SEASIDE – People who think theyre in the know are always cautioning against two subjects for discussion: Religion and Politics. I think thats really stupid because both are multi-faceted, controversial and interesting, hence fruitful to talk about. If we dont take on these things, how do we know where we stand? One thing I feel for sure, we can always hope for change.

The Christmas carols are already beginning, although the one I hear almost daily is an ad with Jingle Bells. The build-up is so long and its all over so quickly.

Media reps have become more or less stupid, depending on which one youre listening to. As a person who likes to go for a new word now and then, it really frosts my gizzard to hear the expression, Du Jour as narrative used over and over by everyone. Its not that exciting. I know at least two synonyms myself, tale and story. But I still remember a former election when the word Gravitas was driven into the ground. No one could talk without using it. There were almost as many pronunciations as there were users too. What a bore and what a lack of imagination. No wonder were in trouble. We have so many copycats and follow the leader types, yet there are so few originals to blaze a new and better trail. I cant credit who said it (Hey a Poem!) But I heard this about the Republican Convention: It was like political ex-lax in trying to get America going again.

It was really sad to see the fiery demise of the Thunderbird Motel at Jantzen Beach in Portland recently. What a blaze! That motel was the site of many of our workshops when I was still in nursing. I may even have taken the test for my Administrators license there. (No one alive who still remembers.)

Robin brought me from the Tillamook Dairy, a small jar of Wild Huckleberry Cow Jam. It was really from Genuine Oregon Products in Beaverton. Wild huckleberries taste so much better than bland blueberries, which some people think they are. They do stain things, as most blue edibles do.

I once had a cousin, Burl, who wouldnt eat Huckleberry pie because he had perfect teeth and a wonderful smile and didnt want to spoil them. In those days we didnt have such good ways to clean teeth, three or four kinds of toothpaste, Colgate, Ipana and maybe Pepsodent.

Picking berries which were in the woods in Bear Valley, was a summer past time. Serious pickers wore sturdy clothing and carried a clean lard bucket. They went in groups and made a day of it. Before my sister took them, we had many pictures of such events. People lined up afterward, making silly faces because berry picking could be very tiring.

A young man boarded his airplane and found he was seated next to a beautiful blond. Sensing an opportunity as they made small talk, He told her, Youre a fine looking woman. What sort of men do you like?

Oh, she answered. I like American Indians. Im crazy about their high cheek bones and golden skin. I like Jewish men too, because theyre so smart and often have lots of money and then I like the rugged southern boys who are full of compliments and enjoy a good fight. By the way, what is your name? My name is Geronimo Bernstein, but my friends call me Bubba.

(Thanks to Joel Osteen. When I forget part of a joke, I just make up the rest.)

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