God is a Rose

i made reference earlier, that I thought God was a Rose. It reminded me of a couple of songs. One I learned in high school chorus: "God is Love. And he who, abides in Love, abides in God. and God in him." Then I am reminded of another song: "Love is a rose, but you'd better not pick it, only grows if its on the vine.."
So for me to say, I believe that God is a Rose is a culmination of those thoughts: God is a Rose.

Great line from an old B&W

Nice lipstick, Baby, but you're wasting it on the wrong guy."

This is a test - I am setting up blog posts via my Storm..
Let's see if it works!

I love garlic

Do you ever eat garlic? Roasted Garlic is a wonderful appetizer, it's economical and health-beneficial.
Take a bulb of garlic and trim enough off the top to expose each clove. Drizzle the exposed top with olive oil. Wrap in aluminum foil and place in a hot oven. I use my toaster oven and it's the best method... toaster oven at 450 degrees for roughly 30 minutes. If you are cooking any other food item that uses a hot oven, add the prepared garlic bulbs then ( i surely wouldn't heat a whole oven just for the appetizer).
Crudite's, crackers, toasted or fresh hard bread work beautifully as a vehicle to bring the tasty roasted cloves (now like a spread) to your lips. Blue cheese is a great addition.
Yummy. and good for your heart.

A Favorable Day

I felt alive again today for the first time in more than several days. Walking down the stairs from the office yesterday afternoon I was overheard muttering, "..i feel like dead man walking.." This morning walking up the stairs, I could be heard expressing " ..I'm reborn!". Oh the respiratory 'crud' lingers, but barely..I have overcome.

We had a staff meeting at 9:30, and I 'just happened to have in my bag" a very large bar of Lindt Very Dark Chocolate to share with staff, so I broke it into pieces, slipped open the paper wrapper and peeled back the foil lining. I felt a little like I'd had the golden ticket. I began my day in favor.

Some of my peers sought my advice, others offered services; I was complimented on my work and on my appearance. (Dang! I should call in sick more often!!) Absence makes the heart grow fonder!!?

I had a call from a friend who works in the County Commissioners' office. She gave me a tip that brought me pretty close to hero status. tah * dah * ! Friends are good!

I walked out the door to come home for lunch, and the second I stepped outside, I exclaimed at the beauty of the day! The air carried a cool and steady breeze. Not a single cloud in the bright blue sky. I was in blue jeans and a 3/4 sleeved sweater, and I was perfectly comfortable. The weather is perfect, I thought. It reminded me of November 2005 when I spent a week in Santa Monica. I was absolutely amazed at the temperate climate. Today was like a California day- only better.

After work I took Gracie for a brisk walk on the beach. It was low tide with an onshore breeze. Most of the 'yanks' have gone home, so the island is coming back to us islanders.

The A/C is off, and it's a pleasant 74 degrees inside. What a wonderful place to be right now.

I may whip up a little chicken parm w/ pasta and a fine chianti.

ciao.

Blessings

The weekend is winding down. It has been one of effort- effort to rally in the face of fever and respiratory infection. My Sarah came through and took Gracie to doggie beach with her Ruca, and Kelly and her dog Lola. Gracie sure needed it! Now she is laid out on the couch. I haven't seen her this docile since probably the last time she went with the "girls" to dog beach.

I have a kettle of sweet florida onions simmering on the stove. French onion soup for dinner. I bought a baguette and some guyere, a dry white wine and some cognac. Both the wine and cognac will go in to the recipe, but the cognac works wonders on the knife-in-the-throat and the dizzy head. Hennessy. Sure feels good. (here's the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/french-onion-soup-recipe/index.html

I am looking at a sumptuous bouquet of fresh flowers from my garden. It makes me so happy, so proud. There is also a vase of pink and white roses in my bedroom, a small vase of yellow roses in the bathroom and a solitairy rose bud on the kitchen table. I sure am blessed.

I did a boat-load of laundry today. Everything from clothes to sheets and towels, rugs and drapes. I also put the A/C on a few minutes ago: I'll probably end up opening up in the pre-dawn, but for now, 87 degrees inside is uncomfortable, and I deserve comfort.

I sure am blessed.

Dog Beach Aborted

I felt I owed it to Gracie to take her somewhere to play. Yesterday, Sarah stopped by and said, "Maybe we'll take Gracie to doggie beach tomorrow." Early this morning I sent Sare a text asking if she was taking (her dog) Ruca to doggie beach. She didn't respond. After a few hours of taking care of (afore mentioned) business, I decided to take Gracie to doggie beach without the other girls. My car already contains a puppy go pack (water, dish, dog food, treats, puppy-poop-bags, rabies papers, etc.) so I grabbed my beach bag (sunscreen, visor, towel, lip balm), added wallet, cell phone (in new water-proof case!) added a folding chair and cooler and headed to doggie beach.

When I arrived on black island, i could see right away that dog beach was busy. I winced, knowing this may be difficult. If Sarah and Ruca were here, Gracie would follow Ruca everywhere she went, and Ruca would listen to Sarah. Gracie is ....out of control. Pulling in to park, Gracie was so excited at the sight of all the other dogs, the smell of the beach and the recognition of 'doggie beach.' She darted from window to window in the few brief moments it took me to park and turn off the vehicle. I opened the hatch on my CR-V, and Gracie instantaneously bounded out. (I cursed). She ran. She ran from car to dog to car ...all within less than ten feet from the highway. She wanted nothing to do with responding to my call. Fortunately for me, one vehicle that had just pulled in was driven by a woman with two (or three?) young girls who were outside their van and immediately came to my aid, by calling, offering "cookies". After several minutes of "puppy gone wild", one of the young girls was able to grab Gracie's collar. I was right there with the leash, and ever so grateful to them.

With backpack, chair, cooler and "pup-gone-wild", I walked into the "off-leash" area. There were dogs everywhere. Gracie was NUTS. All the other dogs listen to their owners. Gracie has alot to learn, and so I kept her leashed. My intention was to walk to the farthest part of the beach (so she wouldn't be close to the parking lot, where she'd follow every and any dog to the car, and, ultimately, the road). Once established, my plan was to acclimate Gracie to me and where I was, and then 'ease her in' to be leash-less.

As I approached the beach and scoped out the location, I headed toward the farthest section destination. There were dogs of all sizes ages and supervision. I was determined to follow my plan of setting up my chair before unleasing Gracie (how else would I stand a chance of getting her to retun to me?). Encumbered by a packpack, a chair and cooler, I had my work cut out for me controlling Gracie when this very large 'pit-bull - ish' looking dog approached. I let the dogs "sniff." Other dog was loose, but I kept Gracie leashed. They hugged, sniffed, romped, tangled in the leash. As I tried to continue on to my destination, this other dog mounted Gracie and would not stop. I pushed him away with my foot, and he was undeterred. I pulled Gracie away to no avail. Finally, I pulled Gracie in the direction of the folks from which this other dog came. To no one in particular, I called, "Is this your dog?" A couple responded, and I asked, "can you please get him?" and they did.

I walked on to where I intended to set my chair. Other dogs romped about, came by, sniffed, and moved on. I stood there by the waters' edge, assessing, catching my breath. Trying to figure out if this really was a good idea. Just as I was deliberating, DOG came back. He mounted Gracie with his manlyhood clearly visible. (Gracie is just 8 months, and not yet fixed, has not yet had a heat). I either said criminy or something stronger. As I was trying to figure out how to deal with this, the female member of the couple-owner came by and grabbed DOG. In my Kermit Frog voice I made some apologies which she either couldn't hear or didn't want to hear.

This clearly was not working. Gracie was far too young to be in such a busy dog beach. I guess she needs a "puppy pen." I never set up my chair. I picked up my stuff and headed back to the parking lot. Walking back, I came across the woman and her girls that helped corral Gracie in the parking lot. They had 5 or so dogs - all the same kind - like Corgies or such. "Leaving already?" the woman asked. I explained. They were very kind.

Walking back to the car, a couple coming the other way asked, "is that a weimaraner?... She's beautiful!" at which point, she barfed her lunch. I had to explain that Garcie's so excited, she literally chokes herself on her collar. (this pup walks on her hind legs like a circus animal..being held upright by my hand as she tuggs at the end of her leash).

Returning to the car, I quickly clipped Gracie to the hook in the tailgate, being sure she couldn't jump out. I took her (Tony the Tiger) dish out of my pack, some ice from the coooler and water from the jug. She lapped up two bowls full. As she was lapping, I was amused to see the van that was driven by the woman with the girls that came to my aid: they had stickers that said things like, "WOOF" and other dog-related items. (I wanted to put a thank you note on the van).

Driving home, I was disappointed. I analyzed what went wrong, what I could have done differently. Maybe Gracie is just too young. After all, toddlers don't play with the big kids on the soccer fields. Perhaps if I had knelt down with Gracie when "DOG" approached I could have made the encounter friendlier. I have to figure out a way to give this pup her due exercise. She's a beautiful animal - Gracie is a perfect name (if I don't say so myself!) as she is very sleek and graceful. Her anatomy is outstanding. But she is young, and needs vigorous exercise to maintain that sleek, superb muscle development.

There is a dog park in east fort myers in Buckingham. I hear it's quite nice. I hear it's fenced. Maybe tomorrow we can take a road trip all in the interest of getting Gracie some run time.

Birds and other Words

Saturday AM, the air is cooler out than in. I shut off the A/C and opened my bedroom window. I popped the thermometer in my mouth and set the timer on my phone. 3 minutes and no fever. My throat felt like it had a knife lodged in it. I lay in bed listening to the cardinals and the mockingbirds. I believe that God is a bird. (I also believe that God is a rose). Their song is so pure, so genuine and brings unending comfort. I fiddled with my BB, answered a few e-mails from the town attorney about pressing business that I missed at work yesterday and need to face first thing monday. Then she asked me why I was working today. I responded that I might ask the same of her. I began coughing intermittently which managed to break up the pressure in my chest. (The elephant may now only be cow). Gracie was impatient with my laziness, so I got up, threw some clothes on and took her out.

What a beautiful day! The ususal neighbors were doing their morning rituals. I put Gracie on the line and began to check on the seedlings I'd sown recently for basil, alyssum and love lies bleeding (amaranthus - which I bought at Butchart Gardens last year). They are doing well. I gave them a good shot from the spray bottle. It seemed a good time to water, starting with the bougainvillea, then the mexican petunia, plumbago, the palms, the franigpanis and the rose bushes. I brought Gracie inside, and put a pot of water on the stove to boil. (still under a boil water notice). I picked up my cell phone and noticed a missed call. (s*&t...from the boss).

I immediately called him back. He'd gotten a call from a councilmember: the boil water notice dropped off the website - it needs to be up there - the media is instructing everyone to watch the web. Yes indeedy, boss - right away.

I fed Gracie, gave her water and fixed myself a cup of hot water with lemon and honey - oh that felt good on the throat! and sat down to update the web. Gracie began ripping apart the door jam, wanting to go out. I cursed - we've just been out!! She kept it up, and managed to totally guilt me. She's just eaten, maybe she does need to do 'bizniss'. All patience lost, I put her on the line and came back in.

As I was updating the web, my phone rang. It was the deputy public works director, did I get the boss's message? could I do the update, or did we need to call in one of her staff members?
I'm all over it, give me a few minutes. Then I heard rapid footsteps on the stairs out front, and then a knock on the door. I opened it and it was Lucky's "mom" next door: "Your 'daughter' broke her line again.." I cursed, thanked her and hastened out to the side yard. Gracie was all over Lucky (a 100+ lb Rott) and had managed to completely pull down the 100' line that Brother Ken installed. She'd done it, now... I 'reeled' her in, thanked Nicole again, and brought Gracie inside.

Back at the computer, I finished the update. My cell rang again. (I cursed). Looks like you've performed magic.. Deputy Director said. (dang, were they watching me like a hawk!?!) I called the boss, told him we were good, explained what went wrong. I fixed another cup of lemon and honey tea. My chest is loosening up quite nicely and although I sound worse than Kermit, my throat is easing as well.

The little birds are singing, merrily and well to the delight of 'Shell, and all her tinkling bells.
( Oh if only I could write like Lewis Carroll !)

Little Birds

Little Birds are dining
Warily and well,
Hid in mossy cell
Hid, I say, by waiters
Gorgeous in their gaiters -I've a Tale to tell.

Little Birds are feeding
Justices with jam,
Rich in frizzled ham
Rich, I say, in oysters
Haunting shady cloisters -
That is what I am.

Little Birds are teaching
Tigresses to smile,
Innocent of guile
Smile, I say, not smirkle -Mouth a semicircle,
That's the proper style!

Little Birds are sleeping
All among the pins,
Where the loser wins
Where, I say, he sneezes,
When and how he pleases -So the Tale begins.

Little Birds are writing
Interesting books,
To be read by cooks
Read, I say, not roasted -Letterpress, when toasted,
Loses its good looks.

Little Birds are playing
Bagpipes on the shore,
Where the tourists snore
"Thanks!" they cry. "'Tis thrilling!
Take, oh take this shilling!
Let us have no more!"

Little Birds are bathing
Crocodiles in cream,
Like a happy dream
Like, but not so lasting -Crocodiles, when fasting,
Are not all they seem!

Little Birds are choking
Baronets with bun,
Taught to fire a gun
Taught, I say, to splinter
Salmon in the winter -Merely for the fun.

Little Birds are hiding
Crimes in carpet-bags,
Blessed by happy stags
Blessed, I say, though beaten -Since our friends are eaten
When the memory flags.

Little Birds are tasting
Gratitude and gold,
Pale with sudden cold
Pale, I say, and wrinkled -When the bells have tinkled,
And the Tale is told.

Lewis Carroll

Island life

A fast and furious week. Saturday found me at the beach with family - brother from the East coast with his kids. Neighbors gathered for sunset, then we headed up to my other brother's house for a lite supper of burgers and fries. I got home around 11:00 PM and began marinating two 7 lb. legs of lamb, peeling 10 lbs of spuds, etc. Sunday morning had me crawling out of bed as early as I could to get the food in the oven, steam the green beans, customizing a box and disposable serving dishes, and finishing the strawberry cream cake to take for my dinner.

We had a miscommunication. No one was home at my friends' house, no one was at her store (understandable on Easter) and no one answered cell phones. I returned home, put the food in the fridge, and headed out to my dinner at my brother's. It was a great day. NJ and MA are terrific hosts. I got home around 8 PM and called my friends again. Still no contact. I divided the food and gave half to Sarah and half to Lauren. They of course were thrilled. I felt badly that we miscommunicated.

Monday was a rough day at work. I was admittedly grumpy. Maybe too much weekend and/or not enough of my own personal quiet time. On Saturday at the beach my BB Storm got wet - it worked, but not properly. Fortunately, I had insurance. Called and made the claim. $50 deductable. (ouch).

Tax day loomed like a very dark cloud. Monday night I sat down and pulled out all the papers. Of course Gracie was fit to be tied: She'd been "home alone" much of the weekend, and of course all day Monday while at work. Now, here I was on the computer and she wanted to play. After several hours, when all was said and done, I was relieved - almost thrilled. I anticipated having to pay hugely. Instead, I get $1100. returned. Phew....

Tuesday and Wednesday were rather innocuous, except for the expected irritation that goes with my job. Wednesday evening, I was pleased with myself for having filed my taxes (with a return!) and managed to overcome the hurdles my elected officials unwittingly threw my way.
With those haunting tasks behind me, I jumped in and washed dishes ( i hate washing dishes and don't have a dishwasher - but really, Michelle - enough is enough!). With a sparklingly clean kitchen, I jumped in the shower for a long hot shampoo and shower. I gave myself a home foot soaking pedicure. It sure felt good.

At about 10:50 on Wednesday evening, my cell phone rang. (My cell phone rarely rings, particularly at this hour of the night). It was my boss. He was on his way up to the square. We'd had a massive water main break, and had to shut down the water distribution system island-wide. Would I call the media. (This is difficult because I am reporting without first-hand information). Within 30 minutes, the media had a reporter and camera crew in the square and had the boss on the 11:00 news. (I sure was glad I got the replacement cell phone or I'd've been in big trouble). Nearly 2 hours later, I crawled in to bed.

Thursday morning began with my cell phone ringing at about 5:30 am. It was the public works director. Would I call the beach school, would I call the health department, would I update the website with the boil water notice. The race was on. I threw on some clothes and brushed my teeth with bottled water. Boy was I glad I'd washed dishes and showered the night before!

I got in to the office and updated the phone message, the website, ordered portalets for town hall and put the TV on in my office. The local NBC affiliate was all over the story. In emergency situations, my job description changes, to inlcude stroking the boss's ego: "you looked good on Tv" "Good Job." I usually take lunch at 1:00 PM, so I left the office and went over to the local supermaket and picked up a couple of frozen dinners and several gallons of bottled water. At about 2:30 I sent a message saying I would not be returning that afternoon. I felt like I was running a fever. I closed the drapes, unfolded the quilt, propped up my feet and closed my eyes. Gracie wasn't compassionate, to say the least. She demanded attention.

About 9:00 in the evening i crawled into bed with a book by Deepak Chopra, a bottle of evian and a thermometer. I had a low-grade fever of 100. I read for awhile and then shut the lights. Gracie got up and peed the rug at about 3:30 in the morning (GRRRR....). I cleaned and deodorized, cursed and growled and went back to bed. As morning came and the sun rose, I took my temperature again. Still a fever. I called in sick.

My chest feels like an elephant is sitting on it. Several co-workers have had this "crud" for some time now. I guess it's my turn. Pisses me off, because I've been very healthy. I HATE being sick. This crud better be gone when I open my eyes tomorrow morning.

I look forward to some time when I can write creatively, when I can devote time to things I love, when I can enjoy spring in southwest florida, take my dog for a long walk, take my kayak out... Live!

It's been a rough week... I hope yours has been better...

Mares eat oats and Does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy.

There is a retired couple that have become friends of mine through association with my work. He served on an advisory committee that I staffed. She opened a florist shop here on the island and helped me out with centerpieces for a Clerks' event that I was in charge of last summer. He has been battling cancer for a couple of years now. When I saw them at Gretchen's Christmas party, he looked pretty good - sitting down. When it was time to go, he could barely walk even with assistance. He was in hospice care until they sent him home a couple of weeks ago. When asked what we could do to help, she asked for dinners three nites a week. There's a great group of people on this island, and friends quickly jumped in to bring meals and handle other light duties. Last week I offered to bring Easter dinner, and she graciously accepted. Thursday he went back in to hospice. His daughter is here as well as other family members.

Last night I poured through cookbooks. Easter dinner for six. I don't eat ham or lamb and my preferred Easter dinner is salmon. In talking to a friend, I mentioned my deliberation over menus, and she said, "Ham. Just put a ham in the oven. It's easy and they can make sandwiches after." I labored over putting together a delicious, yet healthy menu around ham. Finally I sought the opinion of my daughter Lauren. "Mmmm. Lamb. with mint jelly. I've been craving lamb. We haven't had that in a long time. Make lamb. Make lamb for ME!"

This morning I went to the market and bought two 7 pound legs of lamb, 10 pounds of potatoes, 2 pounds of green beans, plenty of salad stuff, (including spinach and feta cheese), ..and mint jelly. There's a greek restaurant here on the beach that has delicious greek food. I worked there the first couple of years I lived on the beach. (that was in the early 1980's). Manny still owns it. He taught me how to make spanikopita (spinach pie) and baklava. So I called him last night and he told me how to make the lamb and potatoes. I will make full course dinner for my friends and deliver it to their home tomorrow. Lauren will have a leg of lamb (with mint jelly!) and a whole lot of potatoes to take back to school with her. I will also make some tzatziki sauce (Manny taught me that, too). I suggested making lemon rice, and Lauren quickly responded, "No. no rice. That's all I've been eating all week." (oh, the trials of the college kid...) I am having Easter dinner with my brother and his wife, and am bringing desert. I will make a Strawberry Cream Cake - it's very light and not too sweet with fresh strawberries. It'll be perfect.

a pet peeve

i am bothered by the preponderance of advertising by pharmaceutical drug manufacturers on the national evening news. This has bothered me for quite some time. Initially, my immediate response was to stop watching the national evening news. What you focus on, you attract. Lately, perhaps out of boredom or lack of compelling reading material, I have occasionally switched on the nightly news. I prefer NBC with Brian Williams. (I'm still intrigued by the white outlining around his eyes - how does he do that?!?) Every commercial - or at least a good 95% of them, are by drug companies. The ad beats the viewer up with all the suggested data: you could be a candidate for a heart attack, a stroke, bone loss, brain tumors. "Ask your Doctor what.... [blank] can do for you" Side affects may include: criminy. a whole laundry list from dizziness to an erection lasting over four hours. God forbid I should ever have an erection that lasts four hours. It begs the question: why do they have so much stinkin' money in these "economically hard times"?

Such Things

Whales in Water, Witches on the Walk
Babies Dying, Secretive Talk.
Shrimp in the Shrub,
Bodies Reborn
Everyone gathers to hear Doves that Mourn.

Cakes, times two,
One says , " I Love You"
An Opinion surmised, a demon exorcised.

These are the things
Appearing in my dreams

The Fruits of My Labors or, Welcome to My Garden

JADE

FRANGIPANI

SOON2B LEMON TREES

CROWN OF THORNS

DAY LILIES

CHRYSLER IMPERIAL (red) and JOHN F KENNEDY(white) ( in Carnival Glass Vase)



PONYTAIL PALM (tho' not really a palm)

More fruits of my Labors

CAMELLIA BUD

MANGOS

"FLASHY DUDE" ( a bromeliad)

ANTHURIUM

BOUGAINVILLEA

A Week in Review

Where has the week gone! It has been a reasonably normal work week with the usual demands, deadlines and commitments. There were no council meetings this week which allows me the opportunity to get to all of the OTHER stuff that is required in my position that gets back-burnered when we're in marathon meetings. Yesterday I actually had time to put the "finishing touches" on a few projects that I pull out "when time allows" so it felt good to click Done. I went to the dentist Tuesday afternoon. I had my teeth cleaned and had the permanent crown put on in place of the temporary crown that was put in place of the tooth I broke which was the kick in the ass I needed to get to a dentist. It surprised me how good I felt when I left the dentist. I gave natural childbirth to ten pound babies, and would choose labor and delivery over a dentist visit any day. And even though the hygenist gave me a balling out and I have some serious work ahead of me, I left feeling very good - sort of how one feels after having completed a dreaded task. I go back at the end of April and again at the end of May. I think we are going to have an ongoing relationship for quite some time.

I took Gracie to dog beach after work on Wednesday. It was close to sunset and I hoped that being mid-week and late in the day that dog beach would not be crowded. http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/do/moreinfo.php/ID=23809/detail=beach

It is the only place in Lee County where dogs can be leashless at the beach. It can be a problem when there are a lot of dogs and a lot of irresponsible pet owners. It can also be a problem when ones dog is a super high energy seven month old puppy that doesn't stop running and jumping the whole time there. That's why I'd hoped it would not be crowded. There were a few people there with a few dogs that left as soon as the sun dipped under the horizon. The park closes at "dusk". It was good to let Gracie RUUUNNNNN. And run she did!

Yesterday I read the comments on a website that offers writing prompts. The prompt was what would you like your first thought to be tomorrow morning. Some comments were very common, like TGIS. I mused at what I would like my first thought to be. This morning, my first thought was, "..it's Saturday. I don't have to go to work. Gracie needs to go out. I can go back to bed and back to sleep. I love my bed." Now that I'm up I have no plans for today or for this weekend. It's overcast and there's a front coming through with cooler weather forecast for next week. I should like to do some gardening. My roses are doing superbly! The frangipanis are sprouting leaves and flower buds. The bougainvillea is in full fuschia-colored bloom! The plumbago is showing its cobalt colors and the lillies are emerging from the soil. I just love it!

There is one other thing I want to comment about. Earlier this past week, Gracie and I were walking along the "hidden path" which is a small gravel pathway that cuts through a protected wetlands. I travel this pathway four times a day as it takes me quite easily to work and back. As we were meandering along, suddenly a very large black vulture shot up from its perch and scared us both! Later that same day, we noticed a vulture circling in the same area. The next day or so, I could smell "dead" and saw several vultures perched in the trees along the path. All week long, the vultures were in the neighborhood. Then yesterday a man came to the front desk at Town Hall. I recognized him as the old man who lives along side the hidden path. He's lived there forever and is as old as dirt. He rides a bicycle with a T-perch for his Parrot that he takes out to the beach on frequent occasions. He came to Town Hall to report that someone is poisoning raccoons in his neighborhood, that he's found several dead with no sign of injury. We have some young environmentalists on Town staff that were quick to point out that poisoning raccoons results in the birds eating the carcasses and then the birds are poisoned. It's a felony to mess with birds of prey. I know the raccoons are a problem in our neighborhood. I know of one neighbor who feeds the feral cats which ultimately feeds the raccoons. I know of one neighbor who had at one time talked of poisoning the raccoons. Boy do I ever want to mind my own business on this one.

So that's a pretty good capsule of my week. I think today will be a putter day. I'm off to putt.