October 1st again!

Stan's column is up! Read it! It's about ICAST so it's fun for me to read! It's also about his friend Tommy Akin and the Strike King worm. Have fun!

October 1st

Standing in the garage, I stood for a minute contemplating the rain as it hit hard on the roof.
Do I want to do this?
The dry, somewhat dusty cork handle of my rod felt good in my hand. It had been quite a while, since I'd fished. My fingers gripped tight as I prepared to hit the weather.
It felt like home, though, all dressed in rain boots, rain coat and warm, fuzzy socks.
I'd been in the hustle and bustle of Portland. What a change it was to be standing here, now. Peeking outside, a tall stand of trees towered down around me. Instead of loud honking cars whizzing by, and people, people, everywhere, there was no one!
A strong breeze hit me in the face, swirled around behind me in the garage and pushed me forward! It spit me out!
Like it or not, I was going! And how!
The dogs had already taken the plunge. There was no doubt in their mind that I was going! How could I resist when they were already wagging their tails and jumping around, showing me just how fun this was going to be!? The more they sensed any type of hesitation in me, the higher they jumped, the louder they barked and the wilder their tails spun!
And so we were off! They raced ahead to show me the way!
I checked my fly as I stumbled towards the river. It was the same trout fly I'd used fishing in a lake, here in town. I hadn't bothered to check, even. Somehow, I knew I wasn't fishing for fish.
Sure enough, I didn't have much faith in the fly. I don't know the name of it, but it had a weighted gold bead on it, and I wanted to be more towards the top, this time of year.
"Ah, who knows..." I mumbled to myself. "At least, this way, I'll know what doesn't work, huh, Kilchis?" He smiled back.
The fresh air penetrated through the holes in between the buttons on my jacket. It felt so good! I was being aired out! Cleansed by the Kilchis River Valley!
I ripped open the buttons and let more in. Heck, I was going to get wet, anyhow! How bout now?
I passed the blackberries up without even looking. After it rains, it seems they just shrivel up for the season. There will be no more sweet sugar drops lining the banks of the river. I'll miss that!
What a racket the river seemed to make as it called me towards it! I was so used to hearing next to nothing at all, all summer long.
Instead of the soft music of a lullaby, I heard a full orchestra!
I imagined the river to be deep and ferocious!
I had rubber rain boots on and my, how slick the rocks are, the first rain of the year! Slowly, carefully, I slipped off one rock and onto another, as I made my way down to the river.
I was surprised to see that the river was not strong and ferocious, after all, but it did have a bit of movement to it! Finally! It's becoming a river, again!
The moss was starting to move with the current, out to sea! The lower rocks that were exposed to the sun just two days ago, were getting a bit of a scrubbing!
My heart beat a little stronger when I stood at the boiler hole, and came to realize that there was enough water in the river that I wouldn't be shocked if a salmon were able to make it's way over the riffles! Wow!
Memories! Ah! The things dreams are made of! Watching salmon spawn up river! It is all coming to a river near you! Whoo hooo!
The water plunged into the depths of the deep hole. There was actually a bit of white water!
Oh, heart, be still!
My hands shook a bit as I let loose my hook and began to play out enough line for a first cast.
The cork in my hand was a bit sweaty, now. Or was that just rain? Regardless, I had a nice, firm grip on it, as I moved my line back and forth in a figure eight, playing out more and more line and bingo! The first cast in many days! I landed my fly exactly right! It landed softly in the quiet water, opposite the current, right under the rocks! I couldn't have planned it better!
I waited with apprehension as I worked the fly back to me. So____ much____ suspense!
But, nothing! Not a bump. Not a twitch. Not nuttin!
But, I had to smile! Kilchis was in his "Hi! I'm happy, overlooking my land!" stance, next to me. He has this way of standing there by me, overlooking his grand kingdom, wagging his tail and keeping watch. It just makes me giggle! He's so proud! He so loves it when I fish!
He makes me love it when I fish!
I mean... if I go to the river to walk or canoe, it's all fun and stuff, and the dogs love it, but the minute I grab a rod, all dog heck breaks loose!
"REV! Mom's going fishin! REV!"
Kilchis has taught Rev well. Now, Rev goes crazy, too when Mom grabs a rod!
They just know something is more fun, when Mom has a rod with her!
Lord knows it's not the fish that makes them happy, because more often then not, there is no fish!
And I can so relate! It isn't the fish that make fishing fun! It really isn't! If it were that, I would be so out of luck!
I think, and this is only me thinking, but I think it's the stretch of unscheduled time that makes the dogs so happy.
I think it's that they can tell I'm in no hurry to get back home.
I think it's that they see me relaxed.
I think they see me doing something in a place that they enjoy and it's not in front of a danged computer. It's not in the city.
It's in a wonderful-wonderland place by the river where we should all spend more time!
And the dogs are happy for me- not that I am catching fish,
but that I am fishing, and finally catching on!

rOcktober 2nd!

I have to find it! There was one year.. or was it two, or was it the norm? That I used to fish like crazy and I had to convince myself I didn't care about things I had to do, and I'd go anyhow! I did guilt, daily, as I packed my coffee thermos and again, went fishing! Was it in the Fall? I bet it was! I'm going to go search it out!
Oh, man! OK, the thick of it was 2002 and 2003, I think. That was when I was a reckless, non stoppable fishing nut!
I have chilled since then, but guess what? I'm going nuts, again!
First, today I'm fishing the river, behind me. Off with my fly I go! Down to the river, oh ho!
Jennie is a fishing nut with a cat upon her hat!
And that's no kidding! Molly jumps up on my shoulder, and then gets on top my head! Bizarre cat! When she rides in the canoe with me, people stop and stare on the road.
Funny thing is, Andrew's cat is learning the way of the river now, too! He thinks, "Heck, if a girl can do it, so can I!" He hopped in the canoe this morning with me!
Anyhow, I just got back from canoe fishing. I was trying to hold the canoe at the head of the riffles, so that my fly dangled in the deeper water. That was tough and way not worth my effort! But, I had to try it!
Now, it's off to tossing spinners at the silvers in the bay!

October 2nd!

I think it's Fall. I get this way every Fall. For some reason, even though I love Fall, it makes me nostalgic.
I read this book once, though, (I wish I could remember the name, it's got a dark forest green cover!) that is about depression and how you should embrace it, and be good to yourself, during that time. That it's totally normal and a cycle of life. I believe that!
Without depression, (And I don't mean serious depression, I mean the regular ups and downs of life) we wouldn't appreciate our joy as much.
So, when I feel that way, I take a hot bath, take walks on the river, slowly, eat ice cream and good things! I take account of everything in my life, and try to figure out necessary changes that will help benefit myself, and those around me.
I've been living in fear for the last week. Every morning I wake up with excruciating headaches like you wouldn't believe. I can't figure out the cause of them, but it's making me fearful to go to sleep.
They are THAT bad!
The only thing that seems to help is lying flat on my back. I have this thing called dural ectasia, due to marfan, where the fluid in my spine gets all clogged up. By laying flat, it helps it to flow through and relieves my headache.
The only reason I think it's that, is because the remedy for it works!
But, they hurt SO bad!!! It's scary. You really feel like you want to die. Thank GOD I can get rid of them in about a half hour. I'd be afraid for myself, if they kept up!
I wish I knew why I get them for about a week or so, and then they go away.
I'm on day 7 of them, now. I've never had them this long!
It just scares me because it's not normal to have headaches like this. Is it?
Anyhow, marfan is really a puzzle.
I got up about an hour ago, and my headache is just starting to go away.
It bums me out because there is no way I can go to the computer, while I have them.
The dogs get upset if I'm laying on the floor instead of getting them treats, like their normally scheduled program! Dogs thrive on a fixed schedule. I do, too!
But, you know? After these headaches pass, you would not believe the joy I feel having no headache! What a relief it is, to not feel that pain! It's nice to have them, because I appreciate it so much when they stop! LOL

October 4th

Well, so I won't be a fishing fool, like I mentioned a couple days ago, but when I feel good, it's hard to not hope!
I guess the most I can honestly hope for, is to fish a couple times a week! So I was feeling good and hopeful! Can a girl dream? Yes! And it feels good to dream!
At least I got in the canoe fishing that day. Afterwards, though, I was pooped! We loaded the boat up to go pitch spinners and ended up just driving around the parking lot and spying on other boats from the road, with binoculars. It was fun, anyhow! Bill was frustrated that I didn't feel well enough to go. I just have to learn to pace myself.
When I feel good, I feel really good, and I tend to overdo it, and then can't do much more. Pace, Jennie, pace!
Some days I feel really really good and I go nuts trying to clean the house. Oh, boy! The next days afterwards, I pay big time for that energy boost! I wonder that if I could pace myself, if that feel-good would last longer?
The days in which Bill and I used to fish almost every day, it was a good thing! Because I didn't have to expend much energy. Just get in the boat and sit! I think that I'll opt for that, this season!
It's a beautiful day, today. I brought in my jade plants last night, due to the chance of freezing. I don't think it did, here, though. All the same, it's good to bring them in, now. Man, they are huge! One stands about 4 feet tall! I told Bill I could drag them in, but that's not true, anymore! They are too big! Bill had to do it! It was a success, though. We only lost a couple leaves, bringing them in. Today, I'm doing quiet things. Bills, paper work, rest, and giving thanks for all that I have been blessed with.
It's a glorious day to be on the bay, today. I hope that's where you are! The silvers are jumping everywhere!
Oh! I went to Nehalem bay with Bill, yesterday and we caught a beautiful but rather small, wild silver on a K-11 Kwikfish. (silver, with a pink stripe!) We were trolling twice the speed we would have, for chinook. I guess that's the rule? Bill says so, but I really rely on the feel of the action of the lure. That slow pulse. I wonder who is right?

October 6th

Want to see my dying flowers? I was just playing with my iphone, feeling sorry for my dying, most used-to-be beautiful flowers!
I am trying to figure out how to wear my iphone around my neck, so that I can film canoeing and fishing videos! You know, "Look Ma! No hands!"

October 8th
The battle of the Vermin.

Wouldn't it be nice to actually see a fishing picture of me? I think it would be divine!
I mean, the picture of my Dad makes me smile, so I put it up. But, a picture of a fish. That's my goal!
Thing is, I actually have to catch one to catch one!
I drove to the post office yesterday in Bay City, yesterday. I pulled over, and longingly leered out over the bay. It was dotted with happy little fishing boats sparkling in the sunshine.
How I wanted to join them!
Bill and I keep looking at our calendars saying things like, "I have the whole week next week!" We smile, make plans, and then... And then something else breaks!
This is the month that everything in the house is breaking! Argh!
We have been inundated with mice and rats. It's Fall. The evenings are cool, and our little friends that we blocked out of the chicken cage have moved inside our home with us! It's caused huge troubles!
Bill and I have an ongoing battle about using poison. Bill won. He used poison.
I don't like poison. He does. I don't want Roundup in my garden. He does. So far, I have won that battle, but I have lost this one, big time!
The worst part of losing this battle is that I am not allowed to say "Ewe~! It stinks!"
Ah, domestic battles! I told him that it would stink! What is worse, is that I am not allowed to mention it. So, I'm going to mention it here. IT STINKS in this house!
Bill says, "I don't smell it and I don't need to hear about it!"
It's just awful! I mean, they have all died in the walls and we can't get them out of there! He went under the house to look for them, and he found none. I guess they are in the floor boards or walls. What's even worse, is that I've done research and it will continue to stink for weeks!
This is my column, by golly (not his) and I'm going to say it here! "It stinks in here!!!"
Oh, the smell is awful! I've never smelled anything worse! Dead shrimp in your old fishing jacket has nothing on this smell!
It all started two weeks ago, when the dishwasher broke. We hired a guy to come out to fix it and he noted that mice had chewed through the hosing. So, we ordered the part, and by the time they came out to fix it, the mice had chewed through the wires! Oh, no! We fixed that and that, but guess what? It happened again! So, we ordered the hose, again! At that point, Bill bought the poison. Lots and lots of it!
I pleaded with him to think again. "Please use traps!" I pleaded. I told him that we needed to plug the holes where they were coming in, but no! We were going to kill those suckers! (Hey-- it's his house! I lose!) Stop them dead in their tracks! (Uh, huh! He did!)
Lucky for Bill, he has little sense of smell. Unlucky for me, I smell everything!
Poison scares me. I'm so afraid the cats, dogs, chickens will get into it. But, I have no voice in this matter. I wish I had no nose in the matter!
What's done is done, I guess. All I can do is leave the house and go fishing!
Hold on! Not so fast!
Yesterday, I noted that my hair dryer wouldn't work. It seems that the electrical outlet was broken. Resetting the breaker did nothing. Eh hem... Mice? Oh, no!
So, Bill called the electrician. Today, we must wait for his call back. (Thus, no fishing today!) Tomorrow, he'll probably come out, with absolutely no consideration for our time frame, so that means no fishing tomorrow, either.
And then it's the weekend, which both Bill and I have sworn off of. We don't do weekend fishing, due to the crowds at the ramps, etc.
Monday... Monday we will fish!
Anyhow, it's an ongoing battle for me to smell that smell in the kitchen, in the laundry room, and in my office without blurting out how badly it smells. For some reason, it helps me to vocalize my disgust. But, for Bill's sake, I will try not to. I have decided that every time I take a whiff of that disgusting smell, I'm going to force a smile and blurt out nice things. Compliments to others and lovely things!
Examples:
(Sniff) "My, but you look nice, today!"
(Sniff) "Oh, the Lord is good to me!"
(Sniff) "What a beautiful day!"
So far, it really helps!! - someone!

October 10th

A very dear friend of mine wrote that he had been to two funerals this week. "I am getting SO tired of this..." he wrote.
Made me think, "Yeah... If God is so smart, how come He hasn't fixed this dying thing, yet?"
But then, I stopped short. "Wait a minute! He DID fix it! He invented Heaven!"
And what a brilliant plan, indeed!
I've tried and tried to explain to people how I feel about dying. I used to be afraid of it. No longer! I mean, think about it! A place with no sadness! That means my animals will all be there! And my Mom and my Grandpa!
I think we've all grown up thinking of death as a scary thing. It's not! At least, for those who believe.
Sometimes, when I'm really tired, or especially hurting, I can't wait!
"Beam me up, Scotty!"
Along those same lines, I received one of those "Pass me around e mails" that I seldom read and never forward. (Shame on me!)
But, this time I read it. It's title was, "Don't cry! I did!"
I won't pass it on, no matter what reward or threat is scribbled on the bottom of the e mail, but I found it printed, here if you are interested.
It's a beautiful fiction story. True or not, it doesn't matter. It's just a nice story.
It goes to show us that God has indeed "fixed" the death problem! He did so by rewarding us with Heaven!
I tend to think of Heaven as the answer to all of life's problems!
Sometimes, though, as I look around me and see the absolute most beautiful scenery here on the Kilchis river, I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not already there!
OK, it's off to Heaven I go!

October 11th

Waiting...

Waiting for the rain hurts. I wonder if it hurts the salmon as much as it does me. Are they all treading water out there behind the ocean jetty, waiting... waiting? Do they have little salmon iphones that they dial up the forecast page on? Do they get frustrated, day after day of beautiful sunshine?

All week long...

Although I doubt it, sometimes when I canoe down to the big hole, I wonder if a salmon has snuck through just to check out this year's conditions. Maybe once they see, they'll head back downstream to tell the rest of the waiting salmon?
"It's not good up there. Just a bunch of sunshine and people lazing around on the river banks. Stay here! Stay here!"
Maybe they shimmy up the shallows in the nighttime moonlight, gets to a deep hole, checks it out and heads back out before we see them?
Sneaky salmons!
I caught them once, doing that. I saw them under my boat in tidewater, just a foot under the boat! It was so cool! I wonder what news he was going to share with the rest?
Yesterday as I landed in the deepest hole with my canoe, the wind tossed me round and round in circles. As it did, I was able to see all around me. the clarity was incredible. Almost magnified. I wondered if they'd be there. I couldn't see them anywhere!?! I wondered what they'd think of the way that deep hole had gotten even more shallow, this year? I wondered if they could feel the air pressure change, or know that rain was on the way and whether they hurt, waiting for the rain, even more than I?
I know what will happen! The rain will come all at once. The salmon will shoot upstream all giddy, as they play in the rushing water. And-- no one will be the wiser! Poof! Gone! Upstream! One day I'll drive upriver and there they will be, all spawned and black and accomplished. Another year of good escapement for the salmon and no chance of catching for us! I know that's good for the salmon! I know it is!
But... what about me? (She says in her most meek, pathetic fish-less Jennie voice!)
The river is at the lowest point all summer. I know that because my canoe scrapes against the rocks, almost blocking my way, as I float (barely!) downstream. I know it is more shallow because Molly almost fell out when we hit bottom! Poor Molly!
Forget paddling upriver. I just wedge my wooden paddle against the rocks and push my way upstream.
I feel so blessed that Molly will ride with me. If she goes, will I ever have another cat that canoes?
Anyhow... waiting for the rain and cold hurts.
I've taken stock of the weather report and pulled all my beautiful flowers by the roots. I grabbed my pepper plant by it's top and totally uprooted it and threw it in the compost! David picked a bucket of raspberries before the rain hits. They are so beautiful and so good, still! We'll have raspberry shortcake, tonight!
But, it hurts waiting for this weather! It's like having an itch on your back that you can't reach. You know it's there and it nags at you. The forecasters forecast it, but when I look at the weather page each morning, those darn big balls of bright sunshine keep showing up for today, tomorrow, the next day... It's like loving chocolate, but having enough of it, already! I love the sunshine, but... ? I thought they said!?! Rain?
I have been cooking for rain for days! Fried chicken, pots of beans with ham hocks, roast beef. Come on, weather! Get with it! We are past ready!
The forecast discussion talks about it, but just like last soft El Nino, they talk about the main precipitation heading South. Remember that from the last one? California got inundated and we just sat here, high and dry thinking Oregon and California had somehow switched geographic location.
I'm having a bbq tonight. I'm wearing flip flops and a tank top today. I'm going to lay in the sun and read a magazine with my sunglasses on. I'm floating down the river, expecting cutthroat and crawdads. Maybe this way, it will rain!
Roast beef and mashed potatoes and gravy sure doesn't work!

October 14th

What happened to our sunshine? :)

Ever woke up and just had everything thrown at you, after thinking your life was peaceful?
I have asked JustCallmeDave and the mods to help me run the board for a couple days a week, so I don't have to check in, at all. Although I still do, out of habit, it's nice to have two solid days where I don't have to worry.
But, like anything, when you get back, it all hits you at once.
I remember this would happen when I left my kids, when they were small. Jeff would give me a couple days to go play with my girlfriends. When I got home, though, the kids punished me for being gone! They would act up and let me know in no uncertain terms, that they were going to pay me back for leaving!
OK. On my plate...
The Christmas party will probably have a change of date. Turns out the Civil War game is that night, (the third of December) and the Ducks Unlimited banquet in Washington is also that night!
So, how do I let everyone know there is a change of date without someone being upset and missing it? Argh! All I can do is my best, I guess!
Still no idea of WHEN it will be, but probably the second date on the poll, which is Dec. 1st. Gosh, I hope this works! I have to call Pietros right away to make sure that date is open for them.
Yikes. I have too much on my plate. Sometimes I just think I want to get in my car and go... somewhere! Help!
Then, a note from a long time member that complains about us removing a post about the American Flag. That we don't allow pictures of the American Flag? Huh? How bout this?
Argh. If folks only knew how much we had to edit out of some threads. They see only what they see and not the problems involved that we had to delete.
I wish some of the folks complaining could see the mod board, and what we go through trying to please everyone. It just isn't going to happen, but we sure try.
Sigh. I want to go fishing.
Thing is, I was supposed to be out there, right now! The weather is so bad, though! It's blowing sideways!
Bill Monroe invited me to fish with his son, today. He said, "We are going to go, no matter what!" So, I planned up my gear to wear. I got all my rain clothes out and especially, my life vest! I thought he was serious! Knowing him, I knew he was serious! He is no wimp!
But, oddly enough, he called yesterday and cancelled. He was talking to Bill. I listened, and got the drift of the conversation. He was canceling! "Sissies!" I called out, so that he could hear.
You know, I have often wanted to fish the bay on the first stormy day of Fall and I wish I were there, now, despite the wind and rain!
I remember hearing Gary Krum talk about doing it. How nasty it is, out there, but that they caught fish like mad!
I recall going out to the Fort Stevens beach with Ben, once, during a first Fall storm. We couldn't tell when we had a bite because the wind was so strong and the rain so thick on our windshield. But, it didn't matter! We just went out and checked the rods periodically, reeled in, and just about every time we had fish! It was so fun! I never laughed so hard in my life!
Ah, memories! So many friends, passed.
This last week has been tough. First, I found out that Rosalie at Fort Stevens bait shop out there in Hammond, has cancer. You know, the lady with the blessed herring? She's still running the shop, but it was terrible news to hear. I adore Rosalie! Please pray for her.
And then, a couple days ago, Mark Yano wrote me that Gary Hilton lost his battle with cancer. For some reason, I don't like that term, "lost the battle". I don't feel like he lost. I feel like he went to a better place where you don't have to fight at all. Regardless, though, it's been a week of tough news to hear.
Mark Yano also has cancer, and he wrote regarding Gary, "Gary passed away in his sleep last night. He's scouting out new places to fish so he'll be able to guide me when I join him."
I am blessed to have friends surrounding me. I really am. I have notes piled high from folks that love me (and take the time to say so!) and I am so appreciative, but it makes it so hard when they go!
I wish I weren't so sensitive. I wish I didn't take things so hard. I get so few complaints, but when I do, they really hurt! I try so hard to do my best. I really, really do! There is nothing I'd like more, than to make everyone on ifish happy. I keep telling myself that this just won't happen. It's not possible, but still... I do try!
I'm off to take a hot shower, and try to shake this pressure off, this morning. I need to start over, and take a deep breath and just dig in to what I need to do.
Breathe, Jennie! Breathe!

October 15th

"Maybe it's a dumb idea" Bill mumbled, trying to soothe me. "And look! It's starting to rain!"
I smiled, giving him my best smile. "Of course fishing isn't a dumb idea! No matter when, where how! Have fun!" I sent him out the door, fishing rod in hand.
The sound of his truck door echoed in the garage. Soon, I'll hear those silly glasspacks rumble as he cruises up the driveway in his Ford.
Funny. I always tell him I love the sound of those V-8's on the water. It sounds quite the same as his glasspacks on the truck, which I tease him about! That just occurred to me!
Anyhow, it's more than you think. It's raining, it's cool, it's Fall! I have this huge nostalgic feel of fishing with my Dad in his old Ford and I'd love to relive it, right now!
In the beginning, I'm sure my Mom used to ask him to take me, so she could have a break. Having five kids isn't easy, and I'm the baby. The last one home. Mom needed some time to herself! That was good, because I needed time with Dad! Pretty soon my Dad realized I loved to fish, so I earned my place next to him on the pickup bench.
Oh, it meant a lot to me, though, and still does! I loved the feel of being in that old Ford truck after fishing. The rain slapping on the windshield, the warm heater going. Me, soaking wet, from climbing on the huge boulders on the Sandy river. I can feel all those feelings as if they were yesterday.
As I listen to Bill's truck cruise up the driveway, I yearn to go with him, like I want to go each time, like I always wanted to go with Dad!
I have too much work to catch up on!
But, I had two days to myself, and the rain and wind prevented us from fishing those days.
As Bill waited for me to check my work, to see if I could go this morning, I reviewed my "todo" list. I keep a list on my desktop of things to remind myself to do, and today, it's a mile and a half long!
As I typed today's date on this page, I realize it's the 15th. Add one more thing! Francis' column needs updating! Chapter Fourteen! It's so awesome, you guys! You must read it! I will do that, right after I publish this.
Anyhow, if it weren't for my love of ifish, I'd cry. If it weren't for the fact that I love to DO ifish, I'd cry! I really want to go with Bill. I do! But, I want to do too many things!
He promised he'd call me if he found out something exciting.
In a while, I'll take a break. I'm excited to go canoeing and see if any fish came in, with the latest rain. I'm excited to walk to the top pool and see if any fish are jumping over the rapids.
There is so much I want to do! Life is so short!
Onto Francis column, now... and then to canoe. I'm so blessed to have so much that makes me happy.
But, dang... I wish I were in that truck with Bill!

October 16th
Thank you, Tillamook Country Smoker!

Turns out I really should have joined Bill! I got a few things done. Francis Caldwell's column is up.
As I headed out to the Post Office, though, I got in my car and started it up. I've never had problems with my car. It turned over with a flick of the key and died! I did it again. Died! Again! And again!
I couldn't keep it going.
I sat in the car in the driveway with my foot on the gas till it warmed up and headed to Ford in Tillamook.
Anyhow, turned out to be my fuel filter. Guess why? That new gasoline! Grr... Anyhow, I also had rats living in my car! They weren't there, but there are piles of sunflower seeds from the birds in several places. Sheesh!
I got a new fuel filter. See? I got something done!
Bill didn't catch fish. He went up to Loren's drift and watched several black chinook roll around.
He called me about the time I headed for Ford and was able to give me a ride home, after driving me around to do errands.
I made knodel last night for dinner. So, so good! The boys have been raving, "So many good meals, lately!" They had forgotten how good it is, to be home and eat Mom's food! We all love winter and the food we get to cook! I'm aced out on comfort food! You can tell by the waistlines around here! Bill doesn't know whether to love me or hate me, when I tell him what we are having each night. It usually centers around gravy, lately! But, my knodel? That's actually good for you! And not so fattening!
Here's my Mom's recipe.
We always make a huge batch of mashed potatoes to go with it, but sometimes it's good to have those little red or white ones on the side. This time, it was smashed spuds. :)
I saw the first salmon of the year jump, today! That was fun! I threw a spinner at him for a while, but he wasn't in the mood to come visit Jennie.
It's all the same to me. It was fun just seeing him.
I got in the canoe to see about going downstream to view the depths, but the current was too strong for my wimpy arms!
If it's too strong yesterday, wait until after this weekend! We are expecting a deluge of rain, Saturday. Think I'll fish the bay on Sunday! You know, me and 1000 of my closest friends!

October 22nd

Grant McOmie video!
Gary Hilton Memorial Drift

Sick sick sick... tired of sick!
I hope I don't have that h1n1. I've been icky sicky for a long time, and I'm tired of it, darling! Just tired of it!
I went to Portland to go to the doctor, but I got sick and came home. How's that?
I'm going to protest, starting today!
There will be no sickness in this house, until I catch a salmon! Not even after, thank you very much. I'm done with sick! I quit!
All viruses, bacteria and so on are trespassing, if they enter any system on the premises. They will be shot down.
Speaking of shot... I'm going in to go get flu shots, today! Yikes!
I went out yesterday evening to throw a spinner around and couldn't keep the cutts off of it! Is there such a thing as a selective species spinner? Every time I hooked up, it was "Oh, no! Not you again!"
I was fishing with a big siwash without a barb, so it worked out fine. Still, poor thing with a sore lip! Those are the most beautiful fish, though! When I go to unhook them, I can't help but pause, take in my breath and hold it. What beautiful creatures!
I was really surprised to see them, though, as this entire summer has been rather cutthroat-free. It's scary how few of them have been in the Kilchis river.
Last night, the most horrible thing happened. Bill came running in the house, yelling. (This is never good!)
"Jennie! Jennie! Our chickens!"
He freaked me out! Before he got to "Our Chickens!" I thought something had really happened. LOL
After trying to get him to breathe and stop shaking, he handed me a bloody chicken and said, "A hawk! A hawk is after them!" He turned and left me with this awful bleeding chicken with a huge gaping hole in her neck and headed back out. "It's still here!" he yelled.
I sat with one pitiful, but darling teenage barred rock, on the couch, trying to comfort her. She was so upset! I dabbed at the wound with peroxide. It was no use! It was too huge!
Who wouldn't be scared to death, though, with a hawk with a three foot wingspan on your back, pecking at you like dinner? Poor, poor Becky!
After we got them all herded into the pen, (A challenge when they are frightened) we figured that the teenagers, being raised separate from the other batch, don't know, yet, that when the rooster shouts, "Take cover!" By golly, he means it!
It is really interesting how a rooster will take care of a flock of hens. They really do! They feed them! If we throw bread crumbs, the rooster will pick one up and hand it to a lady. I love that!
The roosters will call them from danger! Banties do this for their young, too. They are so protective! We could all learn a thing or two from watching chickens. I sure have!
It's kind of like that "Everything I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten" Except, everything I really need to know, I learned from my chickens!

* Share everything.
* Play fair.
* Don't peck people.
* Put things back where you found them.
* Clean up your own mess.
* Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
* Wash your hands before you eat.
* Don't poop in the flower garden
* Pieces of bread and sour milk are good for you.
* Live a balanced life--learn some and think some and watch some and peck some and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
* Take a nap several times a day.
* When you go out into the world, watch out for cars and dogs and stick together.
* Be aware of wonder. (Chickens are especially good at this!) Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
* Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup--they all die. So do we.
* And then remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned--the biggest word of all--LOOK.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

I'm just certain that Robert Fulghum had chickens. He must have! Especially the "LOOK" part!
I called the vet for Bill and he took Becky in. She got all sewed up. Four big gashes, all glued or sewed together, all around her neck, but none any deeper than the skin. One was a gaping hole about three inches around, tho! Poor thing!
It was an after hours call for that chicken, and I had to laugh when I saw the expression on Bill's face, when he read the bill.
There was one caption that pretty much summed it up. "LOOK!"
Talk about the hen that is going to be laying golden eggs... She'd better!

October 22nd

Grant McOmie video!
Gary Hilton Memorial Drift

Sick sick sick... tired of sick!
I hope I don't have that h1n1. I've been icky sicky for a long time, and I'm tired of it, darling! Just tired of it!
I went to Portland to go to the doctor, but I got sick and came home. How's that?
I'm going to protest, starting today!
There will be no sickness in this house, until I catch a salmon! Not even after, thank you very much. I'm done with sick! I quit!
All viruses, bacteria and so on are trespassing, if they enter any system on the premises. They will be shot down.
Speaking of shot... I'm going in to go get flu shots, today! Yikes!
I went out yesterday evening to throw a spinner around and couldn't keep the cutts off of it! Is there such a thing as a selective species spinner? Every time I hooked up, it was "Oh, no! Not you again!"
I was fishing with a big siwash without a barb, so it worked out fine. Still, poor thing with a sore lip! Those are the most beautiful fish, though! When I go to unhook them, I can't help but pause, take in my breath and hold it. What beautiful creatures!
I was really surprised to see them, though, as this entire summer has been rather cutthroat-free. It's scary how few of them have been in the Kilchis river.
Last night, the most horrible thing happened. Bill came running in the house, yelling. (This is never good!)
"Jennie! Jennie! Our chickens!"
He freaked me out! Before he got to "Our Chickens!" I thought something had really happened. LOL
After trying to get him to breathe and stop shaking, he handed me a bloody chicken and said, "A hawk! A hawk is after them!" He turned and left me with this awful bleeding chicken with a huge gaping hole in her neck and headed back out. "It's still here!" he yelled.
I sat with one pitiful, but darling teenage barred rock, on the couch, trying to comfort her. She was so upset! I dabbed at the wound with peroxide. It was no use! It was too huge!
Who wouldn't be scared to death, though, with a hawk with a three foot wingspan on your back, pecking at you like dinner? Poor, poor Becky!
After we got them all herded into the pen, (A challenge when they are frightened) we figured that the teenagers, being raised separate from the other batch, don't know, yet, that when the rooster shouts, "Take cover!" By golly, he means it!
It is really interesting how a rooster will take care of a flock of hens. They really do! They feed them! If we throw bread crumbs, the rooster will pick one up and hand it to a lady. I love that!
The roosters will call them from danger! Banties do this for their young, too. They are so protective! We could all learn a thing or two from watching chickens. I sure have!
It's kind of like that "Everything I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten" Except, everything I really need to know, I learned from my chickens!

* Share everything.
* Play fair.
* Don't peck people.
* Put things back where you found them.
* Clean up your own mess.
* Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
* Wash your hands before you eat.
* Don't poop in the flower garden
* Pieces of bread and sour milk are good for you.
* Live a balanced life--learn some and think some and watch some and peck some and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
* Take a nap several times a day.
* When you go out into the world, watch out for cars and dogs and stick together.
* Be aware of wonder. (Chickens are especially good at this!) Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
* Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup--they all die. So do we.
* And then remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned--the biggest word of all--LOOK.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

I'm just certain that Robert Fulghum had chickens. He must have! Especially the "LOOK" part!
I called the vet for Bill and he took Becky in. She got all sewed up. Four big gashes, all glued or sewed together, all around her neck, but none any deeper than the skin. One was a gaping hole about three inches around, tho! Poor thing!
It was an after hours call for that chicken, and I had to laugh when I saw the expression on Bill's face, when he read the bill.
There was one caption that pretty much summed it up. "LOOK!"
Talk about the hen that is going to be laying golden eggs... She'd better!

October 23rd

I'm so proud! A couple weeks ago, I got a note from Cabela's! Finally! After all these years!
Welcome to ifish, Cabela's! A new sponsor!

October 24th

What a gorgeous morning! The sun is just coming up and the cool air is blowing in the window. It's Winter! Well, not quite, but it feels like winter!
How can it change from summer to winter in one day?
The river is almost driftable!
It's at a level that I'm afraid, even to canoe. The current is strong and heavy and probably would pull me to the ocean! Yikes!
Again, Bill is pushing me to put it away for the year. I hesitate. I balk! I don't want to put it away! There are several days in the winter that the water is low enough to canoe! No, Bill! Nooooooo! Don't take away my canoe!
Want to see my back yard?
I've been having fun taking some quick clips of the Kilchis, and my dog, Kilchis! Well, and Rev, too! Here's a dorky one of me out fishing with the dogs.
Yesterday Bill and I took the dogs to the beach, Cape Meares, and generally just drove around the countryside. We set out to find mushrooms, but instead just had a blast exploring. The dogs had way too much fun, and now Kilchis can barely walk. He's so sore from running!
Cape Meares State Park is so gorgeous! It's amazing how we take for granted what is around us.
Well, I'm in the mood for pancakes this morning, so I'm getting out a slab of bacon and I'm going to make this house smell great! Off I go! And then fishing!

October 25th

My brother calls me in the morning sometimes, while on his way to work. A lot of times we end up in hysterics for one reason or another, and he needs to pull over. Makes me giggle to think about it. It's a great way to start the morning!
Anyhow, this morning was no different.
He told me this story.
I'm no hunter, but let me see if I can get this straight.
Tom, Gary and David had gone out hunting. Tom is my brother in law, and Gary is my oldest brother.
They were just starting out and came upon this huge hole. I guess it was really, really dark and deep! A huge hole in the ground! Good thing they didn't fall in!
Tom wondered how deep it really was. "I can't even see the bottom!" He said. Always curious, he continued, "Let's throw something in there, and see if we can hear it hit bottom."
They looked around and found an old rusty car transmission. So, they went over, lifted it up(!) and worked it over to the edge and dumped it in!
Just as they did, they heard a bunch of rustling in the bushes behind them. They turned to look. Low and behold, here comes this goat out of the brush, running at warp speed, and it jumped right into that hole!
They stood, absolutely speechless for a while, unbelieving what they just saw. Weird!
Due to the commotion, they hadn't had a chance to even listen for that transmission to hit bottom!
They were about ready to move on, when here comes the farmer from the property they were on. Ed comes through the clearing and asks them if they had seen his goat?
David says, "Wow! You won't believe this, but we did see a goat! One just came out of the woods at 100 mph and jumped into that hole!" He pointed.
The farmer stopped short and said to them, "Couldn't be! I had him tied up to a transmission, here!"
Alright... so it's not true, and my brothers didn't even go hunting, but it made me laugh the way he told it! I hope I told it right! I'm terrible with jokes!
Hey! A couple little tips this morning on how to post. Often, as a webmaster, I get asked how to post.
First, I have a bunch of tips on this page.
However, I was breezing through Youtube, and you know, you can learn anything on youtube! I spent yesterday having fun learning about make up and hair styles. You know, girl stuff! I had a blast, though!
But, there is a "How to post on Vbulletin", which is our current software. I didn't listen to all of it, but it seemed fairly comprehensive! There is Part one, Part two, and Part three. Thanks to Youtube user DjahhAOC for that help! Please note that we do have things specific to our forum that you'll need to know. You'll find tips and hints and specific rules at the top of each of our forums.
You'll always find our rules at the top of each forum commonly referred to as the AUP. (Acceptable Use Policy)
Have fun! The rain is coming down in buckets and I bet... I just bet there are salmon swimming by right now! I must go interrupt one!
PS: Becky the chicken is doing well after her hawk attack. Bill goes out each morning and gives her antibiotics and (get this) pain medicine! (Oh, berother!) I thought I was bad about pets! But-- a chicken? Pain medicine?
Just a quick story about me.
When I was little, say 8 or so? I found a baby bird that fell from a nest. I brought it to my room and fed it for like three days and slept with it for three nights. I don't know if you know, but baby birds are very demanding.
One morning I woke up and there were bird feathers everywhere! I woke up and realized that I had slept on my baby. There were feathers and bird innards stuck to my hair and on the side of my face. It was awful!
I went downstairs crying to my Mom. She helped me clean it up.
Afterward, she sat down to console me and give me one of those Motherly speeches. No need. For some reason I was totally over it. I told her, "It's OK, Mom. I was tired of taking care of it, anyhow!"
Hm. For some reason, my Mom thought that was the funniest thing to say, and she often told that story. I sure got over that baby bird in a hurry!
I was given another baby bird when I lived in Astoria and I raised this one all the way to adulthood! I mean, I taught it to eat on the fly and everything! That was so cool! Another story for another day...

October 30th

By the way, any proceeds from sales directed from ifish to Cabela's will go to the Kids For Christmas event, to buy toys. Help us out! So far, we are at 34.40! Let's rock!

Use Code: 9HOLIDAY

I can't write. Ever have that happen? I just have no words. Words have no. :)
I'll try....
It was so good to be in the boat, the other day! Bill and I took forever, trying to figure out what we wanted to do and how.
Drift boat? Fish from the house, down to the logging bridge? We hadn't done that in a long time!
Fish from the logging bridge down? That's a nice float.
Both?
Bobber fish in tide water somewhere?
The Guide Shop down on the Wilson? That would be fun! Or should we take the big boat and fish the bay?
We sat at the kitchen table, going over the tide book.
We sat in front of the TV, listening to the weather report.
We sat on the bed, upstairs, staring at the water level.
We sat on the couch, discussing the condition of the boats. Is the drift boat clean? Is the big boat ready?
Are the rods rigged for bobbers?
Do we have sardines for wraps?
So many decisions!
We hadn't done any of these things in so long! What's wrong with us?
I think it's just this year!? I hope?\
There is a post on the board about whether it's time to shut Tillamook down. Can you believe that? Is fishing that bad? Breaks my heart, but I tend to agree. It's not good!
Hey! And did you hear about this? Bonkers! All that discussion and debate about Tillamook Launch Fees and now... it's not even been approved? Beezarre! You guys! LOL
When I walked out to the garage to tell Bill about this, he nearly fell over. A lot of people did a lot of work on this. I just shake my head. I don't get it?
It scared me, because Bill sat down at the computer and started typing away. I had to go warn the moderators! LOL Look out! Bill's ticked!
Anyhow, back to fishing... Bill and I finally decided on the drift boat and I'll tell you, we had a wonderful day on the water! Even with the wrong fingernail polish on!
I'm having more fun taking videos, lately! It's a phase, I'm sure, but it's so fun and so easy to upload them to Youtube! Here's another! It's nothing exciting at all... It's just good memories.
Bill and I giggled, getting ready to fish. Partial frustration, and partial excitement to actually go fishing! We totally forgot how to get ready! What clothes to wear? It's interesting that you easily forget this easy stuff. When I was in the thick of it, I had the routine down. I could be out and ready to fish in a minute.
But, you have to think of all the different things you run into, and how to dress for it.
Let's see... I'd be in a drift boat. The seats are wet, so I have to dress for sitting in water. Also, it may rain, so the rest of me should be rain proof. I wouldn't be wading, so I didn't need waders, really. Bill might be wading, if the river was too shallow to pass, so he needed waders.
Oh, no! We had to think of two different ways to dress! That's taxing on old people! LOL
So, I could wear a combo of my Grunden Rain pants and either hip boots or short boots.
It was cold out, so I chose three layers. Cotton shirt, sweater, and heavy rain coat.
I really wanted to cover it all and wear my comfortable breathable waders and boots like Bill was, but my breathables have leaks and my wading boots seem to have shrunk!
Cha Ching on that one! They both need replacing! I guess I'll be shopping soon as I'll need these both for Steelies. If only I could find women's breathables that fit my long legs. If I get them long enough, they are for fat men and blow up huge around my waist! Oh, well!
Anyhow, I finally settled on a pair of warm tights, knee boots, Frog Toggs rain pants and my heavy rain coat. I was comfy for the day and it all worked out fine!
Being "dialed in" to fishing means more than that you aren't in tune with how and where to catch. Not having your clothes down takes you twice as long to get ready, and takes away from time on the water! Not good!
So, even if you can't fish and feel out of the loop, keep your fishing gear clean and ready and don't forget how to prep for a trip like we did!
Next time, I'll be ready, no matter what we decide to do!
I'm taking this season to get my gear ready, again. Some of my stuff is going to Goodwill and some to the trash. No one wants breathable waders with holes in them. I've tried to repair them twice, but they are just rotting out.
Part of the problem is just too many dang choices! I used to have one pair of hip waders and one pair of neoprenes and that was it. It was easy to decide. But, now I have USIA rain gear with boots, Rain gear without boots, breathable waders, neoprene waders, hip boots, knee boots, ankle boots, man... just too much stuff! (But I love it!)
Now that I've accomplished my writing, I'm going to go get dressed and throw a bobber around for a little bit. The dogs are excited to go, and so am I!
Now... what to wear?
Wait a minute... bobber and eggs or a chinook jig? Fly fishing for nooks, maybe? Or hey! I could fly fish for cutts!
Shall I dunk some eggs? Cured or borax? Shrimp, live or cured or frozen? Prawns or salad shrimp? Kwikfish? Which year? With or without wrap? Tuna strip or sardine?
I could just toss a spinner, you know...
Pheh!
I'm not always this knuckle headed! Really I'm not!

October 30th

Call out to all who have pictures of Gary Hilton. Please use the contact form if you have any you can e mail me. I'll have to give you my e mail address. You can't send them direct with the form. I'd like to put them on the Hilti thread and also take them to the Hilton Drift on Dec 5th.
The Kwikfish coloring contest has begun for 2010! Please upload and enter your creation!

Happy Halloween!
October 31st

Liz Hamilton sent me this and I still have tears. Thank you, Liz! I love it! It's The River Why's David James Duncan on water, salmon and the policies that are killing them.
For some odd reason, it's blocked by my ISP, but I just love the article. I'm going to go read it again. She copied and pasted it for me in e mail. Thank you, Liz! Thank you, David!
I always thought old people sat around and watched QVC, but not only have I been watching it, I've learned all the sales people by name! Oh, no! I'm old!
I think, partially, though, I watch it for the Holiday spirit! I love their spirit!
You know, I usually decorate for Halloween. I usually decorate for all Holidays! Even Easter! Even Valentines! I have carefully packed boxes for each Holiday.
Hey- We've even been known to look up on Google who has a Birthday so that we can celebrate that with a cake!
Happy Birthday Marilyn Monroe-- or whoever!
But, darnit, anyhow, the boys keep moving my stuff out of the house, every time they move back home!
Last year, for a whole month, I had both boys bedrooms empty. Thinking it would last, (what a fool!) I carefully took everything out from underneath the stairs in the garage. I took all my Holiday stuff, carefully marked with each Holiday, dusted them off and stacked it in their old closets.
It was so lovely-- for that one month, before one by one, the boys came back home. Argh!
One by one, then, I moved my Holiday boxes to
a storage unit in town.
Now it's nearly impossible to decorate, again!
In order to decorate, I have to make a special trip to town to get whatever boxes I need for that Holiday. As if that will happen!
And so, I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas!
I give up!
And so, we have Christmas, year around! That's the most I'm capable of! One Holiday... Good bye!
I don't know what it is, but QVC had this awesome sale on these lovely lit wreaths and garlands. They have white lights and white flowers and these little green apples! They are gorgeous and the price was just right! They aren't too Christmassy! I loved them! I bought them! (But, no! I didn't call in and gush like some women do!)
And they are up! Merry Christmas abounds in my house! It's so pretty! I hope that I don't get tired of it, by Christmas! You know how that happens? So far so good, though! I just adore them and have the best time, each morning, plugging them in and feeling that feeling... you know that feeling? Makes me smile!
There are more boxes for Christmas. Oh, there are many, many more boxes! And so I'm not really ruining Christmas! Just having a taste of things to come.
This year, I didn't even try to go get my Halloween goodies. I mean, we don't get trick or treaters out here. I've bought candy, put it in a bowl, and sat there and ate it all night. That's not good! Not once does the doorbell ring!
So, this year, if someone rings the bell, I'm going to give them a candy cane and wish them a Merry Christmas!
There are no jack-o-lanterns. There are no little lit pumpkin lights, nor are there any bats hanging from my porch, as usual. Hey! They usually blew down, anyhow.
This year, we have elegance and little white lights for Halloween!
The only thing I simply must do, is make pumpkin cookies with candy corn faces. There is a law in our land that these cookies must be made. No excuses! So, off I go to make these, this morning.
It's a little bejumbled this Halloween, but I like it.
Merry Christmas!