Today is supposed to be the nicest day of the week. We’ll have snow
(I’ll believe that when I see it) by Friday. Nighttime lows will be in the
very low ‘teens. Meanwhile the National Weather Service is forecasting a
warmer than normal December meaning that the drought continues. I’d
like to see some real severe weather! Snow until we cry “Uncle, uncle.”
Rain until we start growing gills. I could do without wind, however….

At lunch today, the discussion turned to the current political scene.
Four Cabinet ministers have resigned and are being replaced, chief among
them Colin Powell. I have been somewhat disappointed and a bit dismayed at
how ineffective one of our premiere generals of the past decade has been as
Secretary of State. Perhaps he wasn’t allowed to be effective. Time will
tell as the truth will always out. However the turnover in this cabinet is
not at all unusual. Clinton asked for the resignation of his entire cabinet
(he didn’t accept them all, however). Ronald Reagan turned over almost his
entire cabinet. New blood is good and this type of change will be good for
the current government.

As we were driving through the old city in Pocatello, we passed a nice
looking building that was empty and for sale or rent. Nina and I both asked
each other at the same time, “What kind of a business does Pocatello need?”
We discussed several options and didn’t come up with anything particularly
satisfying. Either the town is too small to support the business, such as a
good computer store, or the cost of entry is too high, such as a good
restaurant. The idea is worth more thought. Quality of life is one things
that draws people and the variety and quality of goods and services
available is part of that equation. I’d like to know if the city has any
kind of a master plan that quantifies what kinds of businesses and what
types of goods and services the city needs to attract and keep vibrant. I’d
expect that there is such a plan, but wouldn’t be too surprised if it
didn’t exist or was superficial. The town seems to have a lot of
restaurants, but my perception is there are only a couple of really
outstanding restaurants. We are very poorly served in the computer area.. In
every case, I can do far better on price and capability by buying it over
the Internet. How much demand is there for a good, competetively priced
computer store? It’s an interesting thought.

We went over to Soda Springs on Sunday to visit. My brother Perry and
his wife Chris came over from Green River as well. We always have a great
time with Perry and Chris. Thanks for coming over. We should do this more
often!