Leaving San Diego XV

It was Sunday morning. I rose in time for coffee and a blueberry bagel with my wife at Einstein Bagels. Church and choir were as usual at MVNC. Afterwards, we returned to camp to break down the tent and get everything back into the car...once again. We were proud of ourselves for having followed the plan for one full week. Our friends think we are spending a fortune, but they do not know my wife. She could squeeze a penny until Abraham's head was the shape of the pennies I used to lay on the railroad tracks in front of our Indiana home. Lunch for me at Costco was the same as before...Chicken Caesar salad and Diet Coke. My wife ate at IKEA furniture store, supplemented with samples from the ends of the aisles at Costco. We were both satisfied. It was time to check in at Mission Valley Resort Hotel, which was really only a glorified motel. We had been here before, so I knew what to expect. The TV reception was nice and clear this time, so that was good. I watched several episodes of real-life ER. The "messy" images don't bother me any more...the same stuff I saw every Saturday night. I now find it very interesting. I was reminded of a conversation I had with a patient the night prior. I shared with him how I had always wanted to become a doctor. But he said that would have been a poor choice for me. I asked why? He said I was too-nice-of-a-guy to be a doctor, and that I was best doing just what I was doing... helping unfortunate people make it through their scary, and unexpected experiences in a hospital ER. I will never know for sure, but he might be right.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Friday, 8/28/2009, 9:19 a.m.
Three deputies visited a transient camp on Cottonwood Drive and encouraged the residents to move along.

Friday, 8/28/2009, 9:35 a.m.
Several stray llamas wandered about on Rhodes Draw.

Friday, 8/28/2009, 12:23 p.m.
Someone on Shady Lane complained that his wife habitually threw things around the house, yet somehow he was always the one arrested when authorities arrived.

Friday, 8/28/2009, 12:51 p.m.
Unescorted llamas were returned to their Rhodes Draw home.

Leaving San Diego XIV

Our tent is set up near a small lake, or large pond...take your pick. A sign said there were less than 500 "Least Tines Quavers" (or something like that) who nested near swamps such as this one. It all sounded like a stretch to me. I suspected the birds were never actually here. The authorities probably just wanted us to stay out of the brush. I helped myself to the shower and felt much better after getting camp dirt off my body. I had forgotten my hair shampoo, so I used my off-white, half-moon slice of Dove soap. It's soap...right? I pulled on my burgundy scrubs as I prepared for my usual volunteer, Saturday night stint in the hospital ER. Our fellow campers must think us odd campers...which we are. We are here mainly to save a few bucks. In the ER, I am training Donja, from Holland, to replace me. Cute, and at 5' 4", I was concerned she would be able to handle the drunks and recalcitrants who often found their way to the ER on Saturday nights. But after hearing she had worked as a bartender, I was feeling better. She was almost finished with her schooling to become a nurse. She said she had ten years experience working on a surgical team for a prominent veterinarian...lions, tigers and all those big animals. She would need to call upon that experience when some of the human animals were rolled into the ER. I gave her all the door codes so she could make her way around. She was catching on quickly and would make a good replacement. She took me to a repeat patient who was asking for me...a male who I had spent time with last Saturday. He was despondent, and made a half-hearted attempt to take his life with a dull butcherknife. When we reached his room, people from County Mental Health were whisking him off. I felt sad for him. His life was a mess and my help, such as it was, would only be temporary. But I was still impressed he had asked for me. As a volunteer, I don't get that often. Midnight was soon upon us, and it was time to go. Back at the tent, I crawled in and struggled with the zipper...getting tent material caught in the zipper only three times. Sleep came easily.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blogger

Thursday, 8/27/2009, 6:24 a.m.
An unoccupied silvery-gray vehicle idled on O'Brien Bluffs in Whitefish. The car was gone when authorities arrived.

Thursday, 8/27/2009, 11:54 a.m.
Someone in Lakeside claims that a neighbor built a road directly through the reporting party's property. The road turned out to be part of an easement issue, rather than a case of criminal mischief.

Thursday, 8/27/2009, 5:01 p.m.
Two horses on Emmons Canyon Road appeared to have no access to water. Authorities arrived to discover that they did indeed have water available.

Thursday, 8/27/2009, 5:22 p.m.
Kids with BB guns seemed suspicious on King's Way.

Leaving San Diego XIII

Our travel plans call for two weekends of camping (as in a tent) at Mission Trails Regional Park out towards Santee, Ca. My wife sent in our reservations, so we should be all set. Her co-teacher loaned us the necessary tent (thanks Peggy F.) which was still in its box, seemingly unused. We are not real campers as many here seem to be. We don't have a gas grill. We do not have any sporting equipment (unless my spud gun counts?), and we did not bring sleeping bags. I plan to sleep in my clothes, using an old quilt (rag?), and on top of a single mattress we used to keep in the loft at the house. My wife is using blankets I am sure I once saw on the garage floor? She let me have the mattress and is sleeping on two cushions from an old couch we once threw away. She is very sacrificial that way (or cheap?). We laid an old army blanket down on the tree-bark chips before I commenced setting up the tent. I gave the instructions a quick once-over before sticking the hollow tubes together, connected by bungee cords. My wife and I argued briefly over which way to orient the tent opening...away from our camping neighbors? ...or away from the camp road and automobile headlights? We decided on, "away from the neighbors." I think we are all set for the night. They even have a shower here with hot, running water. I am proud of us for roughing it like this. Our friends have no idea. I feel like a member of Lewis and Clark's expedition team. As I lay in the tent with knees bent, I read the "tent box" for want of reading material. "...sleeps three people comfortably." I looked for fine-print to see if the third person needed to be a double-amputee?

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Thursday, 8/27/2009, 9:02 a.m.
Several peacocks explored Springcreek Road, wandering into oncoming traffic. The loose fowl are apparently an ongoing problem.

Thursday, 8/27/2009, 4:03 p.m.
An intoxicated individual leaned against a pole near a business on Highway 2 East. The reporting party was concerned that the man might wander into traffic.

Thursday, 8/27/2009, 6:50 p.m.
Two neighbors yelled at one another on Highway 2 East in Evergreen. Apparently, one of the individuals did not appreciate it when the other left the house in his boxer shorts. The scantily-clad man responded to her criticism with loud profanity.

Leaving San Diego XII

We need to be out of this hotel by noon tomorrow. This is a good time to consolidate some of our things in the trunk. Some would say it is junk, but I actually need some of this stuff. There are the Childcraft books; a silver lamp; my winter jacket, and then there is my spud gun. The spud gun is my pride and joy and I could not bear to part with it. To save space, I stuffed socks and underwear in the barrel. I am reminded of a joke from Reader's Digest:

Four women from Idaho, Iowa, California and Montana were taking a road trip. The driver from Idaho pulled a potato from her purse and said, "Why am I carrying this stupid thing around? We have millions of them back home." And she threw it out the window. The gal from Iowa pulled an ear of corn from her backpack and said, "Why did I bring this thing? We have tons of them back home." And she tossed it out the window. The gal from Montana then opened a rear door and kicked the Californian out.

When we get to Montana, I am to say I am from Indiana (which I am), and my wife will say she is from Illinois (which she is).

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Monday, 8/24/2009, 10:17 a.m.
Three golden retrievers chased a cat on Pheasant Drive. The dogs and their owner received a verbal warning.

Monday, 8/24/2009, 1:23 p.m.
A garage door was spray-painted an orange hue on Bowman Drive.

Monday, 8/24/2009, 1:34 p.m.
Someone was shooting unsafely on Hodgson Road.

Monday, 8/24/2009, 7:29 p.m.
Authorities answered questions regarding chicken ordinances on Helena Flats Road.

Leaving San Diego XI

My wife is gone to work, but the tent I prepared last night is still in place. I am reminded of this sight from my childhood when my Mom would do this same thing. Of course, then it was to dry a sheet after one of us kids had wet the bed at a relative's house. My wife was giving blood today and we took a secret road from Hotel Circle to Hillcrest. She once told me about this road, but I had never actually seen it. It felt as though we were going to wind up in someone's back yard, but we did indeed get through. After 31 years in San Diego, maybe this was the very last thing all residents were to learn before leaving? I let her out and actually found a parking spot next to the front door. But as soon as I stepped off the elevator, she was there to tell me it was all cancelled. Evidently, they were supposed to inform a person if Aspirin had been ingested within the previous 48 hours. I learned more. She was giving blood platelets instead of whole blood. And the reason for the platelets was they had a special program, offering free dinner coupons to Pat and Oscar's BBQ when donating platelets. I was proud of her for discovering this. I love the ribs at Pat and Oscar's. And she was willing to shed her blood so that I could enjoy a good meal ...how special! I wondered how many meals came with an organ donation? I will have to ask her how fond she is of that second kidney?

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Tuesday, 8-25-2009, 1:38 p.m.
Traffic on highway 93 was impeded by construction work. No flagger was present to direct the oncoming traffic.

Tuesday, 8-25-2009, 5:22 p.m.
Employees of a local motel called to report that a young man arrives daily and removes cigarettes from an ashtray in the hotel's lobby.

Tuesday, 8-25-2009, 7:03 p.m.
A resident of Cemetery Road claims that several people raced up and down the road while numerous kids jumped in and out of the truck beds. The reporting party found this very irritating.

Leaving San Diego X

My breakfast in the hotel room was as usual...toast with spun honey; coffee with white chemicals; milk (thawed this time) and an apple. The toaster-oven still balances nicely on the bathroom sink. I did not have anything on which to set my toast until locating my old USA atlas and road map. It is a little dated (1978) but still useful. I opened to the page of Montana, our destination, on which to set my toast with honey and cinnamon. But some honey leaked through a hole in my brown, lowfat bread (40 calories per slice) creating a sticky smudge. I licked a finger and wiped it as best I could...just north of Lewistown at the intersection of Big Arrow and Dog Creek. But that is in eastern Montana and I don't plan to be driving through there, so that should be okay. The information block for Montana mentioned Grand Rapids as having one of the largest natural springs in the world with a daily outflow of 390 million gallon of water. I have this image of a breathless old man trying to get an accurate reading with a rusty, gallon bucket. My wife already knew the capital of Montana to be Helena. She said she learned them as a child from Vallo Milk chocolate marshmallow bars. Vallo Milk used to include a round, wooden disc in each package of candy with a state and its capitol. I now realize just how bad her chocolate habit must be to have consumed enough of those bars to learn every state's capitol. I mean, there had to have been repeats and repetition. Granted, there were only 48 states then, but still.....??

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Thursday, 8/20/2009, 4:39 p.m.
Someone in Martin City claimed that unspecified people continually broke into her home and stole things, one of whom she believed to be living in her attic. Authorities found no sign of intrusion into the home.

Thursday, 8/20/2009, 10:14 p.m.
Someone on Ridgewood Drive reported seeing a strange light in the sky. The light evidently did not move.

Sunday, 8/23/2009, 9:27 a.m.
An errant dog in Kila returned from a night of carousing with a note around its neck. The note, presumably from a neighbor, indicated the dog would be shot if seen chasing livestock again.

Leaving San Diego IX

Back home (hotel room), I was bored and wanted to play a game. My first choice was vetoed, so I settled for a game of Cribbage. My cards were out of sight, but she soon came back and was about to overtake me. She then said she was very tired and needed to sleep. I breathed a sigh of relief. This room has two beds and we are using both. After I take my evening meds, I get the jimmy-leg, shaking the whole bed every four minutes. Understandingly, she has a hard time sleeping with a timed explosion at the quarry at timed intervals. I wanted to keep the TV on a while longer (weather channel), so my wife suggested I pin a sheet to the bed headboard, and over her to block the light. The tent looks a little funny, but she is snoring soundly. I often wonder why we have darkness? I think the best answer is found in Seneca's (30 AD) words when he said,

"When candles are out, all women are fair."

I don't need darkness for my wife. She holds up in strong light.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Wednesday, 8/12/2009, 6:29 a.m.
In Whitefish, a man from Florida decided to take a nap in his car while parked in a vacant lot. This seemed highly suspicious to a nearby resident.

Wednesday, 8/12/2009, 8:26 a.m.
Tools were stolen from a construction trailer on Golden Eagle Lane. (If you have any information on said tools, please contact author of this blog. The tools belonged to my daughter and husband.)

Wednesday, 8/12/2009, 9:00 a.m.
A Hungry Horse resident who had not been seen in the neighborhood for quite some time turned out to be enjoying a vacation.

Wednesday, 8/12/2009, 12:11 p.m.
Someone on Batavia Lane claimed that a neighbor dumped approximately 1,000 pounds of boulders in his driveway. This mischievous antic was found to be the result of a neighborhood feud.

Leaving San Diego VIII

An odd smell had been with us in the car for some time. I could not place it. I was convinced it was nothing of mine until my can of carburetor choke spray reared its ugly spout. I asked myself what I was doing lugging around a can of choke spray??...and quickly tossed it. My wife packs well. She rearranged the trunk until everything fit quite nicely. She should be in charge of loading the space shuttle before lift-off. I can see her now: "Hey you, get rid of that bulky space suit. Here is some aluminum foil and plastic wrap. This thing has to get off the ground, you know. By the way, how long can you hold your breath?" She also removed her pills from their bottles and placed in labeled plastic sandwich bags to save space. I'm old-school. I am keeping my pills in their bottles. It was so nice outside that we went to the courtyard and read books while reclining on lawn chairs. I am reading, "Avoiding Common Surgical Errors." I might give my doctor a copy if I ever need my prostate removed. You can't be too safe. I am sure not all doctors know everything. My wife asked me a trivia question. Question: "What do you call the medical student who graduated at the very bottom of the class?" Answer: "Doctor."

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Friday, 8/7/2009, 12:50 p.m.
A man driving on River Road in Columbia Falls was taken by surprise when another individual leaped out of the bushes, dashed around the front of the car and began screaming at the driver. Evidently, he did not appreciate it when vehicles exceeded 10 mph.

Friday, 8/7/2009/ 8:55 p.m.
A man in Whitefish was treated for a severe eye injury after a bomb made of dry ice exploded in his face.

Monday, 8/10/2009, 8:23 a.m.
Someone stumbled upon a bundle of bones wrapped in a tarp on Big Mountain. The remains turned out to be of animal origin.

Leaving San Diego VII

I picked up our dinner from Pt. Loma's "Fresh and Easy" store. But we always get the discounted, day-old 50%-off food. I call it, Stale and Easy. I had the cobb salad that looked like some of the cobbs had wilted. My wife enjoyed some sort of pasta dish. We drove to the library parking lot where we chowed-down on our delicacies. The pre-packaged food items were supplied with black, plastic sporks. They were hinged in the middle and would snap closed, into a usable configuration. The U.S. is indeed a great place. We put a man on the moon and we have hinged sporks. Afterwards, we went inside and enjoyed our favorite reading material. I read more Interesting Facts. Did you know that Winston Churchill, FDR, General Douglass MacArthur and General George Patton's mothers all dressed them as girls when young? I, personally, found that bit of trivia comforting. Oh, and a person burns 150 calories when beating their head against a wall for one hour. But by the time you get skinny, you don't have the brains to appreciate it.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Wednesday, 8/5/2009, 10:35 a.m.
Someone in Lakeside called to ask questions about the dead bat that had become a toy for the household cat. The bat has been taken to the county health department for rabies testing.

Wednesday, 8/5/2009, 11:35 a.m.
After trespassing into a neighbor's yard, a cat was viciously attacked by the neighbor's large dog.

Thursday, 8/13/2009, 9:41 a.m.
What was thought to be criminal mischief in Lakeside turned out to be an electrical worker painting the grass in order to mark underground wires.

Thursday, 8/13/2009, 12:37 p.m.
A large truck deposited refuse at the county landfill without paying the necessary fee.

Leaving San Diego VI

At Mission Valley Resort Hotel, I asked at the desk about free internet? I was given the secret password and code...both interestingly the same. I found myself multi-tasking on a whole new level as I prepared my breakfast. The timer on our toaster-oven was broken, as was the top heating element. It balanced nicely on the bathroom sink. I had to remove my toast occasionally and turn it over to make sure the bottom was not burning. I spread spun honey on my toast which rested on folded newspaper over the waste basket. I could do this most easily while seated on the toilet, doing other things that should not make it to print. My milk was still frozen, having come from my wife's classroom. She would throw the cardboard, one-pint containers into the freezer once they reached their expiration dates. She claimed that stopped the aging process in its tracks. The jury is still out on that one, but I drink it anyway. I tried setting it on top of the toaster oven to thaw, but it was taking forever. So I chopped at it with my wooden, coffee stirring stick. It was a bit slushy and now with splinters, but palatable. I was reminded of growing up in Indiana and having the refrigerator quit in January. We had to set the refrigerated things on the back porch in a box. Drinking slushy milk takes some getting used to, but is not too bad...just tastes a little watery. The movie, "Twister" was on TV just then...about tornadoes. Somehow, that seemed appropriate.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Friday, 8/14/2009, 1:53 p.m.
Someone in Hungry Horse received a threatening phone call from his mother. She evidently planned to have a Hell's Angels cause him bodily harm.

Wednesday, 8/19/2009, 6:41 a.m.
A man wearing tan shorts and carrying a backpack peeked into cars in Whitefish but did not attempt to enter them.

Wednesday, 8/19/2009, 10:17 a.m.
Although it seemed that a six-year-old was home alone in Lakeside, the child's guardian was actually in the shower.

Leaving San Diego V

This was Sunday. Church went as usual. I parked in a far corner of the church parking lot since we still looked like the (religious) Beverly Hillbillies on vacation. Afterwards, we ate lunch at Souplantation, a favorite spot. I had the chicken caesar salad; tomato, potato and spinach soup; red jello; cinnamon roll; diet Coke and coffee with creamer. I felt like a camel at a desert oasis, not knowing when I would eat or drink again. Our next stop was at Mission Valley Resort Hotel. I had to return to the front desk to have our plastic keys reset, since the first scan did not take. The young man behind the counter with the pink shirt and blue tie was busy securing tee-off times for an elderly Italian couple with marginal English skills. She looked slightly out of place (and style) with her yellow polo shirt and white bell-bottom jeans. The backs of her arms were flabby, with surgical scars from where excess skin had been removed? He looked normal...big gut, green and yellow Hawaiian shirt and off-while Docker shorts. I felt like I was visiting from another state or country. This no longer felt like home. We ate our dinner of cold Van Camp's pork and beans with cold hot dogs. Our room did not have a microwave and we were too tired to go out. The styrofoam cooler was under the desk, the coffee maker on the back of the toilet and my bike next to the bed. This would do.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Thursday, 8/13/2009, 5:00 a.m.
Two blonde women stood suspiciously outside a business on River Road. Further investigation revealed they were only having a conversation.

Friday, 8/14/2009, 6:56 a.m.
A man and a woman quarreled on Harmony Road.

Friday, 8/14/2009, 1:25 p.m.
A stuck light bulb began smoking and emitting an electrical smell at a Columbia Falls casino. Columbia Falls fire officials responded and removed the problem bulb.

Friday, 8/14/2009, 8:35 p.m.
Individuals shooting on Leisure Island were doing so in a safe and legal manner.

Leaving San Diego IV

After my microwaved lasagna dinner in our hotel room, I showered and headed to the hospital ER where I have volunteered for the past ten years. I was training Donja from Holland to replace me. We had the usual and customary emergencies tonight...sprained ankle; chest pain; skateboard accident with suspected carpal (wrist) fracture. Donja and I cleaned and prepared many bloody gurneys throughout the night. We saw one lone trauma...large Hispanic male with a knife wound to his back. There were no "bubbles" and he was lucky the knife had not punctured his lung. After a quick stitch-job, he was released into custody of the nice man in blue uniform and shiny badge. The police were always here on Saturday nights. Later, on the channel eight news, a reporter spoke of a gang fight... man stabbed...expected to survive. Yeah, that was our guy. When clocking out, I expected to surpass the 1,000-hour mark as an ER volunteer. But the system was down and would not open for me. I was disappointed. I was hoping for confetti, rice and balloons to come gushing from the monitor. I will be here only one more Saturday night before leaving for Montana. Maybe next weekend.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Wednesday, 11:40 a.m., 8/19/2009
A resident of Concord Lane claimed that someone stole their car in the night, hit a deer then returned the vehicle.

Wednesday, 10:52 a.m., 8/19/2009
A choking baby in Whitefish was fine after spitting up what appeared to be biscuits and gravy.

Wednesday, 3:49 p.m., 8/19/2009
A man in Hungry Horse was bitten by a dog and then verbally assaulted by the dog's owner.

Wednesday, 4:07 p.m., 8/19/2009
One black cow wandered about on Halfmoon Road in Columbia Falls.

Leaving San Diego III

After checking with the desk at the Garden Inn Hotel, I realized we did NOT have reservations for tonight. We were too far from a library to get on Priceline. So we began checking all the fast-food places for Wifi...Carl's Jr, Arby's, Jack-in-the-Box and Del Taco. I pulled up to each location while my wife dashed to the front door, looking for a "sign." Nothing. We knew a distant McDonald's had it, but did not want to drive all the way back there. We were out of options, so back to McDonald's we went. We paid the $3.00 and my wife got to work, typing like mad. The battery icon began blinking rapidly...she almost had it...NO, not another pause! The only outlet available was in front of the servers' entrance where a promo sign was plugged in. To use it, she had to sit on the floor, directly in front of the workers' door. We had no choice, our battery was rapidly fading. She unplugged "Ronald McDonald" and borrowed enough power to complete the transaction. I sat in our booth, gazing out the window like a coward, hoping no one would place me with her. We had it...back to the Garden Inn once more. On our way, we stopped at Von's for frozen lasagne for me and a frozen vegetable tray for her... and a half-gallon of nonfat milk. We would be staying in a non-smoking, handicapped room...the only non-smoking room left. It felt so good to stretch out on the gaudy-flowered bedspread while my lasagne nuked in the microwave. I added milk and coffee. We had battled the elements and made it...once again.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Wednesday, 8/5/09, 9:03 p.m.
An intoxicated male was seen chucking rocks at cars near the Foys Lake public swimming access. Authorities arrived to find that he was aiming for his own vehicle. (right)

Thursday, 8/6/09, 11:58 p.m.
Authorities responded to a report of an unfamiliar vehicle in a driveway on Hodgeson Road, only to find that the vehicle belonged to the homeowner.

Thursday, 8/6/09, 12:54 p.m.
Reports of a loud party on Big Mountain led responding officers to discover a man and woman running about without any clothes. The party-goers were advised to be quiet and get dressed.

Leaving San Diego II

The star was in the East (North?) and it was time to go. This must be how the three Wisemen felt. Our Buick was loaded to the hilt, making it handle like a flat-bottom boat in a hurricane. I can imagine the car feels as though pregnant with sextuplets on board. My wife found an extended-stay hotel on Priceline for $30.00...for one night. I am proud of her. I slept well and woke to my usual breakfast of toast with cinnamon and spun honey; coffee and creamer; one chocolate oatmeal cookie and a banana. I usually have an apple, but the banana was going bad. The Buick needed fresh tires for our long trip, so we stopped at Costco...2-3 hours. Fortunately, there was a library just across the street. I like books....and restrooms. My wife was reading a book on "important facts." She mouthed the word, "colorful" to me and asked what she had said? Evidently, it was supposed to look like the words, "I love you." It must have worked, since I mouthed the word, "colorful" back to her. The car was almost done. Oh yeah, babies are born without kneecaps, and if a person farted continuously for 6 years and 2 months, the energy would equal that of an atomic explosion. It sounds interesting, but I don't plan to try it...maybe tomorrow, but not today.

Montana 9-1-1 Police Blotter

Tuesday, 8/4/09, 3:17 p.m.
A man on a tricycle was seen veering into traffic near a bar in Columbia Falls. Authorities could not locate said individual.

Wednesday, 8/5/09, 11:23 p.m.
A garbage can near a local independent school caught fire and was quickly extinguished, though not in time to save the contents of the receptacle.

Monday, 8/10/09, 8:26 p.m.
Someone passing through the Badrock Canyon area called to report that a man was lying on the ground and rolling around. Emergency medical professionals arrived to find that the man was lying down in order to get a photo of a passing train.

Leaving San Diego

It was time to move. The brown coffee stains had been wiped from the gray tile kitchen floor-and walls. I had harvested oranges from the tree in the front patio. My ring finger was bleeding after a poke from a screw while caulking around the fireplace chimney. Was this symbolic of the blood shed between my wife and I during this move? Our renters would be here any moment. There was talk of a "pit bull." So many offenses will be overlooked. It was now all in the hands of a property manager. While driving past the front yard, there would be no returning after work-(nevermind that I am not working just now); no Victoria's Secret catalogues from the brass mailbox and no rat trap to check in the garage. All would be different now. We were on our way to Kalispell, Montana to be with the kids and grandkids. But first, we must spend two weeks in motels, and camping, while my wife finishes her work. I must remember the words of Anais Nin..."Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." I feel myself shrinking. But then again, Homer said, "There is a strength in the union even of very sorry men." Maybe together, we will make it. "No Dear, I am not calling you sorry.....I'm just saying......"

Montana Today

The big items on last night's news were, "Horshoeing competition at State Fair", and "New Sewer for Local Community-Parade and Picnic." I think I can get used to this.