THURSDAY

I think the earth moved here in Oregon this weekend and I'm not referring to Mt. St Helens. The Portland Oregonian has endorsed John Kerry for President. I honestly can't remember the last time they endorsed a Democrat. The public editor's column on Sunday actually walked us through the decsion making process. It was interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes. Of course the letters have started already. Where did people get the idea that newspapers were unbiased. Is it this "fair and balanced" moonshine they push at Fox News. Of course the media is biased in some way. Live with it, learn to see through it and make up your own mind.

Realizing as I watch the carefully managed appearances of the incumbents that these guys are isolated and protected in ways that would make the old absolute monarchs drool with envy. At least when Charles I went somewhere he had to ride a horse or use a coach. He couldn't help but see the country side and the people once in awhile. Dubya and his entourage basically go from air port to air port. Anyone who might cause trouble or even ask an embarrasing question is kept very far away.

But, hey, the sun is shining, the fog burns off in the mornings, it's just pleasantly crisp not totally frigid yet. There's still a few flowers left in the garden. The susans are gone. You can bake and broil 'em but bring on the cool, damper weather and they just go. We have a climbing rose in the front. Officially it's white. But get water droplets on it and add sunshine and it gets red polka dots. Very different.

Cold season has started at the office. Any suggestions for immune enhancers besides eucalyptus, tea tree and lavender. The mix I'm using right now also includes pine and citrus. Doesn't smell half bad and works well in my diffuser and steam inhaler.