Get a load of that IFISH magazine!
I'm so proud of it! I can't get over how awesome it looks! And, what great articles! It's like... real! A real magazine! Wow!
I've been fishing of all things! Yes! Me! Fishing!
I'm getting ready to go again, this morning!
I went out on the Willamette the other evening with Scott Nichols. It was so fun to go down to the dock and see people I knew!
Oregon City truly is a home away from home! I walked down to the dock, feeling a little bit lost. Where was I? Where was I supposed to park? I hadn't been down here since my Dad used to take me fishing!
But, at the landing, there stood David Johnson and Lee Darby! "Hey, you guys!" Never had I been more glad to see "locals!"
Then, a boat pulled up, which I thought was Scott, for sure. (You know my eyesight...) I laughed, when I realized it wasn't Scott at all, but someone else and his Dad!
"Oops!" I said. "I almost got in your boat!"
The guy said, "You are Jennie, right? That's OK! You can go with us!"
He was from ifish! Yay! More non-strangers!
Finally, Scott buzzed around with his Alumaweld, and a friend of his, was also waiting to go with us, on the dock. I met him, and we had a great time, talking.
Scott took us to all his best holes, including up the Clackamas. That was so fun! We went really fast and saw eagles and buzzards and all kinds of things!
No fish that evening, but who cares? The boat ride, the company and the fishing was a blast!
I couldn't ask for a nicer neighbor!
I'm in Tillamook, and yesterday, Bill was telling me that the place was a little lacking in color. (hint hint) He was reminding me that he missed my flower boxes. So, now I'm flowering two homes, huh? Yep! We went flower shopping and I made hanging baskets and boxes for him. Well, for us, I guess. It just hadn't occurred to me that I was going to have to do two homes of flowers!
Today, we are headed out on the Tillamook Bay. It's drizzling out and perfect for fishing. I'm typing as fast as I can, in fear of hearing Bill's motor rev to tell me that I'm late, late, late!
Off I go! I will report, later!

May 16, 2012

Oh! How I love me some sunshine!
I've been feeling actually good lately! Is it the sun? I think so!
I have planted much of my garden, and that makes me feel so good, too!
I was a little hesitant to finish planting the corn. I'll never forget that my Grandfather passed away, shortly after coming into the farm house and exclaiming to Grandma, "Just got the corn in." He sat down in his chair and expired.
My Grandfather lived a wonderful and long life. I loved him so much!
You know, it's a lovely way to go, if we have to go... but still. I always hesitate, when I "get the corn in". I never plant it last!
I bought two raspberry plants to supplement the suckers that I took from Tillamook. I planted two blueberry plants that I bought at a really good price at the Grocery Outlet store.
I put in the cucumbers and the tomatoes from Costco. I'm having so much fun!
I also just must have what Andrew always calls "Grandma grass." My parents took such good care of their lawn, and I promise to do the same!
This is a real challenge, however, with "Willie the auto thatcher" around. He races around the lawn, digging in, with his claws. Huge pieces of grass come up, when he skids to a stop, or takes off at a start! So, I bought some grass seed to cover up his auto thatching, and scattered fresh dirt over the top. My lawn looks a bit like dot to dot Seurat, but it will all fill in. That is, if I can get Willie to the coast, or otherwise slowed down!
I got invited to go evening fishing tomorrow night on the Willamette tomorrow night and I'm so excited! Last time, I was invited, however, I got so excited that my lung collapsed. Lord help me, I've got to be calm!
Anyhow, I'm back! I'm happy! I'm (Dare I say) healthy!
I finally feel good again! Whoo hoooo!
Honest to God, I didn't think it was going to happen --ever again! I was almost to give up. Was I on my way out? Am I getting old? (Never!)
Thing is, when I have these good times, I often overdo it to the point of feeling badly for a while, again. I'm trying so hard to not do that! Rest, Jennie, rest!
None of my lungs are going to go pop!
I feel so good that I just have to scrub the walls outside, and plant the garden, and get things done, while I can!
It's that old ying yang thing. Everything in balance. I'm trying! If I get things done at a moderate pace, I should be OK. Right?
RIGHT!
But, tomorrow night, I don't care. I'm going to fish as hard as I can! Consequences be darned!

May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day is right! Whoo hoooo!
Whether you are a Mom to a dog, a cat, a friend, a child of your own or a child that otherwise needs you in their life, Happy day to you! Thanks to you, and much appreciation for all that you do!
Take the day off! Enjoy the sunshine! Go to church! Go out to lunch! And then sit in the sun, or work in the garden, or whatever makes you happy-happy! Hug yourself, and know that you are appreciated!
Frankly, you'd think it was "Puppy Day" as Willie is expecting me to be with him, every second. Yeah, I know. I feed into that! And.... if I'm not there every second? By golly he is going to tear up the yard until he gets my attention!
I had a great day, yesterday. I felt good for the first time in what felt like ages, and man did I (over) do!
I went to Meldrum park for the first time, to see what it was all about. I took Willie on the way home from the puppy park in celebration of getting the corn planted, after I prepared the garden.
What a different style of fishing than I'm used to!
Frankly, I didn't like it a whole lot, but I guess for what it is, I can see that it would be fun. City fishing is just different. The boats on the Willamette were just thick out there! They trolled slowly while others were skiing and jet boats were racing, and swerving in and out. It was kind of chaos, everywhere!
I think I fish for peace, and I couldn't find it at Meldrum.
I parked next to some 20 some things that were fishing off the bank. They had a hiked up truck rig, backed up to the river bank. They had a bbq out, and their truck was blaring loud music. Next to them was another couple, drinking beer after beer and also fishing- and on and on down the line, they fished.
I asked the kids if they had caught anything.
"Nope, but yesterday almost everyone caught one!"
The old "Shoulda been here, yesterday..." I know that one well!
It kind of reminded me of the days I sturgeon fished off the Washington coast. The only difference is that we didn't play music, drink beer, or park so close together!
We'd sit in the rocks and eat sandwiches and watch the waves come in.
Meldrum park is more of a party atmosphere, like when I was in high school.
It reminded me of when we used to all hang out at what we called the logging bridge. It was on the Molalla river. Lots of revving engines and loud music. People barefoot, and having fun. Kind of a "Saturday at the park" feeling.
I'm too old for Meldrum, I think! I felt a little out of place.
Still, I was glad to know what it was all about. There are serious fishermen, there. I could feel the tension in some of them, as I walked by. I could sense that they took their quest very seriously! They'd sit and stare at their rod tips. "Any minute, now!" I remember that part, for sure! Fishing is fishing, after all!
I think that perhaps the party mood was brought on by the intense sunshine, and perhaps I'll try it again when it's raining and then, maybe I'd find more of what I'm used to.
The only thing remaining that would bug me is the garbage that is all over the place. People! Pick up after yourself and others! Take care of your river bank! It's yours, after all! (Man, do I ever sound like a "Mother"!)
Today, I am going to get dressed and go to church at a little church around the corner. Then, I'm going to try my hardest to do "nothing"! I'm not much good at that, but I'm going to try! I'm just going to sit on the chaise lounge in the sun!
Alright... I may plant something in my garden....
And take care of Ifish....
And bbq a roast...
And since it makes me happy to have a clean floor to feel under my bare feet, I may sweep and mop...
And it sounds fun to go to Macy's sale.... and after that, I think I'll take Willie for a walk, and feed the cat, and take out the garbage, and finish paying my bills...
But, I promise! I'm going to lay in the sun!
After all, we are Mothers and that's what we do!
What is it we do? Too much!
Happy Mother's Day!
Oh! And all you single parents out there? Remember that you get to have kudos on BOTH Mother's and Father's Day! So, have fun! It's one of the bennies! (There are a few!)

...Continued bottom of
May
April
Jennie's Fishing Life, Complete!
I love my life, and it's a pleasure to fish it.