Jun 5, 2005 by Naomi.

The United States became a country from sea to sea because of the foresight of Thomas Jefferson and of the heroism and undaunted courage of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The story was forgotten for the first century and retold to rally the citizens around heroic deeds in 1905. People like to celebrate. And there are lots of people who can figure out how to prosper from a celebration.

Tourism in cities along the Lewis and Clark trail has been fostering celebrations of the Journey of Discovery for twenty years. It has built up to such a crescendo that international tourism is encouraging visits to areas where scenes can be acted in “living history” events with authentic props.

There is a State Park named after the Shosone woman, Sacajawea, in the approximate area where the Corps landed along the Snake river as it flows into the Columbia river. At that park living history takes place on a weekly basis. Gary Lentz, playing the part of Sargent Gass of the Corps, illustrates parts of the journey by focusing on various features. On weapons he demonstrated loading and firing of the rifles after he showed the versatility of each part.

The audiences for the talks include folks from far away because all tours focus on the “hot” thing. We had Australians who never heard of the Corps and never before had time or inclination to learn. But learn they did. We think it’s neat and hope the community benefits.

Washington State area could have been claimed by British or Russians or even Spanish if not for locations taken and maps made by Clark for use by statesmen in political debate and diplomatic demands.

For good or ill we are a nation spanning the continent between two oceans.

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Jun 5, 2005 by Naomi.

Of course, you’re correct. Skunks do stink. They have a musk gland that produces the kind of odor that makes an intruder of experience move quickly away. It is that very musk that is the basis of perfumes because it has lasting power, but that’s beside the point. People stink also. Why else is there such a market for deodorants?

Actually human body odor could be considered responsible for the exploration of the world. Doubtless, Marco Polo knew well how difficult it was for his European ladies to put on a pretty smell to receive his favors. The Native American and eastern cultures had knowledge of plants that made breathing in close proximity to family and friends more pleasant despite daily bathing. Water was scarce in the thickly populated areas of Europe and pleasant smelling plants even more so. Marco Polo, in his wanderings eastward, found a world of plants until then unknown to Europeans. When he brought back that knowledge, the race was on.

At first, because of course the world was flat, explorers went eastward on land to bring back to crowded European countries stuff that would make them smell good. I know, the myths tell you that England wanted to spice up their bland diet, but believe me, every English lady wanted to smell good for her gentleman and the men liked it that way. When some observers were certain that the world was round after all, the explorers took off westward to find the spice islands.

The rest is more well known in history. When I tell kids who turn up their noses at stroking the skunk pelt in our environmental center, I remind them that people stink also. They snicker because they are well aware of passing gas in the classroom. But they also know that mothers make them bathe often and change their underwear so the point is understood. Odor is endemic to all living things. My sinuses object to overuse of body and room deodorants. I appreciate their effort. I hope I succeed in counter offense.

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Jun 5, 2005 by Naomi.

Busy as a bee sounds and looks like a good example of hard working as does the beaver example. You may not see spiders working but the results of their labor makes itself well known when the dust settles on it.

Spiders seem to like my car. At least one appeared to be exploring the open passenger window yesterday. When I sought to brush it outside it disappeared into the slot where the window rolls down. I saw it again later and it deftly receded into the slot. I had vacuumed the car interior several days before so the previous webs had been disturbed. That obviously did not deter Ms Spider. She simply moved her territory up front.

Two thousand and five is not the first year I’ve had evidence of spiders in my car. My grandchildren laughed at the webs they saw in the back windows five years ago. I rarely see the critters and expected that they froze out when winter came. But they do not freeze out in my back yard so why would they freeze out in my car? They are busy little beavers or bees - actually spiders.

And I live with them - sort of.

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