The Squamidian Report – May 27 / 17
Issue #783
Including:
The Ontarion
Hi All,
Would you believe the TV adds for the PNE have already started and its
not even June yet. The PNE is the west coast equivalent of the CNE and
takes place at the same time. Its like wishing the summer away before
it even gets here. Our world seems to be ruled by the corporate culture
and consumerism. But the jokes on them, I won't go. It's just that
simple. There are lots of places I won't go and thats right up near the
top of the list. Lots of things I won't buy as well. Whenever I see or
hear a commercial that rubs me the wrong way I actually make a point of
remembering the product so I can make a point of NOT purchasing it.
Yes, I'm grumpy about lots of things but thats one of the best perks
about getting old.
Would you also believe we've actually had some fairly nice weather.
We've been getting a few days of it then a day or so of cold and rainy,
then nice again. This trend to sunshine and warmth took its time
coming. It had been promised for quite some time and every day the
weather forecasters would back it off another day. But, it has finally
arrived, with the exception of more snow on the mountain passed the
other night and a wind storm that took down trees in the city and blew
small boats right out of the water and up onto the beaches in
Vancouver. So, when each 'nice' day arrives we tend to be a bit
suspicious. Understandably one would think. On one of the nice days I
took the old Harley out for a toot and rode up through Whistler and
Pemberton, and on over the Duffy to Lillooet for lunch. It was hot in
Lillooet but down right chilly on the Duffy. There is a location where
the highway follows the side of Duffy Lake where avalanches are a
constant problem all winter. They come roaring down the mountain side,
right across the highway and into the lake. Its the spot where there
was an avalanches a couple of weeks ago when I was going to ride to
Lillooet but changed my mind, only to find, had I done so and assuming
the slide didn't come down when I was right there, I'd have been
trapped on the other side of the slide area as a slide had come down
during that day. The snow and debris from that slide are still very
evident. A narrow cut has been made through the now congealed snow that
buried the highway. You ride right through with the wall being about 3
stories high on the high side and 2 on the low side. I didn't take any
pictures because there is no where to safely pull over. Besides, I've
seen it before, I'll see it again.
You know, there has and still is a lot of talk about flooding. Rivers
and lakes are running high. Property is being damaged or washed away.
The media try's its best to make it an even bigger story than it is.
Heck, Okanogan Lake is way over its usual banks and homes along it's
shores are in danger. The news cast referred to it as “the highest the
lake has ever been in 20 years”. What a stupid statement. I guess just
saying the highest is been in 20 years doesn't sound urgent or critical
enough, they had to make the statement sound ridiculous by inserting
that word 'ever'. Its also interesting how the media tries to make it
look like these are almost biblical type events and the world is coming
to an end. Funny, no one wants to point out that while yes, there has
been a lot of rain this spring, we just don't seem to learn that rivers
and lakes do flood at times. We continue to build on flood plains,
where it can and does flood. We continue to clear cut and / or develop
hillsides which makes them susceptible to erosion and sliding and then
wonder why the homes down below got buried. We continue to remove trees
and other ground covers in drainage basins and then wonder why the rain
isn't held and contained and released slowly like it should be and then
wonder why the rivers and lakes a hundred miles down stream are rising.
When we get a wet year we immediately forget the dry years and think
the world is coming to an end. When we get a dry year we immediately
forget the wet years and thing the world is coming to an end. We as a
species sure are down right dumb.
doug
****
****
The Ontarion
Sorry to all but I've been contorted at both hands, both feet, my left
elbow and knee all week with this damned arthritis so please forgive my
missing this week again. A great deal of pain is keeping me down!
Hopefully next week will bring some relief and i'll be back in commission.
My best to all .... Greg
****
Have a good one..
the doug
The Fine Print!
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