Anonymous sources today reported an incident of enormous

cruelty to animals, specifically a gang of elk. These elk were peacefully

grazing, snacking on a few leaves and flowers, when they were

suddenly confronted by a short woman in a plaid flannel bathrobe who yelled at

them to get out of her flowerbeds.

The startled elk were forced to flee precipitously back into the

woods, fearing for their very lives. The woman was quoted as saying,

“Everything was fine. Then they started on the

lilac bush and I-I-I just snapped!” The woman’s name is being

withheld, pending notification of the proper authorities.

PPP

The Mountain Man and I had company last week.

Fifteen-month-old Caitlin, her cousin, 5-month-old Quinn, their respective

mothers (nieces Judith and Kristin) and their Nana (my sister Jeanne) came to

spend the day with us on Thursday. Caitlin is walking very well and pretty

much covered the entire acreage, followed by her adoring entourage. Both

girls admired the ponds, with Caitlin especially enjoying the baby mallards

that had hatched out especially for her visit.

It is so much fun to have babies visit. Everything is so new to them.

A dandelion is the prettiest flower they ever saw, and having a cat to

toddle after is a high point of the day.

We all went to lunch at Yum Yang, where Quinn enjoyed a green

bean. Caitlin fell asleep. That’s what she did the last time we were there, so you

can tell that it is a very soothing place to eat.

We capped the day by watching a very bad video made from old

family pictures. We were such a fashionable family! I don’t think anything is

funnier than looking at the clothes we were wearing in the 50s and 60s,

particularly the new Easter hats.

PPP

More Silly Statutes: Rawlins, Wyo., has made it illegal to walk

an ugly dog down any public street. No mention is made of who decides if

the dog is ugly.

Memphis, Tenn., prohibits frogs from croaking after 11p.m. I

would like to see who has the job of enforcing

that rule.

And last, but by no means least, it is illegal to hunt whales in Kansas.

Tell that to the Makah’s.

PPP

The Friends of the North Bend Library are having their annual

Book Sale this Friday and Saturday. The combined pre-sale and meeting is

Friday from 6-8 p.m., and the sale is Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30

p.m. We have received loads of terrific donations, so it should be a good

sale. All the money goes to help support library programming.

PPP

I have received a communication from some people who live along

the river dike and they tell me that the dog problem has not gotten any

better. Please, when you are walking your dog, keep it on a leash at all times.

Not only is it the law, but also it is much safer for your dog. Dogs

who are allowed to run lose cannot only cause trouble; they can get hurt.

Dogs get hit by cars all the time. Larger, more territorial dogs can bite them.

Is it worth having your pet hurt?

I admit it’s nice to be able to see a dog running free. Let them do it

at home, or take them to an area where they can’t get into trouble. Keep

them leashed around other people, and other people’s property. It is for

everyone’s protection.

PPP

Thought for the Week: “Don’t set your goals by what other people

deem important. Only you know what is best for you. Don’t give up when you

still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment that

you stop trying. Don’t dismiss your dreams. To be without dreams is to

be without hope; to be without hope is to be without purpose.” _

Author Unknown

Please submit items for

North Bend Nuggets to

Pat Simpson at P.O. Box 857,

North Bend, WA 98045,

or by e-mail to patsimps@hotmail.com,

or drop them by the library.