Claire Lovell

Often when theres nothing on TV I want to deal with, I turn to the Weather Channel. Sometimes it makes you happy to be right where you are and then again, the reporters can be so irritating. Why do we all share days with them in forecasting what its going to be like on Our Tuesday or our Friday? Or if theyre speaking of the west coast when the live in New York, they talk of Your Wednesdays or your Saturdays. Why the modifiers? It just sounds dumb to me. Cooking shows do the same thing. Take your sugar and your eggs and do whatever you must with them. Everyone knows you wouldnt be taking someone elses ingredients, unless youre an inveterate borrower, that is. Sheesh. I know Im too much disturbed by language or improper grammar in the media. No one seems to care or maybe correctness isnt taught anymore. Others insist language is for making ourselves understood. Ive always believed in right and wrong. Otherwise, why learn? The days of one grunt for this and two grunts for that are long gone.

Yes, Im sure the reason there are more motorcycles around is due to the high cost of gas. Still, Ill bet prices notwithstanding many of those guys will always opt for the open road. Olé.

Lots of churches are having a tough time now with lagging membership or members who no longer take part by attending services. Its too bad because I feel that this is precisely what keeps our country in difficult times. Society is always better off with that third partner as a constant rather than a sometime thing. We need to be thankful for the many good things we have and to keep them at all costs. Its how we began as a nation.

One day in August, I was visited by Les Morris, who usually stops by when hes in town. This time, he was able to talk to Jeff who went to school with his brother, John. Not only did he bring me greetings from my friend, Bill, in California; he came with a sample of my favorite candy Moonstruck chocolates, yum.

Im glad Les had such a beautiful day to be home. He was here to do a family baptism and as often happens, the trip was all too short. Les is an ordained pastor of the Lutheran Church and has been teaching 7th and 8th grades at the West Portal Lutheran Church and School in California for many years.

Hey, I saw a kid named Paul Costello on the inspiration network Aug. 16th. He was in Astoria, in front of the Astoria-Megler Bridge and several Astoria businesses. We also saw him at the base of the column by the replica of the Indian canoe (Designed by Jim Lovell). He talked about how the thing had helped his income. It was fun. I think he played cello or base fiddle (I prefer Costello on the cello).

Quip Corner: If youre surrounded by a lot of wise cracking friends, I guess you have your wits about you.

I wish those angels would stop discussing that subject already. Theyre really harping on it.