It doesn’t seem possible that we are halfway through January

already. I remember being told as a kid that time went faster as you got older,

but they never told me it went at light speed. At this rate, we will be

worrying about the Third Millennium any day now!

The only genuine Y2K problem I encountered was the

aforementioned heat at the library. We went three

days with no heat. Even the patrons were complaining. Turns out our

heating system computer was just too old to be Y2K compliant.

When the man came to fix it, he was quite surprised. He had to lie

to the machinery and set it back to December 1999 so it would work till

they ordered a new chip or something.

And it took about a week before the building was really warm

again. Even the books were cold! And you had to be careful not to freeze

your fingers on our lovely granite counters. I think if you had licked them,

your tongue would have stuck!

PPP

A patron told me that I missed a part of Pop’s Country Store

reader board. Sometime during the week, the wind removed a letter. So for a

while, they were offering a 50-pound rabbi for $7.59. I love signs that don’t

make sense. On the road to our fishing lodge is a sign that says: Beach

Access-No Water. Apparently the ocean has left that part of the beach. Of course,

it actually means no drinking water. But you have to admit it’s a hoot.

PPP

We were down to the fishing lodge again last week. We try to make

it down once a month to putter. The bathroom is done and looks even

better than I hoped. It isn’t easy turning avocado fixtures into a fashion

statement, but we managed. I found a great wallpaper border of fish and

fishing gear that had all the right colors in it. Pulled the whole place together.

We now have a bed, so we no longer have to drive the

motorhome down and live in the driveway. It was easier when we were painting

and plumbing to have the housing annex there to sleep and eat in. It is still a

bit like camping inside, but at least we can just load up the truck and take

off. Now we are looking at replacing all the windows. Some of them leak,

and they are all single glass. I’m sorry we couldn’t call Wilderness Glass,

but they are not on Pacific County’s list of approved winterization contractors.

This long distance remodeling is getting more involved than I

thought. But what remodeling project doesn’t?

PPP

There will be a free Babysitting Class held at North Bend Library

on Saturday, Jan. 22 and 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. You must be able to attend

both full sessions. It is for kids 11 and up, and you can register at the library,

or by calling (425) 888-0554.

This is a cooperative project of the KCLS system and Children’s

Hospital. Graduates will get a certificate and a guidebook to take along on

sitting jobs. This is a good course, covering proper care, how to handle

emergencies, and useful business tips.

PPP

I think Dakota, our resident feline, has been studying Feng Shui. This

is the ancient Chinese art of harmony in your surroundings. In China, I

understand they even have Feng Shui masters in to consult when they build

office buildings to make sure they are aligned in the most harmonious ways.

But Dakota has been working on making sure her surroundings

are most harmonious to her. She insists on sleeping in a certain spot on

the bed, and like Sparky, she is an undercover cat. Her food dish must be

in the correct spot in relation to her water dish, or she complains. And

most annoying of all, apparently only half of her litter box is correct. And

this kid doesn’t leave clumps; she leaves continents! My lap must be of

the proper shape, and I am not allowed to read anything that might hit her

fur while she is sleeping.

I realize that as the Cat in Charge, she deserves special treatment,

but honestly! I once read something that sums it up perfectly. Cats were

once worshiped as Gods. Cats have never forgotten this. Anyone who is

owned by a cat knows this is true.

PPP

Once again, I would like to send greetings to Joan. She is having it

a bit rough, and I want her to know we are all praying for her.

PPP

Thought for the Week: Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness

lies in its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there.

Please submit items for

North Bend Nuggets to

Pat Simpson at P.O. Box 857,

North Bend, WA 98045,

or by e-mail to patsimps@hotmail.com,

or drop them by the library.