The photo makes me pine for my years in North Idaho, or the falls I spent as a youth in the Selway Bitterroot.

But, I know the sure cure to end my nostalgic pining. Its called "snow".

I'll pine for the snow, too, thanks.

-Graham in Beijing

Well if I had a camera, I'd show you some sights from the Great Basin Salt Flats. Yeah, if I had a camera. I'd use the darn iMac but the cord won't reach out the door.

Garrison -- I feel for you. This morning I went out to take the pic when my cell phone quickly notified me that it was low on power -- so I ran out to charge it in the car for a few minutes before finally getting the pic.

Would love to see the Salt Flats -- so when you can, send a pic.

Steve Clemons

Could have been painted by Monet!

Perhaps you misunderstood me, Graham. Where I live right now has the PERFECT amount of snow. So far, in the four years I have lived here, every Christmas there has been about an inch on the ground, and it has never stayed down for more than 4 days. I can drive 20 minutes, east or west, and be below snow level. Its lasts just long enough to be pretty, but not long enough to be burdensome. Yesterday, the mountaion across the valley from me got just a skiff, and it was beautiful. Today, its gone, and the mountain is still beautiful. Perfect.

The difference? Months of shoveling, wet messes, studded snow tires, four wheel drives, blocked trips to the market, white-outs, frozen water pipes, engine block heaters, job site shut downs......

Oh man, quick Steve....RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!

POA -- You have my laughing hysterically. I'm out of here tomorrow, so no freezing storms in sight I think. Though it is about 40 degrees here.

best, steve

That is so beautiful!

I am ready to head to the Blue Ridge where I know a perfect spot with a stream like that. I have had it with our coastal fried humidity this year. It's October and still in the eighties and low ninties. I would even settle for a small hurricane to clear the air.

Steve, POA, Carol,

Thanks for all your insights over the last few years they have lead me down many interesting and educational trails. Personally, I like fall into winter with some snow and ice, slows people down and reminds us were not in control.

I haven’t been reading here in a while, have you all been discussing Ron Paul? POA doesn’t he solve some of the issues you have with status quo, new world order, repubs and dems almost the same, Israeli lobby etc. Seems to me he addresses the deeper issues our country is facing and he doesn’t do any “Washington poliposturing” as you say.

Take care

Paul

“We have no leverage without representation. And, as the last seven years have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, we have no representation.
Period.
This Administration, and any future Administrations, will no longer represent the interests, or the desires, of the American people. It has become a global game, played by global players. The state means NOTHING to them.”
Posted by PissedOffAmerican at October 3, 2007 10:35 AM

I have Diamondhead and the Pacific ocean out my living room window. I've lived in Bozeman, Mt and
Minnesota,so I've done winter. Which is why I'm in Hawaii. Winter should be optional,NOT required :)

Posted by Palolo lolo

I lived in St. Louis Heights for about six months. Got island fever, needed more space. I was really young though, early twenties. I've often wondered what would have become of me if I hadda stayed in Hawaii.

"I haven’t been reading here in a while, have you all been discussing Ron Paul?"

Once in a while Ron Paul will be mentioned here, but never "discussed". The one discussion that did occur did so without Steve's input, and was pursued by MP, who dished out the entire script about what a wack job Ron Paul is. It was truly awe inspiring, MP didn't miss one single point from the "Swiftboating Ron Paul" manual.

But as far as Steve goes, he has never heard of John Conyers, Dennis Kucinich, or Ron Paul. I've tried to fill him in, but everytime I open my mouth, Hillary is whispering something in his ear.

Well, I'm bi-coastal, which can be a little schizzo. Summer and Fall in Southeatern CT. where I look out onto the sea and lighthouses and Winter and Spring in Ojai, CA. where I look out on mountains and ever changing sunsets. Sometimes I stay in CT. for a little White Xmas and the crispy clean smell of snow. Hard for me to think Xmas with palm tress and bathing suits, but it's growing on me. I lost the cord to my digital camera. Duuuh.

Kathleen, I thought about buying in Ojai, but it was a bit overpriced for me. I have always loved Ojai. Have you ever gone into Sespe creek, to the hot springs? I used to party there in my teens, and there is no describing the spiritual aura of Sespe. At that time, you could four wheel drive in, but I understand that now you have to hike or horseback it. But I'm sure its well worth it, after you find yourself soaking in one of the natural hot pools, and the swallows dip and swoop around you, issuing forth with their song. Whenever I think of Sespe, I think of the writings of Carlos Castenada.

Dennis and Ron would be an interesting ticket.

POA... yes I have hiked in to the Sespe, a long time ago tho, and it trully is a serene spiritual place and sacred to the Chumash Indians. Ojai has gotten outrageous, price-wise in recent years. I was lucky to buy my home in the '70s so it was affordable. Carlos Castenada is one of the reasons I ended up in Ojai. Now it's gotten yuppified.

You'll have to come visit... we can cuss up a storm. I want to blow up a photo of Dopey and practise my dart throwing... maybe dip the darts in something caustic?

Meanwhile, I'm having fun sticking pins in my Bush doggy biscuit, which is rapidly becoming a pin cushion. It's my preventive health measure. Keeps me from popping my cork.