MUSING OVER CHICKENS, MARIJUANA, WEATHER

What do chickens and marijuana have in common?

I came up with this analogy a few weeks ago related to the medical
marijuana debate.

I was standing in the alley behind our house, talking to my new
neighbor about his chickens. I asked him how many he could have in
his yard.

He told me the city said it was okay to have up to 12 at a time, but
no more than that, and no roosters.

"Your old neighbors let theirs run all over the backyard and in the
alley," he said. "And they made a lot of noise. They had too many."

I thought to myself, if the city can come up with a compromise on the
inner city chicken and rooster population, then why not something
similar related to the marijuana issue?

Now, I'm not pro-weed by any stretch. Personally, the stuff almost
got me killed back in my earlier days. I was body surfing high one
day and nearly drowned.

Those waves just didn't look so big while under the
influence.

However, I understand there are those whose quality of life depends
on marijuana. Now, I'm not talking about the average Joe, so save the
jokes.

I'm speaking of the ones whose physical health is so bad that they
need the weed to provide comfort for their various ailments.

Honestly, I am okay with this.

What we don't need are more laws. Enforce the ones that say patients
can have so much in possession and leave it at that.

As for growing it within city limits - well, like the chickens, put a
small limit on that, too. And punish the heck out of those who
blatantly break the law.

Apparently, this is easier said than done.

I recall one particular example of this while house hunting. We were
in the Antelope area; I guess the soil out there is good for growing.

Anyway, we're looking at this one house and, as I walked out of the
sliding glass door on to the back patio, this incredible stench
nearly knocked me over. So, I followed it.

The next thing I know, I'm at the back fence, peering over on my tip
toes. What I saw blew my mind: Mary Jane from fence to fence.

There was enough weed there to stone the entire county.

Needless to say, we passed on that house. But I can fully understand
the concerns of those who don't want the stuff anywhere near their
homes.

I can also appreciate law enforcement and its stance on not wanting
growers living within city limits.

Hopefully, some clearer heads can find a compromise, no pun
intended.

Finally, who turned down the heat?

Man, did it get cold in a hurry or what? A week ago, I was going to
parody my favorite Christmas Carol to the weather and Black Friday,
but I decided to go with sheetrock and two-by-fours instead.

It would have started something like this: "Oh, the weather outside
is delightful, but inside the stores are frightful; and since you've
got no place to go, spend your dough, spend your dough, spend your
dough."

The jingle got lame after humming it twenty or so times in my
head.

This week, it really was frightful outside. So much so I had to trek
to Wally World to pick up a pair of long johns - for my legs.

I think in the bigger picture of things, we've got it pretty good
here. At least we don't get "feet" of snow. I can't imagine having to
dig out of my own house.

Lastly, I want to say goodbye to a former student, good friend, and
awesome CVS pharmacy clerk, Melissa Parrish. After seven years, she's
moving.

I wish you well. Thanks for everything you did for my family when we
were sick.

For the rest of you, have a great Friday.