Progress Report

Well, the new filter’s been installed and the pool’s been opened. It didn’t take long before the chipmunks began their suicidal plunges into a chlorinated hell. I have no idea why they take the plunge. It’s bad enough ridding the pool of the usual accumulation of dead leaves, worms and other exciting goodies, but handling their funerals is even worse. Do I sound negative, you bet, I hate this part of the process, but I will admit that once the pool is rid of the debris and crystal clear, it’s nice and relaxing to sit by it with a cold one (along with my ever present salt shaker) and watch the hummingbirds enjoying their sugared water. Have to get this pool work completed this week since we’re going on a week long tour of Oregon’s highlights. Anyone that’s been there reports that except for frequent rain it’s a beautiful state. The trip does sound interesting and hopefully fun. I don’t use the word exciting because the trip organizers are intent on bringing us old timers home alive and kicking. Excitement is of a limited variety but the jet boat trip down the Rogue River might produce some required medical attention. Of course a new Mount St. Helens eruption would certainly create excitement. All kidding aside it will be interesting to see how Mother Nature has rebuilt the area after the eruption. Will give you a trip rundown in a future blog. By the way, squash and tomatoes doing nicely in my little gentleman’s garden……might even have to build a stand in front of the house to sell some off. Can only consume so much butternut squash soup.