Haven't written in a few days - between work and various pet emergencies, there has been little time for reflection.

I am still feeling warm and fuzzy over Stephen Colbert's masterful turn at the Washington Correspondents Dinner. If you haven't read the transcript, do so - it's pretty darn wonderful. Common Dreams had it posted on their site.

Starting to plan for the Memorial Day camping trip, with the usual group of friends. We are heading back to Rock Creek reservoir, on the east side of Mt. Hood. It's been a great place for springtime camping - no bugs and low enough elevation to be pretty mild. Our group had several very wet camping trips up the Clackamas a few years ago, and we resolved never to do Memorial Day on the west side again.

Karen has been having a lot of minor health problems lately, and is going to a cardiologist soon. It's some concern, but always better to get an expert opinion.

At the moment, Dylan and his friend Jordan are rattling the foundation, between drums, guitar, and 'vocals'. They are really into the Wall of Sound effect. The animals lie low when the music starts.

I hear Al Gore is in Seattle, doing some advance work on his film, which should go into general release in a couple of weeks. I'll be astonished if he doesn't emerge as the front runner for '08. The bumper-stickers practically write themselves.

So the Mainstream Media today reports that, contrary to the right-wing spin, it turns out to be confirmed that, not only was Valerie Plame actively working undercover, but, as many of us have known for a long time, she was actively involved in monitoring the Iranian nuclear program (until her entire operation was exposed). Pretty soon everyone will dare to call it Treason.

Heard a suggestion on some news program that the dollar may go into total freefall any day now, as China and Saudi Arabia decide their holdings would be safer converted into something else. Not only that, but hurricane season is about to start up again.

Outlook not so good.