I havea suggestion about how to get the attention of the CA politico's.  I
have been doing this for some time now, but maybe if ALL of us did it, it
might grab some attention.  I travel alot.  THis year alone I have been to
Boston, Washington, DC, Orlando 2x's, and here and there to other places.
Amounts to a LARGE chunck of vacation coinage.  I would love to show my son
the Golden Gate bride, the Capital Records Bulding, the Wineries of Los
Gatos, OJ Simpsons Estate (Just kidding on that one).  But I can't.  Why?
Because I REFUSE to travel to CA until I can bring my babies with me.  I
recently turned down a major speaking engagement there.  It was a
heartwrentching decision, as the invitation might never again be extended.
I write for a magazine published in San Diego.  The publisher has asked me
several times to come out.  And I refused.  He knows why- the speaking
engagement was told I had a prior family commitment.
 
But I digress.... After each trip, I gather all of the receipts and
photocopy them.  I then forward them on to Gov. Wilsons office with a note
about how I would have loved to have spent thi tourism money in CA, but went
elsewhere instead due to their policies on ferrets.  I also add that as soon
as they change their archaic laws, I will be more than happy to visit the
Golden State.  So far this year, I have sent close to $10,000 in receipts.
I'm sure they cringe when they see those Disney receipts, knowing full well
that that is tourist money to the hilt.  (I cringe myself ;-))
 
About the stoves... Our stove is close enough to the counter that they can't
slip inthrough the sides or get to the back.  BUT- there is a gap under it
in the front of about three inches.  What we do is take a curtain rod- just
the white extender pieces you can buy in Walmart for $1, and flatten it out
with a pair of pliers.  Then we use sheet metal screws to fasten it to the
front bottom of the stove.  It still allows for adequate ventilation, but
the fuzzies can't get through.
 
-Mrs. Duck
[Posted in FML issue 1781]