The INDEPENDENT, November 20, 2003
Bits & Bites
By Jacqueline Ramsay
Golly
gee whiz.
I
knew
because
someone
told me
so, there
is a pair
of Bald
Eagles at
the lake. I
finally saw them on Oct. 28th,
atop a pair of very tall cedar
trees on the back side of the
lake – no field glasses either –
their heads shining in the sun.
Then, on the 29th, one of them
was hunting a fish, no luck, so
he perched on the high pole in
the middle of the lake. He was
still around later in the day –
oh, what a sight is our bird.
Oct 31st, 9 a.m., 32°. Shad-
ow says, time to go to the lake,
so, we went. Oh, the beauty of
the first freezing frost. Lake like
glass, reflecting clouds, trees,
and birds. Sun shining brightly.
The back side of the lake was
in deep frost, almost like snow.
Big leaves and small, cascad-
ing down and crackling as they
fell. Yes, it was not cool but cold
under the trees. Birds squawk-
ing and calling; the river, fuller,
rushing and gurgling along,
and, so was my step. One mile
in 20 minutes. I usually poke
along at about 27-35 minutes
per mile.
The Scooters (Coots, to
most of us) are back enmass
today, a couple of Mergansers,
also three geese flying south-
west and a few ducks braving
the cool water. The sun was
making quick work of the frost
on grass and picnic tables.
Bill’s garden was a sad sight,
now he can scatter bird seed
on the remains.
Thanksgiving is coming and
so is Christmas Bazaar time,
are you ready?
I thought I was seeing things
Oct 31st but, yes, there are two
white birds on the lake. A duck
and a snow white swan. It’s no
goose. Nov 2 – snow.
Additions to the bird popula-
tion at the lake, (remember,
years ago, the song “I’m a little
white duck, swimming on the
water, a little white duck, doing
what he otter...) well, there
were about ten little white
ducks swimming on the water
on the 10th, cute.
Are you, like me, beginning
to pull yourself indoors with
popcorn, cider and a good
book? Where have all the good,
entertaining shows gone? I
don’t watch farce shows.
Now, my personal Bite – If
you did not bother to vote Nov.
4th, I hope you never have
cause to even think about dial-
ing 9-1-1. For those of us who
did take the time to think and
know what a God-send 9-1-1
has been, I pray we will some-
how overcome your lack of car-
ing for self and others and pray
there will be a solution to keep
it on its feet so all who call for
assistance can receive it.
Here’s your trivia for the
week. Crickets’ ears are on
their front legs.
Page 9
Annual Christmas
bazaar Dec. 6 – 7
The 25th annual “Christmas
in the Country” bazaar will be
December 6, from 10 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. and on December 7,
from 12 to 5:00 p.m. in the
Washington Grade School
gym.
Santa Claus will be avail-
able for pictures and there will
be crafters from all over north-
western Oregon. Among the
many items to be sold will be
wreaths, toys, ornaments, ce-
ramics, home decor items,
foods, jewelry, quilts and sta-
tionary/cards.
All items must be hand-
made. Raffles must be ap-
proved by the Bazaar Commit-
tee and will be limited to non-
profit groups or youth organiza-
tions. All raffle drawings held at
the bazaar will take place near
closing time on Sunday.
All profits from concession
space rents will help fund activ-
ities of the Vernonia Booster
Club. The cost of a table or
space is $20.00 for both days.
Advance registration is re-
quired and space is on a first-
come, first-filled basis.
Food and beverages in the
cafeteria are sold by the Ver-
nonia Booster Club. If a vendor
wishes to sell food other than
cookies, candy, jams or jellies,
Bazaar Committee. approval is
required. There will be wonder-
ful homemade soups with fresh
hot rolls, piping hot cinnamon
rolls, pizza, and a large variety
of pies and desserts available.
Come for breakfast, lunch
and/or an early supper.
For more information, call
Rietta Behnke at 503-429-
6975 or Nona Skinner at 503-
429-8401.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING??
DO YOUR GIFT BUYING IN
THE COMFORT OF YOUR
OWN HOME!!
NEW PRODUCTS – GREAT
SALE PRICES EVERY 2 WEEKS
AVON
CALL TODAY FOR YOUR
BROCHURE
JANIE 503-429-8133