Hi Chris & All,

It rained after Loma Prieta. It was miserable for the people who had been displaced by the earthquake. Some of them camped in a park nearby and they put up shelters with lots of plastic and I felt so sorry for them. It's almost the anniversary again...it's on Monday.

Before it rains if one's roof isn't too high using a blower to clean out your drains is really fast. You only have the move the ladder a couple of times, instead of every two or three feet.

We have been enjoying Indian Summer in the Bay Area until today, and its time for the annual Canadian Geese migration as they head north. I observed some local geese the other day who were very upset with the touring Canadians. A group of four were gathered and one of them was honking like crazy as a group of 25 Candians flew in. I could just imagine him saying to his friends, "Just look at them. All dressed up with those black collars, holding their heads up high and thinking we should be hosting the party. Honk....honk....I'll be glad when they're gone." In two weeks the migration of the Pelicans begins and the other birds don't seem to be bothered by them. They are truly amazing to watch. I hope they are immune to bird flu.

TGIF....Petra