FRIDAY. . . . .

. . . . .No excitement today, got some rain and the river is still not clean enough for fishing. Lazy day, just the way I like 'em!

THURSDAY. . . . ..

. . . . .I was pleased to note when arriving at the bowling alley today that my league average is exactly 150. After last weeks results I was afraid it would not be so high. One fifty is my goal for league bowling and I tried my best today to come to that score but had to leave looking at a 146. Now I feel my average will not be so great next week. I just have to try harder. I will go into town next Wednesday and practice five lines, perhaps I will do well enough that it will 'stick' on Thursday when I again bowl in the league. On the way home I noticed that the river is really high and dirty. Most of the dirty water is entering at the mouth of the Toutle River. I have heard reports that fishing is still OK above the Toutle but I don't go in that direction so it does me no good. 

WEDNESDAY. . . . .

. . .. . . . .I spent most of today cleaning up my computer. I created more than 10G of memory just by de-fagging the C-Drive. The computer has been running slow and before having a professional do the job I thought I would give it a try. I am afraid there is still too much 'stuff' in there though. The C drive holds 111G and only 33 are available. My flight simulator takes 13.5 of that but I have no idea what else could be there to take up so much room. My next question to myself is why do I have to hire someone to clean it up. Why can't I do it myself? Where do I get instructions for such a job?. . . . . After giving my bowling hobby/exercise problem a little time I have decided to start practicing five lines per session the day before the actual League games. My costs will drop from $20 per week to $16.50. That is much better than the $140.00 it would cost if I maintained the same schedule I had been working with. This way I won't get as much exercise but perhaps I can still make a fair showing for the team. Tonight is the final game of the World Series and at the moment it is tied 2-2. I will get back to it and cheer on that KC bunch.

TUESDAY. . . . . .

. . . . . . . .Very poor results again today at the bowling alley. I averaged 124 for fifteen lines. My coordination is way off. I was not able to do anything right. Its called bowling, I've heard.   When I checked out I was told that the rates for practice lines has doubled to One Dollar each and starting on the first of the month it will become $1.25. If I continue bowling practice lines as much as I have been for the past three years my monthly cost will jump from $40 monthly to $100.00 monthly. It ain't going to happen. I can join a gym for a heck of a lot less than that. {not that I will}. I will continue bowling in the league at $10 per week but that will have to be it. To pay more and see myself not improving is just a waste of money as far as I am concerned.. . . .  .The river is still high and dirty; more rain is on the way so there is not much chance I will be doing a lot of fishing for a while. At the present moment the World Series is going my way. I will watch the rest of tonight's game and hope KC comes through! 

MONDAY. . . . .

. . . . . .I spent most of the day on my computer trying to find some old files I am missing. Not having any luck. Monday night football is grabbing my attention at the moment. I guess I put too much salt on my popcorn yesterday because my feet have swollen and I have taken a water pill. Doggy hates that because I have to remove him from my lap every few minutes to shake the dew off my Lilly.

SUNDAY. . . . .

. . . . . .My boring bowling report is not good today. After ten lines I had only a 127 average. I have come to the conclusion that my improvement on a weekly or monthly schedule is just a big joke.  I will continue bowling because I am too lazy to go walking on a daily basis and my body does need a lot more exercise than I am giving it. I am also attempting to cut down on my food intake [good luck with that] and if I do succeed with that perhaps I will end up feeling OK about my physical self. . . . . After bowling I stopped by the market and stocked up on goodies then went home and pigged out [a little bit] in front of the TV. The river is still muddy so fishing is out tomorrow but my laptop needs some attention prior to leaving this winter so I will be working with that for part of the day. Doggy is doing fine and he is in need of a lot more exercise too. I wish I could teach him to bowl but I won't because of how bad I would feel should he ever beat me. Which I see as a real possibility!

SATURDAY. . . . . .

. . . . . .This was a quiet day. The fish are not about to be pursued in the high, dirty water that exists at present. Doggy and I stayed inside today and watched auto races on TV. I tried my best to not eat too much but good luck with that idea! The wind was really making a show of things but the rain has not been too bad. I will be happy to get out of the house tomorrow and try my luck at the bowling alley again.

FRIDAY. . . . .

. . . . . .My blood draw/kidney test went well today. The Doctor is very pleased with my situation, he says the kidneys are accepting the heart meds very well and will expect me back in a year. That was good news. I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and bought a new pair of shoes and some new slippers to wear around the house.. . . . .The river is really dirty and more rain is expected. I am spending the evening watching the Baseball game on TV and backing up a bunch of pictures off the computer and on to a separate storage device. I should do the same thing with my laptop before leaving for winter vacation.

THURSDAY. . . . . .

My bowling results were stinky again today and the team lost all four games. My average was 143. 'Nuff said! After bowling I drove to Safeway and got my annual flu shot before continuing on to the lab for a blood draw and urine deposit. I have an appointment with the Kidney Doctor tomorrow morning. The heart meds I am taking are not good for the kidneys and for that reason I am being monitored. With luck I will have good kidneys for as long as my heart lasts but only if I keep an eye on them. After leaving the lab I drove through the part of town where the 'twister' hit today. I saw men cleaning up downed trees and saw some torn roofs being patched against any possible [probable around here] rain tonight. Some windows on Vanercook way were broken by flying 'stuff', or so I heard some one say. I was unable to drive on that street because it was blocked off for cleanup personnel. The river is the color of a cup of coffee to which too much cream was added. I would not attempt fishing tomorrow even if I didn't have the Doctor appointment.

WEDNESDAY. . . . .

  .  .  .  .  .The rain was heavy both ways when I drove to Beaverton and back this morning. It didn't bother me at all but it has been a long time [last winter] that a rain storm lasted the entire round trip. I had to go in for my device check again, the report was very good and every one is really happy with my results.  . . . . I noticed that Comcast is cheating me again on my monthly billing. They threw in an extra two dollars on the charge expecting me not to notice. I am on automatic pay and they do that to folks knowing that few people look into it and they can pocket the extra without any one being the wiser. I hate doing business with them but it is the only cable company in town. I will phone them about this but doubt it will do any good. If you have a choice stay away from Comcast!

TUESDAY. . . . . .

 . . . . .My co ordination was really off today, I was unable to make a decent approach with the ball while bowling. I am beginning to believe the meds I am using are not good for people trying to learn that sport. I know the Coreg is a problem because it was so bad a couple of years ago the doctor cut my dose in half. Well, actually he cut it back after I complained of not being able to walk down the hall without bouncing off the walls. I plan on continuing with bowling but improving much beyond where I am now just does not seem to be in the cards. I am also having a problem keeping my weight below 200 pounds. Every body has something, I guess. Tomorrow I drive to Beaverton to have my device checked so that will be a nice break, even if a storm is expected. I have no problem driving in the rain, I am never is a big hurry on the road so it will work out fine.

MONDAY. . . . . .

. . . .  .ChiChi was willing to hop in the car this morning when I left for the fishing hole. I guess he forgot he didn't like being down there and getting soaking wet for several hours at a time. Things were OK until about 1:45 when the clouds opened up and really dumped a storm on us. Luckily I could see it coming and buried the dog in my lap with the large umbrella over us before it hit. We did not move until 2:45 when the sun suddenly came out and gave us a chance to get to the car with no problem. It did rain all of the way home but we were dry so no problem. Never got a bite all day but did see a small []16-18 inches] salmon break water once right in front of us. The river was not really clear but we did notice other fishermen on  Camelot beach about a half mile up stream.

SUNDAY. . . .

. . . . .My bowling results were not the best I have ever had but I did walk away with a 146 average for ten lines. There is no doubt I can do better and with a little luck and a whole lot more practice I am sure I will. I am beginning to feel the same way about the fishing hole. Just a little more practice and I am bound to catch that big one! I will give it a try tomorrow if the weather holds and the water is clear. It looked a bit dirty this afternoon as I drove across the bridge on my way home.

SATURDAY. . . ..

. . . . .This was another fishless day. Doggy again refused to get in the car when I left the house this morning. I guess he just does not like sitting around at rivers edge getting cold and wet from the rain. I am beginning to believe he is a lot smarter than I am.

FRIDAY. . . . .

. . . . .I guess this to be my worst day ever at fishing. I did hook a small one but he got away after a minute or so. That was fun. But let me explain: Guide boats are the locals who are licensed to take their paying passengers on fishing trips on the river. A lot of them come from foreign countries paying up to $350 per day for the privilege of fishing on the nearby waters. The Boats contain the Guide and up to five or even six fishermen. Today one of the boats with five paying customers drifted by and landed a fish right in the same spot I was fishing. OK, those are the breaks and I am willing to be happy for them. This guy drifted down about half a mile then returned stopping his engine about one hundred yards upstream of me and while drifting by landed another fish from almost the same spot. This was done six times in a row and I never even got a bite after the first one got away! I was very unhappy when I got home, I felt like a bowler who threw gutter balls all day. . . . The weather was not too bad, some sprinkles but little wind so the temperature was acceptable. At least that was something to be thankful for. I, not to be discouraged will return tomorrow and perhaps catch a really big one! It could happen!

THURSDAY. . . . ..

. . . . .League day at the bowling alley and I sank like a rock. I started off well enough with a 162 game but after that things were really stinky. I ended the Day with a 140 average. That will ruin the handicap I was so proud of for the past two weeks. I did win $30 with the Washington State Lottery though. That was a surprise. I have been buying those tickets for ten years at the rate of about $100 per year. I will return to the fishing hole tomorrow and if the water is not too dirty I will wet a line for a few hours. Mel claims to have had seven strikes today and landed one nice salmon. He is happy to have gotten his boat out of the shop and back in the water.

WEDNESDAY. . . . .

..............It was raining this morning as I left for the fishing hole. Even the dog was reluctant to get in the car and that is really rare!   We spent four hours without a bite or sign of a fish. It rained most of the time and I did very little reading because ChiChi was sitting in my lap under the umbrella. Shivering, 

I might add. We got home about 2:30 and the dog is still asleep under the heat vent. The rain stopped about the same time we drove into the garage. 

TUESDAY. . . . .

 . . . . . .I had a very nice time while lunching with the gang of '52' today. Eight of us braved the elements to gather and enjoy a nice meal. Actually the elements were pretty good and with a bit of luck it will continue through tomorrow so I can be comfortable at the fishing hole. . . . After lunch I drove two blocks to the bowling alley and scored a 156 average during the first five lines  then came back with a 165 during the second five. I was really pleased to have left with a 160 average for the day! Of course the truth in the pudding will be Thursday when I attend the League bowling fiasco.

MONDAY . . . ..

. . . . .I hooked a small salmon today but he threw the hook after a couple of minutes. I was in the process of bringing the net down off the bank while fighting him and at one point I allowed a few seconds of slack line and that is all it took. . . . . After arriving home and getting my shower Caren phoned and invited me to stop by and pick up some soup she had made. The soup was really good and she sent me home with some home made bread too!  .   ..   .  She also had me deliver a couple of servings of soup and bread to Mel. He really appreciated it because he is unable to eat really solid food since his surgery a few days ago. He told me that his throat is really sore and is causing a lot of discomfort. 

SUNDAY. . . . .

. . . . . . . Another fine day at the bowling alley, my first five lines averaged 155.6 and the second five averaged 162. Not too bad for me! My two low games were 138 and 136. I may become a bowler yet! . . . . .Watched Seattle lose a ball game this evening, booooo. If the weather holds I will return to the fishing hole tomorrow. Mel has returned home after his surgery, not feeling 100% but doing as well as expected. He is breathing better and that was what it was all about. He told me that his doggy was really happy to see him walk in the door.

SATURDAY. . . . .

. . . . . Colton's team won their Soccer game today. While that was going on Ron and I went to lunch. It was his Birthday gift from me. We went to Parker's and Ron ordered their special hamburger. You have heard of a Quarter pounder? This was more like a four pounder. I have never seen such a monster hamburger, there is no way I could eat it all. His plate easily held two full meals for me. There is no doubt it looked delicious and Ron loved it. I had fish and chips with a Parker's own brewed beer.. . . . .After getting home it was still early enough in the afternoon to get in three hours of fishing. For all the good it did me. I was home by 5PM and now I am watching NASCAR. When that is over it will be my bedtime I suppose.

FRIDAY. . . . .

. . . . .I arrived at the fishing hole about 10am and a couple of hours later had a small fish on for about two minutes. He threw the hook before I got him near the net but he was close enough to guess his weight at around five pounds.. . . .This evening I met Mazie for an early dinner. Mazie is a very nice lady that Caren introduced me to. Dinner was fun but as usual I ate too much. The scale read 199 pounds at bed time. Tomorrow I will take Ron out to lunch to celebrate his Birthday from last week. Busy , busy!

THURSDAY. . . ..

. . . . .Another happy day at the bowling alley. 158-152-158, very consistent and for me really high scores. The 156 average will raise my league average a bit above 151 I hope. . . . .Mel is feeling OK, his throat surgery worked out fine and he expects to be home in 3-4 days.  My plan is to return to the fishing hole again tomorrow. I stopped by Wal-mart this afternoon and purchased some new fish line, the other stuff is about 5 years old and getting too dry I fear. The new stuff is 15 pound test and the previous was ten pound. It may not help hooking a fish but it will help should the hooking ever come about.

WEDNESDAY. . . . .

 . . . . . Had another bite today but I was reading at the time and did not respond fast enough to hook him. Better luck next time. The weather is holding, I may try to get back out there Friday, tomorrow is bowling day.

TUESDAY. . . .

. . . . Another amazing day at the bowling alley! My first five lines came in at a 154 average then I repeated it during the second five lines. That came out to 154 average for the day. I think perhaps I am catching on to this game. Of course Thursday is coming up so I may not want to  be caught bragging. After bowling I stopped by the new Sporting goods store in Kelso and spent $18 on new fishing gear; I'll be returning to the fishing hole tomorrow. I expect to catch a big one!

MONDAY. . . . . .

 .. . . . . .Same old story, no fish again today. Mel arrived about half an hour after I did and within thirty minutes  had a five pounder landed. We watched several or at least one fish jump a dozen times or more until I left at 2:45. I lost another lure, line and sinker during the course of the day. I had not been having that problem but it seems bad luck has returned. I'll try to remember to stop by the sporting goods store tomorrow and resupply my fishing box.

SUNDAY.........

...................My scoring was really interesting today. My average after five lines was 149 and it remained that way through the tenth line. I feel very good about the day.     .     .     . After bowling I stopped by Safeway for some dog food and ended up spending $103.73. . . . .After getting home and putting away the groceries I put the doggy in the car and drove to the Teigen's for some of Ron's Birthday cake. It was an extra chocolate chocolate and was just the way I like it! 

The three dogs had a good time running around barking up a storm. ChiChi and I left just before 5PM and spent the rest of the evening at home watching Auto racing and foot ball.

SATURDAY. . . . .

............I got the impression that there a lot of fish in that river but I certainly can not catch one of those rascals. There were a lot of boats and perhaps some of the smiles I saw indicated that they had fish,  ,  ,  or perhaps they were laughing at me because I was not able to hook one.  Tomorrow I will return to the bowling alley, that will be a chance to try my luck again.  Something like that. Tomorrow is Rons Birthday [again] seems like he just had one. I bet he feels the same way.

FRIDAY. . . . .

. . . . . No fish again today. There were several guide boats out there too, that means the fish are in the water but  am told that the fall run will begin soon and there will be many more. Bring 'em on!

THURSDAY . . . . .

. . . .  .A happy day at the bowling alley today. I had the best results ever in league bowling this afternoon. 179-167-151= 165.666. We now have an official name for out team: No Name.  It started out as Team 13 but we had it changed. I don't believe any of us plan on being there for the entire season and that is the reason we all ended up on the same team. At the moment the No Names are in 28th place out of 28 teams. Just think what that means! No way to go but UP! .  .  .  .  I stopped by the Teigens this afternoon to say hello the the newest family member, a doggy named Bailey. Cute as a button! Same breed as Luky. ChiChi does not seem to be bothered by them but he does not 'play' with them at all. He is a very serious doggy.

WEDNESDAY. . . . .

. . . . I drove Mel to Vancouver this morning for an EKG procedure but arrived back in town early enough to spend two hours at the fishing hole. The fish were jumping and I changed lures 3-4 times to entice the buggers but to no avail. Tomorrow I will go to League Bowling but at the moment my plan is to return to the fishing hole on Friday.