It doesn't take a whole bunch to make a summer a summer to remember. A trip to the old Olympia Brewery for some "cousins" from Arizona, a good day fishing with the grand son at Long's Pond, a simple hike through the forest to the bend in the Skookumchuck River by the tracks where you used to skinny dip as a kid... there's so much more, so little time.

I love the fall in Washington State. It comes in unexpectedly and before you know it we're consumed by the fog, the mist, the 80 degree days and 30 degree nights. Fall opens the door for Washington's winter. Fall ensures those storms that have been held at bay by the summer are finally, finally given the opportunity to come ashore. And they do... wind, rain, sleet, trees down, rivers flooding, tides going awry... the fall.

I love the fall in Washington State...

Just some more pics of my office...

So often we get caught up in our daily lives that we don't stop long enough to look around, take a breath and just take in that which is given to all of us... all around us... every day!

Look at what we take for granted and what we fail to recognize.

As I travel in my work I have opportunities to travel to places where very few persons have visited, let alone seen. It's my goal to share some of these with those of us who may wish to see them.

These are places I visited last week while at "work". These places were in need of a puzzle solver and so I went to solve the puzzles. Merrill Lake (upper left), Skate Creek (upper right) and the Carbon River drainage (bottom two).

This is the part of my job that I love...

Enjoy!

From another email...

Thanks Glena for the great email... enlightening and soooo true...


Subject: Mexican fisherman

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it tookhim to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked theAmerican.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs . . I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

And after that?" asked the Mexican.

With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my Friend, That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

And the moral is: Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.

An email received... Hilarious!!!

I received this email from a good friend who seems to forward to me all of his email (and other people's email too I think)... nevertheless, this one is hilarious! It's about questions tourists and potential tourists ask Australians. Here it is...

Subject: Visitors to Australia--Question and Answer Sessions


Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK).

A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.


Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)

A: Depends how much you've been drinking.


Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks?

(Sweden)

A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.


Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)

A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.


Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)

A: What did your last slave die of?


Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)

A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not.. oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.


Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)

A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.


Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)

A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.


Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)

A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is.. oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.


Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)

A: You are a British politician, right?


Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round?

(Germany)

A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.


Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)

A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.


Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)

A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.


Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)

A: No, WE don't stink.


Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia? (USA)

A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.


Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)

A: Yes, gay nightclubs.


Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)

A: Only at Christmas.


Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)

A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.


Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)

A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first


...may the good Lord help us!