How can anyone live in our country and not appreciate all the wonderful things – and rarely the bad things – that were brought about for us by our early leaders and founders? The metamorphosis has been long and varied.

Along the way, many of our beginning beliefs have been plowed under or abrogated altogether by our government or our schools – or at the very least, corrupted or denied in significance. Later history leaves so much out. I noticed it when my own children were in school.

Warts and all, I believe we have the greatest government or country there is, as long as we are true to its founding principles. Much has fallen by the wayside already. I hope there’ll come a time when we all know more about us and count it worthy of defense and preservation. I must get off this soapbox before I break my neck.

But I do love the history lessons one finds on TV these days. They give us hope for the future when we’re reminded that everything that goes around, comes around.

What a good feeling to see Beth Weaver repainting the fire hydrants about town. It reminds me of a little song we used to sing in Sunday school; “Brighten the corner where you are.” Beth is doing a great job, but isn’t she always?

Since several people besides me have thought the Hood to Coast relay might have been the week of the 22nd, why don’t they ever put a date on that sign? It could just be taped alongside the main message because it does change, but I see it as an incomplete ad.

A news story gives fresh meaning to the admonition, “Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite.” I understand they’re thriving from New York to Oklahoma and points in between. I hope they will keep them on their side of the country, or bed, as it were. Or maybe it’s the beginning of one of the plagues for our last days.

How about that fog on Wednesday? We couldn’t even see across the Neawanna and part of the factory outlet was socked in. Shades of Sherlock Holmes!

Recognizing a kindred spirit in Jack Rosenlund of Necanicum Village, I decided to call on him and get acquainted. I learned that Jack, as I do, had two boys and two girls, although tragically, one of his daughters died at 38 years of age. He and his wife came to us from Brighton, near Manzanita, and he was once a baker at the Dixie Baking Company in Astoria. He truly enjoyed decorating wedding cakes and went joyfully to work. What a sweet vocation!

We have a couple of mutual friends at the village and share many common memories of the past, although I’m sure I’ve been around a lot longer than he. I hope our new friendship will go on and that Jack will continue to enjoy good health for a long time.

(Claire Lovell lives in Seaside and can be reached at (503) 738-7215.)