Things that Screech in the Night

Hey kids! Greetings from the rainforest - which, if the weatherman can be believed, is likely to live-up to its billing this week. The phrase "rain - heavy at times" is, as typical this time of year, becoming a fixture in the daily meteorlogical prognosis. Indeed I see a "heavy at times" event occurring outside this very moment.

It's been a trying few days since I returned home. By the time I stepped-off the plane I had a fever and a sore throat and have had a dickens of a cold since. Didn't even get dressed for a couple of days. And on Friday and Saturday my nightly repose was disturbed not only by the customary symptoms of the rhinovirus; but also by a pair of Barred Owls that have taken up residence in the neighborhood since mid-summer. One of the damned things spent two nights perched right behind the house - couldn't have been more than fifty feet or so from my window.

The Barred Owl makes several calls. One is the customary owl sound - the whoo whoo thing. The other sound is a screech - a cross between someone scraping his fingernails across a chalkboard and that weird sound that Godzilla made in all those old Japanese horror flics. On Saturday night the owls were exchanging Godzilla mating calls every thirty seconds or so between the hours of 11:30 PM and 3:00 AM. I know this because I was more-or-less awake a good deal of the time - tossing and turning in a fever-induced semi-conscious state.

Owls are not that common (or at least not that often seen) in this neck of the woods and I can honestly say that over the years I have given them very little thought. That has now changed. Indeed by 2:00 AM I was totally preoccupied with owl matters - even planning formal supper parties in their honor.

Exemplia gratia:

• Fricassee of Owl with Sweet Mustard
• Roast Owl with Grand Marnier Apricot Stuffing
• Parslied Rack of Owl

You get the drift.

Fortunately, last night they took their business elsewhere and this morning I feel much improved if not exactly chipper.

Yesterday, I began photoshopping my vacation pics. I took a TON of shots at the various golf tournament functions and it will take me a few days to process them as well as my other vacation pics. You've previously seen many of the highlights as unprocessed photos in this blog; but I noticed that I forgot to post any pics from our visit to Jane's and John's digs in Portland. So...in the interest of presenting an accurate historical record of this noteworthy and highly entertaining event I am today rectifying this oversight.

"Who ARE these people?"

"They're Visitors from Another Time and Place"

"They have webbed hands and feet and smell like sun-block"

Alison looks pretty in pink.

Terry is all gussied-up for Saturday Night in Sellwood.

The Portland contingent yuks it up.

My indisposition has provided an opportunity to make considerable progress in my Revolutionary War era study program in advance of my East Coast trip late next month. I have finished the biography of George Washington by James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn and am now engrossed in the life and times of Thomas Jefferson.

Quote for the Day:

"Infallibility not being the attribute of Man, we ought to be cautious in censuring the opinions and conduct of one another."

George Washington

City Lights

I had a very good supper last night at the India House Bistro on Market Street here in the bowels of Ballard. Mulligatawny soup and lamb tikka masala. It's the second time I've dined at the place and I highly recommend it - the bistro is in all the local and regional Best Places books and other dining guides.

After supper I wandered up-and-down Market Street for an hour or so people watching and generally soaking-up the ambience of the city. I like the city lights and sounds - I don't think I want to be a city dweller yet (maybe in 15 or 20 years) - but I sure want ACCESS to the city on a regular basis. On the other hand, the city sounds of 1 AM - a pack of young folks on their way home after some serious clubbing - was not particularly appreciated just outside my bedroom window. Although I certainly do not begrudge them the diversions of youth.

Today I'm going to go have a workout at the Ballard Health Club and then run some errands for Lady Marian. And tonight it's supper at the Palisades. And tomorrow - back to the rain forrest.

In other news, it seems that the polls have taken a decided turn in Mr. Obama's direction the past few days. The economic meltdown chicken has apprently come to roost at the Republican door - as it well should...

And the bloom is off the Palin rose. Governor Palin remains in "political protective custody" as the New York Times puts it...relative to the domestic press...although she was sent to meet and greet various foreign dignataries at the United Nations. I find the picture of the Governor and Afghan President Harmid Karzai particularly amusing. What would she possibly say to him? "How about them Taliban!" "Have you ever butchered a moose, Hamid?"

Quote for the day:

"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."
H. L. Mencken

"V" is for Valium

Hey kids! Here I am back at Tully's Coffee House after 24 hours of medical maneuvers - mostly involving the 10 yard dash from Mother Harrigan's couch to the throne. Swilled two liters of something that tasted like salted lemonade designed to clean-out the plumbing and it seems to have worked as billed.

This morning at 6:50 AM I took the Harrigan Taxi to Virginia Mason and they moved me through the process like clockwork. Terry collected me - dazed and drooling - about 10 AM and I was back in bed to sleep off the valium drip by 11 AM. The doc found and excised three little polyps - which she did not regard as sufficient to warrant any concern on my part; but which I trust will be sufficient for Blue Cross to foot the bill. Poifect.

I just finished a big greasy burger with fries and a shake and it appears that my colon harbors no hard feelings regarding the whole adventure. Indeed, I feel quite chipper. The only downer is that I cannot undertake any serious exercise for the rest of the day or drink any alcohol - so my plan for a good workout followed by some serious tippling at the Old Peculiar and supper at Lombardi's has been thwarted. Guess I could still do Lombardi's sans the customary grape; but it's just not the same - so we'll see.

Yesterday's shopping spree was largely successful insofar as I cadged a winter wardrobe of shirts and pants at the Nordstrom Rack at a very reasonable price. I spent some time querying the hapless clerk at Radioshack about GPS car navigation aids; but he seemed clueless and was unable to convince me to buy a Tom Tom. I'll order the Garmin device I want online when I get home.

I also bought a couple of travel books at Borders: a guide to Virginia and a Fodor's guide to Charleston, Savannah, and vicinities. I had a lot of throne time last evening and used it productively to begin to formulate a travel itinerary for my trip back East. I'm really looking forward to my time in Virginia - Mount Vernon, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Monticello have DEFINITELY made the first cut. And I obtained the biography of Thomas Jefferson I was looking for...

Tomorrow I'm going to run a few errands for Marian and, if the weather is decent, do a little driving around. Tomorrow night I am escorting the Ladies Harrigan to Palisades, a real nice restaurant overlooking the marina in Magnolia.

Will probably post tomorrow; but, if not, will do so from the cozy confines of my humble Juneau abode. I'm on AS 75 to Juneau on Thursday. Can't believe I've been gone for three weeks. Time does indeed fly when you're having fun.

Cheers!

Greetings from the Bowels of Ballard

Ah, Tully's Coffee! I really like this place. Lots of the same faces - although a couple of the regulars appear to be MIA today. I broke new ground this morning by taking breakfast at Vera's, a local diner. Standard breakfast fare in a vaguely seedy atmosphere; just what the doctor ordered - literally - as after 10 AM I am on a clear liquid diet for the remainder of the day.

Yesterday's drive from Redmond to Portland was quite nice. We drove to The Dalles and then took I-84 to PDX. Some fuckery at the airport where I drove around in circles for a half-hour or so looking for a bloody gas station. Although I can't really say that getting lost bothered me all that much since we had lots of time to catch the flight. When I turned the car in, the guy told me I had put over 2400 miles on the rig in the past 18 days. Not bad since a week of that time was more-or-less sedentary car-wise in Redmond.

Apparently the flight to Seattle last evening was over booked. I volunteered to go an hour later for a free ticket; but unfortunately not everyone showed-up for the flight and I had to board. Better luck next time.

Fun Fact: We had a great brunch at a French bistro in The Dalles. They were pouring wine from a local winery, Errin Ridge, I believe. "Tantrum Red" is the vintner's house red and "Velvet Ass Rose' " was also on the wine list. I just love those names.

Got to the Hotel Harrigan around 8 PM and had a nice chat with Marian who seems to be doing well. Had a nice visit again this morning and now I'm going to go collect my prescription associated with tomorrow's festivities and then head to downtown for a little shopping. I need to buy some pants, a couple of long-sleeved shirts, and maybe a GPS navigator for my upcoming road trip back East. And I'm in the market for a biography of Thomas Jefferson.

So there you have it. Monday in Seattle.

Assuming I'm feeling well enough, I'll probably mosey down to the coffee house tomorrow afternoon and do a blog entry- I check-in at Virginia Mason at 7:15 AM and should be discharged by noon. I suspect I'll be hungry.

Adieu to Redmond

I can't believe a week has gone by since we arrived in Redmond. Seems like just moments ago. We had a great time golfing, dining, and otherwise recreating. And I believe Laura initialed a two-year contract - subject to golf club board approval - to return here for the next two years. The facility is really outstanding for our purposes. Folks who want to stay put can have all their needs met at the resort and for the more adventuresome types Bend and Sun River are just down the road.

On Friday we played a course in Bend called River's Edge. It was quite challenging - lots of up and down hills. Played OK. Yesterday we went into Bend and did some shopping and Alison and Dougie played 9 holes in the afternoon at the resort. I tweeked my knee on Friday and decided to take the day off...need to be in shape for the Carolina tour at the end of October.

Alison cooked steaks last night with all the trimmings. Yum.

Today we'll leg-it to PDX via Highway 97/197 to The Dalles and then I-84 to the airport. We'll fly to Seattle and then Alison and Doug will continue to Juneau while I make a detour for a colonoscopy at Virginia Mason on Tuesday. Can't say I've been missing the home town; but Juneau actually sounds good relative to the medical procedure... Sigh...

In other news I see that the federal takeover of the financial system continues apace. Just watched Secretary Paulson make the pitch on his rounds of the Sunday morning talk shows. He's probably right about the need for action; but where were the Bushies the past 8 years as the bubble expanded? Extolling the virtues of the unregulated marketplace and the sanctity of private property I guess. Their incompetence is truly breathtaking.

It is striking that it took a bipartisan succession of Presidents with the support of Congress over 40 years to bankrupt the Soviet Union. George Bush has come within a cat's whisker of accomplishing the same feat with our own economy in a mere 8 years! There's a legacy for you.

Morons. Assholes.

Next post: dateline Seattle from the friendly confines of Tully's Coffee House in beautiful downtown Ballard.

First Place, Second Place, and the $10,000 Putt

Well, another Juneau Golf Club Spectacular is now behind us. And it was mighty fun.

Alison got the "gold" in her flight and is $250 richer today...before expenses, of course.

Alison successfully defends her title in the Women's "B" Flight.

I managed second place in the men's "C" flight and cadged $175. Laura took the silver in the Women's "B" Flight.

In the money. Elmo takes second in the men's "C" Flight.

Hostess with the Mostest...Laura earns second place honors in the women's "B" Flight.

But the biggest thrill was the drawing of Dougie's name to take a crack at a 60 foot putt for $10,000. Operating briskly under barley and hop power, he made a valiant attempt but came-up a tad short.

It's not every day of the week you get to putt for ten grand.

Fun Fact: Did you know that pilots of commercial airliners can vary the pressurization of the cabin - to set it for various altitudes? I did not. But Jim Jacobsen, recently retired Captain for Alaska Airlines, happened to mention that it can be done. Set the pressure for 9 or 10 thousand instead of the customary 8 thousand and it quiets the passengers down real good. Nappy time. Probably of particular use on those Vegas flights. Or if State Senator Lesil McGuire is on board...and has a load on...

The cocktail crew at Laura's.

Well, we're off to play a round of golf in Bend. More later...

Golf 'til Hell Won't Have It...

Unfortunately, "Mulligans" are not on sale for the regular tournament. Mine sure came in handy during the Scramble however...

We now have two rounds of the Fall Classic under our belts and Alison continues to be red hot on the links. I'm betting she will remain at the top of the leaderboard in the women's flight. Dougie and me - not so much. Although I am probably still around even given my LARGE handicap. We'll check-out the leaderboards in the morning.

The whole crew. Mostly middle-aged Juneau folks having tons of fun in the sun. (click on picture for larger image)

Alison might want to consider forgoing that job at DHSS and go into golf course management. She's been tearing-up the course this week.

Last night we had a BBQ at the resort clubhouse and it was quite good. Definitely better than the groceries at the Spring tournament. I took lots of pics; but haven't downloaded them yet. On Monday we drove to Bend and had a great meal at a wine bar/restaurant called Marenda. It was Alison's and Doug's anniversary.

Laura and her check-in crew. The whole tournament has gone like clockwork. Way to go Laura!

Although it's been quite toasty (87 at the moment), all the Juneauites and fellow travelers are quite contented. I have yet to hear anyone pining for the 50 degree temperatures and rain back home. Certainly not me. I have put shorts on every morning since I left Juneau and would be quite content to continue this practice for the foreseeable future. At least for one more week!

This evening we'll stop at Laura's Happy Hour and then motor on over to Sisters for dinner at a great French restaurant called Jenn's Garden. We ate there in the Spring of 2007 and it was fabulous. I see a Pinot Noir wine flight in my future...

My Scramble day team. I was most definitely low man on this particular totem pole.

In other news, I note that we (citizens of these United States) have just acquired a large insurance company. We're amassing quite the investment portfolio. Doubt if there have been so many nationalizations of financial institutions in decades. Who would have thought it? George W. Bush - our first socialist President.

Later kids...

Juneau Fall Classic

Greetings from Redmond, Oregon, home of the Juneau Golf Club 2008 Fall Classic.

We drove up from Portland on Sunday morning - a beautiful drive past Mt. Hood and up into the high desert. The weather was, and remains, near perfect. The previous evening we had supper with Jane, John, Terry, and Jim at a neighborhood Italian restaurant in Sellwood. It was on par with the best food downtown and the last in a series of outstanding Portland meals. Bet I gained a few pounds in Portland.

Alison helped man the tournament registration table on Sunday afternoon and Dougie and I went grocery shopping and got us checked-in to the condo. The units are very nice with two bedrooms, a full kitchen and nice deck. Alison cooked steaks on Sunday.

Yesterday we played a scramble. It was quite fun although I don't know that I contributed too much to our team effort. We finished at even par and the winning team was 7 under. In about an hour and a half we tee-off on the first of our three round tournament. There are about 90 participants. This evening we have a BBQ at the Clubhouse for all participants. Laura Beason is the tournament organizer and so far she seems quite pleased with everything...

Supper at Paley's Place with the Snowdens. Good eats and good company.

More food! Dining under the moon and stars on the patio at Lovely Hula Hands.

Street theater in Portland. Elvis - the party years.

Stay tuned for more pics from Portland and Redmond. I'm going to eat my Wheaties and go play golf!

Life in the City

Greetings from Portland Oregon. I've had a busy couple of days. I drove to Portland from Corvallis on Wednesday - played a round of golf at Trysting Tree before the drive. I played with three retirees from OSU, a couple of professors and the former Dean of Students. They were great company. I could very easily get accustomed to a regular tee time with a crew of old lefties. They were, at best, highly skeptical of wannabe VP Palin.

I got to the city around 5 PM, checked into the Vintage Plaza Hotel (which is very satisfactory although I miss the Great Room at the Benson), and then went to the Portland City Grill with Amanda and Matthew for a great supper with a spectacular view. The restaurant is located on the 30th floor of a bank right downtown.

Thursday was fairly low-key. I collected Doug and Alison at the airport in mid-afternoon and we went to Paley's Place with Arthur and Sher Snowden for supper. It's a great restaurant.

Yesterday Doug, Alison, Leah, Chris, Matthew and I played 18 holes at the Glendevere Golf Course. It was a S-L-O-W round - we teed-off at 11:15 AM and didn't finish until almost 4:30 PM. Everyone played fairly well, however, so it was quite fun. Another beautiful sunny and warm day.

Last night the gals, their pals, and I went to Lovely Hula Hands in the Mississippi District for supper. We dined al fresco under the moon and stars - something this Juneau boy can never get enough of - and the food and company were superb.

It's now Saturday morning and I will hang-out waiting from Leah and Amanda to give me a call. It's shopping day! Nordy's is on the agenda and I'm sure other fashion emporiums as well. Tonight Doug, Alison, and I will go over to Jane's for cocktails and then out to a local Italian joint in Sellwood. We will have Special Guest Appearances by Jim Larson and Terry Harrigan. Should be big time fun!

Hmmm. It appears that I cannot upload any pics at the moment...don't know if it's a problem with the Google site or the connection here at the hotel. I will try again later; but I may just have to wait until I'm at another location.

Next post: dateline Redmond, Oregon and the Juneau Golf Club Fall 2008 Spectacular.

Fun in the Sun

A great day yesterday. Had a good workout, visited with my realtor, played 18 holes at the Trysting Tree Golf Course, and had a super supper. The skies were blue and the sun beat down on one very happy Elmo.

The real estate market is very slow. There is a large stock of homes on the market - over 300 at last count. The realtor is hopeful - but not at all certain, that the bottom will come next Spring. Works for me.

I had supper at a French restaurant last evening. The mussel appetizer was out of this world and the lamb osso bucco was very good. There are three other new restaurants in town that are also supposed to be quite good - but they will have to wait until my next visit.

I'm going to go have another workout this morning and then play golf again. Then I will hit the road to Portland and supper with the gals. Yippee! Life is good.

Mom called last night to give me the news I had heard the day before - Alison Elgee has been appointed as an Assistant Commissioner at my old department. She will inherit the duties previously performed by Janet Clarke. Congratulations Alison! The Department of Health and Social Services is lucky to have you!

The sun is shining again today and the forecast is for more of the same...

Next post - dateline Portland.

Over Hill, Over Dale

Greetings from Corvallis, Oregon. Home of the Oregon State Beavers and, hopefully, me, at some future date at least.

Before anything else - a million thanks to Pat Williams for the hospitality in Boise. We covered a lot of ground in three days - and she is still the amusing and delightful person I remember from what seems like a million years ago - when we both worked for the Division of Legislative Finance.

I left Boise about 8:30 AM and was not sure I would want to drive all the way to Corvallis in one day. But I got to Bend about 1 PM (there's a one hour time difference between Boise and Bend), still felt quite chipper, so decided to push-on.

It was about 89 degrees when I arrived in Corvallis and the forecast for the whole Northwest looks encouraging for at least the next week or so. I had a decent supper at my regular haunt, Michael's Landing, and just got back to the room. I got some exciting news while I was at the restaurant - but I'm not sure if it's public or not so it will have to wait. I wanted to dance a jig.

No pics today so you'll have to settle for a written description of my trip. From Boise, I headed northwest on a state highway and then on I-84 to Ontario Oregon. This was all through Treasure Valley in which Boise is located and it is dry, dry, dry. Then west on Highway 20 through Vale, Oregon and continuing west through the desert gradually gaining altitude to Burns. Still desert and still pretty bleak with sagebrush and bloody little else.

Once you get through Burns you gain a little more altitude and then are on a plateau for most of the way to Bend. Pretty grim. About 30 miles east of Bend you pick-up the first views of the Sisters and Mt. Jefferson in the Cascades and start to get into pine forest (although still pretty damn desert like).

I really like the Bend area - it's fairly heavily wooded - and it's close enough to the Cascades that you feel you can beat a hasty retreat to the west side of the mountains if you get into trouble with the desert people (like tell them what you REALLY think about Sarah Palin). I had to be pretty coy as to my feelings in this regard in Idaho - the locals in McCall were particularly smitten by her comparison of herself to a vicious, yet pious, pitbull.

The drive down to Corvallis took me through Sweet Home and Lebanon which I was somewhat curious about since I get some listings for homes in those communities and homes there are much less expensive than in Corvallis. But they are pretty rural. I feel much more comfortable on the west side of the valley in Corvallis.

Tomorrow morning I will go have a workout, stop by my realtor's digs, and then go play a round of golf. And in the evening I will check-out the new eateries which the bar person at Michael's Landing told me have sprung-up in the last year and have reportedly added a new and much needed sophistication to the local dining scene. I will report in detail.

Hasta luego.

Greetings from 'Tater Town

Hey kids! Greetings from Boise, Idaho. I've been having a great time catching-up with my dear friend, Pat Williams, with whom I worked at the Division of Legislative Finance so many years ago. We spent yesterday afternoon going through the Official Division Ho Ho File. I got a few gems I will share with you at a future date. Although much of the material is dated...political stuff that was SOOOOOOOOOO terribly important 25-years ago; but is now deservedly forgotten.

Pat says "Howdy, Pilgrim. C'mon in and set down a spell."

Pat has a lovely older home in the older part of town.*

My drive to Boise was uneventful but fun for a Juneau guy in need of a serious road-fix. The trip from Double Walla to McCall was fields of amber grain until you get passed Lewiston, then more farmland on a plateau, and finally beautiful evergreen (mostly pine) forest in the hills as you approach McCall. I checked-in at a Super 8 in McCall (called the Super 8 LODGE), had a few cocktails, a non-descript supper, and then played a round of golf at a nice course the next morning before proceeding on to Boise. McCall is pretty nice - but you need to stay at least two nights to get lodgings at any of the resorts or condos - and I would NOT recommend the Super 8 - whether they call it a lodge or not.

Welcome to McCall Idaho. Locals used to own this property. They don't anymore... Outta my price range too...but a nice place to visit.

The drive to Boise was also very scenic. You drive along several rivers on the way down from Lewiston - the Salmon River being the largest. Hells Canyon on the river is pretty cool.


The house that tater-tots built. The Simplot mansion of Ore-Ida potatoes fame.

It is BAH LOON! They cruise over Pat's house in the morning. She actually had one crash-land in her cul-de-sac and one bump her house. They occasionally land in the big soccer field next door.

Yesterday we did the Boise sightseeing gig and went out into the country to visit Pat's daughter, Michelle, and her family. The weather here is great; but July and August would be too toasty for my taste.

Pat, her daughter Michelle, and family.

Pat has got doting grandma down pretty good for Danielle. Danielle's pal is Juneau (or Juno).

Tomorrow I'm off to Corvallis by way of Bend. I may spend the night in Bend if I'm pooped by the time I get there. It should be about a 9 1/2 drive in total (it would actually be quicker to take I-84 all the way to Portland and then I-5 south to Corvallis; but I still haven't got my driving Jones satisfied so will take the more scenic route on the state highways.

More later from Bend or Corvallis assuming I have access to the internet...

*This is actually the first house ever built in Boise - in the 1840's as I recall. Boise was on the Oregon Trail.

Ellie Mae, Jethro, and The Five Blessings

Well, it sounds like the latest installment of the Wasilla Hillbillies was a smash hit last night - at least for the total immersionist crowd. I still can't believe it. I missed the speech myself; but it sounds like there was enough red meat for the right wing to satisfy even the most rabid among the assembled delegates. Sigh...

But...it's time to set the politics aside for a bit and concentrate on the here and now - having fun on vacation.

Yesterday was a long day; but everything went as planned. I was a little worried about my bags. After I checked-in I had to go stand in a SECOND line to deposit my oversized golf bag. I was standing behind a guy with a labrador and while the owner fiddled with the kennel I was petting the hound. The pup was whining and I tried to reassure him that everything would be OK, that he had nothing to worry about and, besides, they treated us ALL like dogs. This comment elicited a stony stare from the Alaska Airlines functionary and I was sure my golf clubs were headed for Orange County; but lo and behold they showed up at PDX on schedule and apparently intact.

The drive from Portland to Walla Walla (or as Dave Gray calls it - the Double Walla) was quite fun. It was sunny and the drive through the Columbia Gorge was very nice. I got into Walla Walla around 6 PM and went to a wine bar for a couple of glasses of local libation and then had a decent meal at an Italian joint.

There are LOTS of hole-in-the-wall tasting rooms on the main drag here; but they were all closed by the time I arrived. The dining scene appears to be fairly limited however. I believe there are two golf courses. In another decade this place might be a real destination; but today I think a 15 hour stop-over is about right.

Right now I'm going to hit the shower and then hit the road. It should be about a 5 1/2 hour drive to McCall, Idaho via Lewiston. I was talking to a couple in the coffee shop this morning and it sounds like the road is pretty winding but the scenery should be quite nice.

I don't know if I'll have a computer connection in McCall...so there may be no more posting until Boise.

TallyHo!

Let Freedom Ring

Twenty-four hours and I'm out of this sodden burg - for a few weeks, at least. I am really looking forward to sun, golf, and seeing the gals and my pals.

Labor Day weekend was quite labor intensive. I helped Dougie construct a backyard fence on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and then we legged-it out to Dave Gray's to help put a roof on Dave's new car port and shop. I actually enjoyed the work - and it didn't rain!

In politics, Americans continue to puzzle over the nomination of Governor Palin as John McCain's Veep running mate. "Troopergate" and Bristol Palin's pregnancy are in the headlines this morning. Both of these are trivial matters in my opinion. To my mind, the real issue remains McCain's poor judgement as demonstrated by Palin's near complete lack of qualifications to serve as President.

Also, it is becoming apparent that the McCain team's vetting of Governor Palin was perfunctory, at best. And the reason the vetting was incomplete is that McCain wanted either Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge as his running mate - but both were vetoed by the right-wing of the party which threatened a floor fight at the convention.

In other words, the Straight Talking Express was hijacked by the mullahs and other whack-jobs in the name of the unborn and other assorted causes to which McCain's allegiance has always been suspect in the eyes of the self-righteous.

So much for putting America first...

Take a deep breath Elmer. OK, now where were we?

Ah yes, vacation. Here's the itinerary, in brief.

September 3rd: Fly to PDX and drive to Walla Walla.
September 4th: Drive to McCall, Idaho. Hope to have time for a round of golf.
September 5th: Golf in the morning. Drive to Boise in the afternoon.
September 6th - 7th: Whoop-it-up with Pat Williams and family in Boise.
September 8th: Drive to Corvallis via Bend. This is a 9 1/2 hour drive and I may spend the night in Bend if I get tired.
September 9th: Golf and checking-in with my realtor in Corvallis.
September 10th: Golf in the morning, drive to Portland in the afternoon. Hotel Vintage Plaza on Broadway. Dinner with the gals?
September 11th: Pick-up Dougie and Alison. Dinner with Arthur and Sher.
September 12th: Golf. Dinner with the gals?
September 13th: Shopping with the gals, maybe golf, dinner with Jane, Terry, Jim & Co.
September 14th: Drive to Redmond. Maybe golf. Check-in for tournament.
September 15th - 18th: Fall Golf Tournament
September 19th-20th: Recover from tournament - play more golf.
September 21st: Drive to PDX and fly to Seattle. Hotel Harrigan.
September 22nd-24th: Hotel Harrigan. Medical procedure on the 23rd.
September 25th: Fly to Juneau. Start count-down to next escape.

Well, gotta get moving. Do laundry, chop kindling for the elders, workout, dental appointment, pick-up prescriptions, pack, go to elder's for dinner, etc. etc.

NEXT REPORT DATELINE WALLA WALLA OR MCCALL.

I leave you with a couple of birdie pics from the wetlands last week:

I THINK these guys are Short-Billed Dowitchers. There were a bunch of them.

A Lesser Yellowlegs plays through...