Exciting Times in Boston!!

There I was walking on Fan Pier at the waters edge when I spotted a treasure of nature. A dead Red Breasted Magangser was just waiting to be discovered. It had been dead for a few days and was starting to ripen nicely. I knew I needed to work quickly if I was going to be able to add it's skull to my collection. Since I had no pocket knife with me ( TSA would not let me take the two in my suitcase through security) I had to to improvise. No beer can was at hand like when I took the head off of the Great Blue Heron. I had no side cutters with me as I did when I found the American Kestrel, but I did spot a sharp rock. I figured if early man could butcher a 20 ton mammoth with a sharp rock I could take the head off a two pound bird. It took me about 30 seconds.......and did this guy ever smell bad!!!

Now speaking of smelling bad, I had to get this guy back to my hotel room and packaged for my trip home. I decided not to carry him in my pocket and you don't want to just walk around with a stinking bird head in your hand. Lucky for me I was able to locate a Burger King bag to place it in and was on my way.

Once in my hotel room I wrapped it in two plastic bags and placed it in my computer bag. When I took my computer out at airport security you may have thought I had a dead walrus in my bag it smelled so rank. People started looking around like some one had farted and trying to insinuate it was not them. So I just acted like everyone else. Once on board I cured the problem with a double zip lock bagging. All was good.

Have a great day and always keep your eyes open for treasures!

All I want to do is get some sleep!

I promise this will be a short posting. Here I am in Boston on another layover. I just need some rest so I can be at my best when working back to Portland.

So there I am, in bed, reading and trying to fall asleep. Minding my own business. When all of a sudden the noises start. First it is the head board lightly knocking against the wall from the room next door. Then the vocals started. Then the short burst of bed headboard slamming against the wall. Then louder vocals. At this point I come to the conclusion that these are not kids jumping on the bed.....Ohhhh no!

Did I mention this is happening at midnight? This commotion lasted for I don't know how long! Finally it stopped, but by this point I was tramatized. What were the people thinking. They need to rent a motor home when they travel. After things quitened down I bet it took me at least five minutes to fall asleep.

I guess this is just part of my glamorous life style. Hope I don't find cat poop on the floor again when I get home......

PARTY ON!

Donna has gone back to London and we all know what that means. It is time to rehang my black velvet paintings, put the keg back in the fridge and crank up the stereo! Phantom of the Opera sounds so good when really loud, like a 12 out of 50 on the volume meter.

I was out boating with my buddy, David. He has the boat and I have a pair of sun glasses, so I look really cool on his boat. We had an epic adventure. After removing 3 inches of snow from the deck and passing through the Ballard Locks we cautiously made our way into Puget Sound. The wind was blowing at least 4mph and was whipping up waves cresting at close to six inches!

After close to an hour of fighting our way across the Sound we arrived at Blake Island with a little liquid courage in our bellies and a new boat fender on board. It is one big ass boat fender we rescued. It is on its way to our friend Mark. He has the big ass boat and I take two pairs of sun glasses when I am out on his boat and wear them both at the same time.

Speaking of our buddy Mark. He is doing a little one on one battle of his own with cancer, but is kicking it's ass. I am sure the doctors think it is due to their chemo. I know differently, it is due to prayer. I have been putting in a good word for Mark to the God of Huge Camp Fires and Potato Guns and it seems to be doing the trick. Yesterday I also sent some vibes to the God of Happy Boating and Crab Eating. So just don't sit there, say some prayers.

Now it is time for Dow to get serious. While on Blake Island I saw something that just broke my heart and I am focusing on changing it. We all need to take on a cause to make the world a better place.

While walking the beach I spotted a raccoon without a tail. That is correct, no cute, fluffy, ringed tail. I am sure he is made fun on by all the other raccoons on the island and has no girl friend. I want to change this, but is not going to be cheap. More about donations later.

This poor raccoon is so down trodden that he not only needs a tail, but it needs to be a cool tail. The Pin the Tail on the Raccoon Foundation is presently looking to locate a nicely groomed and feathered Irish Setter tail as his replacement. If you know of one please let the foundation know. He would be the coolest raccoon on the island. All the females would not be able to keep their paws off that tail!

Yes this is going to be very expensive. I will need a helicopter to dart the pitiful looking thing from. He would then be transported in a net hung from under the helicopter ( like they do with bears and mountain goats ) to the Harbor View Hospital where a team of surgeons, lead by Dr. House, would be awaiting his arrival. After two weeks of recovery and six weeks of rehab ( tail waging therapy ) he would be on his way back to Blake Island where he would be received back to the island with a Potlatch put on by the local Native Americans. After feasting on fresh clams and smoked salmon he would then be released back into the wild with his anti rejection medications to live happily ever after. ( That last part makes my eyes tear up. )

So, now don't be cheap. Send your checks to"TPTTOTRF" at my home address. Do not delay for this poor little fellow needs a tail. One of the board members feels he also needs matching ears, but as you know that is just more expense so it may have to wait, but it would be nice to get it all done with one visit to the hospital. Thanks for your support!

Well gotta go!