement was that they be unmarried at the time. They had to hitch up a sled dog team, shoot a bow and arrow, crawl through a culvert, haul water, drive a snowmachine, clomp around in bunny boots and snowshoes, and make a sandwich for the reclining bachelor. That night, they would get all decked out and go bid on the eligible bachelors at the Bachelors' Auction. The Wilderness Woman winner would get a fur hat, a plaque, and sometimes a trip to Europe.

"Humph!", thought the hard working moms in Talkeetna! We have to do all those chores and all we get is chapped hands! We need some respect. (Talkeetna women get LOTS of respect, but they wanted recognition - and maybe a trip to Europe).

So the Mountain Mother Contest was conceived. The only requirement was that the contestant be a mom - married or not. And it would be in the summer, when the kids could watch how hard their moms worked. And it would be more realistic. So the feats are (done with a "baby" in a pack on their backs): walk a log in hip waders, carrying 2 buckets of water; "shoot" a balloon moose with a bow and arrow, "catch" a fish, chop up firewood, change the baby and wash out the diaper, make a "pie" and call the kids in. Winner got some useful things, like an appointment at the local beauty shop for a hair cut, manicure and massage; a nice dinner out; gift certificates from the local shops. And a nice warm jacket with "Mountain MAMA!" on the back.

Only 10-12 contestants can enter each year, and there is always a waiting list. There is no fee to enter, and for years the contest has been sponsored by the local telephone company (a mama's best friend). All ages of women enter; everyone gets cheered along. It is a great fun time for the whole family.

This event has been incorporated into the Annual Moose Dropping Festival, which is the second Saturday and Sunday in July. Usually, it is on Saturday, but it has been known to move around a bit."

Now I've got a John Denver tune cootie K-guy: 'Take Me Home, Country Roads'

I love the campfire and all the fun that goes with it. I make a point to have a fire during every change of the season. Also a few more during the Fall and Winter, although It has been so dry here I may have to change plans. Christmas trees work great as instant flame as do wood palates. I was going to dig a larger fire pit here and at a friends this year,but again the dry weather makes digging almost impossible.Give us some Rain PLEASE!!!

Greenwithenvy--I have meant to tell you I liked you description of the geese flying off a few kits back. I used to live near a big pond back in Maryland and the same geese mates came every year to have their young. They are so noisy when approaching or leaving a site. Unfortunately (or not)many of the brood would disappear one by one.

Omni, not sure if you know that John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" is now a Colorado state song. One has to be on top of a 14ner to know the song's true meaning. It took this long to make the song official cause of the perceived other meaning. Long song.

Birdie, being on top of a 14ner in Maryland will get you 15 to 20 years and you wind up on a sex offenders registry.

Just sayin'.

Okay, this is beyond acceptable. Last week I sang at the funeral of a 22-year-old, son of a friend. Wrote 3 condolence cards resulting from another death. Monday I went to a funeral of a friend dead after a long bout with cancer. Yesterday I found out my friend Jim, who wrote "I Survived Cancer but Never Won the Tour de France", now has his cancer back in his liver and lungs. Today I find that a dear friend's father has died and I'll be singing at that funeral Thursday.

I want a different October.

If it were in my power to give you a different October, Ivansmom, I would.

Mercy, Ivansmom, that is a terrible string of bad news. Praying that the remaining days of October are better than the first 9.

So much for the rule of three, Ivansmom. I hope the rest of the month will be easier on you. Condolences.

Ivansmom, maybe not this year. I've had Octobers like that. It will pass, but not without lingering difficulty.

As a counterpoint to the sadness, take a little time to immerse yourself more in activities that you enjoy-- walks, mowing (ha).. anything that helps keep you fit enough to deal and support others through their loss.

I looked up Jim Chastain's book: http://www.amazon.com/Survived-Cancer-Never-Tour-France/dp/1930709609

Ivansmom, "I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." - Jesus
John 16:33 RSV

Like Martooni says, "Peace out"

Awww.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071009/METRO/110090073

Also, http://www.wistv.com/global/story.asp?s=5079754

I wish I could convince Wilbrod to help me train and do a 5K run. Whee, all those people to trot with!

Ivansmom, I am so sorry for your sad news. May peace be with you.

On a much lighter note,
Curmudgeon...naughty, naughty. Okay, I meant a fourteen thousand foot mountain. Made of pink rocks. You do have a devious mind at times. :-)

Ivansmom;

*HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS*

K-guy, Alaska events are a hoot. But then, it's Alaska. Mamma mia.

K-guy, what's the difference between bunny boots and bunny slippers? Do I *want* to know?

I remember camping with a certain Achenbro in Kings Canyon under the sequoias. We had nothing to do but enjoy life that summer. I had drifted away from my girlfriend; it was going nowhere, and we both were fed up with the place we both worked. Out West we went in a borrowed Karman Ghia. He packed a huge amount of Tarzan books, and I a huge amount of science fiction. Both loners by nature, we left each other alone. We survived on potatoes, eggs, onions, butter, and beer. He read my SF, and I read Tarzan all summer. One day he comes into camp, says to follow him, grab a bar of soap. His hair wet. I follow, and 400 yards away is a stream with a hollow in a rock; luxury tub sized. Having showed me the treasure, he leaves me to my bath, and after 8 or 9 days in the wilderness I have never been so willing to plunge into 45 degree mountain water as then. That natural pool in the stream was like a magic gift from the gods.

WE LOVE YOU MS. PETTIGREW.

What fun, Jumper.

By the way, I want everyone to be sure to know that the professor, poet, and writer, Katharine Lee Bates wrote the song America the Beautiful while on a trip to Colorado in 1893 on top of Pikes Peak and sang about the purple mountain...which comes from the pinks rocks when the morning sun shines down. It all makes sense. But you must see it to believe it, folks.

NEIL YOUNG LYRICS

"Old Laughing Lady"

Don't call pretty Peggy,
she can't hear you no more
Don't leave no message
'round her back door.
They say the old laughing lady
been here before
She don't keep time,
she don't count score.

You can't have a cupboard
if there ain't no wall.
You got to move there's
no time left to stall.
They say the old laughing lady
dropped by to call
And when she leaves,
she leaves nothing at all.

See the drunkard of the village
falling on the street.
Can't tell his ankles
from the rest of his feet.
He loves his old laughing lady
'cause her taste is so sweet.
But his laughing lady's loving
ain't the kind he can keep.

There's a fever on the freeway,
blacks out the night.
There's a slipping on the stairway,
just don't feel right
And there's a rumbling
in the bedroom
and a flashing of light
There's the old laughing lady,
everything is all right.

SCC...pink

In North Carolina we have Shining Rock. The entire mountain peak is rose quartz. Words do not describe it.

It's raining! Thank the Lord!

Wow, Jumper.

Martooni, Thinking of you and your Bean and family all day. I am beyond words to offer any kind of advice to you. But remember that when there is a door closed, there will have a window open, which I learned in my early second language (English) class.

I found some pictures of Shining Rock. Yeah, difficult to describe.
http://www.northcarolinaoutdoors.com/places/mountains/shiningrock.html

This is the story of Baby the dog. Two outlaws approached the house through the woods. Fleeing from a crime a half mile away. Baby, a beautiful half black Lab, half pitbull terrier, through Herculean effort snapped her metal chainlink securement and circling the area barked all around the little cul-de-sac, and also stood firm near the creek, and all the furor caused my dog Trouble to squirm out from her collar and join the defense of the homestead. No doubt the fleeing felons veered sharply away from their approach, and went somewhere else in their escape attempt.

Perhaps they would have carjacked my elderly neighbor's car. But they were gone. Baby triumphantly tagged the old man from behind when he emerged and retreated. He does not like dogs. So when the cops arrived to cordon the area and capture the crooks, too late because the escaped dogs had already mustered a good defense, the old fool complained that Baby, in her triumphant victory tag, had playfully knocked him off his feet. He told the cops that that was one dangerous dog. He certainly knew nothing of the driven-away felons. So the cops attempted to herd Baby into the fenced yard from which she had escaped. At which point the boisterous Baby snarled and resisted. She defended the turf. She tore his uniform with her claws.

And the policeman pulled his gun and shot Baby three or four times. And she ran into the woods, and they approached her again, and she fled further, who knows where, and she is gone.

And so the men in blue showed how no dogs will be allowed to act in such a manner, and the defense of the realm is unquestionably in their hands, and theirs alone. And a little hero, who just didn't quite know how to act, is gone. And her owner, the journalist next door, is very angry and has cried every day since last Thursday. And I, who know nobody ever treated Baby wrong, no one every made her mean, I liked that little dog too, and she won't curl up at my feet when her mistress comes over to visit me anymore.

And I wonder why policemen are the ones who brought guns and blood and death to my neighborhood.

Kguy-I think you just might have inspired a festival for our fair city.

Martooni-backboodled to your troubles. Keeping a good thought.

That is a sad story. It sounds like they didn't dare get Baby's collar at all.

Unfortunately not all cops are dog-savvy.

This kind of misunderstanding happens a lot which is why I have taken care to socialize Wilbrodog to first-responders and be sure they know he is a service dog, because while he's a sweetie, if I was down and somebody unknown broke into the house and I couldn't react, he WOULD growl to start with and take it from there, unless the first-responders properly responded.

As a local firefighter said, they do take every effort to save pets. I did mention that unfortunately I have heard of a lot of pets getting defensive of their sick owner to the point EMTs, police, or firefighters may well have to kill the dog just to save the owner's life.

To prevent this, I take him to the fire and rescue station and have them give him plenty of cookies, and get him familiarized with firefighters, police, and EMT uniforms. I will do the same with the police station shortly.

He has been inside a fire truck and an ambulance already.

The mailman here is one of his favorite buddies because that guy always carries dog biscuits for every dog on his route. He'd let the mailman in the house to get his cookie.

This is a really sweet dog. Yet, I have no problems believing that he could well bite a first-responder if he had not been properly socialized and trained.

My old dog was routinely picked up by the animal warden because she liked to wander.

She never got herself hurt because she did not jump on people, had good manners, and she was dead submissive and a poor watchdog anyway.... and not black or dangerous looking (blonde and fluffy).

I heartily encourage every dog owner to educate and socialize their dogs to regard mailmen, police, fire, and rescue personnel as friendly people, not dangerous strangers.

As a deaf person, I'm always too aware that a wrong move with a jittery officer could cost my life, and I wouldn't be jumping or snarling, either. Your dog is not necessarily going to get the presumption of innocence. Sad but true.

Thanks, y'all. There are good things happening in my life too, and the Boodle is high among them. For imaginary friends you sure do offer a lot of comfort!

Jumper, that is just an awful story. Poor hero dog. Your happy camping story was a complete contrast. Thanks for sharing them both.

Birdie, thank you for that wonderful description. I felt like I was there - and I sure wish I were!

Kurosawaguy, I have been thinking how we can adapt the Mountain Mother contest to the plains. It is sure tempting. We could even have a suburban version: get kids up, pack lunches, take to school, fight with cable company, fight with health insurance, clean house, gym workout, telecommute, pick up kids and take to music lessons soccer baseball dance class; home-cooked meal with guests, get 'em all in bed. Condensed, of course. This has some real promise.

Jumper, I know Kings Canyon and Mineral King and China Peak and Huntington Lake and Hume Lake and Big Meadow and Potawisha and Jenny Lake and Crystal Cave and Three Rivers and Coffee Camp and Jimpson Weed Meadow and Yohkul Valley and oh my so many places.

The stars press down on a body so hard in the High Sierra, don't they? One of the (Mountain )homesick, but thank you.

And best of all? It's STILL raining!

Take my rain...Please!

Had a bit of sun yesterday, and I made it home today just as it started to rain again. Got my bulbs planted, alpaca manure spread, and new plants in the ground yesterday.

Ivansmom, hope you have better news soon - what a rough patch. Martooni, sorry to hear your troubles - hope you can work things out.

Oh Jumper, how sad for the dog and your neighbor. Ivansmom, I am sorry for all the loses in your life lately. I am so tired of hearing about cancer. There are so many forms of it and so many people I know or know of who are suffering with it.

Martooni, I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. Maybe this is the time to realize you are powerless. You are a good, smart and talented man, sir, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I would happily take some of your rain, Mostly; it has hardly rained here all summer.

Ivansmom and Martooni, I'm so sorry for your troubles. Life is just so damned hard sometimes.

I used to tell my students when they complained about homework, "Life is suffering, and then you die." But in between sufferings, there are brief or prolonged bouts of incredible joy and quiet pleasure.

Thanks, Ivansmom. Hang in there. Glad to help.

Jumper, so sad. Not fair. Sucks.

Maggie O'D. I love when the rain finally comes. Everything suddenly smells so good. Enjoy.

Ivansmom, I'm sorry your October's going so badly, and for all the folks that are affected by the loss and illness.

Martooni, I've always thought that the measure of a man isn't how he behaves when things go well, but when times get tough. Things are tough, but you've got the opportunity to make things right, or at least better.

As far as camping goes, I've done plenty.

I know which trees to grab when nature *really* calls (or screams), and what leaves to *not* use for...
oh, never mind.

Don't ask why I came back to camp with only one sock. Next time, make my burger well done, please.

bc

Ewwwww, bc!

Good interview with NY Times reporter John Burns on Charlie Rose last night. Video is here:
http://www.charlierose.com/home

Camping was the only vacation we ever took when I was a child. My dad was a trout fisherman, and my mother wrote poetry, so they each loved the mountains for their own reasons.

Kings Canyon was where we went most often, down to Cedar Grove, which was the end of the road at that time. Wonderful.

Camping was the only vacation we ever took when I was a child. My dad was a trout fisherman, and my mother wrote poetry, so they each loved the mountains for their own reasons.

Kings Canyon was where we went most often, down to Cedar Grove, which was the end of the road at that time. Wonderful.

Any sonnets to fly-fishing in the family heritage, nellie?

I went camping with the family exactly once. It rained all night--this was in the desert-- and my mom was extremely unhappy. No more camping, alas.

just dropping by to say hello.

ivansmom, sorry to hear about all the loss touching people you know. i'm sure they deeply appreciate your support.

martooni, hang in there. when you try to get to the root issues of problems through counseling, sometimes things get worse before they get better.
please don't give up.

i have insomnia again. and just now there were three youngish raccoons playing in the little pond outside my porch. they try to catch the mosquito fish and consider this pond their own personal swimming pool. i have shooed them away and put in ear plugs because they will be back.

LA, can I fax you a dog?

*faxin' L.A. lurker a white noise generator* :-)

Jumper, I'm very sorry. As always, no good deed goes unpunished. :-(

*surprised-it's-Hump-Day-already Grover waves*

dbG, go back to sleep already!!! *L*

S'Nuke, I'm working.

The alternate vampire hours, but just for a month or two. . . I believe the Internet connection to my friends across the water is down, I haven't had an answer to any question for 2 hours now. . .maybe *they* all went out to a picnic!

And, god forbid, I should call them to verify this. :-)

Turns out the Groundhog war was not without its grassroots counterinsurgency...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20071009/sc_livescience/plantscommunicatetowarnagainstdanger

Yeah, S'nuke-- good morning to you. Just one of those days.

dbG;

I would think it would depend on which water your phone call would be crossing, no?

:-)

Wilbrod, I would naturally prefer it be one of those weekends, but whaddayagonnado?

:-)

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that political bloggers would see fit to impugn the integrity of people who try to put a human face on a presidential veto...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.frosts10oct10,0,2541063.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout

*SIGHHHH*

But in happier Noodly news...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella28sep28,0,633661.column

:-)

Highest peak in MD is 3360' called Backbone Mountain on the Appalachian Plateau. Just so you know.

Although I've never been to Colorado, or the Rocky Mountains, I've always understood that high to be natural. Anyone who thought otherwise for even a second would be a world class marron.

Who is Ms. Pettigrew, and why do we love her.

Now I've got a 'To Sir with Love' Tune cootie. Grab a hankie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wNNLePF9e4

Good morning, friends. Ivansmom, your month is sounding a lot like mine. I am sorry, and I do hope there is some sunshine before the month is over. As for the g-girl, we got up earlier this morning, but the same song. I have a "switch" that I use to threatened with, and that works, sometimes. Her mom was on the phone this morning, telling me how to dress the g-girl. It seems the teacher's aide (the g-girl's aunt) told my daughter that I was sending her to school in clothes that do not match. You know the shoes have to match the shirt, and that kind of silliness. I'm thinking, isn't it more important that she learn, rather than dress.

Enought about me. Martooni, hope it is working out for you. I second what many say here. And I am praying for you, and your family.

Slyness, we got a little bit of rain. It was wet outside this morning. Thank you, God. Not enough to undo the drought, but I'm glad we got some.

Morning, Mudge, Scotty, and all.*waving*

Have a great day, folks. Today is the busy day, and the fair is in town. The kids get free passes for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Our Center here in the neighborhood has a rat infestation, and the scent is so strong, one can hardly stay in the laundry room which is connected to the Center. We have Bible study there, and serve light refreshments, but I don't know if I should do that today with that awful scent in the room. You can smell it outside the building. And some of those rats are big as dogs. My stomach is doing flip flops just talking about it.

A small community here in our county, predominantly African-American, had their election yesterday for mayor, and they had a really big turn out. They voted for the incumbent, but they had about four people running. There was a lot of hype with the election, and the community got a chance to vote in their community instead of going to the county seat. I think it is just wonderful. I am happy for them moving forward in this, and many other issues in their community.

God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

Scotty, did you mainline that caffeine? :-)

That would be the water where the Titanic sank.

Off work now, getting ready for the Philly BPH and Yoki coming in first, tomorrow. My guess is she's not used to drying herself off with paper towels after she gets out of the shower. (Not that I've ever done anything like that.)

On Saturday, can one of you remind me to make restaurant reservations?

Cassandra, Our office had dead rats in the ceiling over the past month. Yuck. Best wishes on that and more important things.

That teacher's aide sounds like a real numbskull. Everyone knows it's that your shoes should match your belt.

Also, your socks should match your blouse.

And your blouse should bring out the color of your eyes.

Just found out Lulu performed that song on AI last March. She is one hot 60 something. Lulu, come closer and cuddle me tightly, Boom Bang-a-Bang.

*faxing omni a cold shower*

:-)

I get the look down the nose from my wife's brother about the type of camping I like. He is a back-country fellow, the kind who likes to make his wife and kids pack everything in (and out, stinky TP and all, I assume) for a true pleistocene camping experience. I prefer the Ghengis Khan style of camping, in a huge tent whose floor is covered by a faux-Persian rug about 20 feet from the car. I always have a fully-stocked cooler complete with plenty of heady brew and a bottle of Jager for the chilly nights by the roaring fire.

Also, if anyone has never been to an Aggie Bonfire, then you missed out on the true definition of the word FIRE. Of course, we Aggies always think ours is best, but we are seldom wrong about such things.

I'm actually speechless at this...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/10/wisconsin.shooting/index.html

:-O

I'll remind you dbG. I am the maven of reservation (one of the 700 reasons I don't camp -- room service is not up to my standard).

Can't wait to see you and the other guests. One more sleep!

Mornin' all...

Thanks for all the support and encouragement. Still hanging in there (by fingernails), but hanging in there just the same.

This kit got me to thinking how much I miss the woods and mountains from when I was growing up. Western PA is pretty hilly to start with, but when you get up around the Allegheny National Forest area, the hills seem to take on whole new dimensions. And a life of their own, to boot.

I miss the attempts to move "silently" through dry leaves and hidden twigs, pretending you're a hunter or an Indian scout. Sun filtered by a canopy of turning leaves is another one. And then there's all the earthy smells...

Martooni needs him some nature, not nurture. Get back to the real roots of things. Maybe dust off the fishing pole and relearn how to relax and just be one with everything.

Peace out :-)

CP, when Howard Kurtz use laconic in his review article in WaPo this morning, I know where the word came from.

Yoki;

Thank you very much for reminding me of when my daughter would say, "How many more sleeps before (insert longed-for event)?"

:-)

This camping talk reminds me that I've got just two weeks before I take my Cub Scout Pack out for their first campout of the season.

We ease into the wilderness thing gradually (our Tiger Cubs are only first graders, not mountain-men): on the lawn of a large property next door to our church. It is surronded by trees, so it feels woodsy with a campfire ring and all, but there is a bathroom just a hop-skip-and-gelinderschprung away.

Last year, the Pack earned a "freezer" patch: it got below freezing overnight while we were camping. Woke up to find our drinking water iced over. And me up all night because I was still recovering from my cancer surgery. Grrr and Bbrrrr. Don't want a repeat of THAT.

I did a lot of camping, both tent and cabin, while my son was in his Cub and Boy Scouting days. My wife went on the first trip and didn't like the cold water in the cabin and gave up. I did convince to rent the KOA Kabins a few times. Her idea of roughing it is outside corridors on the motel.

If anyone happens to reload the page with a PNC bank ad and you're not looking closely, you could swear the b l o g a l u m p h a g u s burps a blue cloud.

:-)

I understand totally, Yoki. I'm sure everything will be fine.

(Frantically throws towels in the washer while speaking with Butlers-R-Us and shrieking "Emergency! Emergency!"

SCC: )

Like that's going to execute without errors with an end ) missing.

My wife's boss was obsessed with this picture, calling it two guys that shouldn't sit together:

http://misterirrelevant.com/index.php/2007/09/15/west-vas-dingle-berry-hangs-together/

I had to explain the concept to my wife. Sometime's she's so naive it's cute.

Good morning, all.

I turned on the TV at around 9:00 PM hoping to find the GOP Presidential Candidate debate, but it was already over.

I didn't bother to watch any commentary or highlights, but I'm curious - did any Boodlers watch it, and if so, what did they think?

It *had* to be a little different with Fred Thompson on the podium.

bc

Hey, Mudge! Break out the birthday candles and the grog, and guess what day this is. That's right, shipmate, it's the US Navy's 232nd birthday. But you knew that, you were there right from the very first keel-laying.

*attempting "Anchors Aweigh" on the kazoo*

:-)

Ahhh, the days of Cub Scout camping. I was a Webelo (motto: We Blow), and my first two camping trips ever were in Egypt. One was spent in a box canyon and when we climbed up onto the plateau, we found little fins from mortars and other expended ordinance. The second trip, we set up the tents in some mud-brick ruins with pieces upon pieces of pot-sherds all over the place. A very cool intro to the camping lifestyle. Then, I came back to the States, quit the scouts and didn't camp again until adulthood.

I am in NH, fyi, and running off to find Hillary. I'll post a new kit late afternoon.

I've often been on transport duty during the Fungi's Cub Scout, Scout and Pioneers day. The last camping this silly troop of 16-17 years-old did as a group was a 12-day canoe expedition on a large reservoir. I brought them back in the old van. You would think that 12 days spent no further away than 10 yards from water would inspire some bathing activity but they rather went the "feral cat" way. I seriously thought about burning down the van but then realized it didn't smell like an ashtray anymore, the fragrance had more depth. (I smoked 4 years in that van, the smell was pretty bad up to the end of that vehicle last summer)

Say "Hi" for us, Joel.

Shriek.... sounds like your troop went "Lord of the Flies" on ya.

I'm hurt, dbG! You imply that I am exacting, nay, picky and judgmental. In fact, I am arguably the world's most agreeable and flexible person who takes what she finds and enjoys every minute of it. *Pout* (Said in the same jocular tone as yours of 10:01!)

Oh, Yoki, I knew that when you said you wanted to sleep with the dogs! :-)

I'm just in one of those last-minute how-can-I-live-like-this attacks. I didn't have time to have one before bc and TBG came for Error's funeral, so it's twice as bad now.

I know you'll understand perfectly when the milk for your morning coffee comes in an 8 oz. jug from McDonalds because the closest supermarket is 2 blocks away. I know you're not coming back to the Boodle to report, "She lives like a bear with furniture." :-)

OMG, my filthy secret is out! Yes, I do sleep with dogs.

A bear with furniture and clean towels and sheets for the guest room. I did those yesterday. :-)

Except for that and the bathrooms with running hot and cold water, in fact, you could well be camping.

dbG, you haven't freaked out until you start cleaning the silver :-)

Webelos supplanted the rank of Lion in the Cub Scouts, just when I finished my Bear scout stuff. The scarf was this goofy looking plaid thing. Like the kind of thing you'd wear when you want to...sing! Yes that's it, I feel like singing!

I was saving that to give you something to do when you show up on Saturday!

That was BOO. I was replying to dmd's kind offer to polish the silver and take a lab back to Canada with her.

You guys aren't actually getting the worst of it.

A big home store (not the orange place (where it took 18 months, corporate ombudsman and my lawyer to conclude my last transaction) cut ready-to-cut wood blinds 3/4" shorter than I requested. They were gonna look funny! When I called afterwards, the person who answered the phone was pretty dismissive--bring 'em back, we're out, go buy 'em from one of our other stores (even worse than the mis-cut blinds).

I dropped a short, polite e-mail on their website. The manager called me last night (within 12 hours of the complaint), asked me to return the mis-cut blinds (full credit) and sent one of his staff to another store to get the new, *free* blinds and deliver them to me at my house.

Of course, I met him in the driveway so he wouldn't know I live like a bear with furniture, towels and sheets. :-)

I'm very impressed.

Doncha just luuuv dealing with big corporations? I went yesterday to buy a new cell phone, as the one I'd had for 2 years won't keep a decent charge anymore. They offer a "discount" in the form of a rebate. Why bother? Why not just do the discount in the store and not put customers through the rigamarole? Oh yeah, it means higher profits if customers don't fill out and mail the forms. Makes me want to do without the service.

The Webelos lore is pretty interesting. The original concept was a bridge to scouting and WeBeLoS stood for Wolf/Bear/Lion/Scout. When the Lion rank was eliminated that didn't make sense anymore.

One retronym for it was WE'll BE LOyal Scouts. The plaid neckerchiefs are still around. It's a two year program and when kids outgrow their Cub Blue uniforms they switch to Scout Khaki. It makes for a real mishmash of styles at outings.

Cub Scouts also now have a first grader program called Tiger Cubs that wear orange tee shirts with tiger paws on them.

I was an Assistant Den Leader for four years, which is the lowest leader rank you can have and still wear the spiffy uniforms. I never bought the yellow Den Mother blouse though.

I thought the Navy turned 213 on March 27th of this year: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=001/llsl001.db&recNum=473

On the dumb criminal front, this one cracked me up:

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/312707.html

in the UK boys 6-8 years are Beaver Scouts

For Don from I-270 in response to his 10:22 and Scotty's 10:28: http://www.dcmilitary.com/dcmilitary_archives/stories/101702/19793-1.shtml

So am I, omni, so am I.

OK, add omni's 12:29 to the reading list of my 12:36

6/11 http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/homework/?page=Quiz80&Quizid=80

all guesses but I was pretty sure I'd get question 10 right and did.

Time to get dirty:

When does a Cub Scout become a Boy Scout?

When he eats a Brownie.

...and if a beaver is consumed?

Great story, Mudge! I'm highly impressed with the research.

3/11 on the quiz. I had a guessing strategy that proved faulty.

Thanks for going there, Gomer. A variation on that is my go-to Boy Scout joke.

If a beaver is a male scout in Britain, well then I think the American Scouts are kicking those guys that eat those beavers out, along with the unbelievers.

The little pre-cubs are Beavers in Canada too. That makes a certain amount of sense. Since there are beavers in Canada, and all.

8/11, which must mean my WAG skills are good today. I should go do some business cases...

Dear Maggie, I see you inquired as to my whereabouts a while back. As you can see, I have resurfaced after (sequentially) a) spending 2 weeks on a cruise in the Baltic b) frantically scrambling at work for two days, trying to catch up c) being at home, sick in bed for 3 days d) back at work, again failing to catch up in Nonboodler status e) giving up, working the high-priority stuff one thing at a time whilst keeping the boodle in my peripheral vision.

Have not had a chance to fully backboodle and catch up on everything, but welcome back Don.

Wilbrod, among all the poems my mother wrote, there is not a one about fly fishing.

And my father never even caught sight of a sonnet.

Blinds are up.

Now living like a bear with furniture, sheets, towels & 2" wood-slat blinds. :-)

Yes, we have in order:
Colonies of Beavers (5-7)/castors
Dens of Cubs scouts(8-10)/louveteaux
Troops of Scouts and (10-14)/scout
Companies of Venturers (14-17)/aventuriers

The newfangled Scoutabout are a cubs/scouts amalgam for small troops and small places.

All co-ed, which should make Venturers outing quite interesting on occasion. Glad I'm out of there.
The Pioneers were the then all-boy Venturers.

Well, shiver my timbers, mates, and color my face red. Didn't realize that my Uncle Sam's Navy is as skittish about her age as my great, great Auntie Annie. Who knew? This, cut and pasted off the official Naval message. Sorry about the ALLCAPS thing. The Navy doesn't have lowercase letters on their keyboards--too confusing.

UNCLASSIFIED//

CNO WASHINGTON DC 092246Z OCT 07 NAVY BIRTHDAY 2007

ATTENTION INVITED TO

ROUTINE

R 092246Z OCT 07 ZUI ASN-ASS282000394 PSN 666357K33

FM CNO WASHINGTON DC

TO NAVADMIN
ZEN/ZEN//OU=DOD/OU=NAVY/OU=ADDRESS LISTS(UC)/CN=AL NAVADMIN(UC)//

INFO ZEN/CNO WASHINGTON DC

BT
UNCLAS
QQQQ

SUBJ: NAVY BIRTHDAY 2007
UNCLASSIFIED//
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N00//
TO NAVADMIN
UNCLAS //N00000//
NAVADMIN 260/07

MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/-/OCT//

SUBJ/NAVY BIRTHDAY 2007//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. AS WE CELEBRATE AND COMMEMORATE THE 232ND BIRTHDAY OF OUR NAVY, I THANK ALL WHO ARE SERVING TODAY, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN; TO OUR FAMILIES WHO STAND BY AND SUPPORT US; AND TO

OUR FELLOW SEA SERVICE, THE U.S. MARINE CORPS. WE ARE A GREAT TEAM READY TODAY AND PREPARING FOR TOMORROW.

2. FROM OUR HUMBLE BEGINNING WITH SIX FRIGATES MORE THAN 200 YEARS AGO, WE HAVE BECOME THE MOST DOMINANT AND INFLUENTIAL NAVAL FORCE EVER TO SAIL THE WORLD'S OCEANS. WE ENSURE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS, PROJECT POWER IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL INTERESTS AND SUPPORT ALLIES AND PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD. WE ARE AT ONCE POWERFUL, YET COMPASSIONATE WHEN REACHING OUT TO OTHERS IN NEED. WHILE THE TOOLS OF OUR PROFESSION; SHIPS, AIRPLANES, AND SUBMARINES ARE IMPRESSIVE; THEY ARE OF LITTLE WORTH WITHOUT OUR PEOPLE WHO GIVE THEM VALUE. IT IS YOU, EVERY SAILOR, NAVY CIVILIAN, AND FAMILY MEMBER SERVING AROUND THE WORLD OR HERE AT HOME, WHO TRULY KEEPS OUR FLEET ON A STEADY COURSE TODAY, AND SETS THE COURSE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND INDIVIDUAL READINESS MAKES US THE NAVY WE MUST BE. ON DUTY AND OFF, YOU ARE THE FACE OF OUR NAVY AND NATION.

3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIPMATES. I AM PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THAT OF YOUR FAMILIES.

4. ADMIRAL G. ROUGHEAD, CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.//

BT
#3669
NNNN

Raysmom,
Welcome back. We missed you. I think you need a vacation after your vacation.

Boy, am I glad that I don't work. It's too exhausting!

If it's in all-caps, you know it's military :-P. It looks like the telegrams of old, doesn't it? I expect him to do a few STOPs in there.

Not good today; only 5/11 on the quiz. However, unlike Mudge, I wasn't there to experience 1930 in person. Glad the heat wave seems to be abating. Was hoping by now to be saving $$$ on the PEPCO bill and not spending much with Wash Gas. Got the new/old Volvo back from the shop--having now spent almost in much in repairs as we paid for it. But hopefully, it will now for for another 30-50K with no major issues.

SCC: , it will now RUN for...

I hear you ebtnut about Pepco. Paid my bill yesterday, and I at first thought I must not have been credited with my last payment it was so high. I'm really looking forward to turning the AC off and opening a window.

160

Omni, it appears someone has turned on the air conditioning here - finally. Perhaps it will make it in your area soon.

We have the heat on already here, omni. I hear heating bills this winter will make people cry for the days of AC.

I saw Hillary today in Derry in the overcrowded "opera house" which wasn't nearly as fancy-pants as the Colonial Theatre in Keene, where I saw a documentary on Granny D last night. Will offer more details later.

Sen. Clinton as always was on message, disciplined, seems relaxed. She spoke under a big banner saying Rebuilding the Road to the Middle Class. Talked a lot about income inequality, small businesses, entrepreneurship.

I'll deal with it a little in a new kit but the one I've got going is not ready to be posted so it probably won't show up until tonight.

Now off to an apple orchard, part of a farm in business since 1732!!!

Hey, Don, thanks for posting the CNO's message. Did you catch the glaring error he made about the six frigates? (I know he didn't write the message himself; he's got flunkies for that. But one of them is gonna get keelhauled.)

When I worked for the Navy, I once earned considerable notoriety for actually sending an e-mail to the CNO telling him about some problems he needed to be aware of. Every admiral in the Navy was ready to lynch me from a yardarm, until the CNO himself e-mailed me back--and said, in effect, thanks for watching my back. From that moment on, no one said another word about it. So I didn't so much "dodge a bullet" as dodge a cruise missile.

It's rare to find someone who takes pride in walking silently through the leaves. Unless it's deer hunters, of which I have no personal knowledge. I don't guess too many of them attempt it at all and prefer deer stands or something. So Martooni I applaud you and would rather be on patrol with you than some loud, clutzy stomper.

Martooni, "Sneaky Pie" is still available as a boodle name.

I would like to take this opportunity to comment on a common tactic employed by many, such as TV's Columbo, but more often used by a certain sort of unregenerate Son of the South. I'm talking about the tactic of deliberately appearing to be stupider than one is. This is often a reflexive habit, honed into such persistent usage it becomes almost unconscous in its employ. I assume the prime role model in this behavior is Andy Griffith. In this fictional display, Andy appears to be a hick, and beguiles the bad guys into letting slip some critical piece of intelligence, thinking he won't pick up on it. But he does! This is because Andy is sly.

I believe the practitioners of this habit, even though they believe they are emulating a smart fellow, have practiced this routine so much that they are in danger of actually becoming the thing they think they are pretending to be. Like your Mama said, if you keep making that face it'll get stuck that way.

Besides, I asked myself a while back, how smart do you have to be, and how smart is it, to constantly make people think you are an idiot, anyway?

In my case, I'm so smart nobody believes it until I show 'em. And I WILL show 'em all!!!
(Voice echoing throughout the full-color Calvin and Hobbes comic strip).

By the way, a little meat in your diet may be environmentally dandy as an all-vegetarian diet.
Now to go stalk my unsuspecting prey like the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex without rustling any leaves.

SCC: I missed posting that url on the meat diet.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071008130203.htm

If Willbrod rustles leaves in the forest and there's nobody there but Willbrod...

A good article. Somewhere I read that the Hindu practice of not eating bovine, but milking the cow, optimizes the strategy and feeds more people for a given land area, especially in densely populated areas.

Martooni-upon enlisting in the army I was appalled to learn that a. very few people can walk silently through the woods and b. the US military regards it as some sort of advanced skill reserved for bona fide "snake eaters."

Moving silently through the woods is no great feat here now, sodden as the leaves are from a week straight of rain.

Wilbrod, the walls where I live are so thick, about two-three feet of brick, that I often open my windows in the dead cold of winter, with a fan to circulate in some nice cool air.

I learned silent woods walking from 'The Hobbit'. Really, I do have a tendency to inadvertantly sneak up on people.

One more thing about the CNO TELEGRAM...wasn't that dated three days ago???Sorry Don. I am a bit of an anal retentive stickler...

Oh, and to dmd: we will get our cooler weather tomorrow...thanks...

Anticipation...It's making me wait...

Jumper, I think the thing about Andy is that he knows he's smart, and we know because we know him, but he doesn't have to rise above his upbringing to prove it to the smartypants strangers who assume he's a dummy because of his accent. He just lets them find out on their own; therein is the humor and comedy of the situation. Slyness, yes, but no pretense. Just a twinkle in his eye that only we see and understand.

;-)

New kit, folks.