Day 22
We’re still in this RV park in Lutz, Florida, which is north of Tampa, so I hear. This is not my favorite place in all the world, but it’s not all bad. Lack of grass is a problem. When I go out to lay down and watch the world go by, I have to lay in the dirt. Yeah, I could lay on the rug that Geri put out for me, but it clashes with my coat. When I feel the need for a roll, I roll in the dirt and dried leaves, and I become a Dirty Dog. The places we go for walks aren’t big enough for a good run. But today was different. After breakfast, Don put me in the truck and took me to a huge, grassy field, that had ponds around it. Right out of the truck I got to chase a Great Blue Heron, who had made the mistake of landing a few yards away from me. Boy, did he take off fast. On the field, I ran so far that I couldn’t hear Don yelling at me. But I know that he yells at me whenever I get too far from him. That’s OK, I know that he’s just looking out for me. I let him catch up, then I rolled in the grass, got up, and ran some more. I must have done five or six rolls, and ran after each one. I was getting tired, but I didn’t want to show it, so I found a young girl and let her pet me while I rested. When we got back to the truck, it was good to lay down and take it easy. When we got back to the coach, Geri and Don decided to defrost the freezer in the refrigerator. They took everything out of the freezer and put it in a ice chest, then took a hair dryer and melted all the ice out of the freezer. It looked like a big job, something I wouldn’t want to do. When it was done, and everything was loaded back into the freezer, Don said it wasn’t working any better. I guess sometimes even humans can’t figure out what’s going on.
After lunch, Geri and Don took off in the truck, and I took a nap. They were back just in time for my dinner, and told me about going to Tarpon Springs, Dunedin and Clearwater. They said the traffic was worse than Los Angeles, which I know is very bad. They had clam sauce pasta for dinner, resulting in good plates. We were supposed to watch the Space Shuttle launch, but we missed it be[GY1] cause we were still eating.
Don has asked me if he could use my blog to publish a letter that[GY2] he wrote to the local newspaper. I really can’t turn his request down, as he is very useful in getting my blog published. So, here it is:
March 15, 2009
Editor, Tampa Tribune
As a visiting Californian, I was gratified to read your Sunday Baylife article on vegetable gardening, with emphasis on the use of Green principles and practices. It was very well organized and full of good suggestions on keeping your garden Green, which many of us on the West Coast take very seriously.
I have to say that I was, however, disturbed and disappointed in the approach that the article took toward garden insects. The endorsement of a “Good Bug, Bad Bug” policy is obviously extremely judgmental, and fails to recognize the concept that all insects, regardless of the level or nature of their contribution to the welfare of the garden, are entitled to nourishment. Further, identification of types of insects as “bad” constitutes insect profiling, which we consider abhorrent.
You might be interested in following the progress of a Bill which a large number of us are supporting, AB 1086, through the California Legislature. It is entitled the “Dignity of All Insect Species Act”, and, when enacted and signed by our Governator, who is an Enlightened Republican, will require that all growers, both backyard and commercial, provide sufficient crops in their gardens and fields for the sustenance of all insect species, in order to ensure that we do not suffer the tragedy of the loss of a single aphid. We are hoping that Florida’s Enlightened Legislature will soon follow suit.
Otherwise, a great article!
Don Yokum
Ventura, CA
I hope that this all makes sense to you. G’Night!



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