FRIDAY

.........................The weather is improving little by little. Doggy and I walked to the river this afternoon and noticed that the water is clearing up. I may get back to the fishing hole before too long. In the  meantine I am enjoying the easy chair.

THURSDAY

.........................There were a few sprinkles today and I was happy to have spent a couple of hours in the bowling alley. My bowling results were certainly not good but I did come out with an average five points above my league average. That shows some improvement, which is good.   The river is very dirty so I am in no hurry to try that sport for a few more days at least. 

WEDNESDAY

.......................There was not a lot of rain today. In fact the roofers used today to put a new roof on Roy's house to the tune of 5,000 dollars. I had to keep Chi Chi inside most of the time because the little fella' just would not stop telling the world that strangers were on the property. This evening I went to Pizza Pete's for dinner with the Teigens. It was Colts fifth Birthday party and he opened gifts, ate cake and generally had the run of the place. Birthday parties for five year olds are a lot of fun!

TUESDAY

.....................I hit the bowling alley again today. My results were not the best I have done this past week but four of the games I threw were over 150. My average for the day was 137.5 and after really paying attention   on game 10 I turned in a high game of 165 for the series. It just goes to show that if I really get to concentrating I can become a decent bowler. The rains are continuing off and on on a daily basis. There is to be a break and some sunshine this weekend so perhaps I will get in some fishing time. The word is that there are no fish in the river at this time but who knows, a straggler might be out there waiting for me. It can happen.

MONDAY

............Today I was successful in talking myself into a two mile walk to the river. Doggy and I were expecting rain both ways but got very lucky, the rain did not make an appearance until we were returning and were within two hundred yards of the house. It was very light at first but became a gully washer later.
The rest of the day was spent goofing off and accomplishing nothing. Sort of like being retired.

SUNDAY

.....................The rains are still with us in the great Northwest. I have yet to see a drowned duck but I did find a mole that had surfaced and died on the dirt road ChiChi and I walk on. I drove into town to try my luck again at the bowling alley and came away a very happy boy. My low game for the ten lines was 130 and my high was 170. I averaged 149.6 for the ten lines. Four more pins and I would have made it to the happy 150 I have been trying so hard to achieve. After bowling the 154 at league last week and this 146 I am thinking that perhaps I will some day be a competitive bowler in the local Senior league. Nothin' to it but to do it. When I got home it was time to feed my dog but he did not eat a thing. I have a feeling he stole some food from Roy's dog, Lexie. After an hour I put the food away and will offer it to him tomorrow. I am watching the 600 mile NASCAR race this evening, lots of excitement if you like that sort of thing!

SATURDAY

....................This turned out to be a rain free day but it never looked like it. I decided early to not go fishing but there were enough breaks in the clouds for the occasional sunshine to invite the doggy and I out for a two mile walk. We made the usual journey down to the river and back. I could tell that Chi Chi was really excited about the idea because he pulled me for two hundred yards until we got to the road gong down the hill at which time I released him from the leash. It took a short time for him to realise he was not on the leash. When he did figure that out he became frightened of the big world and fell in line behind my right heel and stayed there for the rest of the walk. Whenever I look around to see where he is I have to look down and behind me because if I look only over my shoulder he is so close I can't see him. The only time he leaves that spot is when another dog is seen up ahead. He then stops and sits in one spot until I assure him all is well. Even then he is shy and walks on the opposite side of the rode from whatever he fears. I have to keep him on a leash while on a busy street because he would run in front of a car just to escape from whatever "gooses' him at the time. Funny doggy, that.

FRIDAY

..............Off and on rain all day, ChiChi and I did get in a two mile walk down to the river and back without having trouble with rain but that changed in the afternoon. Of course in the afternoon we were inside looking out so that was fine too. I made no effort to go fishing and I think the temperature never got over 60f all day.

THURSDAY

...................This day turned out to be OK. The weather was lousy but that is to be expected in this part of the country but I did get a haircut that has been needed for a long time. I also surprised myself by really helping out the team while bowling today. My scores were 148-112-203. That turns out to be a 154 average and it put a big smile on my face. After the second line I knew I had to settle down and really pay attention to what I was doing and the 203 was the result of that. I will be getting back to the bowling alley sometime over the weekend and continue with the concentration thing, it certainly helps. I am a happy boy this evening!

WEDNESDAY

..............Hate to say it but this turned out to be a nothing day. I am not sure that the rain ever stopped at any time.  There were times when it was a very light mist but shortly turned into rain drops. Needless to say I was inside all of the time. Did make up a pot of chili.  As a matter of fact I made so much I had to use two pots to cook it. Most of it will be put in the freezer. The rest will be consumed in the next few days. I attempted to copy the 'Wendy's" recipe that I found on Facebook a few days ago. My result was not much like "Windy's" but it does taste pretty good. The information I got did not warn me of the amount that I was making. That's OK, it will all go to a good cause. I doubt the temperature ever got above 50f degrees here today. 

TUESDAY

        The Cardiologist office called today and asked me to make an appointment with her so we can discuss my tests from yesterday. I phoned to make an appointment and was told the next opening is June 17 at 2:30. I had to laugh, my wish it to live long enough to make it to the appointment. And I promise you, folks, Obama care is going to make things worse................. It was way too wet and rainy to go fishing today so I drove into town and bowled ten lines. My average turned out to be 136.8 and it pleased me to have bowled my high game on the tenth line. I felt tired after the 9th line so I really buckled down and concentrated on the tenth. It worked! I do believe that one day I will be able to keep up with the average bowler in the league. I stopped by Safeway on the way home for a bottle of Bacardi and ended up spenting over 60 bucks. I hate to go shopping.

MONDAY

...................This was a great day to drive to Beaverton for my Nuclear Stress Test. I arrived at 11AM and did not leave until 3:00. After the injection of the 'glow' fluid I was put under a machine that took a thousand pictures of my heart while I just laid there. That took 15 minutes then I was released for half hour to get something to eat and drink. A caffeine drink was suggested because it helped to neutralize the 'glow' fluid. I then returned to the lab for more pictures which took another 15 minutes. After that I was put on a walking machine at 1.7 miles per hour for two minutes while hooked up to some other recording device. While that was going on I was injected with more chemicals of some kind. All of this took a lot of time, mostly used up by getting me hooked to the various machines. It was some process, I kid you not. After a great drive home I arrived at 4:30 and fed the doggy. He was happy for that! It was nice to be on the road if only for those two hours. The weather was great and I certainly hope it continues for another 52 weeks at least. The results of the tests will be forwarded to my Cardiologist and she will contact me for further plans for treatment. The drive was very relaxing, I hope I am able to get out on the road for some more long range exploring this summer. Film at 11:00.

SUNDAY

....................The bowling alley was hosting a big deal of some kind today and no lanes were available at lunch time so Chi Chi and I drove to the fishing hole for a couple of hours. The weather was fairly nice but I was happy to have worn my blizzard suit. I stretched out in the boat that was tied up at the sitting area and watched the large, fluffy white clouds drift by with a very dark blue background. It was a very lazy couple of hours and I left earlier than usual because I wanted to get home and wash the car. I have a Cardiologist appointment in Beaverton tomorrow and no rain is expected so I want to make the drive with a clean automobile. The temperature at the river was above fifty degrees but not by much. And no fish.

SATURDAY

...................All day long it looked like it was about to rain so I sat it out, mostly in front of the TV but I did sneak in a nap too. Never went walking and the doggy was trying to remind me but I ignored him. NASCAR was on this evening and I used that as an excuse for not using the stepper. The short story is no exercise today.

FRIDAY

.................There was quit a bit of sunshine this morning so after lunch doggy and I grabbed the old fishing pole and drove to the river. Things were fine for a while but it did not take long for the sun to start playing tag with the dark clouds and the rain drops started producing circles on the river. We were sitting under a canopy of tree leaves so it was some time before things got really bad. We ran to the car and sat there for about twenty minutes before deciding during a short lull to gather up our stuff and head for home.  We were back by 2:30, just in time to feed the dog and fix myself a snack. The weather cleared pretty much shortly after.  

THURSDAY

.............My schedule was all out of whack today so I wasted a bit of gasoline by having my Pro time Test two hours before the start of bowling. The Protime check was at 10AM so after I left the lab I stopped by Safeway to bring the refrigerator supply up to date then drove the stuff home. The extra time before bowling was spent in the lounge chair relaxing. . . . .  .I arrived at the bowling alley at noon and really did a lousy job with the first line by getting only a 90 score. The next one was more to my liking with a 149 and on the followup third line I walked away with a 153. That gave me a 135 average for the day which is a bunch better than my present league average of 126. The team I am on is in sixth place and we won handily today so perhaps that will make us look even better. My coach, Ernie, is on the team and watching my every move. He told me today that all I have to do is to continue with my present approach and delivery. He feels that with practice I will show improvement on a regular basis. I have found an approach and delivery that I am really comfortable with so we shall see. I am a spot bowler and it is not very easy to hit that same spot with each throw. The ball does go where it is supposed to when the spot is struck though so I guess I best continue and not give up. Practice, practice.

WEDNESDAY

...............It did not rain a lot today but you can be sure it started the minute I backed the car out of the garage. I had an appointment with the tire shop to get my tires rebalanced and rotated. The windshield wipers were on most of the way to the shop but it did let up while I was in town {Castle Rock}. I also visited the Credit Union and after getting the car back stopped at the grocery store in town for some sausage to add to my Prego spaghetti sauce. Most of that ended up in the freezer but the lunch I fixed was pretty good. The sauce is not the best I have ever made but it is edible so I won't be throwing it out...I was gone for only about an hour and never did go walking. My bad. Tomorrow is bowling again, that is a good thing.

TUESDAY

..................I had a nice lunch with the guys from the class of '52' today. About a dozen of us showed up. I ate a small salad and a bowl of soup, I am not able to put away a large meal any more. I get full much quicker than I used to, which is a good thing............. After lunch I drove two blocks to the bowling alley and threw ten lines. My average was 148. My lowest game was 128. I suddenly began to bowl about as well as I would like on a regular basis. I have made some changes on my approach and it appears to be working. At least that was true today, there is no telling what it will be Thursday while the team is watching. ...........After bowling I stopped by Safeway and got 20 cents off per gallon of gas then spent my savings on chocolate chip cookies. I was home by 3:40 and discovered I had not fed the hungry dog before I had left........ Of course he had dry dog food available but he was not about to touch that. Spoiled little snot! The river level looks good and if there is no rain or snow tomorrow I will take my book to the fishing hole and see what comes of that little trip.

MONDAY

................Rain was expected today but I was not told it would not happen until I left the house to do some shopping and making a stop at the Post Office. I was gone less than an hour but it rained all of the time I was gone and stopped the minute i put the car back in the garage.......I was getting in the mood to go for a walk when the sun finally came out but chickened out and used the 'stepper' machine for thirty minutes instead.  The temperature pushed toward the 70 mark but I am not convinced it ever got there.

SUNDAY

.................It looked like rain this morning so I decided to go bowling. I averaged 129 over ten games. It never did rain and the river looks great. Heavy rain is in the forcast for tomorrow so I doubt there will be any fishing then.     This evening I met Caren, Ron and Colt at Parkers Restaurant in Castle Rock to enjoy a Happy Mothers Day dinner with them and Ron's Parents. I was in school with her and have met them several times since returning to this part of the world. They were also celebrating their Wedding Anniversary and her Birthday. We all had a nice time and even Colt behaved himself, of course that is nothing new. He seems to be a nice little five year old. After dinner we all met back at Teigens for cake and milk along with  conversation. I was back home by 7PM and the car got rained on during that short drive. I was stubborn though and never did get to the point where I was forced to turning on the windshield wipers.

SATURDAY

..................This morning I masked off the trim around the front and rear windows of the car [at the roof line]and painted them both. It looks a lot better and sure beats the $200 price tag a detail shop gave me. The weather was just right for that kind of work and the wind came up only after I finished.........Doggy and I had lunch then drove to the fishing hole for another three hours of sitting and reading. Oh, yes, and loosing another sinker and lure. I also forgot to take my book but luckily I had another one in the trunk that had not yet been finished so all was not lost. The temperature got to 75 today, things are looking good!

FRIDAY

...................Chi Chi and I spent four hours at the fishing hole today. No fish were caught but the weather was very nice and we are looking forward to trying again tomorrow. I made the mistake of casting out from the 'bad' spot the first time and immediately decided to reel the line back in and change positions. As I did I got hung up and lost another sinker. The rest of the day was without incident. , ,  ,At one time I walked to the top of the dike and began peeling away the old trim from the top of both the front and rear windows. I sanded the bare aluminum trim and it looks very clean. My plan is to repaint and make the car look a bit better. The car is a very nice looking Model 94 and I really want to keep it looking good for as long as it lasts. It just turned 160,ooo miles. I get comments on the car when I drive into town and park it on a busy street. I think the aluminum trim is now ready to paint and I will attempt that in the morning before returning to the fishing hole. The temperature got to 74 or so today and it was very quiet at the river, just the way I like it! When we arrived home we found that Roy had installed a doggy door for Chi Chi. It has a clear plastic swinging door and he is scared to death of it, of course. We will have to work on that but when I did the same thing at Barb's house we had to end up taking the plastic door out and installing a piece of towel over the opening. It still took him weeks to get used to it. Dumb dog.

THURSDAY

...........I went bowling today and again fell flat on my face; the scores were 105-120-125. I was showing improvement as the session progressed but I was low scorer on the two teams.. . . .On the way home and about a quarter mile from the house I discovered a horse in the middle of  Pleasant Hill Road. The poor thing was frightened and confused. I am sure he knew he did not belong there but refused to get off the macadam. I eventually got around him but phoned the emergency operator before doing so. In cases like this they send a policeman to keep an eye on him until Animal Control arrives. I had forgotten to feed doggy before I left for bowling so he was very happy to see me, I almost ran over the little nut while trying to pull into the garage. It would have been a great day for fishing and the river is now back down enough to enjoy the sitting area. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY

             The appointment with the Cardiologist went well, I think. She told me my heart still sounds good but because of the chest pains I had experienced over the winter she wants a Nuclear Stress Test done one week from this coming Monday.  There is a possibility that some of the five bypasses I have had for the past ten years my be plugging up. . . . .She also gave me a prescription for some 0.4MG Nitrostat which I filled at Castle Rock Pharmacy on the way home. It will be nice to have it around I guess but the chest pains will have to be a lot worse than they have been for me to bother with it. . . . .  I checked the water level at the fishing hole this morning and it looks like the river is down enough to return to fishing but that will be put off until Friday because I am going bowling tomorrow. This was another wonderful weather day, the temperature at the moment is 67.8 at the airport according to the Internet site. A nice day in May!

TUESDAY

               Doggy and I walked to the river this morning. The poor little guy seemed to be having a bit of a problem keeping up with me. That made me happy for me but I didn't like to see him show his age. I've had him since 2005 and fully expect him to outlive me. He is a bit over weight and that may be causing him to be struggling a little during a one hour non stop walk. I think he is about 61 in doggy years but since he is so small I expect he is just middle aged. . . .  I had checked the river level on-line early this morning and found that the water level was up to at least the floor level of the sitting area at the fishing hole so I didn't even try to go fishing. . . . The barometer is still down but the weather is very nice these days. I hope it continues but those of you who are familiar with this part of Washington State know that is not about to happen.

MONDAY

            I spent a couple of hours at the bowling alley today. I averaged 133 for ten lines and two of the games were 163. I will keep at it, I'm bound to improve. Right?. . . . I visited Wal-Mart before going home and purchased two more lures and four more sinkers. Perhaps they will last a while because I have changed my fishing area by several feet and so far have not had any hangups. I will return to the relaxing river tomorrow and see how the fishing goes. This afternoon I drove over to visit The Teigens for an hour or so. I took Doggy along and he was pleased to see his 'winter family' again. After getting home I put in a large load of laundry and turned on O'Reilly. I then enjoyed a Bacardi Coke and some cheese before everything had to go in the dryer. Life is good!

Special Note

Those of you who receive my blog via email:  When responding to my blog entries you can not use the 'respond to sender' on your email page.
The 'sender' is always 'Blogger', not me. You can respond only by sending me a separate e-mail or by going to the comment section of this blog.

SUNDAY

     Doggy and I were torn between staying home on such a nice day and watching NASCAR or going to the fishing hole. After a large lunch I began getting sleepy  and decided the fishing idea might be better for me. I spent some time cleaning out the blackberry bushes and reading. The blackberries are due in August and with a bit of attention and trimming I should end up with a pretty good crop. I lost another of those two plugs I purchased last Monday but at least today I lost no sinkers. I have changed my location by a few feet so that hopefully I will be beyond or ahead of the part of the river that has been causing me so much trouble. Chi Chi and I left after three and a half hours and upon arriving home found that the race had been on hold because of bad weather. They still had 65 laps to go so I popped some popcorn, sliced up an apple with cheese and made a Bacardi Coke. It was a very exciting finish with the winner coming out of nowhere to win on the last lap. The weather was mighty fine today, I am loving it!

SATURDAY

            Another three hours at the fishing hole again today. No fish but the book is coming along fine. I lost three sinkers and one of my new lures today. There is something out there in that river that grabs  hold of my sinker and refuses to let go. I have lost enough lead in that river to poison the water supply downstream for at least one hundred years. I think I'll start using 6 ounce rocks wrapped in wash cloths for sinkers, sure would cost a lot less.

FRIDAY

      Doggy and I spent three hours at the river today but the fish were not there. At least the biting kind were not around. I caught up on my reading and Chi Chi got a nice nap in the sun. The weather was fine except for a little breeze that at times became a bit cool. We'll try again tomorrow if this nice weather holds and the river does not come up too much more. At the moment it is about a foot below the floor of the sitting area.

THURSDAY

          . . . . . . . The bowling results today were better than last week but I still have a long way to go. I averaged 125 for the three lines. My team won but that did not happen because I was so good. My handicap is now 79. I am unable to use my sore foot as an excuse because today it caused me no trouble at all. . . .  We enjoyed beautiful weather today with promises of better weather tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY

  The old dog and I sat by the river for another three hours today but caught no fish. The wind was cold for the first hour but after the sun started bouncing off the river in my direction things warmed up enough to be comfortable. I did stop by Four Corners Store on the way and bought two more lures. I forgot to pick up more sinkers but luckily I lost neither today. There was one Guide Boat on the river today. He had three paying customers on board but I did not see any fish caught.