Slow News

REPOST

 (from January 19, 2018)

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.. It took the American news media quite some time to figure it out. There are some interesting connections that will come to the fore in the next few news cycles. We hope that they get it right.
.. We'll ask the questions and see if the news media can follow the bread crumbs:
>> How is the John Bolton "Super Pac" funded?
>> Why does the NRA have life members from Russia?
>> "NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION" ?
>> Why does John Bolton provide the NRA with publicity?
>> Why is Cambridge Analytica in bed with Bolton?
>> What do Aleksander Torshin & Donald Trump Jr have to talk about?
>> What does Sean Hannity have to say?
>> Does any of it matter?
>> Should foreign nationals and foreign money be used in our elections?
>> Will it make you a better fly fisher?

T & T & P

DONALD TRUMP JUNIOR

ALEKSANDER TORSHIN



TRUMP AND TORSHIN
AND MARIA BUTINA 

WAYNE La PIERRE

WAYNE AND DON

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So there you have it.

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P.S. >> Who is Torshin?  {{LINK}}

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WALLPAPER:  BLT & CHEETOS

Palm Trees, Figs and Dates ?

MARCH OF TIME

Longer Summers ?

some shorter winters ?

WINTER PARADISE ON YELLOWSTONE LAKE - nps photo

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.. Of course we've noticed that the snows come later and leave earlier.
.. Certainly we've seen the entrances to Yellowstone National Park change their seasonal opening and closing schedule.

OUR CHERRY BLOSSOMS

.. We've not been foolish enough to confuse weather with climate. We've enjoyed the increased growing season and the increased yields of our postage stamp garden.
.. We even have cherries and plums for pies. This coming Spring a couple of apple trees will go into the ground.
.. These are the only fruit trees in town. Some folks refuse to see the coming changes.
.. We are not afraid to accept the fact of a climate change toward the warm side.
.. For more than the last quarter century our little village has grudgingly come to accept the economic cycle that has reduced winter commerce and increased summer commerce.
.. We just came across an interesting note in the WyoFile. Good fodder for the popular mind. They have discovered that the winters in Yellowstone National Park are getting shorter: yawn.
.. In broad strokes the article hints at the changes in future environmental scenarios within Yellowstone National Park. Might be worth a read if you are so inclined.

OUR CHERRIES - TWO YEARS ON

.. We note, from this article, that there is an effort by the NPS to stockpile seeds from the current vegetation species.
.. The NPS has expressed a worry that "invasive" species, (like cheatgrass,) will gain a foothold.
.. My, my, my! Terms like 'native species' and 'invasive species' fail to recognize the time-transgressive nature of landscapes and biological communities.
.. The native species alive in one place today are the invasive species in another place tomorrow as the parameters of the environment change through time.
.. No Melania, they don't march down the road to invade their neighbors pasture. They do, however, move inch by inch and foot by foot toward environmental situations that are more conducive to their survival and reproduction.
.. With their supreme dedication to saving today's environmental expressions the NPS will, in 100 years, have failed to accept the inevitable changes that occur.
.. They will, on the other hand, have the opportunity to take their sack of seeds to a place where they will grow - provided that they can find the soil, bedrock, erosion cycles, climate and, other factors to suit the plants.
.. Maybe they will move a few voles and some Richardson's Ground Squirrels too. Bison? Rattlesnakes? Cutthroat Trout? At what time depth and what place are they going to preserve?
.. For those, in this world, that can plan past the third quarter and, enjoy a perspective beyond their own generation and, have an honest concern for their grandchildren it might be well to invest in palm tree plantations in Bozeman. OR, think through plans for your offspring's future. Or not!

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.. We are currently enjoying our Spring Mix of weather. Rain, snow and hail, (sometimes graupel,) in the same day: keeps the visitors guessing.
.. When the sun pops out and, the wind lays down the midges are still providing fodder for the fishes. The neighbors are exhibiting their tying skills and tying down to size as the generations of midges recede toward invisibility.

SIZE 28 ROYAL COACHMAN & MATCH HEAD

SIZE 32 MINI MIDGE & MATCH HEAD

.. Out of the goodness of their hearts the neighbors tie a few of these dinkers on to a bit of tippet for us to use. We certainly couldn't achieve this task. It's hard enough with cold wet hands to tie the line tippet to fly's tippet.
.. The Notellum Backwater is getting crowded. Somehow word has spread. Loose lips and all . . . .
.. Happily, over at Leapfish Rapids, the neighbors have staked out some fine holes. It takes clever navigation of a boulder field and dodging some icy patches - BUT, the catching is even better than elsewhere.
.. With the longer daylight we'll make it just in time!

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WALLPAPER:  RIB EYE, TOMATOES, FONDANT SPUDS

Release And Catch

HERE COMES SOFI

Robotic Science

use your imagination

..

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.. A brave new world dawns. Imagine the uses, (evil or good,) for this critter when it hits the retail market.
.. Toy drones took just about 5 years to move from very expensive to affordable to cheap. During that time they gained competence, versatility, and ease of use. Now any 16-year-old can have a couple.
.. Use your imagination and plan for the time when you can capitalize on the availability of one of these.
.. Read about HERE.

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WALLPAPER:   PHASIANUS  COLCHICUS

Some Simple Facts

READ 'EM & WEEP

Pork For All

our banana republic

2,322 PAGE SPENDING BILL

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.. The simple truth of the matter is about to show us just who populates our Congress.
.. We wonder if there are any honest members, (of either party or either house,) in our Congress that will tell the truth? Can they pass a law without reading or debating it?
.. Yes indeed Melissa, our Congress has, (again,) just produced a giant omnibus bill.
.. Congress has, (yet again,) bypassed the orderly and thoughtful process prescribed by law and the rules of our Congress.
.. The orderly, reasoned and, transparent way the budget process is set up is to:

  . . . . .   work is through the House and Senate appropriations committees. 
   Twelve bills -- corresponding to the 12 subcommittees on the Appropriations Committee -- that fund the various pieces of the federal government for the next fiscal year are supposed to be debated and voted on in committee and then by the full chambers. All of this work is supposed to be done by October 1.

THE FACTS

>> The current proposed spending bill has 2,322 pages,
>> It plans to spend about 1.3 Trillion Dollars,
>> It includes things other than budget items,
>> It has not been debated,
>> It has seen no airing in either committees or chambers,
>> It must be passed within the next 48 hours to avoid government shutdown,
>> Simple math:

If every lawmaker stayed up for 48 straight hours -- the time, roughly, between when the so-called "omnibus" bill was unveiled and when it needs to be passed -- they would need to read an average of 48 pages per hour, every hour, to read the entire thing. 

>>  Some members of Congress sometimes scan the bills they vote on,
>>  The way Congress allocates money across the federal government is badly broken,
>>  By law  and precedent the budget must be completed by October 1 each year for the following year,
>> 76% of polled Americans disapprove of the way Congress is doing their job, [LINK-D]
>> American voters continue to elect these folks,
>> Read the bill, [LINK-B]
>> We haven't read all of it yet.

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THIS GROUSE DID NOT DIE IN VAIN

.. Have a nice day and spread some joy. Send an email to your members of Congress congratulating them on their speed-reading abilities.
.. Go out and fish today and relax in the knowledge that your elected representatives are assiduously doing their jobs in an exemplary fashion.
.. We're pleased to be a citizen of the world's largest banana republic.

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WALLPAPER:  GENUINE IDAHO POTATOES

Sneak Attack

COMING UP

Watch The News

catch the last fish

PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

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>> Link to: Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
>> What USA TODAY thinks.

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WALLPAPER:   QUESADILLA

Thar She Blows

WORLD'S TALLEST

Secret & Erratic

saw it once

..

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.. Interesting to those who live on top of the world's largest super volcano.
.. That's us.

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WALLPAPER:   PICO DE GALLO

Really ??

DUBIOUS FOOD

Dubious Honor

just get past the color

WALLPAPER:  GETS RID OF SNAKES

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..Just once per year with color colour. It's amazing what the visual does to perceived flavors. Once per year is enough. The taste should be the same as if it had no color colour. Visual impressions are noticeable on the palate.

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WALLPAPER:    RIB STEAK AND TOMATOES

Year 'Round Fish

A NURSERY FISHERY

Spawning Creeks

resident lunkers

VERY WORTHWHILE DESTINATION

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.. When we have access to a sled this is the place we head to at this time of the year.
.. At the point that the Madison River debauches into Quake Lake is it's confluence with Beaver Creek.
.. My, my, my such diversity in the riverine and lacustrian waters. And again, diversity in geography, geology, and vegetation, and relief.
.. And more: ecotone upon ecotone upon ecotone. Wonderfully diverse biomes* flood the senses.

MORNING ELK, UPPER QUAKE LAKE

.. The micro biomes, (micro ecosystems*,) in this little bit of the Madison River canyon are diverse and highly productive for providing food for trout, (and other critters too.)
.. And, that's not counting the rivers' beds and shorelines or,  the sands and gravels from distinctly different basal rocks from two different mountain masses.
.. There are fish to be had here every day of the year: even the water forms are diverse and shelter fish of all sizes and ages. Such a place indeed!
.. As the Madison River makes it's last bend, coming out of the narrows canyon it burbles through a series of ever-changing riffles.
.. These riffles are modified by both varying discharges from Hebgen Dam and from boulder gravels coming down the steep north facing slope of the mountains to the south.
.. Below the riffles is a short run through nicely sorted sands and gravels. This short run is controlled by the headlands to the south and varies annually depending on the build up or erosion of the alluvial and colluvial deposits from the incipient runoff channels.

2008 MASTER DISCHARGE CHANNEL

.. The snowpack and ensuing runoff controls the downslope  displacement of sediments and causes the minor early meanders of the run that can form small bars and an occasional deep hole.
.. As the water of the short run approaches Quake Lake it runs down grade and picks up speed.
.. The flow is interrupted by the Beaver Creek Delta.
.. During a heavy runoff event about 10 years ago the delta expanded and a new master discharge discharge channel was created, [LINK-1].
.. By march of 2010 the delta had stabilized and a couple of exceptional water features became clogged with huge pods of fish, [LINK-2].

2010 STABILIZED DELTA

.. Upstream of the stabilized delta a very deep hole has been scoured out. This holds large resident fish all year, (except when they move upstream for their sexual shenanigans.) The neighbors call this the "DELTA HOLE."
.. The new delta master channel debauches into the Madison River and diverts the flow around the delta and forms a large gyre downstream of the delta. This gyre is called "THE MERRY-GO-ROUND" by the neighbors.

2013 STABILIZED DELTA

.. The 'Merry-Go-Round' is a large liquid 'Lazy Susan' for the fish.
.. It covers both a shallow bit of the river channel and a bit of the deep outflow from the 'Delta Hole.'
.. In the winter and, (to a lessor degree,) the springtime, fish run up both Beaver Creek and the Madison River for spawning.
.. With not too much imagination it is possible to envision the fish movements through the year and through the water.
.. Spawing gravels are in the Madison River all the way to Hebgen Dam and, in Beaver Creek for quite a ways above the Beaver Creek Campground.

FISH EATING FRENZY

.. Scattered along the reaches of both creeks are some protected slack water areas for nursery fish, (and midges.)
.. The diverse river bottom matrix and vegetation variety on land provide all the necessary elements for a veritable, year 'round,  Garden Of Eden for the trout and, the elk and, the grasshoppers and, the beetles and, the ants and, the caddis and, stoneflies and, crawdads and, the . . . - well you get it.
.. In the early spring, (like the last three weeks,) the Madison River slowly eats at the ice of Quake Lake and the debris rain attracts hungry trout. They eat sticks and other stuff. Some of it is nutritious.

THE PARACHUTE MIDGE

.. Yes indeedie, when there is a sled available during this time of year we get down to this playground and gather up several.
.. There are spawners coming back down, there are fry for the snacking. There are residents gobbling stuff deep in the water column and at the surface. There are brown ones and, spotted ones and, colorful ones for the taking.
.. Could be worth the price of a snowmobile.

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.. The melt down continues and the brave kids in town are splashing through the wet. Rooster tails from bicycles erupt from each intersection as the kids try to escape the errant spray.
.. Unbelievably we were young once. We have not forgotten that skin is shrink-proof.

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WALLPAPER:   FISH LIVE HERE

* The definitions of 'ecosystem' and 'biome' are difficult to apply to the seasonal changes and, the annual changes in both the biota and gromorphology of these dynamic areas.

Down To Eleven

FUN LITTLE BOOK

Becoming Rare

anecdotal insights

FLY FISHING YELLOWSTONE: 50 BEST PLACES

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NEARLY BRAGGING SIZE

.. We've steered away from wading in the morass of fishing books.
.. There's way too many of them and we have hundreds on our shelves that deserve mention.
.. However, this little book is a gentle read with stories and anecdotes that seldom get told.
.. It's about the park, the fish, the places, the folks who fish, and a summer adventure.

PRETTY GOOD FISH

.. It's not the typical technical book. It's not the typical reminiscence book. It's not the typical guide book.
.. Although it contains bits of all of these it is actually a series of short stories about places fished during a summer odyssey and some of our neighbors, (far and wide,) associated with the places encountered.
.. We mention it here because there are, (as of this writing,) only eleven copies left at Amazon. Click HERE to go there.
.. Check the reviews for an excellent report on the flavor of the book.

PRACTICING THE REACH CAST ?

.. Should you not want a new one there a a few used ones for sale as well.
.. Stackpole has not released the second edition and is mum about the possibility.
.. We unashamedly plug this little book because we know the author.
.. His name is Nate Schweber.  You can trust his credentials because he also co-authored a book about about INDIANA BREWERIES, (there's only five of those left.)
.. We know many authors of fish-books. This is the only author that is a newspaper reporter,  bon vivant,  and a Rock and Roll star that was born in Montana.
.. Try it, you'll like it!

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.. We're up early. The forecast high temperature for today is 50°F.
.. We're going to beat on the neighbors' doors and drink their coffee for a change. They may even have some waffles - who knows.
.. We have a date with the Notellum Creek backwater. The sun will be out early and the midges will be in full bloom by noon. Streamers, eggs, worms and other non-flies will be offered to the little and big slimies of the creek.

The Nikon Coachman

.. We suspect that it will be a full day of plunking.
.. We shall dust off the back pack, shine up a couple of flasks, dig out some dry socks, and take more than one fly box - you never know.
.. We'll buy this year's license tomorrow.

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WALLPAPER:    DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

What Comes Down

FLOODS COME UP

Watch Not Warn

perhaps it's spring

GREAT BASIN HIGH EXPANDS

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>HERE COMES THE WARM<

Event:	Flood Watch
Alert:	...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a * Flood Watch for a portion of southwest Montana, including the following areas, Broadwater, Gallatin, and Jefferson. * From 3 PM MDT this afternoon through Wednesday afternoon * Minor flooding is already occurring across portions of this region. However, with afternoon temperatures expected to be around 50 degrees over the next few days, the flooding could become more widespread and impactful. * With frozen ground surfaces and waterways, combined with culverts and ditches full of snow, poor drainage of the snowmelt is possible, causing some flooding impacts. Additionally, unpaved roads will become muddy, possibly becoming impassable for some vehicles.
	A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Target Area:	Broadwater Gallatin Jefferson

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DEEP & UNDER THE BANK

..The near term forecast calls for more warm temperatures and a rain/snow mix. 

.. City crews are searching for our drains as puddles become ponds. The ponds may become lakes. It should prove interesting if overnight temperatures fall to below freezing.

.. The piles get darker. The piles melt quicker. The wet gets wetter.

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WALLPAPER:   MELTDOWN IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

Hydrologic Outlook - Alert

.. STRAIGHT FROM NOAA TO YOU

Alert:	...The potential for snowmelt flooding will be increasing over the next few days... Warmer air will slowly move northward into portions of Southwest and Central MT over the next few days. As a result, expect the snow pack at lower elevations to begin to melt. The melting of the snow could start to accelerate by Tuesday and Wednesday, as afternoon highs climb into the 50s. The water from snow melt could flood low lying areas, flow over roadways and possibly flood basements. Small streams and creeks are likely to begin running, with ice starting to break up on larger rivers. Unpaved rural roads will become muddy, possibly becoming impassable for some vehicles. The severity of impacts from melting snow will depend on how rapidly temperatures rise over the next few days and if over night temperatures can remain above freezing. Now is the time to move equipment and livestock out of low lying areas, and away from waterways. If you have significant snow drifts along side your house foundation, take steps to prevent water making it into basements. Also try to remove snow from locations where the water needs to drain, such as storm sewers or culverts. Stay tuned to the forecast for the latest temperature trends. If flooding is observed, report it to local law enforcement and ask them to pass it on to the National Weather Service.
Target Area	COUNTIES
	Beaverhead Blaine Broadwater Cascade Chouteau Fergus Gallatin Glacier Hill Jefferson Judith Basin Lewis and Clark Liberty Madison Meagher Pondera Teton Toole

A Corporate Takeover ?

KIM-YONG-TRUMP

Grandma Said

HEARD ABOUT IT

Saw It Coming

"like" comes in bunches

ONLY PARTIALLY AT FAULT

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.. Grandma gets smarter as we get older.
.. She was full of nifty bits of wisdom: ". . .  a stitch in time." "Many hands make light work." "A penny saved . . ." and so forth: your grandma said 'em all too.
.. She also said "Like comes in bunches." Well, a  'bunch'  just arrived. [1]Yellowstone National Park has banned felt soles on waders and wading boots, [2] Yellowstone National Park has instituted a new  'boating season,' [3]Yellowstone River fish kill = more than meets the ear, [4] Gallatin River is in for another turd storm.
.. #1 - News release that announces the felt sole ban is here,
.. #2 - News release for new boating season is here,
.. #3 - The rest of the story about the 2016 fish kill on the Yellowstone River is here,
.. #4 - Mumblings from the neighbors down canyon [old news may be happening again] here.

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PROTOPLASM MOVEMENTS

 .. We have noted in the past, ( #1, #2,) that the ban on felt soles is a poor and only partial solution to the spread of pioneer species.

NOT BANNED

.. Bits of protoplasm get transported between watersheds in wader seams, boot seams, boot laces, wet fly lines, wet nets, shaggy bison legs, waterfowl feet and feathers, hooves of ungulates, etc.
.. The better solution is, of course, adequate cleaning of all wet and dry gear between drainages. This is a much tougher task and it is hard to legislate moral behavior. So be it!

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NOT BANNED

.. "Invasive Species" is not a scientific term. It's a press-form term like fake news.
.. Scare - scare - an invasion is coming.  Poobah: it's always coming!
.. It really means, (usually in economic or æsthetic terms:) 'those things that will hurt me.'
.. It is a term designed to scare the shit out of folks that know not the way of species propagation and migration.
.. Highly adaptive species move from one landscape to another landscape as pioneers. It is a constant process. The scientific term is "Pioneer Species."
.. Depending on their 'adaptability' these pioneers die, survive, or thrive depending on their in-built adaptability. We are all the product and result of pioneer populations - one way or another. POOP!
.. The fight against "Invasive Species" is really a fight against folks, of the human variety,  moving biological bits through several environments. Fat chance it will be very successful!

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MONTANA INSPECTORS

.. WOW! Golly Gee Whiz! Now there is a boating season in Yellowstone National Park.
.. Now, at last, we can enforce behavior.
.. We can watch the volunteers and and seasonal employees guarantee that boats coming into the park are sterile and carry no pioneer species that are banned.

MONTANA LEADS THE WAY

.. We've seen it done. Nary a trailer hubcap was ever removed, (they do have drain holes - clogged?) Not a brush was used to scrub the mating of wheel to tire at the tire bead, (brushes must cost too much.)
.. We do wonder if the water sloshing around inside the lenses of the lights is devoid of any protoplasm, (who knows these things?)
.. Hip, Hip, Hurray - now there is an 'official' boat season. Now enforcement of clean boat hygiene will proceed in Yellowstone National Park - we're pleased to see it. Montana has been at it for several years.

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., Infrequently we get to fish the Yellowstone River. We did just a bit ago. We saw too many dead fish: Trout and Whitefish.
.. We noted it in a blog post and mentioned it to the counter help at the local fly shop. They put it down to the hot river water and the hot air temperature.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER TROUT

.. Not being familiar with the river we accepted that explanation and went home - pooped and dry.
.. Come to find out there may be a far more sinister possibility that has been uncovered by the folks at "Montana Trout" the online fly fishing magazine.
.. Shitty water may be a contributing factor and it may have been hidden by the Montana Department Of Fish Wildlife and Parks - or maybe not.
.. Read the lurid details here,  (just click on the magazine image and turn to page 39.)

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.. Yesterday when the neighbors got back from a mad dash down canyon to fish the Gallatin River they assembled at their corner booth and told stories.
.. One of the stories was that the turd whirlers at big sky were burbling over the edge again, (see our old post here.)
.. This is absolutely unverified!!  But, fishers from that down canyon bit of water had a cold one with the neighbors and said that there were turds floating in Yellow Mule Creek and the West Fork of the Gallatin River.
.. They attributed it to the increased visitation of rich wealthy very wealthy ludicrously wealthy folks in their enclave and, the rapid freeze-thaw cycles that we've been having.
.. Dear, dear, dear,  grandma seems to have been prescient. A bunch indeed.

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.. The sky has become leaden and there is a flake or two wafting about. The porch light is working just fine now and the trusty horse is still accessible.
.. The neighbors will be knocking  pounding beating on the door at any minute. Best to put on some glad rags and enjoy the day.

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WALLPAPER: 'BURGER STEAK AND EGG BREAKFAST