"How cool is that?!"

Vianna and Rachel

Vi has a new helper- she named it 'Rachel'- after that certain Food Network gal- Rachel Ray. Those of you who watch RR- know that she likes to 'load up' her food items and walk them to the stove where she prepares her '30 minute meals'. Hence Vi is called 'Rachel' when she moves about with all her projects.








Under the seat is another basket. I believe Dad attached the front loading basket on (it even has a cup holder). Rachel has brakes, adjustable hand bars, wheels and is skinny enough to easily get thru the doorways.

More on Global Warming

The Global Warming Debate continues. Brett has written a follow-up piece for the newspaper.

Last month you were kind enough to print my letter critical of the hysteria over “Global Warming”. By the articles and letters I have read in the Chinook since then, I fear the impact of my letter was blunted somewhat, both by the ambiguous headline you chose and my own reluctance to speak in absolutes.

I’ll try to be clearer and more precise: Catastrophic Man-made Global Warming is a fiction, an irrational construct that logically cannot exist.

My first proof is that the sum total of heat energy expended by mankind is less than one tenth of one percent of that arriving from the Sun, which is less than the normal variation in the Sun’s energy. Therefore, Man can hardly be identified as the cause of even a fraction of a degree change in the world’s temperature, let alone several degrees when nature produces over 99.9% of the heat energy.

Secondly, in addressing the claims of those promoting the “Greenhouse Effect”, the same mathematical logic applies. The greenhouse gases that trap the Sun’s energy are 95% comprised of water vapor, which mankind has no control over. The remaining 5% greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, come overwhelmingly from natural sources. Volcanic action and even termites release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than human activity. Humans are responsible for only about 5% of that 5% non-water vapor greenhouse gases, or less than three tenths of one percent. Again, given that the variation in the amount of greenhouse gases produced naturally is greater than the total produced by mankind, how can man be responsible for catastrophic change when nature is in control of over 99.7% of the greenhouse gases?

Third, some seem to think that it is a fact that carbon dioxide causes increased temperatures, when it is at best an untested theory. There certainly does seem to be some correlation between the two, but the same can be said of smoke and fire, and no one makes the claim that smoke causes fire.

Additionally, I could point out the errors of making assumptions based on incomplete data, collected less than randomly and limited to only the most recent history, but I believe my point is made. Even assuming the data collected by Man-made Global Warming supporters is accurate, and even assuming their greenhouse theory is true, it is still mathematically impossible for mankind to have an appreciable effect on the climate.

One final point I would like to make regarding the “Sainted” Kyoto Treaty. The US Senate unanimously refused to ratify it, before President Bush ever took office, because even if it was followed completely by all parties, it would not significantly reduce greenhouse gases (because, as stated above, it isn’t possible to). It would also cost our economy trillions of dollars, and send a large amount of jobs, capital and polluting factories to India and China. Kyoto is expensive, unfair and counterproductive, a hideous idea better placed in the dustbin of history than on a pedestal.

Brett Malin

Snow and daffodils

The last day of February and we are having SNOW! Not only is snow practically unheard of here- the daffodils are in bloom and spring is around the corner.

This is the Astoria Column today. It is high on a hill in Astoria. However, I was in a meeting right at the beach front this noon time- and we had snow flurries too!

Pacific Co Historical Museum

A few posts below, I mentioned the Historical Society's annual meeting. They also have a museum in Raymond. It is tiny, but filled with photos and info.

I stopped in after a meeting up north- to pick up some info for State Parks to use in a new display about the early fishing industry. Here is Sue Pattillo (seen in many earlier posts) with her sister. Sue is on the Board for the County Historical Society/Museum- and she is a huge resource and support for all things regarding Pacific Co.

Flooding, rain and septic woes at the Hatchery this weekend.

This weekend was moving day for The Chinook Nation. Sea Resources (Chinook Historical Hatchery and Botanical Trail) is leasing them space for offices and activities. We hope they will get involved in our programs too.

This weekend was very very wet. Besides a high surf warning- tons of rain.... we had a complete septic failure! Yikes!

I drove in to check on how the move was progressing. Imagine my dismay (horror!) to see the Peninsula Sanitation truck- and THEN also the local Chinook Fire Truck! Whew, the fire district was just checking out addresses on the new mapping system.

The septic tank had to be pumped out. We will have to purchase a new pump and make repairs to the system. Tony is working very hard on the building and grounds. He managed to remove some gates where the fish trap was. This allows the water to flow and sediment to move on. The historic waterways were flooded too. Fortunately the little chum are still in the egg room.

Republican Meetings

The Pacific Co Republican Party (central committee) usually holds 2 meetings. One in the south and one in the north. Here is our south end group. We followed up a few days later with a meeting in Raymond. One of the changes I hope to bring as Chairman- is to combine meetings and bring in educational and interesting speakers.

The pretty woman in the front here is Emily Wolfe. (husband, Stan, is in the purple jacket) We are very sad that they are moving back to southern California. We will miss their energy.

Flags in Astoria

Last Friday, Astoria had many flags- including this really huge flag. It was the occasion of a funeral for a Iraq war soldier.

The Oregon Governor and others came.

"The funeral was led by the Oregon National Guard in Camp Rilea's Warrior Hall. About 50 motorcycles, including the Patriot Guard Riders, Oregon State Police and local firefighters, guided a procession for Browning's body from Astoria to Warrenton, where the Oregon Honor Guard and rows and rows of American flags greeted them. "

(note, yes- that is mid day- about noon time weather. It is dark and wet lately)

Valentines Day

Brett prepared a wonderful dinner for Valentines Day.
Lamb, asparagus, risotto, fresh bread, salad and lovely citron flans (dessert from Michael at The Depot).

Did I mention flowers and a balloon too?

Smorgasbord and Historical Society

The Deep River American Legion ALWAYS holds their Smorgasbord on the Sunday before Valentines Day. People travel from miles away to enjoy the wide variety of food. It is held in Naselle at the High School.

The Pacific Co Historical Society actually moved their annual meeting to coincide with this 'don't miss' event. So after stuffing yourself with Scandinavian treats - you get to learn about some historical aspect of the area. This year we had a really informative presentation about the early life saving corps. They were under the jurisdiction of the Dept of Treasury before the Coast Guard took it over. The mouth of the Columbia was the site of many shipwrecks and the Life Saving Corps saved many lives at the turn of the century.

Lost prehistoric head

Oh dear, so sad. But kind of funny/strange.

Brett investigated the dinosaur in the post below. We were on Route 476 in Florida and drove past this headless creature.

The mystery is solved at the Back on Tack web site. go to the 'size does matter' menu on right, then to headless dino.

"After talking to T.J. Neil's son on an unrelated topic, he told me the creator of this prehistoric pet never finished it because he fell from it and died. He explains it is the same plasterer who built others on Route 19."

Chinook Nation

Brett had an unusual Birthday, just 5 days after mine. He accompanied me to the Chinook Nation Tribal Council- where I spoke. The Chinook Historical Hatchery and Botanical Trail (I am on the executive board) has some space for them to move their offices to. We hope they will be getting involved with our Hatchery too.

Pictured here is Ray Gardner, Chief. He is the most awesome guy. I am looking forward to working with him.

Later that evening, Brett confessed that he wasn't kidding- for his birthday dinner he wanted a Corral Burger, fries and shake. Lots of calories. I should have taken a photo.

Birthday evening

(catching up on the last of the Florida trip posts)

We made a stop at Downtown Disney. It wasn't much. Pleasure Island had most of the clubs and show dark that Monday. The lego store was the only real attraction.

Sooo.... after checking out a few menus and gazing in a window or 2- we ended up at the Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar near the hotel for dinner. Being my special day, and because of the great birthday discount- I ordered a Kobe Beef and Lobster Imperial Dinner. The fun part of eating at a Japanese grill house- is that you become friendly with total strangers who are sitting around the grill with you. We enjoyed the conversation. After a few Sake Martinis and birthday singing- we all looked at our watches. It seemed we were all fans of "24". So at 8:45pm- we all said, 'hate to be rude, but we must return to the hotel to watch Jack Bauer!' "There is no time!"

more Florida adventures

Continuing on- It was my #53 birthday. We headed toward Orlando- but stopped at Homosassa Springs to look at the Manatee Reserve. Mostly it was a quick pit stop for us- but we made a mental note to return with grandchildren some day. Wouldn't it be fun to swim with Manatees?

Wyland had a pretty cool wall painted.

Then we drove the back roads toward Orlando. Where else do you see the concrete remains of a dinosaur from some old tourist trap? It was out in the middle of 'no where' on a 2 lane road?

Carpia Cottage

I found this little cottage in Cedar Key on the internet. It had a nice view of the Gulf Bay and was only 2 short blocks to downtown. It came complete with a little neighborhood cat who looked like our own Calypso.

We walked home just in time to catch the half time show.