Muddy Water

The river looks like chocolate milk. The storms that went through last night caused quite a stir. Trees down on my way to work this morning in Allegan. A tree on a house in Hudsonville. Lots of people still without power. Scott and his wife in the slip next to me live in Gobles and they are without power so they are staying on the boat tonight. Quite a few people here at the marina for a Tuesday night.

It's a quiet beautiful night. Temps in the 70's and the mosquitos are taking the night off. I decided to come over to the boat tonight to work on a couple of electrical issues before the weekend. I accomplished what I wanted to and decided to sit on deck with a cigar, a rum and diet cola and my lap top. Someone over here has an unsecure wireless internet router up, so I get free internet on the boat.... bonus! I think it is one of the houses across the river.

I've been quite busy lately. Boy Scout Camp, work, lot's of things to do. The solitude of the boat is a welcome change. Went fishing on Sunday, just Sweetpea and I. We limited out on Perch. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Read Ginger's blog today, http://misshilltoyou.blogspot.com// She has been having a tough time finding a new job. I've been thinking about that a lot. The economy here in Michigan really sucks right now. Gas prices are through the roof, unemployment is up, company's are leaving the state left and right. I read and article today that said in a recent survey 4 out of 10 people are thinking about pulling the plug and going to a state with a better economy, http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060717/NEWS06/607170359/1008/NEWS . A lot of people think the state is dying. Ginger is ready to return to Cheese Head country.

How did we get into this sad state? Why can't we attract new business, new industry? It is a perplexing question, muddy water. It is hard to see what is really below the surface. Politicians all across the political spectrum offer up the fix of the day. But it isn't a simple problem and politcal promises won't put Beer and Kibble on the table.

I've been pretty blessed in my career in that I've always had good opportunities. Steady employment for decades. And I've been thinking that maybe it is time to reach out. I've been contemplating ways in which I can jump into this fray and make a difference. But the waters are muddy, the problem complex. But there is a way to contribute, I'm sure of it, and I'll find it. We all should.

From the boat, l8r. microe