It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

The Klamath River mosies (sp?) along peacefully, rarely changing it's flow levels. The shallow current is truly hypnotic and it would be easy to just watch it go by all day and do nothing.  It makes for good pondering, if you catch my drift. LOL!  At least I didn't snore, falling asleep at the shore. Sorry, LORD it's not that I am uninterested in the daily reading, it's just that.. well, it was warm, quiet and lulled me to just close my eyes for a sec. ~

Our days consist of very little. Reading both Scripture and leisure materials, catching up on some filing, going up to the Lodge and watching some sports on TV with whomever happens to be around, working out some, walking the dogs two, three times a day with ONE MANDATORY LAB SWIM per day.... Yesterday she thought I threw something in the river because she couldn't find the piece of shredded rag anywhere else so off she goes, floating down the river! I saw this bobbing black head out there in the fastest part of the current! I hope my lifesaving skills will not be necessary. You didn't know that about me, did you? Yes. By some act of God back in 1977 or so, I was certified while attending CSU Chico. My instructor tried to drown me as I brought her to the surface and relaxed my grip for a nano-second. Then we both went under... Sue Porter was her name. I think it was Lt. Col. Sue Porter or something like that. She was built like a brick.. I wasn't. End of story. Somehow I passed. Felt like passing out. I drank half the Olympic size pool to save her and get my five credits. One thing I can say about myself - I am determined.

So, the trees here are vibrant with reds, oranges and yellows. Some already fallen leaves sound like applause as they blow away in the refreshing wind that came up yesterday noon. Dried out and crackling. Ah, the seasons change as do our lives. I meet folks here from Long Beach, CA and they have a reunion of lifeguards, CHPS, firefighters..all public servants. Nice folk. They skedaddle before the flakes fly, aas will I. I think. I'm scheduled for departure around the 30th - 1st of Nov. I saw the forecast and it called for snow showers next week about Weds. I must have Post Traumatic Snow Disorder because I felt myself bristling immediately. I'll peel out rubber in the middle of the night if I must! Anything but snow, anything... Anything? Well, almost. I have my moral limits. I must say my barometric finger is hot so I know that something is up.

Last night Ms B (Bev Day) made the trek up here to wine and dine me at the Fish Hook Cafe just up the road a piece. Great quaint cafe. Danielle (Danny) has been there for years and informed us of the NO on Measure G scuffle. It opposing the removal of several upstream dams that produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding of the area where I am contentedly sleeping every night. It will wipe out the R Ranch Klamath and Cottonwood area., many homes and businesses that people work hard for the money..No compensation at this point. Just destroy the dams and let 'er rip... It will provide jobs for awhile - Like all of us can run heavy equipment? Yeah, right... There is some kind of argument about the fish and how happy or unhappy they will be. All I know is that I am lovin' it up here. It's peaceful and serene. You are most welcomed as a guest. It'll be ten years before they pull the plug. Measure G is just a public opinion poll and has no real weight. The County Board of Supers is opposing it.  We got an earful from Danny. I can see why. Anywho, patronize the Fish Hook. It's charming. Right on the river. I've heard the 2 fer NY steak is great.They Bar B i right there. I had a decadent grilled ham and cheese and a hefty glass of Merlot, topped off with a little ice cream Sunday. Ms B had a burger and was licking her fingers, if that is any indication. Gotta love the simpler things in life.

We (Mill n' Moe and I) are hoping to do a little hiking this afternoon and I may go shooting at the range and see if I can hit some clay pigeons for the first time in my life. I'm a decent shot, nicknamed "Annie Oakley' more than once. That's another two stories for ya. We'll see what happens here. It's not windy today so that is advantageous. Laundry duties call, too but I may wait until it rains and I HAVE to be inside. I raisd homing pigeons once. Didn't know that about me, did ya? That's another story, too. Guess I have some writing to do.

BOOK recommendation: 'Saved By Her Enemy' by Rafraf Barrak, a  translator in Iraq and Don Teague, an NBC Correspondent. Eye opening to the plight of translators in Iraq. It's encouraging to see what God can do with well intentioned people to help one soul. Praise God....

That's it for now. Taking it pretty easy for the first time in eons. Wish you were here..If it's warm where you are, wish I was there. It's not too cold here today but somethin' a comin'....
From us to you, wags and whistles, purrs and prayers.
Sooz and crew
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15